Marrying in Maui
Maui is the standard by which all US tropical wedding destinations are measured. The island combines five-star resort infrastructure, 30 miles of beach across its south and west shores, the dormant volcano Haleakala (10,023 feet, above the cloud line), and a culinary scene that has no equivalent in Hawaii. Four Seasons Maui at Wailea has been ranked among the top 10 hotel wedding venues in the United States for over a decade.
The island divides into distinct resort corridors. Wailea on the south shore is the most developed luxury cluster, with Four Seasons, Grand Wailea (Waldorf Astoria), Andaz Maui, and Hotel Wailea within a few miles of each other. Kapalua on the northwest tip has the Montage, a more isolated and residential property. East Maui's Hana Road leads to the remote Hana-Maui Resort, which requires a full commitment: the drive takes 2.5 hours and is not a day trip.
The August 2023 Lahaina wildfire was the deadliest US natural disaster in over a century. The historic town of Lahaina was largely destroyed. The adjacent Kaanapali resort corridor (Hyatt Regency Maui, Westin, Royal Lahaina) was unaffected, but as of 2026 the Lahaina area continues to rebuild. Couples should confirm the current operational status of any Kaanapali or Lahaina-adjacent venue before booking.
Hawaii has its own distinct wedding ceremony tradition. Many couples layer a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony (conducted by a local kahuna or officiant) onto the legal ceremony. This ceremony format, which involves lei exchange, chant, and conch shell, is one of the most frequently requested cultural elements at any Hawaiian resort.
The seasons
- Best
- Peak
- Quieter
5 Star view Our reading of the wedding year, from the months below.
- Best months
- April to June and September to October
- Shoulder season
- April to May and September to October
- Peak season
- July and August
The dry south and west shores are sunny year-round. The wet season (November to March) brings more rain on the north and east sides of the island but Wailea remains mostly dry. Whale watching season (humpbacks) runs December to April and is a popular addition to the wedding week for those who time it correctly.
Daylight and sunset
The bar runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of each month. A ceremony is usually timed an hour or two before the sunset shown.
Calculated From the coordinates of Maui, local time, for 2027.
Ramadan and Eid
For couples and guests who observe them, the dates to plan a wedding around.
| Year | Ramadan | Eid al-Fitr | Eid al-Adha |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 8 Feb to 8 Mar | 9 Mar | 16 May |
| 2028 | 28 Jan to 25 Feb | 26 Feb | 5 May |
Calculated From the Umm al-Qura calendar. The observed dates follow the sighting of the moon and can fall a day either side.
The areas of Maui
Wailea
Best concentration of luxury hotels, calm south shore beaches, dry and sunny, Four Seasons and Grand Wailea, best for larger groups.
Kapalua
Northwest tip, Montage Kapalua Bay, quieter and more exclusive, bay views, excellent snorkeling, suits smaller groups.
Hana
Remote east Maui, Hana-Maui Resort, black sand beaches, waterfalls, bamboo forest, genuinely off-grid atmosphere, 70 cottages maximum.
Kaanapali
West shore, rebuilding post-Lahaina 2023 fire, resort corridor intact but town still recovering.
What venues are like
Cliffside Garden Ceremony
Four Seasons and similar properties offer garden ceremony lawns above the beach with ocean backdrop and no sand logistics.
Haleakala Summit
Sunrise ceremony at 10,000 feet, requires National Park permit and 3:30am departure, intensely dramatic for photography-focused couples willing to do the logistics.
Hawaiian Blessing Ceremony
Traditional Hawaiian ceremony with lei, chant, and conch shell conducted by a licensed kahuna, offered as an addition or standalone at all major resorts.
Airports and transfers
- New York John F. Kennedy (JFK)
- Newark Liberty (EWR)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Orange County John Wayne (SNA)
- San Diego (SAN)
- Santa Barbara (SBA)
- Palm Springs (PSP)
- Boston Logan (BOS)
- Miami (MIA)
Kahului Airport (OGG) is the only commercial airport on Maui. All interisland and mainland flights arrive here. From Kahului, it is 30 minutes to Wailea and 45 minutes to Kapalua. No direct international flights to Maui; connect through Honolulu (HNL), Los Angeles (LAX), or San Francisco (SFO).
