In summary: Real Maui wedding budgets cluster in three bands: elopements at $2,000–6,000 all-in, intimate weddings (guests under 25) at $12,000–25,000, and full weddings (~50 guests) at $35,000–70,000 — with luxury estate productions passing $100,000. The two numbers that swing your total most: venue type (a ~$20 beach permit vs. a $10,000+ estate fee) and guest count (every guest is roughly $200–500 fully loaded).
Stack it as permit, then beach house, then estate. Compare package types and what each venue actually publishes. Resorts that do not publish a fee stay in the you-have-to-ask column — we do not invent Grand Wailea or Four Seasons package prices.
Line items, honest ranges
| Item | Realistic range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Venue | $20 – $15,000+ | Beach permit → estate site fee; resorts charge via F&B minimums instead |
| Catering & bar | $150 – $400 / guest | The real budget center at resorts |
| Planner | $2,500 – $15,000 | Month-of → full-service |
| Photographer | $800 – $8,000 | Elopement session → full day, top tier |
| Florals | $500 – $10,000+ | Lei + bouquet → full install |
| Rentals | $0 – $15,000 | $0 at resorts; the hidden estate cost |
| Officiant | $400 – $1,200 | Hawaiian blessing ceremonies at the top of range |
| Music | $500 – $6,000 | Ukulele soloist → band |
| License | ~$65 | Hawaiʻi DOH, valid 30 days — verify current fee |
Where couples overspend
Shipping mainland décor to an island that grows better flowers than you can import; booking the resort’s most expensive lawn when the second lawn photographs identically; and skipping month-of coordination to save $3,000, then paying it back in day-of chaos.
Where not to cut
Photography (it’s the only thing that survives the day) and the planner tier your venue type requires. Estates without coordination are how horror stories start.