Date: 2/18/2009 5:17:09 PM
Author: Inanna
Date: 2/18/2009 4:23:36 PM
Author:xoxo
Hello I would like to know if any of you who are having there wedding in Hawaii Oahu or Maui or the other Islands how much is the average coast. If you dont mind me asking. Or does any one know where I could inquire for that. The guest would be no more than 50. Thanks in advance
Are you asking what the total average cost of a destination wedding in Hawaii is?
Just like any destination wedding, the cost will depend on what route you decide to go. If you plan to have it at a large exclusive hotel/resort, your costs will be high, but you''ll have less planning to do. Most resorts have an on-site wedding coordinator to help and require you use their catering and bar services, which definitely have inflated prices in most cases. Some resort ''packages'' include a photographer, even flowers. Start looking at the major resorts in Maui and Oahu - all of them will have wedding pages and some will include pricing, others will require you request that information. Also keep in mind that with a resort, you will usually pay a substantial ''site fee'' plus resort priced lodging (although some give you free lodging in a suite on your wedding night).
You could also get a nice beach vacation rental - a large house that will accomodate you, your FI, and your/perhaps even his immediate family and double as your ''venue.'' This is the route I''m going, because to me it feels more private and luxurious (however, my wedding is in the FL Keys, not Hawaii) . Also, we''re saving A LOT of money doing this, but its is still expensive, and it requires MUCH more organization - you have to plan every single aspect yourself (catering, bars, chairs, tables, flatware, linens, officiant, photographer, music, room block for guests at a separate hotel, etc.) or hire a wedding planner. Google ''maui/oahu vacation rentals'' or go to
VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) to start searching properties and get a feel for what options are out there - warning though, many properties flat out don''t allow weddings and others charge a ''wedding fee,'' usually $1-2k additional. Also, if you go this route, get wedding insurance(!!!) incase of extreme weather or if one of your vendors flakes out!
Panda08 is also in the process of planning a Hawaii destination wedding, so hopefully she''ll chime in on her experience.