The Grand Wailea Resort Maui

GRAND WAILEA RESORT MAUI

This resort is an amazing place to stay while visiting Hawaii. From the moment you arrive you're greeted with a fresh Hawaiian lei and once you check in to your room you can choose to get pampered at it's world-famous spa, get a make-over at it's beauty salon, take a stroll down to it's in-house shopping district or simply grab a bite to eat at one of it's restaurants. If a pool side experience is what your looking for then you have a variety of options. From kids to adults there is a sweet spot for everyone. Located on one of Maui's best beaches, you can jump on a water trampoline, snorkel, or simply take a nap in a hammock. This property is very large and offers innumerable things to do nearby as well. Oh, and the rooms aren't bad either!

There is a quaint Hawaiian stained glass chapel on the property as well as a few other wonderful garden spots to choose from for a wedding location. There are numerous reception venues as well so if you're looking for something grand to either get married at, honeymoon at, or both then the Grand Wailea Resort may be the perfect location for you. First Class Weddings recommends having a large wedding budget if you choose this place, and remember that you can hire an outside wedding planner if you wish. Whatever you choose, do your research and watch our upcoming tips for the "real scoop" on this and other wonderful properties.

For more information visit www.grandwailea.com

The most luxurious Hawaiian Resorts!

The Top Hawaiian Resort - on 5 Islands

Oahu – Halekulani Resort
Surrounded by a city culturally rich and architecturally dramatic, overlooking the famous Waikiki beach, the Halekulani is recognized as one of the world’s most romantic wedding sites. Offering an oasis of seclusion and tranquility amongst the typical hustle and bustle of the Waikiki area here, couples can choose from a lush garden courtyard or a luxurious tropical lanai for their wedding location set in paradise. Enriching everyday life with its timeless elegance, the Halekulani offers an experience like no other. With world class cuisine and an endless commitment to excellence, the Halekulani remains faithful to ensuring a seamless occasion for both you and your guests. 

 

Kauai – Princeville Resort
With a level of sophistication and elegance unlike anything else found on Kauai, the Princeville Resort is undoubtedly a truly remarkable destination location. Engulfed in the fragrance of exotic flowers mixed with pure romance, the Princeville Resort sits gracefully on Pu’u Poa Ridge, terraced along the bluff facing the picturesque Hanalei Bay. Nestled amongst waterfall laced mountains with plantation-style wood furniture, original oil prints, and Juliet balconies luxury isn’t an indulgence, it’s a necessity. Offering a number of stunning outdoor settings for your wedding and reception, let your pleasantly sun-drenched days turn into soft candlelit nights as the Princeville Resort makes your wedding dreams a delightful reality with the attentive, friendly service that can only be found in Hawai’i.

Lanai – Four Seasons Resort Manele Bay
With tasteful Hawaiian themed décor, luxurious open spaces, fine dining, a world famous spa, and incredible views of the Pacific spilling onto white sandy beaches, the Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay is a secluded piece of heaven. Here you can choose from a selection of eight elegant garden settings, including one with a koi pond, blushing lotus flowers, and gentle waterfalls washing over black lava rock. Ideal for smaller weddings, because of the remoteness of this location, with meticulous attention to detail and flawless customer service there will be no question as to why the Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay is ranked amongst the best that Hawaii has to offer. Rest assured having your wedding in this unspoiled wonderland will create memories that will last a lifetime.

Maui – Four Seasons Resort Wailea
If it’s possible to improve on perfection, the Four Seasons Resort Maui is it. With distant views of Wailea Beach, tasteful architecture, low lighting, and fine art enhancing the lobby, the Four Seasons is as close to a Hawaiian palace as you can get, and can accommodate the most refined and sophisticated clientele. Offering three separate outdoor ceremony locations, this resort does only one wedding or event on any given day making you feel as though you are the prince and princess of paradise. Known for their world class cuisine and impeccable service offering all the amenities of home, the Four Seasons can accommodate any group for both their wedding and reception. Whether big or small the Four Seasons Resort Wailea has it all.

