How to Get Married in Maui

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Maui Wedding

Getting married in Maui can be wonderfully simple.

You don’t necessarily need a huge venue, hundreds of guests or a complicated wedding production.

You can get married on a beach.

At a resort.

At a private venue.

With 100 guests.

Or with just the two of you.

The important thing is understanding the difference between getting legally married in Hawaiʻi and planning the wedding celebration itself.

There are really two parts:

The legal marriage

and

The wedding day.

Once you understand both, planning becomes much easier.

Step 1: Decide What Kind of Maui Wedding You Want

Before booking anything, decide what you’re actually imagining.

Are you thinking:

A Maui Elopement

Just the two of you, an officiant and a photographer.

A Small Wedding

Immediate family and close friends.

A Beach Wedding

A ceremony beside the Pacific.

A Resort Wedding

Ceremony, reception, catering and accommodations in one location.

A Destination Wedding

Family and friends travel to Maui and turn the wedding into a vacation.

A Private Estate Wedding

A more secluded celebration with your own private setting.

Start with the experience you want.

Then choose the location.

Step 2: Choose Where in Maui You Want to Get Married

This is where things get fun.

Maui has very different wedding environments.

South Maui

Wailea • Kīhei • Mākena

South Maui offers beaches, resorts, intimate coastal locations and generally sunny conditions.

Explore:

[South Maui Weddings]

Wailea

Elegant resorts, oceanfront venues and luxury destination weddings.

[Wailea Weddings]

Kīhei

Relaxed beaches and a more casual South Maui atmosphere.

[Kihei Weddings]

Mākena

Dramatic coastline, beaches, lava rock and natural scenery.

[Makena Weddings]

West Maui

Kāʻanapali • Kapalua • Napili

West Maui offers major resorts, beautiful bays, dramatic mountains and spectacular sunset scenery.

Explore:

[West Maui Weddings]

Kāʻanapali

Long beaches, major resorts and a classic destination-wedding environment.

[Kāʻanapali Weddings]

Kapalua

Lush surroundings, luxury resorts, intimate bays and dramatic scenery.

[Kapalua Weddings]

Napili

A quieter, more intimate West Maui setting.

[Napili Weddings]

Step 3: Choose Your Wedding Location

Once you’ve chosen your general area, decide exactly where you want the ceremony.

Your options might include:

• Resort

• Private venue

• Private estate

• Public beach

• State Park

• Restaurant or event space

This is important because the rules can be different depending on who controls the property or shoreline.

Don’t simply choose a beach because you saw another wedding there.

First determine whether your planned ceremony and wedding services are allowed.

Step 4: Understand Maui Beach Wedding Permits

This is one of the most important parts of planning a Maui wedding.

Hawaiʻi DLNR states that commercial beach weddings on unencumbered State shorelines use the Wiki Permits system.

And here’s the part that surprises people:

A beach can be associated with a county park, while the sandy shoreline is still under State jurisdiction. In those situations, the county cannot issue the permit for the sandy beach; the State’s Wiki Permits process applies.  

DLNR maintains a list of beaches eligible for its commercial Wiki Permits system, and the agency says applicants must provide a certificate of liability insurance with the application.  

So before planning a beach ceremony, determine:

1. Where exactly is the ceremony?

2. Who controls that land or shoreline?

3. Is the activity considered commercial?

4. Is a permit required?

5. Who is responsible for obtaining it?

That’s why we’ve created a separate:

[Maui Wedding Permits]

page.

Step 5: Check Whether Your Venue Has Its Own Requirements

A resort wedding is different from a public-beach wedding.

If you’re getting married at a resort or private venue, the property may have its own:

• Event contract

• Guest limits

• Ceremony locations

• Vendor requirements

• Insurance requirements

• Noise restrictions

• Photography rules

• Setup restrictions

• Catering requirements

The venue’s wedding coordinator should explain the property’s requirements before you sign.

Don’t assume a public-beach permit covers a private venue—or vice versa.

Step 6: Get Your Hawaii Marriage License

Now we get to the legal part.

If you’re getting legally married in Hawaiʻi, you need a Hawaiʻi marriage license.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health says the marriage license allows the marriage to take place, while the marriage certificate documents that the legal marriage has occurred.  

