New Bride looking for private venue in Maui

[amylina]

Hi All,

 

I can't tell you how much I've been enjoying this website! I was up until 1am last night!

 

I am looking to get married in Maui this year and have to make some decisions on venue. I want a private area or estate where we can set up things how we like. I will have 50 people or more in attenance and really want a tent and chandelier with lots of candles.

I fell in love with the Haiku Mill, but sadly they are so very expensive. Does anyone have experience with them?

Any suggestions are welcome.

I do not have a wedding planner but will most likely get one. Can anyone give me a ball park of what they run, if I want to have a private wedding? Anyone have one they loved that can do things quickly?

 

Thanks so much and Congrats to all you lovely brides!

[sleepyj]

Hi and welcome! I spent loads of time looking into this, and had it narrowed down to the sugarman estate or Olowalu. Of those, my top pick was Olowalu, mainly because of parking issues (only a certain number of people could park at sugarman, I forget the number, so we would have had to rent a bus and it just got too complicated). The house itself at Olowalu is nicer than at sugarman, though you techinically cannot have guests inside the house (just wedding party). The grounds were lovely.

 

I would highly recommend Lori at Tropical Maui weddings, I was going to have her as our planner. Super nice and helpful on the phone. Her prices are very reasonable, charging only $900 as a flat rate for her portion.

 

(We ended up going with the four seasons, though, because (1) we could be assured the food would be great - we aren't able to do a scouting trip, and (2) it actually ends up being slightly cheaper than Olowalu, after taking everything (tent rental, catering, clean up fees, etc etc) into account. I am a bit sad because I won't be able to have everything set up the want I want, but I think it will also be less stressful.)

[Stacy015]

Hey there ---

 

I also wanted a private location - mostly because I didn't like the idea of several weddings going on at once in the same place (since sunset seems to be a popular time). I looked at quite a few, and they do get very expensive..

 

I looked into locations on the West side of the island. I ended up chosing Meriman's - Kapalua. My wedding will have around 40 - so I chose the grassy area there. It's $500 for the site fee. I also considered the Sea House -- you could do the site there & reception set up outside just for your party with a site fee of about the same (I can't remember but around $500 or $600). I liked that idea because it's private and they set up the whole reception for you. We ended up wanting to go somewhere else for the reception and went with Meriman's for the ceremony. There are several other places -- we just didn't really want to spend a lot on an expensive site fee.

 

Your wedding planner will have LOTS of ideas, I'm sure.

I went with Deanne at Precious Maui Weddings. She is very nice to work with and very reasonably priced.

 

My cousin went with Lewana at I Do Maui Weddings and really liked working with her. She had lots of ideas.

 

 

Good Luck!

[amylina]

The Four Seasons looks like it has some promising areas that could be somewhat private if you had your own section. I love the idea of a tent too. I'm starting to think that a private estate isn't all that necessary, if I only have a small party of immediate friends and family. Although, ideally I still want my wedding to have the look and feel that I like...whimsical and romantic : )

 

How many people are going to attend your wedding?

[inanna]

Hi amylina - I was a Florida bride, but I wanted to suggest that you check out Vacation Rentals by Owner (Vacation Rentals By Owner.com) for potential wedding locations/estates that will also double as lodging for you and your family. This is where I found the property I got married at and about half of our guests stayed with us for 4 days at the estate. I absolutely loved having a private estate wedding. We actually found a caterer who included wedding coordination in her fees and provided all of the rentals (tables, chairs, tent if necessary, etc) for our wedding. Perhaps there are similar type services in Maui.

 

We're currently planning a family vacation to Hawaii, and have been considering this estate, although its in Oahu: Plantation Style Estate at Velzyland

[ronsoliman]

Just wondering, when this year is your wedding?

[newCDNbride]

Hi amylina. I'm not sure if you've found a place yet, but I was also searching for a private estate to have our wedding and came across this one, Bali Hale Cottage. It's quite reasonably priced, however there is a 5-night minimum. I spoke with the owner as well as the site manager and they both seem fantastic. A bonus is that this property is located on a private orchard, where you can pick all the fruit you want. This seemed like a nice idea. Anyways, take a look and hopefully this helps.

 

Launiupoko, Hawaii vacation rental by owner: 1 bedroom Cottage rental that sleeps 2. Bali Hale Cottage! Five Acre Estate New Price Only $630/nt!!

 

We are thinking about using Vickie from Dolphin Dream Weddings. She's been absolutely wonderful with prompt responses, and keeping an eye out for the best deals.

[trimartin]

I just wanted to say that my heart was set on the Haiku Sugar Mill also.  My wedding coordinator gave me a little insight that they have changed hands, and that the owner has been very difficult to work with.  Our coordinator did not want to detour us from using them, but said that she tried to get information for another bride this year and they wouldn't work much with her.  I also read on another foruum posting that another bride said the owner came to her reception in casual clothes and was in the background of her wedding most of the evening, and kind of was very unprofessional about a few things that happened.  I so wanted that wedding to be there, but with the no budge budget (the haiku mill sent me) and the information from 2 people, I have settled on having my eye set on another venue.  Hope this information helps, and good luck!!

[Vaneska]

Hi !!!!

 

May I ask who your wedding coordinator / catering is?? I love the Plantation and hope we too can have our perfect wedding there too!

 

vaneska