Makena Cove - too small / crowded?

Smylesue

I'd like to be married on Makena Cove in Maui.  I love how beautiful it is there.  My concern is that there will be other people and weddings going the same day.  I realize it's a publc beach and it's a chance I'm taking when I decided to get married on the beach. 
Any advice from those of you who have been married on that beach?  I assume if there is another wedding going on, I just wait til they are done and then it's our turn.... I will have about 40-50 guests.  I have heard that is too many for that beach however my wedding planner didn't seem to have an issue with it. 

Lastly, should I provide flip flops for guests so they can walk on the sand?

Thanks in advance!!!

carrieoz_76

I was married on the 2nd Makena Surf beach, which is somewhat small.  We had 29 guests, and I'm very happy that we were married on a beach - that one in particular (which is somewhat small), and I wouldn't have done it any other way.

But with a beach wedding, there are some things to keep in mind.  First, you won't have amplified sound so many people won't be able to hear you.  The more guests you have, the further back they'll be and the harder time they can have hearing you.  Also, on a public beach in Hawaii you can't have chairs (their rules prohibit them) and with that many people you increase the chance that someone will need a seat and won't have one or will have a hard time walking on the beach in the first place.

I don't mean to discourage you because a beach wedding is totally awesome, but it poses inherent challenges that can be greater the more guests you have.

As for sharing the beach with another wedding, your WC will register you with the state natural resources agency to use whatever beach you select, and my understanding is this includes the time, so they can see if anyone else is planning to be there around the same time and work around it.  I wouldn't worry about that part so much.  You're more likely to share the beach with swimmers and sunbathers, but that's just something you accept when you decide to be married on the beach (among all the amazing things it offers).

Smylesue

Hi Carrieoz_76,
Thanks for your reply!  Yes I've talked to my planner about some of the pros and cons about getting married on a public beach.  The cons are the chances I will have to take.  It's too bad some of the guests will not be able to hear us.  However I was thinking about it... If I had a videographer, wouldn't they have mics on us so my video would have us saying our vows?  It'd be strange to pay for a videographer and they do not have any sound on us.  I'm assuming that's different than the amplified sound.
Anyway thanks again!!

carrieoz_76

We didn't have a videograher, so if I were you I'd ask them to confirm this, but if they do mic you up, they may not also be planning to amplify the sound for the guests (which would require speakers).  I'm sure your WC can also help navigate you through this issue.  We didn't have amplified sound and were fine with how that turned out - it's just something to think about beforehand.

I also just saw your question about flip flops.  I don't think you need to give them out.  So long as your guests know they'll actually be on the beach, they'll probably wear appropriate footwear.  I would, however, recommend having a friend bring a container of chilled bottles of water - our guests really appreciated this after the ceremony.

Good luck planning!

Tanq&Tonic

Generally, your videographer will mic you to record sound, and you will get a second mic to feed to the amplifiers.  I don't think I've ever seen it done with just one mic.  In fact, our videographer recorded both our vows directly, as well as via a line feed from the amplifiers, just in case.  Regardless, as Carrie mentioned, you will not be able to set up speakers on the beach and it may be difficult to hear.  Yes your guests can hear it later on the video, but it really is not the same.

Smylesue

Great, thanks for the advice girls!   I think I'm going to forget the idea of getting flip flops and instead say "shoes optional" on the invitation. 
I agree on the water bottles too! I would like to get some labels and put them on the bottles myself.  Extra little touch. 

Thanks!