The current process is:

1. Complete the online application

The State’s electronic marriage-license system is used to begin the application.

2. Pay the fee

The current total fee is $65:

• $60 application fee

• $5 portal fee

The fees are non-refundable.  

3. Meet with an authorized agent

Both applicants must appear together in person.

You cannot send someone else in your place.

You must bring valid government-issued photo identification, such as a passport or driver’s license.  

4. Receive your license

The license can be issued no more than 30 days before the ceremony.

5. Get married

There is no waiting period once the license has been issued.

6. Get married within 30 days

The license is valid for 30 days. If the ceremony doesn’t happen within that period, the license becomes void.  

Step 7: Know Who Can Perform Your Marriage Ceremony

Your ceremony must be performed by someone legally authorized to solemnize marriages in Hawaiʻi.

This is another reason to use a professional officiant familiar with Maui weddings.

Your officiant handles the ceremony itself and the legal paperwork associated with the marriage.

Maui County also notes that Hawaiʻi law requires a person performing a marriage ceremony in the State to first obtain the appropriate license to solemnize marriages.  

Step 8: Choose Your Wedding Photographer

This is one of the decisions I would make early.

Your photographer isn’t simply documenting the ceremony.

They’re documenting:

• Getting ready

• First look

• Ceremony

• Family

• Wedding party

• Couple’s portraits

• Details

• Landscape

• Golden hour

• Sunset

And Maui’s light changes quickly.

A good photography timeline can make a huge difference.

Explore:

[Maui Wedding Photography]

Step 9: Plan Your Wedding Timeline

Don’t just pick a ceremony time.

Build the entire day.

For example:

1:00 PM — Getting ready

2:30 PM — First look

3:00 PM — Couple’s portraits

4:00 PM — Ceremony

4:30 PM — Family photographs

5:00 PM — Wedding party

5:30 PM — Golden hour

6:00 PM — Sunset

6:30 PM — Dinner

The actual times should be adjusted according to your wedding date, location and sunset.

Step 10: Plan Around the Sun

This deserves its own step because Maui wedding photography is so dependent on natural light.

If sunset is at 6:15 PM, don’t schedule your ceremony for 5:45 PM and expect to have:

• Ceremony

• Family photos

• Wedding party photos

• Couple’s portraits

• Sunset portraits

all afterward.

The clock will win.

And the clock is undefeated. 😂

Instead, give yourself enough time to get through the important photographs before the final light.

Step 11: Choose Your Wedding Attire

Maui gives you plenty of flexibility.

You can go formal.

You can go relaxed.

You can get married barefoot.

You can wear a traditional wedding gown.

You can wear linen.

You can wear a suit.

You can incorporate Hawaiian leis or tropical accessories.

Just remember the environment.

Think about:

• Heat

• Humidity

• Wind

• Sand

• Walking

• Sun

Explore:

[Maui Wedding Attire]

Step 12: Choose Flowers and Décor

Maui’s landscape already gives you a spectacular backdrop.

You don’t necessarily need enormous floral installations.

Depending on your wedding style, you might choose:

• Bouquet

• Hawaiian leis

• Tropical centerpieces

• Orchids

• Anthuriums

• Protea

• Tropical greenery

• Palms

A small beach wedding might need very little.

A large resort wedding can go much further with décor.

The key is making the décor work with the location.

Step 13: Plan for Your Guests

If you’re having a destination wedding, your guests are part of the experience.

Think about:

Where will they stay?

Resort?

Hotel?

Vacation rental?

How will they get around?

Rental cars?

Shuttles?

Rideshare?

What will they do?

Beach?

Golf?

Snorkeling?

Shopping?

Hiking?

Restaurants?

Will you have other events?

Welcome dinner?

Brunch?

Rehearsal?

Farewell dinner?

A destination wedding can become a wonderful multi-day experience for everyone.

Explore:

[Maui Destination Weddings]

Step 14: Understand the Difference Between a Beach Wedding and a Resort Wedding

This is worth emphasizing.

Beach Wedding

You may need to deal with:

• State shoreline jurisdiction

• Commercial beach permits

• Beach access

• Wind

• Ocean conditions

• Equipment restrictions

• Guest limitations

Resort Wedding

The venue may handle or coordinate many aspects of:

• Ceremony space

• Reception

• Catering

• Event setup

• Guest accommodations

• Venue rules

• Vendor coordination

Neither is automatically simpler.

They’re simply different kinds of weddings.

Step 15: Check State Park Requirements If Applicable

If your ceremony is taking place inside a Hawaiʻi State Park, don’t assume ordinary beach-wedding rules apply.

State Parks says weddings can require a Special Use Permit, and special-use requests generally must be submitted at least 45 days before the requested date. Groups of 26 or more require a group-use permit regardless of the activity.  

State Parks also says commercial events may require additional approval and should be requested at least 90 days in advance.  

That is particularly important for anyone planning a larger or professionally produced wedding.

Step 16: Plan Your Marriage Certificate

After the ceremony has been legally performed, the marriage record is processed so the marriage certificate can be issued.

Remember the distinction:

Marriage license = permission to get married

Marriage certificate = record that you were married

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health makes this distinction explicitly.  

Keep your paperwork organized, especially if you’re traveling back to the mainland or another country after your wedding.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Married in Maui?

The marriage license itself currently costs $65.  

But that’s only the legal paperwork.

Your wedding budget can include:

• Venue

• Photographer

• Officiant

• Flowers

• Dress

• Suit

• Hair and makeup

• Permits

• Catering

• Reception

• Music

• Transportation

• Accommodation

• Décor

• Wedding planner

That’s why there isn’t one single “Maui wedding price.”

Explore our dedicated:

[How Much Does a Maui Wedding Cost?]

guide for a deeper breakdown.

Can Non-U.S. Citizens Get Married in Maui?

Yes.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health states that there are no U.S. citizenship or Hawaiʻi state-residency requirements for obtaining a marriage license.  

That makes Maui an option for couples traveling to Hawaiʻi from other countries as well as couples traveling from elsewhere in the United States.

International couples should also check whether their home country requires additional documentation after the marriage.

Do You Need to Live in Hawaii?

No.

Hawaiʻi does not require you to be a state resident to obtain a marriage license. The Department of Health specifically states that there are no state residency requirements.  

That is one reason destination weddings work so well here.

You can travel to Maui, complete the required legal process and have your ceremony on the island.

Do You Need a Blood Test?

No.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health states that blood tests are not required to obtain a marriage license.  

One less appointment.

One less thing to worry about.

How Far in Advance Should You Plan a Maui Wedding?

There’s no single planning timeline that works for every wedding.

But your timeline should account for:

• Venue availability

• Resort availability

• Photographer availability

• Officiant

• Marriage-license appointment

• Beach permits

• State Park permits if applicable

• Guest travel

• Accommodation

• Flights

• Flowers

• Catering

• Wedding attire

For a larger destination wedding, starting early gives you more choices.

For an elopement, the process can be much simpler.

A Simple Maui Wedding Checklist

Here’s your Captain-approved checklist. 😎

Choose Your Wedding Style

☐ Elopement
☐ Beach wedding
☐ Small wedding
☐ Resort wedding
☐ Destination wedding

Choose Your Location

☐ South Maui
☐ West Maui
☐ Wailea
☐ Kīhei
☐ Mākena
☐ Kāʻanapali
☐ Kapalua
☐ Napili

Legal

☐ Complete Hawaii marriage-license application
☐ Pay $65 fee
☐ Schedule/attend appointment with authorized agent
☐ Bring government-issued photo ID
☐ Receive marriage license
☐ Have ceremony within 30 days

Wedding

☐ Venue
☐ Permit if required
☐ Officiant
☐ Photographer
☐ Flowers
☐ Attire
☐ Hair and makeup
☐ Timeline
☐ Dinner/reception
☐ Transportation

Guests

☐ Accommodation
☐ Flights
☐ Transportation
☐ Activities
☐ Welcome event
☐ Wedding-day schedule
☐ Farewell event

Your Maui Wedding Can Be Simple

The great thing about getting married in Maui is that you don’t have to make the wedding enormous for it to be meaningful.

You can have a ceremony with 100 people.

Or 10.

Or two.

You can celebrate at a resort.

Or beside the ocean.

You can plan a full wedding weekend.

Or arrive, get married and spend the evening watching the sunset.

The legal requirements are straightforward.

The rest is about creating a day that feels like your Maui wedding.

Ready to Get Married in Maui?

Start here: