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I think I'm in over my head!

Sara4242Sara4242
10 Comments
in Hawaii
We're planning to elope in Maui in late October/early November, and while I'm about as low-maintenance as you can get (all I've ever wanted was my dream guy and a pretty dress - I got both!), I'm getting nervous that I'm in over my head. 

We haven't booked a thing. So, here's my question ... is it even possible to book a wedding (just us, no guests) a month out through one of the nicer hotels? Really all we need is a short, intimate ceremony in a pretty setting, a photographer and maybe a videographer, and a nice dinner for the two of us. 

Will the wedding coordinators who work for the hotels even work with me if we're just doing that much, with no reception? Do I even need a coordinator?

We've never been to Hawaii, so I'm feeling kind of lost when I don't really have time to be lost! Surprised

Anybody have reassuring stories for me, or resources they can point me to?
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Re: I think I'm in over my head!

  • dianalynmdianalynm member
    500 Comments Second Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    I think you just have to start somewhere, you know? I say inquire with a few wedding coordinators because if you look at their websites, they have small ceremony packages that you can choose from. If you start now, you'll be ok. Since it's just the 2 of you, then you'll be fine, but you have to start now--especially since wedding officiants get booked up pretty quickly. Ceremonies usually last <30 mins.

    If you have time, definitely do some research on photographers and videographers. Maybe because your wedding is so soon, they might even discount you on their services if they're not booked up.

    As for dinner, I say pick a nice restaurant for dinner (Mama's Fish House, maybe?). There are a bunch on the island, so that one is easy to book.

    My friend is using Cherise and The Perfect Wedding and it looks like she has some packages at good prices for small weddings.

    Hope that helps, and good luck!
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  • breanessbreaness member
    Fifth Anniversary 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    If you want it at a hotel it will be a lot more expensive. If all you need is an officiant and you're okay with doing it on a public beach (this is what we're doing) I don't see why you couldn't pull it off. If you're okay with getting married on a weekday I don't think you'll run into any issues. We're getting married a week from next Monday.
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  • breanessbreaness member
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    edited December 2011
    Coordinator wise-- Bill from Mauidforever.com is awesome! Our package was pretty affordable even with flowers, hair and makeup.
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  • Sara4242Sara4242
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks so much for the quick replies! I've been scanning some old posts on this board and have already found a lot of good info. 

    I was leaning towards the hotels, only because I thought it would be simpler. But it sounds like there are other options that could work just as well. 

    Brea - how exciting to be just 10 days out! :) 
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  • breanessbreaness member
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    edited December 2011
    The only reason I mentioned the other option is because I know the difference in price between the public beach and the hotel is ridiculous. We originally wanted to do it at our hotel but it STARTED at $1.5k instead of starting at $300.
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  • AKWinterBrideAKWinterBride member
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    edited December 2011
    As long as you don't try to do an 11-11-11 wedding you should be fine pulling off an intimate ceremony with a short amount of time to plan.  Contact a hotel you are interested in and they will have one of their coordinators contact you. 
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  • hollyzackhollyzack
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    hi!
    Rick at Aloha Moments is an awesome photographer and has affordable packages from 1-6 hours.  Make it easy on yourself, pick a side of the island, south or west, you can get a permit or just sneak out there with the two of you with no problem, but again you need to figure out what side of the island and what you really want.  The Honua Kai is a great place to stay in Ka'anapali and the Dukes on property can do a nice dinner reception or even lunch, you can also walk right out front and walk a bit up the beach and get married. You can also do something like the Grand Wailea and have a dinner set up on the beach for just the two of you after, and then stay there.   I am getting married next April and have done so much research on small and large group weddings at hotels, restaurants and everything in between, feel free to contact me at my personal email if you would like :)

    hzack69@gmail.com
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