Big Island – Hilton Waikoloa Village
Set in the heart of Hawaii, the Hilton Waikoloa is known as a once in a lifetime island getaway you won’t soon forget. Located on the Kohala Coast, this extraordinary location offers what some might say is the definition of paradise with tropical gardens, rich wildlife and sun drenched beaches that make the days simply fade away. Here couples have a number of locations to choose from for both their ceremony and reception. From a beautiful oceanfront chapel to an elegant garden setting, choosing the perfect setting whether indoor or outdoor is as easy as saying, “I DO.” With award winning cuisine and an array of activities including an interactive dolphin program, make memories that will last a lifetime and let the Hilton Waikoloa be the place where you explore the true spirit of Aloha.

Article written by: Sarah Makua

Follow our tweets at twitter.com/FCWeddings for the "Real Scoop" on your Hawaiian vacation.

Top 3 Hawaiian Beaches

Top 3 Beaches in the State of Hawaii

Sun, Sand and Surf.  Give me a cocktail and I am in Heaven.  Stretching my toes in the sand and watching the surf with an amazing sunset in the background, life really can’t get much better than this, can it?  Yes, it can, by getting married on one of the best and most pristine beaches in all of Hawaii.

Hulopo’e Beach on Lana’i

One of the more popular and yet rarely overcrowded beaches, Hulopo’e Beach is the beach you see in your dreams when you think of paradise.  The natural beauty of this beach, both on land and underwater make it a phenomenal location for the outdoor, adventurous couple.  This beach is a protected marine preserve so you can expect to see an entire community of sea creatures, from tropical fish to dolphins to humpback whales during the winter months.  With Manele Bay Hotel just a 5minute walk away, this beach offers any and all amenities that you may need for your special day.  With sparkling blue water and a golden sandy shore, Hulopo’e Beach is one of the best spots in Hawaii for a true island experience.  

Hanalei Bay on Kauai

A 2-mile long stretch of white sandy beach, carved into the base of a sheer cliff, Hanalei Beach offers an unparalleled beauty unlike anything you have ever seen.  Surrounded by emerald green mountains and breathtaking landscape, with Hanalei River to the east, Hanalei Bay offers more than just beauty as it is one of Hawaii’s premiere surf spots. 

This half moon shaped beach allows for almost any ocean activity imaginable, from surfing and body boarding to casual swimming and fishing.  And with the Princeville Resort nearby, couples can follow their simple and yet elegant beach wedding with a lavish reception nearby at the resort.  Composed of a natural beauty that is beyond belief, there really is no place like Hanalei Bay.

Hamoa Beach on Maui

Offering tropical views unmarred by man-made structures, this beach is a gentle reminder of “Old Hawaii.” With lush vegetation and sugary soft sand, the bright blue water of Hamoa Beach captures your eyes and captures your hearts as you surround yourself with the exotic East Maui tropical ambiance.  Located on the edge of Hana Maui, this breathtakingly beautiful beach shares some facilities with Hotel Hana Maui, the only major hotel in the region.  Very rarely crowded, this remote beach allows for the perfect tropical backdrop for your dream island wedding in paradise.  Simply kick off your shoes and say, “I do.”

Article by: Sarah A.K. Makua

For the scoop in Hawaii, follow us on www.twitter.com/FCWeddings

Paris vs. Hawaii from Frenchy in Hawaii

Bonjour Ladies!

FCWeddings French intern here... 

To Whom It May Concern: I’ve been in Hawaii for more than a month now and have experienced what is like to get married in Maui and everything is amazing here, landscapes, beaches, people, food… E-VE-RY-TH-ING !  

Sure I know that Paris is the most romantic city of the world but what about replacing the fake, Paris-Beach with an authentic beach in Hawaii ? Being from France myself and knowing first hand the différence between the two, I can no longer imagine getting married anywhere else. The beautiful sunsets and gorgeous resorts make it all the more magical.  

Sounds great, doesn’t it ? 

Still not convinced ? Let’s see what could be the problem…

The Distance?

Travelling from France took me 30 hours by plane but hell, this a Small price to pay to to get married in  paradise .  A wedding is already an adventure so why not make it the best adventure of your life ? Don’t let the thought of a long travel stop you !

The cost?

Sure, weddings can cost a lot, even Destination Weddings. But what do you prefer? A gigantic home wedding with 200 people (some of which you don’t even know), or a more intimate destination wedding with your closest family and friends? It’s really up to you, but for me, it’s a no brainer. I’d go to Hawaii and make my wedding day, the most unique day in every way possible.

Working here at First Class Weddings it has made me see the value of a wedding planner and all that they can do for you. My advice is to hire a wedding planner that already knows all those things, their package will make you save some money and the planning will already be done when you arrive on the Island :) 

You live only once so…do everything possible to make your wedding dream come true.

A bientôt!

Emi -  A French Intern in Hawaii

Follow my tweets at at www.twitter.com/MacDraemie

Good Guest, Bad Guest. You decide!

GOOD Guest - BAD Guest

Bad to the bone or good to go? Let's talk about it. First of all, does anyone know of a book that has wedding guest etiquette in it?  I don't!  For what ever reason, this subject has been completely overlooked for as long as I can remember.

Isn't there a formal system for placing silverware.  Like, work from the outside in, point the knife blade away from the seated guest, and so on and so forth. As painful as it may be, there are some cultures that judge you on your ability to demonstrate "acceptable" behavior in formal situations.

Good manners & proper etiquette go hand in hand like a flame to a candle.  So, doesn't it make sense to have a code of conduct or rather a "guest etiquette" booklet no matter what the occasion?  For a brief look on this typically overlooked topic, here are the top three "Do's and Dont's" specific to a wedding guest (that means to do well), yet just can't seem to get with the program!

 DO

Arrive on time! Not only out of respect but it will also save the couple money by preventing overtime charges for vendors that are waiting on you to begin

DO

Help other guests whenever possible!

DO

Enjoy!

DON'T

Take a picture over the photographers shoulder!

DON'T

Peek over fences, jump over walls, or trespass to see the venue without prior permission

DON'T

Don't micromanage the wedding! - brides, you to! Just relax and enjoy this special day. 

BONUS TIPS: 

• Never wear red to an American wedding unless you want to steal attention away from the bride
• Remember that private venue's are just that "private"
• Respect the photographer and/or videographer's work! It's not cool to follow these professionals around taking photos of the poses, scenes, and shots that they've already set up., . It's actually a big "No No".  

Keep track of FCW articles by following us on www.twitter.com/FCWeddings 

This is how much you're going to spend and you won't belive it!

MODERN WEDDING BUDGET

Congratulations! Now that you’re engaged, you and your partner are about to begin one of the most exciting – and hectic – times of your life. No doubt you’ve been asking yourself, “Where do I begin and how much is it all going to cost"?

It's likely that you have figured out that the details to any wedding & reception are endless! And believe it or not, couples almost always spend more then what they ever think they're going to spend.

Reality check! Even in the current market, a $20,000 budget will get you only a handful of service items. Reason being is because your 3 biggest expenses (venue, photography, & F&B) can cost you up to $15k alone (estimated on approx. 40 guests). I mean just think about it! Any quality photographer is going to cost you at least 5,000 at the end of the day. Then, your food and drink can easily cost $125 per person (which is another $5,000), and finally your venue fees can cost up to $5,000. There you have it! 3 lonely items and you've already spent $15k. We haven't even paid the wedding planner, got your dress, minister, musician, flowers, decor, chairs, etc...?

Whew! I'm overwhelmed just thinking about it. 

