"ROMANCE ME MAUI" FACTS & TIDBITS

• The majority of couples choosing Hawaiʻi for a destination wedding marry on the island of Maui.
• Destination weddings have doubled in the past 10 years, spawning "Weddingmoons" (where couples honeymoon at their destination wedding location) and the "Honeymoon Registry" (in lieu of traditional gifts, friends and family contribute to travel registries for hotel nights, spa services, dining and activities). Maui Nui remains at the forefront of this trend, consistently receiving recognition for its broad-spectrum romantic appeal.
• Traditional hometown weddings average 165 guests. Destination weddings draw one- third of that guest count.
• 99% of all newlyweds take a honeymoon. 20% of Americans travel annually for romantic vacations, including destination weddings, honeymoons and anniversaries. 10% of all travel destinations include a beach location.
• Honeymooners outspend the average traveler more than three times (just over $3,000), plan their vacations earlier (approximately seven months in advance), and stay just over one week.
• Maui's largest proportion of honeymooners is first-time visitors to the islands and predominantly from the East Coast.
• Ways to express love or wedding sentiments in Hawaiian:

  Aloha Aloha au iā ʻoe E kipa mai Kuʻuipo ʻOhana Maleʻana Kahu lio Wahine male hou Hoʻomaikaʻiʻana Hele mai ʻoe i ko maua male ʻana E hoʻomau maua kealoha Mahalo Hauʻoli la hoʻomanaʻo

  Love I love you Welcome Sweetheart Family Wedding Groom Bride Our wedding day Come to our wedding May our love last forever Thank you Happy anniversary

• Maui Nui colors:

  Maui Lānaʻi Molokaʻi

  Pink Yellow Green

• Maui Nui flowers:

  Maui Lānaʻi Molokaʻi

  Lokelani (cottage rose) Kaunaʻoa (native dodder) Pua kukui (white kukui blossom)

• Instead of "Here Comes the Bride," popular Maui selections are:

  Ke Kali Nei Au (Hawaiian Wedding Song) Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwoʻolee Kuʻu Lei, Kuʻu Ipo by Hapa

• Great for toasting:    Tiny Bubbles by Don Ho
• Popular Maui-theme wedding favors include:

  - beach flip flops ("slippers" in Hawaiʻi) - fresh flower, shell or kukui nut leis - coconut husk candles - floating plumeria or orchid candles - woven palm frond fans - disposable waterproof cameras - seashell picture frames

• Maui bridal party gifts often include:

  - Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry - personalized beach bags & towels - decorated, "jeweled" slippers - spa treatments

• "OOT" (Out of Towner) welcome baskets are a current trend. These often include:

  - Maui maps - Maui postcards - sunblock - Maui roasted coffee - macadamia nuts - souvenirs (hula doll dusters, miniature tikis)

• Popular Maui cake flavors:

  - haupia (coconut pudding) - lilikoʻi (passion fruit) - guava - mango - pineapple - macadamia nut

• ...and cake toppers:

  - miniature hula girl & boy - fresh orchids - seashells

• Popular Hawaiian ceremonial touches:

  - lei exchange (maile for the groom, pīkake for the bride) - giving lei to family - blowing of the pū (conch) - torch lighting - hula dancer - ʻukulele player - oli (Hawaiian chant)

• Popular beach-style ceremonial touches:

  - "sand ceremony" (pouring sand from two vessels into one) - parasols for the guests or bridal party - strewing fresh flowers on the sand - making a temporary walkway of stones or flowers - providing rubber slippers for guests (or better yet, going barefoot) - "trashing the dress" (bride wears her dress into the ocean for amazing photos)

• Popular Maui wedding wear:

  - fresh flowers in the hair instead of a veil - white strapless or backless "slip" dress for the bride - white or ivory aloha shirt instead of suit & tie or tux for the groom - slippers or foot jewelry instead of heels or dress shoes - tropical print summer dresses for bridal party - lei poʻo (head wreath) for the kahu (minister)

• Best places to kiss:

  Lānaʻi Molokaʻi Maui

  Pu'u Pehe, Mānele Bay Moaʻula Falls, Hālawa Valley Everywhere!

• Top 5 romantic Maui Nui activities:

  - sunrise at Haleakalā - helicopter ride over Molokaʻi's stunning sea cliffs - snorkeling at Cathedrals on Lānaʻi - taking surfing lessons in Kīhei - sunset dinner sail (and/or whale watch)

• Maui sunset times:

  - close to 6 p.m. in winter - close to 7 p.m. in summer

• Top 5 romantic Maui Nui activities after the sun goes down:

  - lū'au dinner show - stargazing at Papuhaku Beach on Molokaʻi - enjoying Maui's talented live music scene - sampling a Lava Flow (pina colada with strawberry ribbon) or Hula Pie (made with Hawaiian coffee) - honeymooners' choice...!