Maui Wedding Photographer

Wedding Planning; Countdown To Your Wedding Day

The most anticipated day of your life may just be your wedding day. A day you expect to be filled with joy and happiness. Unfortunately, the events leading up to your big day can be some of the most stressful days and events in your life. This is usually the case when you are not prepared as you would like to be.

The problem most people face is assuming that everything will go off without hitch or that everyone is available at your beckon call. Only to find out, this is not the case. Whether you are planning a wedding in Hawaii or anywhere else, follow some key guidelines to planning your day to assist you.

Six – Twelve Months Out:

Other than announcing your engagement, this is the time to outline your plans. A lot of the bigger decisions need to be made during this time before planning out their details. Issues to consider during this time period include:

• Type of wedding (in/out doors, formal/informal, theme/traditional, etc).
• Select dates of the wedding, pre-wedding parties, travel, etc.
• Select locations of each event and budgets.
• Decide on a wedding coordinator, wedding party participants, officiate, guest list, photographer/videographer, band/DJ, transportation, florists and caterers.
• Shop for: dress, accessories, attendant’s gowns, men’s attire, rings, bridal registry, the cake.
• Meet your hairdresser to discuss style.
• Decide and plan honeymoon (plan ahead if the bride is traveling under married name, then all documents need to match).
• Begin to finalize all bookings.

Three – Six Months Out:

Now that you have all the big issues planned out, it’s time to start detailing those plans. Issues to consider during this time period include:

• Begin to make purchases, such as marriage licenses, ceremony programs, gifts for wedding party, vaccinations and passports (if needed).
• Send out invitations (give out-of-towners time to plan their travel, including you if are getting married elsewhere).
• Begin confirmations with all your bookings.
• Plan out wedding day details (if you don’t have a coordinator), such as: music/hymns, readings, vows, who will do what and the order of the ceremony.

One – Three Months Out:

You are now at the finalization process so that you can relay information to parties that require it. Issues to consider during this time period include:

• Final fittings and schedule pick-up dates.
• Finish confirmations with all vendors.
• Plan wedding rehearsal dinner.
• Follow up with guests that have not RSVP’d so that you can get that final count to caterer.

Less Than One Month Out:

At this point you will feel the end is never going to get here. Relax and go over your outline to verify nothing is forgotten. Then recap and confirm all issues still needed verification and/or needs to be settled. Issues to consider during this time period include:

• If you are changing your last name, be sure to get all documents changed over, such as driver’s license, social security, wills, insurance, beneficiary, etc.
• Gather all documents needed for travel and plan for your packing in the event you are traveling for the wedding or the honeymoon.

Final Week:

Well you are in the final week and you will either feel unready or you will be completely at ease. It all depends on how prepared you were throughout the entire process. It also helps to know what will happen, will happen. Issues to consider during this time period include:

• Make a final check with all vendors, including your honeymoon.
• Pack for your trip if needed (be sure to take care of your wedding rings).
• Verify that your wedding party is ready to go and that anyone that has a role to play in the ceremony and reception is prepared from ushers to toasters.
• Final fittings and pick ups of all attire for both parties.
• Get your manicure and pedicure.
• Attend the ceremony rehearsal and dinner.
• Greet out-of-town guests.

The Big Day:

You made it! Congratulations. Issues to consider during this time period include:

• Get your hair and make-up done.
• Allow three hours to get dressed, travel to ceremony and relax.

Something To Consider On Your Big Day:

Not sure what time to do the things you need to do on your wedding day? Below is a guideline (based on a 2pm wedding). Alter your times based on the time of your wedding. Your timetable should run like this:

08:00 – Take a relaxing shower/bath.

08:30 – Have a light breakfast.

09:00 – Polish your nails.

09:30 – Have your hair styled.

11:00 – Bridesmaids, pageboys and best man arrive (collects cards and luggage, if needed).

12:00 – Have your makeover.

12:30 – Bride and bridesmaids get dressed.

13:00 – Photographer arrives. Takes pre-arranged photos.

13:30 – First wedding car will take mother and bridesmaids to the church.

13:45 – Second wedding car will take the bride and her father to the church.

14:00 – Ceremony begins.

