Simple Maui Wedding Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Maui Wedding Packages

1. Q: Which is better, a sunset wedding or morning wedding?

A: They are both great, it really depends on the look you want for your pictures. The mornings give a brighter more tropical look, the sunsets a more orange light and the opportunity to have a Maui sunset in the background.

2. Q: What is the best Maui Wedding location?

A: We are very lucky on Maui, it is hard to find a BAD spot! Although all Maui beaches are beautiful we do have our favorites! If you have already looked at our Maui Wedding Locations page and don't know which location to choose we can recommend one for you! Our absolute favorite location for a Maui beach wedding is Southside beach, this beach has consistently good weather, is the least crowded of all the beaches we work on and has a great mix of features such as white sand, palm trees, lava rock and some green area. If you are staying in West Maui and you don't want to make the drive to this beach, we recommend Kapalua bay for a beautiful beach wedding. This beach has a variety of scenic locations for a romantic wedding as well as beautiful sunsets and beautiful white sand and blue water..

3. Q: Do you offer other services not included in your packages such as limos, hair, make-up etc.?

A: We like to keep things SIMPLE so we do not offer other services not included in our packages. However, when you book with us we will provide you with a list of our favorite Maui vendors for other wedding services and you can choose to book any other vendors you would like on your own.

4. Q: What is required to reserve our date?

A: A completed booking form and a deposit of 50% of the package price. The deposit is refundable if we receive your cancellation at least 3 months before your wedding date. The balance of your package is due 2 months before your wedding date.

5. Q: How do we get our Hawaii Marriage License?

A: We will provide you with a list of locations where you can obtain your marriage licence as well as their hours of operation. We recommend you get your license as soon as you arrive on Maui, once you get your license, you have 30 days to get married. For more information from the State of Hawaii on this matter visit: http://hawaii.gov/health/vital-records/vital-records/marriage/index.html

6. Q: How soon can we view our Maui Wedding Photos?

A: A link to your proofing website will be sent to you via e-mail approximately 2 weeks after your wedding. Turnaround time may be longer in peak season (months of March, June, July, November, December). You can share this website with all your friends and family and professional quality prints are available for purchase through your website. You will have more photos on your website than what is included in your package, you will then get to choose your favorite images to receive on your disc in high resolution. You can also choose to purchase additional images for your disc at a rate of $2.50 per image.

7. Q: How long does it take to get our disc of high resolution images and how do we get it?

A: Using your custom website, you will create a folder with the pictures you would like on your disc. Once your final selections are made, you will e-mail us to let us know they are ready. Discs are mailed via USPS first class mail and generally take 3-5 days to reach you depending on where you live.

8. Q: Who will be taking our pictures?

A: Currently Maui Wedding Photographer Karma Hill, owner of Photography by Karma Hill is the sole photographer and will be the one taking your pictures.

9. Q: What if it rains?

A: Luckily this does not happen very often in the locations we usually work in. The first option would be to re-locate your wedding to an area of the island that is not raining. If your wedding gets completely rained out, we can try to re-schedule at no additional charge, if your wedding can not be re-scheduled we can help you in finding an indoor venue (additional venue charges may apply).

10. Q: Can we have our wedding on Kaanapali Beach?

A: The beach in Kaanapali is restricted for commercial activity, meaning, no weddings on the beach. That is the reason you see beaches available north and south of Kaanapali beach on our Beach Wedding Locations page for the West Side of the island (Kaanapali, Lahaina, Kapalua area). The state can fine for conducting commercial activity on the beach up to $5000.

11. Q: Can we have chairs or arches on the beach for our wedding?

A: All the beaches of Maui are considered public property and chairs, arches or any other thing that could obstruct use of other people using the beach is not allowed, no, not even for 15,20 or 30 minutes.

12. Q: What size of Wedding do you recommend for a beach wedding?

A: We recommend the absolute maximum guests for a beach wedding is 50. Due to state laws and regulations you are not allowed to have chairs set up on the beach for your wedding. Without chairs it makes it extremely difficult for a group of guests over 50 to hear and see your wedding making for an unpleasant experience.

13. Q: What's the Weather like in Maui right now?

A: Weather can be very different depending on what part of the island you are on! Here is an up to date weather forecast for our town of Kahului (where the airport is).

14. Q: Can I have a 'mid day' or 'afternoon' wedding start time?

A: 'ALL' of the photos on our websites and Karma Hill's website are taken in the morning or at sunset, because these are the optimal times for lighting. The intense sun can make it very difficult to get great shots as it creates tons of shadows. We can definitely accommodate a mid-day or afternoon shoot, but it does make for really sweaty people and decreased photo quality.

15. Q: Can I just set up an appointment with a wedding licensing agent when I get on island?

A: Wedding agents are by appointment only and don't have a set state office. It is extremely important to call and make an appointment before you arrive on island to ensure you have a meeting with the agent to get your marriage license. We will provide you with a list of licensing agents you can call once a booking payment is received and you are formally booked.