Sugarmans, Gannons, or Beach for ceremony?

Re: Sugarmans, Gannons, or Beach for ceremony?

• fabutan member

  

  June 2011 edited December 2011

  Hi!  I've been to Gannon's before, since we checked it out during our scouting trip and also had our farewell brunch there.  It's a gorgeous venue and it has a number of ceremony sites available.  The most popular one is the Lower Lawn.  However, I have to warn you that there's a VERY steep slope/incline from the restaurant down the "aisle" and to the "altar" area.  It might not be the best choice for your mom.

  
  

  Gannon's also has the Molokini Lookout, which is separate from the restaurant.  It's higher up and has a beautiful view.  It's very flat, so easier to walk across.  However, it's located further up the golf course and even though it's a short distance, you would have to arrange for transportation (shuttle) to/from the restaurant.  This is probably your best bet though with Gannon's.

  
  

  I haven't been to Sugarmans before, but other folks can comment on that.  Tanq and Jackcody had their weddings there and it was gorgeous!    Merriman's is another restaurant site in Lahaina, which might be suitable (you can rent out the flat porch/dock area and have your ceremony there).  You might also want to check out some hotel/resort wedding sites.  Hope this helps!  

  
  

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• Tanq&Tonic

  

  June 2011 edited December 2011

  I would definitely avoid the beach. In addition to your mom's difficulty walking, there are 2 other factors...your steadiness (and subsequent effect on mom), and the fact that chairs are not allowed so having 50-60 guests stand is going to be disorganized and possibly confusing. I have never been to Gannon's so I do not have an opinion on the feasibility. I absolutely love the Sugarman estate but the lawn there also has a bit of a natural downgrade. Not CRAZY steep but still uneven. I will see if I can post a photo. You could always walk around the other way (bypassing the steepest part). the upside is being able to get ready right there in the house. The downside is that it is a huge property. Their main ceremony area is long and narrow, so you might have guests many rows back. However, since you don't need to carve out a reception area, you could use any spot on that property...maybe the small beach area by the gazebo. Where is your reception? Molokini lookout sounds like a great option since it sounds like you have to travel elsewhere for the reception anyway! There are a number of other possibilities like other hotel lawns. What are your other requirements? Outdoor, area, etc?

  

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• mirdybird member

  

  June 2011 edited December 2011

  Ohhhh I just got married at the Molokini lookout and had my reception at Gannon's Lower Lawn on May 26, 2011.
  
  The lookout is beautiful and they may tell you that it's hard to get to but there is parking availibility for about 7 cars (although they tell you 3-4). I would suggest having designated drivers shuttle the guests back and forth to and from the restuarant so you don't need to rent a shuttle (I was quoted by the Gannon's coordinator $500 to bring 24 people YIKES. We ended up having cars and ample parking).
  
  The lower lawn was also beautiful, would fit 50-60 I'm guessing. With the lanterns and twinkle lights it makes for very beautiful scenery as the sun sets just off the side of the lawn. I loved it. Only downside is that Gannon's closes down at 10pm- you can pay for extra time but I don't remember how much it was. I haven't researched the Sugarman estates before.
  
  I don't use the knot too too much but if you want some photos of my ceremony site and lower lawn, please feel free to email me. It's gorgeous there.
  kolyn_7@hotmail.com

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• memegrace member

  

  June 2011 edited December 2011

  Thank you so much ladies for your advice!  Mirdybird, I will pm you thanks!  Tanq, is it possible to rent sugarmans for ceremony only?  I have been trying to find the info about this and am having a hard time!  I definately agree no beach!  (for all the reasons mentioned throughout this post!)  These are the options I am looking at right now:
  
  1) Maintain current reception location at our condo resort in Wailea.  (Elua Village on Ulua beach)  We have rented out the whole pavillion which can accomodate 60 guests.  They have a kitchen area for caterers use during reception.  We are able to have it rented from 4pm-10pm since we have booked our accomodations there as well as other family members.  We plan to have catered dinner on the lawn next to the pool which is beachfront.  Security will allow guests off site to enter for reception.  Cost is $1k for rental.  The best part of having it here is that our condo unit is a few hundred meters away which will allow us to put our daughter to bed and have her grandma watch her as well as my neice if need be.  The pavillion is way off to the side of the resort so it is fairly secluded from the other condo units.  Downside is that we cannot get married on site. 
  
  If we keep our reception plan:
  
  A)  Have ceremony at Gannons on lower lawn ( love mokilani lookout but worry that with about 10 young chidren attending, this could be dangerous!) 
  
    Have ceremony at Sugarmans Estate.  (would require chair rentals for both ceremony and reception) 
  
  2)  Have ceremony and reception both at sugarmans or gannons. 
  
  Im thinking guests will be able to just walk from ceremony to reception since we are about a 10 minute walk to gannons. 
  
  I also am not sure if I should use a WC from gannons if we go that route for ceremony only and not have one at reception part since it will be dinner only with minimal decor, no speeches or dancing. 
  
  ADVICE please!!!!!
  
  meme

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