Best Spots To Get Married On Maui

denise6358
Oct 17
4 min read

If you’re staying at Luana Moana Signature Oceanfront Maui (Maalaea Bay area) and planning a wedding (or vow renewal, intimate ceremony, elopement), you have a spectacular starting point. With direct ocean views, proximity to beaches, and a luxurious vibe, the property itself offers a lot. But Maui is full of magical spots for your ceremony & photos. Here are some of the best spots, tips, and considerations to help you pick the right one.

About Luana Moana Signature Oceanfront Maui

Before getting into the venue options, it helps to know what this place offers:

Oceanfront location: The condo is literally ~50 feet from the ocean with sweeping, unobstructed 180° ocean vistas, often with views of Mt. Haleakalā. Luana Moana Maui STR+1
Luxurious amenities: Spacious, elegantly appointed, modern island‐elegance design. Plenty of comfort, privacy, high‐end finishes. Luana Moana Maui STR+1
Convenient for guests: Centrally located, easy drive to attractions, beaches, and services. Luana Moana Maui STR

All of that makes it not just a beautiful place to stay but also a candidate for parts of the wedding ceremony or photo sessions.

Wedding Spot Options: On Site & Nearby

Here are options both at/near Luana Moana and farther afield, each with pros and cons to consider.

Venue / Spot	Why It’s Great	Distance & Logistics	Best For Which Style
From Your Lanai / Property Grounds	Enjoy your vows with the sound of the surf, private, intimate. The oceanfront view, sunrise or sunset, could be deeply romantic. No travel, lower cost, more convenience.	Literally at yours. Minimal setup; check local permit requirements. Might need to ensure privacy, cleanup, vendor access.	Elopements, micro weddings, vow renewals, private ceremonies.
Maalaea Bay Beaches	Close by, similar panoramic ocean views. Guests won’t need long commutes. Perfect for photos at or after ceremony.	Within a few minutes’ drive. Permits/marshalling of guests/vendors is still required.	For smaller to mid‐size groups, photo shoots, low fuss beach weddings.
South Maui – Makena / Wailea Beaches(Po’olenalena, Makena Cove (Secret Beach), Palauea / White Rock, etc.)	Gorgeous sunsets, dramatic lava rocks, palms, less developed feel. Beautiful for photos and ambiance. Maui Information Guide+3A Perfect Paradise Wedding+3Homey Hawaii+3	These are farther — an hour+ drive from Maalaea depending on traffic. Parking can be limited. Some beaches may require more logistical planning (guest transport, parking, permits).	Larger ceremonies, sunset weddings, people wanting iconic Maui beach scenery.
West / Northwest Maui Beaches(Kapalua Bay, Ironwoods / Oneloa, D.T. Fleming Beach)	High natural beauty, lush greenery/lawn areas mixed with beach, good amenities in some cases (parking, restrooms), lovely calm waters and dramatic coastline. Happily Maui'd+2Aloha Fun Weddings+2	These are further away (but doable for guests staying in central or west Maui). Potential for winds/variable weather. Might require earlier start times.	For more traditional beach weddings, for guests who enjoy resort areas, when you want both luxury and natural backdrop.

Top 5 Picks You Should Explore

Here are five spots particularly worth considering, combining what’s beautiful and practical given where you’re staying:

Po’olenalena Beach (South Maui)Long, spacious sandy stretch, spectacular sunsets, relatively accessible. Great if you want dramatic tropical scenery. Maui Information Guide+3A Perfect Paradise Wedding+3Homey Hawaii+3
Palauea Beach / White Rock BeachCalled “White Rock,” very photogenic, more secluded, excellent for images especially around sunset. Homey Hawaii+2A Perfect Paradise Wedding+2
Kapalua Bay Beach (West Maui)Elegant + serene. Good amenities. If your guests want to combine wedding with resort vibes, dinners or extended stays, this is a strong contender. Happily Maui'd+1
Ironwoods / Oneloa BeachBeautiful lava rock formations, more privacy (especially for photo shoots). Happily Maui'd+2Happily Maui'd+2
Secret Beach / Makena CoveIntimate, dramatic, magical. Best for smaller groups (elopements, intimate ceremonies) rather than large guest lists. A Perfect Paradise Wedding+2Maui Information Guide+2

Things to Consider (So Your Wedding Day Goes Smoothly)

Permits: Almost all public beaches require a permit for a formal ceremony. Your planner will usually handle this. A Perfect Paradise Wedding+1
Time of Day: Early morning or just before sunset are usually best for lighting and avoiding crowds/winds. Many beaches get busy or windy midday. Homey Hawaii+2Maui Information Guide+2
Guest Access / Parking: Some of the more secluded beaches are more difficult to access. If many guests are coming, make sure there’s parking and that transportation logistics are figured out.
Vendor Access & Logistics: Think about vendors — can they get to the beach easily? Is there somewhere to set up chairs, decorations, sound, etc., that fits within budget and local rules?
Weather/Backup Plan: Maui weather is gorgeous but can be unpredictable (clouds, rain). Consider alternatives in case of rain (e.g. indoor or covered spaces).
Photography Timing: Often best light (golden hour) happens an hour or so before sunset — that might mean starting the ceremony a bit earlier.

Suggestion: A Hybrid Approach

Because you have such an amazing oceanfront property, you might do part of your wedding or the photos at Luana Moana itself (for example, your “first look,” small intimate vows, or photos at dawn/sunrise / from the lanai), then move to a beach for the ceremony or sunset shots.

This lets you: