Maybe, you were planning a wedding next summer? But, here in Hawaii, you can enjoy summer all year round. Or, were you planning a winter wedding with furs and boots? Romantic, but how about a strapless cotton dress with your feet in the warm sand and your happy groom in an aloha shirt? Spend your honeymoon swimming in blue seas with the whales and your evenings dining and dancing under the stars.

If it sounds good, why not check it out? Give your honey a plane ticket for Christmas instead of an angora sweater. Call us at Merry Maui Weddings. We can arrange a very affordable holiday wedding with very little notice.

Bring some family or friends, if you wish, or maybe just each other for a very romantic, private wedding. We’ll have it videotaped for you and you can show it at your New Year’s eve reception back home. Think about it.

Usually, Christmas is the busiest time of year for tourism in Hawaii, but, because of the economic downturn, you should be able to find an inexpensive place to stay during this normally very busy time. So, what’s keeping you in the tundra? Come to the land of sunshine and blue waters in December.

For one thing, many brides and grooms don’t care whether their ceremony is in the sand or just above or next to it on the lawn or bluff, so long as beach pictures could be taken after the ceremony. If you are one of these, then you will not need to worry about a permit at all, as these areas are above the high water mark. Picture taking on the beach does not require a DLNR permit.

If you do wish to have your ceremony in the sand, then you will need a permit. The permit is not easy for an individual to obtain, because it requires that whoever is applying for the permit to carry insurance for over $300,000.00 and have the State of Hawaii named as an insurer. Most individuals do not meet this requirement.

We have heard from people who were worried, because they did not know how to get a permit and were concerned that it would be expensive. The good news is that it’s not expensive and your wedding company should be able to obtain the permit for you, at a nominal cost. You can compare how much the wedding companies you are considering are charging to process the permit. If you are paying over $60 for your permit, then you are probably being charged too much for the processing.

At Merry Maui Weddings, your permit will never cost over $60 for a group of 20 our under, because we want to do everything we can to make your wedding not only beautiful, but also as affordable as possible, while never comprimising quality. For instance, you can receive a complete, quality beach photo wedding from Merry Maui Weddings for under $400 plus tax.

When I asked the couple how they met, they both chimed in, enthusiastically, “Craigslist!” I said, “tell me more.” And, this is their story…

Greg needed a roommate for his home and put an ad in Craigslist. Sarah rented the room. They got to know each other as roommates. When the sparks began to fly, they decided it was best that Sarah have her own home. (They didn’t tell me why, but I would guess that dating would be a little awkward when you’d both return to the same house!)

The dating went well and Greg and Sarah decided to spend the rest of their lives together. So, the order of their courtship was unusual – first, they lived together, then they dated, then they married and lived together again, as man and wife. The situation seemed to have worked well for them, as they are as happy as can be.

At the beginning of Craig & Sarah’s ceremony, unusual dark clouds covered the sky, but they didn’t seem to notice. However, just when they began to recite their vows, the sun broke through the clouds and bathed them in golden light. They did notice that. Later, they had lots of fun, frolicking on the beach, while their photographer captured wonderful images.

“You never know”
———————-
Where will love find you?
A party, church, school or work?
Could be your kitchen!

Some brides are sabotaged by nervousness, self-doubt or even their desire for “perfection.” Their extreme concern that every detail be perfect, ruins their appreciation of the true joy of marriage – the wondrous fact that two people are promising to join their hearts and lives in a lifelong commitment. 

Happily, some brides are so appreciative of this miracle, that they perceive the world through rose-colored glasses and see perfection in everything about their wedding. Madaleine was this kind of bride. She is a beautiful, successful career woman who has been an item with her handsome, older groom, Stephano, for ten years. Though Stephano is a charming, well-to-do lawyer, with elegant old world courtliness, she had known him long enough to see through his attractive surface. She must like what’s underneath, because she was head-over-heels, giggling, kissing, him every few seconds, in love. She didn’t seem to see the unusual clouds, hiding the sun, at their Maui beach wedding. Their love was the sun.

Dark clouds hide sunlight
But cannot dim the radiance
Cast by their Love-Light

Amy & David met 7-1/2 years ago when Amy was still in high school and David had just graduated. They were working at the same fast food restaurant. At first, they had to date secretly because of company policy. David quit his job so he could openly date her and they have been a couple, ever since.

They decided to delay marriage until they had their careers and finances in order. So, they focused on their schooling, Amy her nursing and David as an engineer. They graduated, obtained good jobs, and decided that they were ready for marriage.  They saved money and planned for a Maui wedding and honeymoon, which they fully enjoyed. They picked a lovely color scheme - cobalt, white and lavender, which the sunset that day cooperated with.

Amy & David are planning to finalize the purchase of their own home when they return from their honeymoon on Maui. My mother tells me that their judicious planning and dicipline were very common with couples in previous generations. Sounds very sensible to me.  

When I asked them how they met, they told me they had met at the age of thirteen and began dating. Unfortunately, when parents moved, they were seperated and lost contact with each other. After a number of years, Michelle decided to find Brooks and succeded.  They had been through many experiences and other relationships that had not worked.  Meeting each other again, everything clicked immediately and they have been together ever since.  They achieved their dream of celebrating their wedding and honey moon on maui and I don’t believe they will let themselves be separated again.

I watched this peaceful, happy couple walking away, hand in hand and I thought they looked like two peas in a pod. It was if they had always been together.

When two hearts unite

Separation does not break

The bond created

Over 16 years ago, Donna decided to be bold and ask for what she wanted in a newspaper ad. She asked for fun, companionship and romance.  Bob soon responded and their correspondence was so pleasing, they decided to go on a real date, meeting in person for the first time. This date was so successful, the couple told me, that it never ended, and subsequently they planned to marry on their 16th anniverserary.  A long engagement can be very romantic.

