Your Happily-Ever-After Can Begin at the Four Seasons Resort Maui

Located  oceanfront in the upscale resort area of Wailea on Maui’s sunnier, drier southwest shores, the Four Seasons Resort Maui is recognized as one of the premier  tropical resorts in the world. It was placed on Conde Nast Traveler’s 2010 Gold List as one of the top five places to stay.  From the moment that a couple arrives in Maui, they will fall under its romantic spell.  Lush, green fragrant surroundings spread over 15 acres providing the backdrop for settings for wedding nuptials and honeymooning.

Tranquil beauty and understated elegance best describe this resort, featuring eight story U-shaped buildings. Topped with blue tile roofs, this recently renovated property contains 380 rooms and suites which offer at least a glimpse of the ocean from most rooms. The grandest room is the 5,000–square-foot Maile suite that costs $14,000 per night and is the preferred room of all kinds of VIP’s.  The sleek, modern lobby is full of custom wicker furniture and oversized plantation shutters that provide a Hawaiian flavour.  Most of the public rooms break out onto terraces with spectacular views.  One of the hotels most notable features is its regional art collections representing local artists.

Noted for it spectacular service, pampering is plush and you feel it as soon as you enter the lovely porte cochere. One of the benefits of staying at the Four Seasons is guests don’t feel there is an “extra charge” for anything. There are over 40 complementary services, facilities and activities includes in the room rates.  These range from snorkelling, tennis, canoe paddling, fitness center, use of the spa, poolside cabanas, and lei greetings to name a few.

The resort offers customized wedding packages which include a massage for two, floral trails, champagne and strawberries and wine. Ceremony and reception options include the Plumeria Gardens, a perfectly manicured lawn overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Kahalawai Mountains. Backdrops also include a grand staircase, and the Kaimana Lawn offers panoramic ocean views and a peek at one of the world’s dormant volcanoes, Haleakala. The lawn is situated on the oceanfront with views of the neighbouring island of Lanai in the distance, majestic mountains and Wailea Beach. The resort has various inside venues as well including the Four Seasons Ballroom, Haiku room, Wailea Room and the Ilima Hospitality Suite.  A covered terrace showcases picturesque views of the resort’s elegant fountains.

Honeymooners have a wide variety of choices at the resort. Wailea Beach is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, canoeing, scuba diving and whale watching. A dip together in the brand new $9 million Serenity Pool  nestled within a vibrant tropical garden, surrounded by a 4,100 square foot terrace with expensive cabanas that rent for about $350 per day, is a must. Couples can wander over to the Wailea Golf Club’s three 18 –hole courses.

Romantic activities can be arranged for the bride and groom including a bridal entrance by canoe, massage for two, a private picnic on the beach or an ultimate romantic dinner for two under a canopy of stars above Wailea Beach.

For couples seeking a high level of service, fine dining and exemplary accommodations in an intimate setting and a wedding day that is everything you have ever imagined, this hotel is Wailea’s leader.

All photos courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Maui

Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or call 403-477-0643.

The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui

Hawaii is one of my favorite places on earth, and after spending two weeks in Kauai and Maui, I can’t wait to go back. While in Maui, my business partner, Cathy, and I visited the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, an incredibly beautiful resort. Set on a golden sand beach, this hotel’s architecture is a white Moorish design, something one would not expect in Hawaii. There are a wide variety of facilities on site: four restaurants, a delicatessen, three pools, and a great beach. One of the highlights of the hotel is its' spacious suites and one, two, and three-bedroom villas set between the pool and the beach.

If you haven’t already planned your honeymoon or are thinking of having a destination wedding, take a look at some of these photos and you may just make your decision sooner rather than later:

Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae



Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae



Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Pretty nice, isn’t it? Just picture yourselves side-by-side under that cabana and start making your plans!
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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas including Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or cal 403-477-0643.

Wedding Coordinators vs Wedding Planners

Editor's Note: I came across this informative blog from Island Bride Jamaica which discusses the differences between wedding coordinators and wedding planners. If you are interested in her website it is http://www.islandbridejamaica.com/

I just wanted to take the time to assist some brides with clarifying the difference between a wedding coordinator and a wedding planner. These terms are used interchangeably within the wedding industry, but there is a big difference.


Often time brides are not sure if they’re looking for a destination wedding coordinator or a destination wedding planner, but it is very important to know the difference and determine what your needs and desires are before you begin contacting potential planners/coordinators for your wedding in Jamaica.