When it comes to budgeting for your wedding, the best thing that you can do for yourself is to "be realistic". I know that there are several other resources out there that are eager to gain your business by telling you what you want to hear and that's cool. And you can choose to listen to them. Just don't cry about it when someone promises you certain prices and then it all ends up costing you way more.

Fact! A First Class Hawaii Wedding client on average, spends anywhere from $250 TO $600 per person (all inclusive) for a wedding & reception at a private estate in Hawaii. The only way to get that price down is to select a more economically priced venue, photographer, and caterer. Oh, and let's not forget about your wedding planner.

FYI: On average, a modern destination wedding (for a group of 40 guests) will end up costing more than $20k. In the "wedding world" this amount is a small price to pay for ensuring that your destination dream wedding is a huge success.

More Questions? Visit our web site at www.firstclassweddings.com to live chat with one of our experts.

The top 3 Hawaiian islands to get married on are...

THE STATE OF HAWAII

CONSISTS OF 8 ISLANDS

Niihau

Kauai

Oahu

Lanai

Molokai

Kahoolawe

Maui

Hawaii

Of these, the top 3 Hawaiian islands to consider for your dream destination wedding are Maui, Kauai, and Lanai. Wedding bliss is a must when marrying on one of these three islands and they have specifically been selected by FCW for their unequaled beauty as well as their distinct offerings.

MAUI: THE MAGIC ISLE

The island of Maui is the 3rd largest of all the Hawaiian islands and it offers a little bit of everything. You can choose to lay on one of the longest white sand beaches or grab the girls and go shopping. You can learn how to surf, or experience a high rise adventure called zip-lining. Get married at the bottom of a waterfall, under the ocean, or in a quaint Hawaiian Church. On Maui, you will have several of the amenities of home, and more. From rest and relaxation, to the local night life, you and your guests can choose whatever their heart desires because it is all there waiting for the curious of heart.

KAUAI: THE GARDEN ISLE

Kauai is most famous for their magnificent cliff settings as seen in "Jurassic Park". This island is more remote than Maui which allows for the perfect opportunity to have your wedding and honeymoon all in one beautiful island oasis. There are not as many typical activities to be had nor is there all the amenities from home. However, this island hosts some of the most stunning beach settings in the world. Wedding locations are in abundance, yet be prepared to "not" want to go home as the island life becomes somewhat of an addiction.

 LANAI: THE PINEAPPLE ISLE

This sweet little island offers you 5 options to stay, in which two are world-class resorts and one is camping on the legendary Pu'u Pehe beach, where you can swim with the dolphins or lay on a lounger under a beach umbrella with service staff nearby. Choose from a misty forest setting, a fragrant Plumeria garden or a totally remote & pristine beach. For activities you can try Lawn Bowling, Horseback Riding, 4-wheeling, or working on your putting skills at a million dollar mini golf course. FCW feels this island should instead be called the "Luxury Isle" as every aspect of it literally takes your breath away.

From the freshest fruit, fish and veggies; each of these three islands offer immaculate beaches, some of the worlds finest resorts, and a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience heaven on earth.

For more detailed information on these islands check out "The Best of Hawaii Wedding Book" at www.hawaiiweddingbook.com or order it on www.amazon.com

Maui Beach Weddings: The Truth About Permits

The Department of Land & Natural Resources ("DLNR") , which is a State agency that governs commercial use on the beaches in Hawaii has recently implemented a permit process for anyone wishing to marry on the beach. As of August 1, 2008 a permit will be required. You must have a 1 million dollar liability insuranace policy and pay the nominal fees in order to obtain your beach permit. First Class Weddings on Maui can obtain this permit for you (for a fee) or give you alternative options. By hiring FCW you have the full support of a coordination company with over 15 years of experience working in your best interest, informing you of the laws and the many alternative options you have in regards to planning your Maui wedding! For more informaiton please visit firstclasswedddings.com or call us at 1-808-877-1411.