So true to their spirit of fun, they planned a festive wedding, hawaiian style.  After, the touching and sweet ceremony and music and hula, Bob and Donna enjoyed a wedding toast and haupia coconut cake, as the Maui sky celebrated their union with a spectacular display of golds oranges and pinks.

As the day ended, Bob and Donna set off, hand in hand , laughing and kissing to join friends for a celebratory seaside dinner.

Meke Aloha, Bob and Donna

Now, rain is a possibility that many brides and grooms are concerned about, but actually happens quite rarely. It did begin to rain about one and one half hours before Jeffrey & Sarah’s wedding at the beautiful Kula Gardens on the slopes of Mount Haleakala. They were great sports about it, gracefully used a large umbrella provided by the gardens. They looked quite enchanting and romantic strolling under the umbrella, which Jeffrey gallantly held over his bride, in the soft, misty rain.  Jeffrey did mention that it was ironic to have a rainy wedding, when they came here from Washington State – the land of rain. But, they appreciated that here the rain is light, warm and passes quickly.

The beautiful, white gazebo they had selected for their wedding kept them warm and dry during their sweet, romantic Maui wedding.Afterwards, they strolled the gardens, again under the umbrella, stopping at many beautiful sites to be photographed amid the fantastic arena of flowers and trees that grow in Hawaii, where rain, during your wedding, is considered a “blessing by Lehua,” the goddess of lovers.

We had a large Maui beach wedding scheduled. Any outdoor wedding with a number of guests holds many possibilities for things to go wrong. So, our staff had prepared all the details as carefully as possible.

Still, things went wrong. The weather was misbehaving: Strong gusts of wind scattered the flower circle and blew the toasting flutes and table into the sand. Dark clouds gathered on the horizon, blocking the Maui sun and threatened no sunset and early darkness. Members of the wedding party were missing. Finally, ten minutes after the wedding was supposed to start, all the guests and wedding party were located and in place.

The photographer, videographer and musicians were poised for the processional. There was one BIG problem – no bride!! We were told by the limo driver via cellphone that she did not want to come out of the limousine, although her father and bridal party were standing outside, waiting for her. Neither did she wish to speak with anyone. The stress of the moment was, apparently, overwhelming. Family members went to check. The minister and various guests began to look anxious and everyone began to ask what’s wrong. No news came and more and more people wandered away, though urged to stay. I tried to appear calm and confident, but, inside, I was wondering if we were even going to have a wedding. As I tried to reassemble the guests, my walkie-talkie squawked the welcome words, “The bride is coming!” Everyone slipped back into place. The sweet flowergirl and beautiful bridesmaids began the processional. Finally, the bride appeared at the top of the hill. All of a sudden, the winds stopped and the clouds parted. Golden shimmering light cast its beams on the young bride dressed in white satin and rhinestones that were set ablaze by the sun’s rays.

Everyone stood to gaze upon this beautiful apparition. The smiling, radiant bride was led to her beaming groom. The wedding proceeded flawlessly, and the light held out, beautifully.

I performed my sacred hula to the Hawaiian Wedding Song, played by my handsome sons, as the Maui sky turned pink and green and orange. The wedding toast, in front of the awesome Maui sunset looked like the happy ending of a fairytale. Everyone was radiant with happiness. I felt very lucky and amazingly blessed.

Darkness disappears
When the Light of Peace and Love
Overcomes our fears

During the one hundred plus weddings, I was also moving my home and office. Somehow, I managed to never show up at a wedding in overalls, toting packing tape and carrying boxes. But, I didn’t manage to get my wedding adventures out on the World Wide Web. 

Today, I would like to talk about people who find their true loves through matchmaking services, usually on the internet. It’s been a revelation. When I started Merry Maui Weddings, early in the millennium, no one would admit that they met through a matchmaking service. I know, because I usually ask couples how they met. I always find their answers fascinating, not just the stories themselves, but the expressions on their faces as they recount their experiences.

A few years ago, the occasional couple, with shy, downcast looks and red faces, would admit that they had met on the internet. They would exchange embarrassed expressions, as they looked at me to read my response. I always congratulated them, wholeheartedly. 

When I was a child, infused with romantic fantasies (as in unrealities), I had thought matchmaking unromantic. But, now, having experienced the painful inadequacy of surface attraction to sustain many marriages, I have become an advocate, and so have many others.

Matchmaking, I have learned, is as old as marriage, itself. It used to be the dominion of wise elders, who knew everyone in the village. Or perhaps, seers with special psychic abilities to perceive who would be right for whom, would take on the job. (For an example of that type, see the entertaining movie, “The Matchmaker.”) 

Nowadays, most people use services, such as eHarmony.com or match.com. They fill out extensive profiles of their selves, and the computer, assisted by professionals, does the matching. It seems to me they do a great job. For now, about 1 in 4 couples proudly proclaim that this is how they met. Internet matchmaking seems to have become extremely acceptable in just two to three years.

What I notice is that these couples are nearly always really happy, comfortable and confident in their relationship. They don’t seem to be as prone to last minute doubts or hysteria as couples who met conventionally. I will not even attempt to understand how this is true.

I am not knocking love at first sight (that’s how I met my husband and it has worked out, wonderfully). I do see now that taking the time to decide what you want in love, putting it out there consciously and expecting to receive it leads to another kind of miracle. I see that matchmaking makes people radiantly happy and brings us lots of wedding business. Until next time, Ayesha.

Where does love come from?
Not the heart or mind,
But the indwelling divine.