Many hotels and venues offer a Wedding Coordinator which is usually free or included in your wedding package. The primary function of a Wedding Coordinator is to facilitate and oversee the running of the wedding on the day itself. Resort and venue coordinators usually start playing a major role in your wedding about a month before the wedding by compiling key information for the wedding day and finalizing details including following up with contracted vendors. So basically, Wedding Coordinators are around to tie up any loose ends and run the show ensuring that everything goes according to plan.

On the other hand a wedding planner is someone who will assist and guide the wedding couple through every detail for their wedding. The wedding planner is usually involved from the point of the venue selection right through until the end of the wedding day. Many wedding planners work closely with the brides and usually get to know her personal style and works to keep her needs within the desired budget. Most planners will suggest ideas for the full destination wedding experience and give you wedding etiquette and advice when needed.

A destination Wedding Planner is experienced with all aspects of weddings and should be able to professionally guide the wedding couple through the entire process. The Wedding Planner should be involved in the venue selection, vendor referrals and overseeing them, maintain a checklist of things to do for the wedding not only for the bride, but also for the vendors, create a detailed day-of timeline and communication with all persons involved in the big day.

The ultimate pro of hiring a destination wedding planner you will have peace to actually enjoy your wedding day know someone that has the knowledge of the local wedding industry and will be able to supervise the venue’s wedding coordinator and other vendors.
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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and WWPIC wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical locations such as Hawaii. Mexico, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 403-477-0643,.

Choosing the Venue for Your Destination Wedding

Photo courtesy of Grand Hyatt Kauai

Where do you start when it comes to selecting a venue for your destination wedding? The very first thing you want to do is to start by planning your budget. Once you have decided on that, then you will want to begin deciding on the perfect location which will fit with your dream of your destination wedding and also suit your wedding guests' expectations. Remember you are asking them to give up their time to spend their vacation time with you. You will want your guests to have a great time so you want to select an area which will appeal to their interests. Do you want your wedding to take place at the beach, on a cruise, in a charming villa, in a luxurious 5 star resort, or on a secluded private tropical island?

Photo courtesy of Grand Hyatt Kauai

There are so many different choices it’s hard to decide where you want this memorable event to take place. Many resorts and smaller hotels throughout the world have appealed to the wedding market by offering beautiful sites for exchanging your vows and providing numerous options for the reception whether it‘s on the beach or in one of their restaurants. Choosing a site that can be used for both the ceremony and the reception can help eliminate some of the cost and save time. With the busy lifestyle of the modern day bride and groom, many couples are seeking sensible and practical solutions when planning their wedding while decreasing stress and making things more manageable.

Grand Wailea Chapel Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

More and more couples are choosing sites where they can have the ceremony and the reception in the one location for a number of reasons:

Flexibility: Most guests don’t want to wait for hours between the ceremony and the reception. If you are having your wedding at a resort, the ceremony time can be much more flexible. In fact, you might want to have you reception immediately after your ceremony. Your guests will definitely appreciate that they do not have to wait around for a long time between the two events.

Wedding at Grand Hyatt Kauai Photo courtesy of Grand Hyatt Kauai

Weather: If you plan your wedding outside at a beach or a garden, you definitely want to have a back-up plan in case of inclement weather. Most resorts will have an indoor back-up room reserved for you just in case, so you have one less thing to worry about. You will also want ot be aware of the hurricane season and the rainy season.

Covered outdoor area at Kauai Marriott Photos courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Timing: When travelling from one event to another, you never know what the traffic will be like. In fact, many of your guests who are not familiar with the area may get lost and be late for the event. A delay for yourself can also cause you to be late so you have less time for pictures or to visit with your guests during your wedding.

Seaside wedding location at Fairmont Kai Lani Photo coutesy of Muriel MacRae

Savings: It is often cheaper to rent one venue for both your ceremony and your reception as opposed to paying for two different ones. Many hotels offer a price-saving advantage by including both the ceremony and the reception in their wedding packages. Vendors such as florists and event designers often charge more for traveling and transporting items from one location to another. By having your wedding at one location, you can eliminate these costs as well as save money on transportation and parking fees.

Garden wedding location at Kauai Marriott Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

More relaxing:  Couples who have their ceremony and reception in one location are noticeably more relaxed and enjoy their wedding more than those who spend time travelling from one location to the other. Guests also enjoy not having the hassle of going from one site to the next and are less stressed when they do not have to figure out how to get to another location or how they will spend the next few hours waiting for the reception to begin.