Remember to enjoy your moment and have fun. You deserve it!

Hawaiian Weddings; Things To Know

Is there anything more romantic than a wedding in Hawaii? Hard to come up with one isn’t it? Therefore, since you are about to experience one of the greatest days of your life, allow me to give you some important insight and what you can expect from Hawaii as you plan to kick off your new life.

Best Times To Go

Is there really a bad time to go? Not really, but like anywhere else, there are times that are better than others. Obvious times of the year are during the summer when you have slightly warmer temperatures. However, in Hawaii temperatures usually average in the 70’s and 80’s throughout the year.

A more important weather notation is Hawaii’s rainfall. Hawaii is one of the largest rain forests in the world and it rains often. However, due to the flow of Hawaii’s trade winds, the rain generally hits most often on the northeastern parts of each island and in the mountains. Therefore, if you plan your Hawaiian wedding on a southwestern part of an island, you have a much more likely chance of nice and clear weather.

Wedding Styles

If you are not familiar with Hawaii, I suggest a Hawaiian coordinator. They can bring to you a selection of Hawaiian traditions, customs, cultures and sense of Hawaiian tranquility and relaxation.

In deciding a style for your Hawaiian wedding, there are many options you can choose from. You can go with traditional indoor weddings at one of many locations or maybe you prefer an outdoors wedding in a garden area or on the beach.

You can also make your wedding as simple as you want or more complex; you are in Hawaii after all. Maybe you want to include waterfalls, horses, the ocean, volcanoes or even take a helicopter to some remote location. The options are endless with a Hawaiian wedding.

Your Honeymoon

Hawaii is one of the top destinations for any honeymooners, whether you are married on the islands or not. Plan ahead and list everything you want to do and see while you are here. Some of the items may be on different islands, so do your homework and be prepared.

First there is lodging. Hawaii has some of the most beautiful resorts around or you can go more local and rent a condo or villa. Although most areas are short drives, consider your activities and restaurants when deciding where to stay. No matter where you stay or what you do, you are here for two reasons: Hawaiian Paradise and Each Other.

Which Island Should You Go To

After listing all your events, be sure to check them against what each island has to offer. Many of the islands offer many of the same things, but some do not. If you don’t mind traveling from island to island, then you’re set. However, if you are budgeted for less travel, then research the islands and see what they have to offer before making your choice.

After all, if you are set on lying out on Waikiki Beach and visiting Pearl Harbor, but plan on staying in Maui, you will realize these are different islands. So do you stay in Maui? Change to Oahu? Or simply do both? Once again, plan ahead and don’t wait until you get here, you may be disappointed.

To help with this, here is a quick rundown on the Hawaiian Islands as you prepare for your Hawaiian wedding or honeymoon.

On Molokai, you will find this island to be one of the more natural states as it is the least affected by big business. If you are more into cultural experiences, this may be the island for you.

Maui is often considered to be the most romantic of the islands. There are many things to do, even if it’s simply doing nothing. Anything from ocean walks and boating experiences, to up country farming. From waterfalls and tropical paradises, to a night on the town. Maui offers a variety of different things to do and see.

The biggest island is called, Hawaii. Much like Molokai, the “big island” offers more of a cultural setting. The weather here is like no other. The world has 13 climatic zones and this one island can experience 11 of them alone. From sun, to rain, to even snow topped mountains. Hawaii also offers some of the best lava flows around.

Kauai is your garden island. This is the island of beautiful tropical appearances that has been the stereotype in the movies or television. If you are an outdoors kind of person or prefer a slower pace, Kauai is for you.

The island of Oahu generally has the most action. This island is home to Honolulu, the state capital, as well as Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head and much more. If your preference is for a faster pace and action, Oahu should be your choice.

As you can see, there is so much to offer for a Hawaiian wedding. Plan ahead and make the most of it. You will never forget Hawaii.

Thinking of renewing your wedding vows in Maui and looking for a beautiful location? If your open to the South side of Maui, I would recommend Paipu Beach.    If your interested in learning more please give us a call at Behind The Lens Maui. We can connect you with locations, ministers, where to eat after your wedding and more.

808 205-2366

www.behindthelensmaui.com