THE COST OF ELOPING IN MAUI
2020/21 - THE YEAR OF ELOPEMENTS
WE ALL KNOW THE CURRENT STATE OF THINGS
SO, WHAT CAN WE DO?
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED ELOPING?
Nobody knows when things will be going back to normal, nor when big gatherings will be allowed. So eloping has become a trend with bookings for late 2020 and 2021… at a fraction of the cost of big weddings.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ‘ELOPE’?
To elope means to leave every aspect of a traditional (big party) wedding behind, and having the celebration just the two of you, or maybe a handful of selected people you’d want to share this moment with (especially now with social-distancing guidelines).
In Maui, Hawaii, to elope, usually means having a short beach ceremony with no more than 10 people.
HERE I’VE COME UP WITH A GUIDE FOR YOU TO HAVE AS REFERENCE
We will use “1-hour elopements” as a pricing reference since it’s the most popular elopement booking.
DISCLAIMER: Prices shown are just an industry average, so you have a rough idea of what elopements cost in Maui, Hawaii. But they will differ depending on the quality of the vendor’s work, the extra services they offer, and the VALUE they bring in.
Of course, you might find cheaper work, but read the fine print and check their past work.
You don’t want to risk it just to save some cash, you’ll only get married once!
Ernest Puaa, Maui minister.
LEGAL PROCESSES
You’ll need a marriage license and a beach permit
Marriage licenses are simple to get, it costs $65 and you can apply for them online here. (Your officiant can help you with it too)
As for the beach permit, you’ll first need to decide where you’ll want your ceremony to happen (I can help you with that if you need me to), and it costs $20 for a 20 sq ft area. You process it online here.
PLANNERS / COORDINATORS
First question; Do you need a planner for your elopement, or are you able to plan everything yourself?
If you plan to have a very simple just-the-two-of-you kind of elopement, then you may be able to pull everything together yourselves (don’t forget about the beach permit + liability insurance). But if not, it might be a good idea to invest in a Planner/coordinator.
Don’t forget that I’m also here to help you out, just hit me up.
Besides planning everything so you don’t have to stress about anything, they will help you coordinate all the vendors the day of! (and even finding them if you need to)
*Planners starting price (1-hour elopement planning + coordination): $1,650
*Usually they include some of the other services within their packages, so their prices might seem higher.
Let’s Get Maui’d offer elopement planning at no cost.
(Because it’s a group of vendors that bundled together)
OFFICIANTS / MINISTERS
Unless you are bringing your own, there’s no wedding without them.
Search for wedding videos with them or try hopping on a call. Each has its own style and personality.
Find someone that matches your vibe.
Extra tip: They might be able to help you with the License, just ask.
*Officiants starting price (ceremony): $325
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Find someone you love their work, but most importantly, try having a call (or facetime) to see if you have a connection with them. It will make your shoot so much more comfortable and fun, you’ll actually enjoy it.
*Photographers starting price (2-hour shoot > 150+ photos delivered in average): $950
Some might do a (1-hr shoot > 100+ images) :$650
Jennica Lowell in action.
VIDEOGRAPHERS
Not all your guests will be able to come (or NOBODY, if it’s just the two of you).
So video it’s a great way to make them feel part of it.
And we might even do a Livestream if you are interested in that service too.
Photos are something great to print and hang around the house, but with video, you’ll be getting motion and AUDIO. So it’s the perfect way to relive the day as if it was yesterday.
My minimum package is a 2-hour coverage, but trust me, we need as much time as we can, with video there are a few more details needed to be captured, plus, we can use the extra time to shoot in a secondary location for a more immersive Maui story.
Your family and friends will not only feel they were part of your wedding, but also a bit jealous of you!
*My recommended package is (2-hour shoot + 5-min highlight video + Ceremony video): $1,950
But you can get (1-hr coverage + 2-min highlight + ceremony video): $950
(Extra: Do you need Livestreaming?)
My Livestreaming service prices start at $650 for; 1-camera on a tripod with wireless lavalier microphones audio (on the groom and officiant) during the ceremony.
FLORALS
One thing you’ll want for sure.
They will make or break your wedding style. Find somebody you like, and they will help to bring your vision to life.
Starting prices:
- Bouquet: $250
- Crown: $125
- Ti Leaf Maile Lei (for him): $55
- Orchid Lei (for her): $30
- Boutonniere: $25
- Flower circle (beach deco): $325
*There might be a delivery fee
MUSICIAN (LIVE)
Prices vary depending on the kind of music and/or instrument you’d want to have.
*Live musician starting price (1 hour): $325
CAKE
It will depend on the type of elopement you want to have.
Some people like doing the “cut the cake” as soon as the ceremony is over, right there on the beach.
*Cake starting price (1 tier): $175
HAIR + MAKEUP
Beauty is something you don’t want to go cheap!
Especially if you haven’t done a makeup test with them beforehand.
Play it safe and hire someone with good work and a reputation to follow!
*HMU starting price: $350
TRAVEL + ACCOMMODATION
This depends on where you’ll be flying from, the season you’ve chosen to elope, and how long will you be staying for. Since most probably you’ll make a Honeymoon out of it too it’s hard for me to tell you a price for this.
For these reasons, we’ll skip these costs.
Elopement average price
”1”-Hour Elopement
(Starting prices)
Marriage License fee: $65
Beach Permit: $20
Officiant/Minister: $325
Photographer (1hrs): $650
Videographer (1hrs): $950
Floral (Bouquet + Maile Lei + Orchid Lei): $310
Hair & Makeup: $350
-
Subtotal: $2,670
+4.166% HI State Tax: $111
Total: $2,781
*(rounded numbers)
This does not include travel and accommodation costs since this varies and does not include any costs related to food or local activities.
EXACT SAME PACKAGE
with Let’s Get Maui’d costs
Total: $2,578
(tax included)
*Savings of $203 and they’ll do the arrangements for you + on-site coordinator