Lana'i?

jwheatie12

I know one or two of you are getting married on Lana'i...and probably a few of you have at least looked into it?

So far the 4 Seasons people have responded quickly to my intials emails re:  cost.  Plus the pricing sounds reasonable to me (considering the site).  Of course the 'non-standard' sites at the venue are more $.

Any input, good or bad?

I know it's more remote, I guess certain vendors would charge more to get there.  I did see a post re:  crazy floral $, which makes perfect sense as how tha heck you gonna get the flowers there from Maui or Oahu, ha ha.  A boat?  a plane?  Anyway, I am curious about the concept of Lana'i.

Thanks!

carrieoz_76

I think it'd be doable if you're having a suuuuper small guest list, but there's no way our friends could have afforded to stay at the Four Seasons.

JCSept

Hello,

I am getting married at the Four Seasons Lana'i September 17th 2010.  I am getting married at the Tee-Box Manele Bay.  I am only saying that just you have a reference as to where I am getting married.

So the hotel rate for our guests..... I actually found it to be cheaper than to stay in Maui.  The Lodge has a group rate of $200 per night and the Manele Bay $350.  I mean this is considering that it is the Four Seasons. 

All the vendors are coming to Lanai and fortunately or unfortunately you have to pay the travel expenses and for them to stay there as the last ferry leaves at 6:45 p.m. and I can't remember about the plane but I think it leaves around 7:15 p.m.  So that I'd say has been our biggest waste of money - if you will.  Something to consider though!

The only vendor we have not hired yet is the florist and it's because I need to call her and confirm the details and then send her the deposit.  But I'd say we're pretty set.

The Four Seasons is super responsive! That was the one thing that we loved about them.  Akiko is the wedding manager after you sign the contract and she is the best!  Really, the service that they provide to your is extremely incredible.  We just came back in March as we wanted to meet everyone and we felt like wow!  Everyone treated us extremely nice and super attentive.

I must confess.  So far we have hired all of our vendors outside of the Four Seasons and I can send you an e-mail as to why.  However, you're welcome to look at my bio and see our vendors.  We definitely had to do a lot of research.

If you have any questions - feel free to either reply to this post or send me a message.  But I must confess - Lana'i is so beautiful I don't think I'd change our venue.  But I mean Maui is gorgeous too and it has vendors right there.

carrieoz_76

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_hawaii_lanai?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:73Discussion:babe5890-4974-4001-95ca-7bafeb1e2eabPost:104f4ee8-e5d0-47d5-a585-a3ac765ccc40">Re: Lana'i?</a>:
[QUOTE] I actually found it to be cheaper than to stay in Maui.  The Lodge has a group rate of $200 per night and the Manele Bay $350.  I mean this is considering that it is the Four Seasons.  
Posted by JCSept[/QUOTE]
I think it would be fairer to say that staying at the Four Seasons on Lana'i may be cheaper than the Four Seasons (or other comparable resorts) on Maui - it's not overall cheaper than staying on Maui, though.
<div>
</div><div>Again, I think it'd be great to do if your guests can swing it.  But for us, I think we would have felt that it was asking too much - our guests like the freedom to find more affordable places, stay a little off the beaten path, stay in a timeshare, what have you.  You don't really have that flexibility on Lana'i.</div>

JCSept

Oh that's true! 

Yes, it is a little less flexible.  I mean there are a few private real estates available, and Hotel Lanai which is about $100 per night.  But overall carrieoz_76 is right it is less flexible.  And that is a big consideration especially when thinking of your guests as she brought up. 

As I said before Maui is gorgeous and I would highly recommend some of the sites it has to offer especially because you'd forego some of the travel expenses that some vendors would charge if they have to travel to Lana'i.

carrieoz_76

This is the blog entry of wedding photos that made me dream a little about a Lana'i wedding - http://joannatano.com/blog/weddings/lanai-wedding-photographer-cori-steven

JCSept

Oh it's such a nice idea to share those photos - on that note check out a wedding at the lodge:  http://www.janamorgan.com/ click on work - and the first choice is a photoshoot in Lanai (a wedding at the Lodge). 

Again it all depends on what you want while considering your guests' and your budget.  I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the place or the process in dealing with Four Seasons

jwheatie12

Thank you all so much!!  Super helpful as always.  I'm going to check out those links, and JCSept, I will probably contact you with some questions and check out your bio - you guys rock : )

heidimia14

Hi JCSept,

 Congratulations on your wedding! I know you probably feel like you've been married for a while now, but I found your answers when I searched for Lana'i wedding on the knot. I just got engaged and we are considering the Four Seasons in Lana'i. Just a few questions for you..

1. How many guests did you have?
2. Did you do one of the packages? You mentioned you got outside vendors. Why?
3. Now that the wedding is over, was it everything you've dreamed of? Would you recommend getting married there?

thank you!
Heidi Greentree