Grand Wailea Chapel Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

With so many decisions to make when planning your wedding, you may want to hire a destination wedding planner/travel agent who is familiar with the various locations. Not only can this person help you find the “perfect” location but guide and assist you with your wedding plans, bringing your dreams to reality. In addition, the same person can coordinate travel arrangements for your guests attending your wedding. That way you and your true love can relax and enjoy the process! Happy wedding planning!

Wedding at Grand Wailea Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae

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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and WWPIC wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical locations in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or call 403-477-0643.



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Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa

One of the most lush and inviting tropical resorts on 50 acres of  sprawling property is the magnificent Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. One of my favourite resorts on the island, this world-class property with its meticulously manicured lawns, spectacular tropical gardens,  sun-splashed pools, and out-door courtyards, offers a backdrop  of natural splendour. With no building higher than the tallest palm tree, this resort built into the Oceanside bluffs, has a low-profile look which disguises this huge facility. It can take more than 25 minutes to go from the spa to a guest room in the Shipwreck Wing.  Overlooking Shipwreck Beach, this elegant resort is only twenty minutes from the Lihue Airport. This is one of Hawaii’s best luxury hotels and Conde Nast Traveler’s annual reader’s poll has voted it as one of the top-ranked tropical resorts.

This $250-million Hyatt uses island architecture of the 1930s to recapture the Old Hawaii of the Matson Line steamship era South Pacific influence. “Luxurious” at this resort does not mean plush velveteen duvets and drapes but the interior design reflects Hawaiian flavour through out the grounds inside and out. The spacious guest rooms found throughout the hotel are elegantly outfitted, and adorned with fresh-picked purple plumeria, each with a private lanai and stunning view. Bright patterned fabrics, tropical hardwoods, American colonial furnishings and bold island art are set against a soft beige and green palette in each of the rooms. Constantly being updated, the latest renovation started in April 2010 with the rooms getting a sleek and simple décor with local touches, including plantation-style wood shutters and hand-carved headboards of sapeale wood(similar  to mahogany), imprinted  with the native hapu’u fern.

A perfect place for guests to feel that they are having a Hawaiian experience, Kauai is the least developed of the main Hawaiian Islands and gives the feeling of being removed from everyday life. Championship golf, tennis, fine dining and more make this Garden Isle retreat perfect for you next vacation. One of the best things about the Grand Hyatt Resort is the variety of swimming pools. Guests can splash in a five acre saltwater pool where kayaks are available for rent, or a couple of freshwater pools with slides, waterfalls, and special lagoons. There is a meandering man-made river that flows from the hotels’ terraced gardens down to a small pool next to the saltwater lagoon. There are several Jacuzzis and private-feeling pools scattered throughout the property as well as a kiddie pool.

Facing the ocean, to the left, is a small beach with some of the best bogey boarding and body surfing in the area. To the right is the lagoon-like baby beach where a rock breakwater stops the waves, leaving a sandy-bottom beach which is not deeper than two to three feet deep. On the other side of the breakwater is a choppy small bay where the more experienced snorkelers go out.

Delicious dining options can be found at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. The hotel offers six dining options – seven if you include the buffet at the elaborate luau. The on-the-water Tidepools restaurant is the premier dining spot which allows you to watch the koi swim next to your table as you dine.

Yum Cha is an Asian fusion themed restaurant. Other property restaurants include The Dock, Poipu Bay Clubhouse, Ilima Terrace and the more formal – and more expensive-Dondero’s which features Italian food.

The resort is home to the ANARA Spa, which offers traditional Hawaiian treatments. Outdoor treatment areas are also available which offer couples the option of enjoying a message among the swaying palms. There is also a lap pool, steam baths, and dry saunas.

Celebrate your destination wedding at this resort in the exquisite setting it truly deserves. The property’s vibrantly lush surroundings, spread beneath rolling mountains, provide couples with numerous charming settings to say their vows.

Stunning ocean views, magnificent gardens, and a traditional gazebo built into the far corner of the lawn are among the wonderful choices.

The resort offers professional wedding coordinators who can help turn your wedding dreams into a reality. Whether you envision a private ceremony for just the two of you or a festive gathering of family and friends, every detail will be handled to perfection.

