Maui Wedding - Four Seasons or Fairmont Wailea

1970sutter

Hi.  I am new to the knot.  I live in San Francisco, and am planning my wedding in Maui in the end of April for 65 guests.  My ceremony and reception site choices are now down to Four Seasons or Fairmont, but most likely can't visit the sites in person before the wedding. I am nervous about the idea of planning a destination wedding including pre and post wedding events with family and guest.  So, I would like to hear any pros and cons about these two resorts, your experiences on the resort's ground, rooms, planners, food, budget, service, any inputs would be very much appreciated.  Did you hire an additional wedding planner apart from hotel wedding coordinator?  I would love to see planning bios for these sites as well.  Thank you very much!!

kaesha

Welcome to the board! I don't know if we have anyone planning for either place right now, but check the knottie bio list [url=http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/default.aspx?UserName=HawaiiBrides&m=1]here[/url] to see just about everyone's bios.

lelekay

We didn't stay at either, but we did stay a little ways down at the Wailea Marriott. I can say that we walked down to the Four Seasons three different nights for dinner, and loved it! The restuarants there are AMAZING! Loved Duo...probably my favorite dinner during the trip, and Ferraro's was so beautiful if you get a table right on the edge overlooking the water, which we did. The grounds of the Four Seasons are great, too. We walked past the Fairmont on the beach path a few times, but didn't actually enter the resort. From the beach path, though, I can definitely say that I like the Four Seasons better. I have no idea about their wedding services, though. I'm probably not much help, but good luck!

soontobemrandmrslee

Had my HM at the Four Seasons in Maui so I maybe be biased but I say go with the Four Season the hotel is beautiful as well as the grounds. The food is great too! As stated in the previous posts Duo's is so good!  I'm not familiar with the planning process there but since it's a 5 star hotel I would assume they'd be great. Just from hotel perspective I'd say four seasons hands down. I looked into the fairmont for our HM too but based on reviews the Four Seasons won out. I'd definitely call each hotel and find out their packages and if they could send you any photos of past weddings. best of luck! Congrats

ringobubblegirl

Hi.  Welcome to the board!  I got married at the Fairmont and you can email me if you have any specific questions (ringobubblegirl at gmail).  I liked the Four Seasons lawn (forgot which one) more, but it was out of budget, so we went with the Fairmont.  We got married at the Pacific Terrace, but that particular location will be too small the number of guests that you are expecting.   Our wedding planner at the Fairmont did a great job and I didn't need an additional wedding planner.  I just had a couple of friends as the DOC to manage the photo list and getting people over to the Seawatch for the reception.  I think in the end, the choice will probably depend on your budget and which location will appeal to you more.  I don't have anything in my planning bio, but hopefully will get around to making a married bio soon.  :-)

ETweet

Sorry I can't be of help with the reception sites but I wanted to welcome you to the board. The girls here are amazing and I am sure they'll have great advice for all of your needs. Happy planning!

M&M's_Maui

Hi and welcome to the board!  I've been to both locations and they both have their pros and cons.  They are both also very nice hotels.  I've got scouting photos of the Fairmont in my bio.  What are you looking for in a ceremony & reception site?  That'll help direct my "advice" (???)You can also email me at mnm.6.24.09 (at) gmail (dot) com if you have specific questions.

1970sutter

Thank you everyone for the warm welcomes and very useful inputs!  I am looking for a well maintained ground, dramatic entrance (walking down a long aisle, but no stairs) for ceremony site.  the reception can be indoor ballrooms.  We want to have an elegant classy feel for our wedding site.  I would like if the catering department is somewhat flexible in term of bringing in outside vendors(floral, photographer, cake, DJ...etc) as their wedding packages don't really appeal me.   I know Four Seasons is a bit more expensive, but want to get a better idea if it is all worth it.  I've been contacting wedding departments at the both locations, and they are both very responsive so far.I hear Four Seasons in Lanai is very nice too...but there is not much information on getting married there..