Marrying legally in the United States
Applies to: Marriage law is set by each state
The United States has no single national marriage law. A couple obtains a marriage licence in the state where they will marry, through that state's vital records office or its county offices, and the licence expires between 30 days and a year after issue, depending on the state. Age, waiting periods, identification, witnesses and who may officiate differ by state, so the couple should check the state they choose.
- 1Before travelling
Check the state's rules
Contact the vital records office in the state where you will marry for its requirements, including the identification it accepts from non-residents and any waiting period.
- 2Shortly before the wedding
Obtain the licence
Apply for the marriage licence in the state of the ceremony. A licence expires within 30 days to a year depending on the state, so time it close to the date; if it lapses before the wedding, a new one is needed.
- 3The day
The ceremony
The wedding takes place in that state, and the licence is completed and returned for the certificate to be issued, as the state directs.
- Governing law
- each state
- Licence
- from the state of the ceremony
- Licence validity
- 30 days to a year, by state
- Travelling couple
- ESTA or visa needed to enter
Already married at home?5 Star view
Because the licence and law belong to the state, many couples marry legally at home or at a courthouse and hold the celebration here with a ceremony of their own choosing. A ceremony with no legal effect needs none of the steps above: the venue and the planner arrange it.
Who needs a visa
Travelling from the United States
American citizens travelling within their own country need no visa, ESTA or entry formalities: the usual identification for domestic travel applies, and the couple apply for a licence in the state where they will marry.
Travelling from the United Kingdom
British citizens need an ESTA or a visa to enter or transit the United States. ESTA is for travellers under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business, and needs an e-passport; the passport must be valid for the length of the stay. You may not be eligible if you have been arrested, have a criminal record, have been refused entry or deported, have overstayed before, or were in certain countries (including Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen since March 2011, or Cuba since 12 January 2021); in that case apply for a visa. An ESTA does not guarantee entry.
Other nationalities
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries travel with an approved ESTA and an e-passport, for up to 90 days. All other nationalities need a US visa applied for through the US embassy or consulate in their country.
The state decides who may marry and how. The marriage law of the state of the ceremony applies, and the couple should confirm it with that state's vital records office.
Reference USA.gov: marriage licence guidance (usa.gov/marriage-certificate). U.S. Customs and Border Protection: ESTA and Visa Waiver Program pages. U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Visa Waiver Program requirements. gov.uk: USA entry requirements. All read 2026-10-21. Checked 21 October 2026. Rules change: confirm with the authority that will marry you before you book.
Accommodation
Maui has the strongest five-star hotel concentration in Hawaii. Most couples base the wedding group at one resort.
At the table
Maui has the best restaurant scene in Hawaii. The west side's concentration of serious chefs and the island's own agricultural production create a distinctive farm-to-table culture.
Spago at Four Seasons Maui
Wolfgang Puck's Hawaii outpost, Pacific Rim cuisine, private dining available for wedding parties.
Mama's Fish House
The island's most famous restaurant, opened 1973, reservation-only, boat-to-table fish, a mandatory rehearsal dinner experience.
Gannon's
Wailea, hillside views, excellent for sunset rehearsal dinners, private venue hire available.
Merriman's Maui
Farm-to-table, Kaanapali Beach area, Peter Merriman's Hawaii Regional Cuisine pioneer, private events.
What planners tell couples
Lahaina Recovery
The August 2023 Lahaina fire destroyed much of historic Lahaina town. As of 2026, rebuilding is ongoing. The Kaanapali resort corridor north of Lahaina was not destroyed, but some properties have changed operations. Confirm the current status of any Lahaina or Kaanapali property directly before booking.
Haleakala Sunrise Permits
The Haleakala National Park sunrise program requires advance reservations (recreation.gov) for vehicle access. These fill months ahead. Your venue coordinator can arrange guided access, but do not assume availability on short notice.
Mama's Fish House Reservations
Maui's most requested rehearsal dinner venue books 6 to 12 months in advance for dinner service. Group reservations of 8 or more require direct contact with the restaurant months ahead.
Post-Ceremony Photography Timing
The Maui sunset sits between 6pm (winter) and 7:15pm (summer). Golden hour photography windows are short and clouds over Haleakala can block the color. Brief your photographer on alternative dramatic light setups (silhouette against water, reflections in the wet sand) as a backup.