The Grand Hyatt Kauai if the most impressive Hawaiian resorts. Set on an island of unsurpassed beauty, this mega resort is a destination unto itself. You will want to experience the pampering amenities that make it the premier Kauai Hawaii wedding location.
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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or 403-477-0643.

Hawaii’s Marriage Requirements

You can marry the day you arrive in Hawaii, as this lovely group of Hawaiian Islands, has no mandatory waiting period. And what a choice of destination it is: golden sands, palm trees keeping time to trade winds, tropical blooms with intoxicating fragrances, crystal-clear waters and clear blue skies are givens in this wedding wonderland, which is also known for upscale restaurants, luxurious lodgings, sensational spas and outdoor activities from surfing to kayaking. Known as a paradise for rest and relaxation, this is also a popular destination for honeymoons and romantic getaways.  Most couples say their vows on any one of the main islands; Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Big Island, and Lanai. A marriage license permit is required for a couple to get married on any of the islands of Hawaii. Agents are strategically placed on each island, so you can choose one that is close to where you are staying. Marriage licenses are issued no earlier than 30 days prior to your wedding date. There is no state residence or US citizenship requirements and blood tests are not required. All Marriage Licenses can be applied for in person with valid photo identification such as a driver’s license, along with a fee of $60.00 US in cash at the Department of Health offices. Divorce papers must also be presented if the divorce was finalized within thirty days of your wedding date. You must take your marriage license with you to the ceremony so that your minister can sign it (witnesses are optional). 

After the ceremony your minister will send in your signed and completed license application to the Department of Health, which will take four to five months to issue you an official copy of your license. It is illegal for your minister to make a copy of the application to give to you.  If a marriage certificate is needed sooner than this, you can apply for one or more additional certified copies for a fee.  To obtain more information, to receive an application, or to check up on your application afterward, you can visit the Department of Health’s Web site at http://www.hawaii.gov.doh/.

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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca

Sheraton Kauai Resort

The beauty and romance of Kauai make it the perfect place, not only for a honeymoon, but for a destination wedding. Once the playground of Hawaiian Chiefs, the picturesque blue waters of the Pacific and the golden shoreline along with warm sunny days and mild evenings still make the Sheraton Kauai Resort the perfect place to play, relax, and get married.

Ideally located on the south shore on Poipu Beach, the Sheraton Kauai Resort is one of Hawaii’s top resorts on the beach. If you are looking for a place where you can hear the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks, consider staying in the Ocean Wing. Renowned for its unspoiled white sand, swaying coco palms, brilliant sunshine, and breathtaking sunsets, this is the perfect place for those seeking relaxation and tranquility. In 1992, the resort underwent a 45 million dollar construction and renovation after the hurricane. With its 20 acres of lush oceanfront gardens, 394 rooms, including suites, facing the ocean or vibrant tropical gardens, pools, and sparkling waterfalls, the property offers a charming backdrop for both wedding ceremonies and receptions. The hotel offers a professional wedding coordinator who can help the bride and groom plan a wedding for two or a gala affair in the tropical gardens or on oceanfront property with beautiful views of the Pacific. The Sheraton Kauai offers a number of reception options in one of four elegant restaurants to a romantic private dinner for two.

Once the nuptials are done, couples can enjoy an array of on-site activities. They can sunbathe on the un-crowded crescent beach or snorkel in the clear waters offshore. There is ample room on the property for peaceful strolls either alongside the beach or ocean or through lovely gardens. Guests can enjoy Hawaiian nightly entertainment at the Point or indulge in cultural activities including hula lessons, and arts and crafts. The Friday night Hawaiian luau located on the lawn right beside the ocean is a must!

In addition, the newlyweds can explore major scenic points on the Garden Isle. Places to be sure to visit are the spectacular and colourful Waimea Canyon and the breath-taking Na Pali Coast with its 14 miles of vertical seamounts. Other Kauai attractions include helicopter tours, kayaking Hanalei River, Hanapepe Salt ponds, Kilauea Lighthouse, Wailua River Cruise to Fern Grotto, Zipline Adventure, and National Tropical Botanical Gardens. The resort is an easy one-hour drive to Kauai’s north shore attractions including the pretty little town of Hanalei and the beautiful resort area of Princeville.

The Sheraton Kauai is the perfect place for those seeking tranquility, and experience filled with an abundance of romance, and a lifetime of memories.

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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca