REASONS TO ELOPE ON MAUI

There are a million reasons why eloping on Maui is the jam, but I’m here to provide you with all of the free planning tips to see if this magical island is right for you and your love! Here are my top five reasons to elope on Maui, so you can see if Hawaii is the perfect place to celebrate your wedding in a way that feels true to you! 

 

1) YOU’RE LOOKING FOR AN INTIMATE EXPERIENCE.  

For many couples, the traditional wedding isn’t something that resonates. People are looking for an intimate experience with just their love that honors the feels deeply within their hearts. Elopements offer the unique opportunity to have an experience that allows couples to drop into the present moment without the pressure of planning a huge wedding. 

Maui is special in that sense, as the ‘āina (land) is breathtaking and filled with mana (supernatural or divine power). The island is a special place full of micro-climates and stunning scenery that allows a sense of wonder and intimacy to permeate all the things! This romantic space is perfect for couples that are looking to tune in and connect deeper not only with their love, but their hearts as well.  

2) YOU LOVE TO ADVENTURE 

When you elope on Maui, there are endless adventures just waiting to go down! Hiking through the majestic Haleakalā crater, exploring the Road to Hāna, taking surf lessons, volunteering at a farm or the humane society, dipping in the rejuvenating waters of Iao Valley or simply laying on the beach with your loved one during the sunset. Your elopement can reflect you and your partner’s adventurous hearts, and be created to honor what brings you the most happiness in life. 

I’m here to customize a day full of all the feels, and guide you through the process of planning an adventurous elopement – as well as your other activities before and after your special day! There are many spectacular places off the beaten path to celebrate your love, and I’m here to help.

 

3) YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A STRESS-FREE EXPERIENCE  

According to The Knot, the average wedding costs $32,000. This includes renting a venue, decorations, food, drinks and more. It is becoming increasingly difficult to plan a sustainable wedding that doesn’t produce heaps waste (although couples and the wedding industry have been making progress towards green weddings!).  

 Many couples feel conflicted with society’s pressure on having a big wedding, and would prefer an intimate celebration. The good news is, it’s easier than ever in Hawaii. Maui is the perfect place to combine your wedding and a relaxing vacation that offers a chance to slow down and hit the reset button on life. Skip the family drama, year-long planning, stressful guest lists, and venue search by eloping on Maui!

 

4) YOU WANT A CEREMONY THAT REFLECTS YOUR UNIQUE CONNECTION.  

Couples that are looking for a ceremony that reflects their genuine vibe and deep love often desire an elopement. Instead of the traditional vows or big wedding expectations, they’re looking for a special celebration that is perfect for their desires. The wedding day is the beginning of a wild, deep, authentic journey to the heart for you and your love, and should be celebrated as such!   

Maui has some of the most talented vendors and artists in the world, from photographers to florists to make up artists to officiants. Elopements are not limited in any way, but rather an invitation towards infinite creativity. It’s freeing and fun to design your dream day and Hawaiian trip with your love! I’m here to connect with you with my favorite vendors on the island and support your connection being celebrated in your special way. 

 

5) YOU VALUE NATURE AND LEARNING ABOUT HAWAIIAN CULTURE.   

A big misconception is that Hawaiian culture is all about mai-tai’s and endless luaus, but it’s so much more than the western ideas that sprouted after colonialism. Hawaii actually has a complex and rich history that is worth looking into before your trip, so you can be a respectful and rad malihini (visitor). 

“Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono” is Hawaii’s motto, which translates to “the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.” It also can mean the sovereignty of the land is perpetuated by pono (righteousness). Native Hawaiians have a spiritual connection to the ‘āina (land) that is deep within their ancestry. 

I’ve lived on Maui for 10 years, and will forever listen and learn from Native Hawaiian friends, the community, and my professors at UH Mānoa. Studying Hawaiian history and ‘ōlelo Hawai’i (Hawaiian language), has provided fresh perspectives that fuel my reverence for this beautiful island. I encourage couples that come to Maui to contribute to a healthy island.  

 Ways you can support Maui and the ‘āina:  

• Skip the plastic bottles and avoid single-use plastic and waste while visiting.   
• Use reef-safe/natural sunscreen when getting into the ocean and streams.  
• Support organizations, farms, groups doing ahupua’a restoration projects that promote food security.  
• Buy local products, fruits, and vegetables, and check out the farmers market!  
• Learn and ask questions about Hawaiian culture. 

An amazing book was released in 2019 called Detours: A Decolonial Guide to Hawai’i . “Native Hawaiians struggle with the problems brought about by colonialism, military occupation, tourism, food insecurity, high costs of living, and climate change. In this brilliant reinvention of the travel guide, artists, activists, and scholars redirect readers from the fantasy of Hawai‘i as a tropical paradise and tourist destination toward a multilayered and holistic engagement with Hawai‘i’s culture and complex history. The essays, stories, artworks, maps, and tour itineraries in Detours create decolonial narratives in ways that will forever change how readers think about and move throughout Hawai‘i.” 

I highly recommend checking it out while planning your trip! You’ll be amazed and compelled to connect with Hawaii in a deeper way. 

FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A HAWAII ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

Although your elopement day and the beauty of Hawaii will forever be in your heart, your photographs will serve as an artful, timeless reminder of your unique and special celebration. Professional, creative, documentary photographs encapsulate the feels that went down. A gorgeous wedding album can be passed on as an heirloom, and framed prints on the walls bring that magic back home.

I’m your girl if you’re looking for REAL emotion that is authentic to you and your love.

Get in touch here about eloping on Maui, and I’m here to guide you through the whole process.

 

Aloha, I’m Cadence!

I’m a Maui couples and elopement photographer with a passion to document souls in love.
Learn more about my style and how I weave spontaneity, emotion and serenity into every photo session I do.
The reasons to elope on Maui are infinite, but I hope you enjoyed my top favs! 

Mahalo and happy eloping!