In summary: Merriman’s sits on the point at Kapalua Bay and is a working farm to table restaurant that also does weddings, which means the food is its own kitchen rather than a caterer. Options run from a 40 guest cliffside lawn ceremony to a full buyout for 200. It publishes no pricing, and its own two websites disagree on maximum capacity.
The four ways to hold a wedding here
- Kapalua Bay Lawn, cliffside above the bay. 40 seated or 50 standing. Blocks are 10:00am to 2:00pm or 3:00pm to sunset. Staffing fees apply if you add a cocktail reception.
- Oceanfront Kapalua Bay Deck, panoramic views toward Molokai and Lanai, up to 200. Same two blocks.
- Oceanfront Private Tent on the deck, non exclusive, up to 40.
- Daytime or Evening Exclusive buyout, up to 200, taking the deck, private tent and main dining room. The evening block runs 3:00pm to 10:00pm with DJ and dance floor options.
Ceremony blocks are published as 3:00pm to sunset, which tells you the venue structures the day around the light rather than around a fixed start time. That is the right way to do it on this coast.
The capacity number to pin down
Merriman’s dedicated weddings site says the restaurant holds up to 200 for an exclusive event. The restaurant’s own private events page says up to 180. Both are Merriman’s controlled sites.
We publish 200 because it comes from the weddings site, but a 20 guest difference decides invitations, so get it confirmed in writing before you send them. This is exactly the kind of detail that is nobody’s fault and entirely your problem if you get it wrong.
What it costs
Nothing is published. No site fee, no food and beverage minimum, no per person rate, no buyout price. The private events page says only that pricing and availability vary and to enquire.
For a restaurant venue that is normal, because the number is driven by menu and headcount rather than a room rental. Expect the quote to be built from a per person food and beverage figure. Our Maui wedding cost guide has the ranges to sanity check it against.
What you actually get that a resort will not give you
The kitchen is the point. Merriman’s is farm to table and builds menus around seasonal island grown ingredients, which is why they start menu planning around two months out rather than handing you a fixed banquet sheet a year ahead. There is an in house pastry chef producing desserts and wedding cakes, so the cake is not a separate vendor.
Ceremony bookings include an onsite coordinator, unlimited email during planning, setup and cleanup of the ceremony location, scheduling of your marriage licence appointment, decor setup, and a rehearsal on request. For a small wedding that is most of what a day of coordinator would otherwise cost you.
Parking is complimentary valet. Dress code is resort casual, which is worth telling guests.
What we could not confirm
We publish what the venue publishes and we say so when a number is missing. These are the gaps on this venue as of our last check, and each one is worth asking about on your first call:
- All pricing. Not a single dollar figure is published on any Merriman’s controlled page.
- The true maximum capacity. Their weddings site says 200, their restaurant site says 180.
- Outside vendor policy and whether an outside planner is permitted.
- Any minimum guest count or minimum spend.
- Whether the restaurant closed after the 2023 fires and when it reopened. We could confirm it is open now but found no first party statement on the timeline.
Last verified 2026-07-31. Capacities, fees and policies change. Confirm directly with the venue before you sign anything.
Where this fits on Maui
Merriman’s is the pick when dinner matters as much as the view and your count is 40 to 200. For a private estate on the same coast with a published rate card, see Olowalu Plantation House. For the resort option at Kapalua, see The Resort at Kapalua Bay. Region overview: Kaanapali and West Maui.
