A Dream Wedding Maui | Stress-Free Wedding Planning, Destination Weddings, Personalizing Your Wedding

022 // Let's Get Maui'd: How We Run Wedding Rehearsals the Easy Breezy Way

Let’s talk about wedding rehearsals! In this episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of how we run rehearsals for our Maui destination weddings. Whether you’re feeling nervous, overwhelmed, or just curious about what actually happens, we’re here to walk you through it all.
We’ll share who should attend, how we set the ceremony lineup, why we rehearse in reverse (yes, really!), and how we ease those last-minute jitters the day before you say “I do.” From timing the music to giving pep talks to the wedding party, our goal is to make sure everything runs smoothly—and that you feel totally confident and calm heading into your big day.
If you’re planning a wedding in Maui, this episode will help you show up to rehearsal ready, relaxed, and excited.
 What We Cover:
Why we usually schedule rehearsals for 9 AM the day before the wedding
Who should be there—and who doesn’t need to worry about attending
What to expect if you're bringing your own officiant
How we plan your processional and ceremony layout
Why we rehearse in reverse and how it helps everything click
Our go-to reminders for pockets, sunglasses, bouquets, and more
Why we leave the music timing to the pros—and skip the Bluetooth speaker
 A Few Extra Tips:
How to use Canva to visualize your wedding party lineup
How we help families decide where to sit for the best view
What happens if someone forgets their cue (spoiler: we’re there to guide them!)
 Let’s Connect:
Planning your dream Maui wedding? We’d love to support you.→ Book a complimentary consultation: adreamwedding.net→ Follow us for daily tips and inspiration: @adreamweddingmaui

021 // Let's Get Maui'd: A Guide to Wedding Vendor Gratuities

Not sure who to tip—or how much—when it comes to your wedding team? You’re not alone! In this episode, I’m breaking down suggested gratuities so you can show your appreciation without overextending your budget. We’ll talk about who to tip, how much is appropriate, how to prepare ahead of time, and some real talk about things like tip jars at the bar and those post-wedding “the check is in the mail” moments.
Whether you decide to tip or not, this episode will help you feel confident, organized, and full of aloha.
What You’ll Learn:
Who typically receives a gratuity on wedding day (and how much is standard)
Why gratuities are never expected when working with trusted pros
The best way to prepare and organize your tip envelopes (cash is king!)
What to do if you’re on a tight budget—but still want to show appreciation
The do’s and don’ts of bar tip jars (yes, we talk about it!)
Why saying “we’ll send something later” can unintentionally sting 
How thank-you notes, kind words, and great reviews are also meaningful ways to say thanks
Mentioned in This Episode:
Book a free consultation
Follow on Instagram @adreamweddingmaui
Want help planning your Maui wedding? Let’s chat! Use the link above to view my calendar.
🌺 A Note from Ashley:
This is Episode 21—such a milestone! I’m so grateful to each of you for tuning in every week. I created this podcast to give you practical, thoughtful advice to make planning your Maui destination wedding as seamless (and joyful) as possible. Here’s to many more episodes to come. 💕

020 // Inside Our Wedding Day Toolkit: What We Bring to Every Wedding

Ever wonder what a wedding planner carries to make sure your big day goes off without a hitch? In this episode of A Dream Wedding Maui, I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing exactly what’s inside our wedding day toolkit. From fashion fixes to weather emergencies and tech must-haves, we are prepared for anything and everything — so you don’t have to worry about a thing!
Tune in to hear the full breakdown of what we pack for every wedding day and why having the right tools on hand can make all the difference.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
The must-have items in our emergency kit and repair tools
Beauty and fashion essentials we always carry
Tech tools and weather prep you might not think of
Little-known wedding day hacks (hint: baby powder and museum wax!)
Why being over-prepared = peace of mind for you and your guests
Mentioned in this Episode:
Liquid IV hydration packs
Clear umbrellas (our secret good-luck charm against rain!)
Fashion tape, fishing line, museum wax — and more toolkit essentials
 
Want more help planning your Maui wedding?Visit adreamwedding.net to schedule a complimentary consultation or follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @adreamweddingmaui!
Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode, and if you found today’s tips helpful, please leave a review and share it with a friend who's planning their dream wedding too!
Mahalo for listening — see you next Wednesday! Ashley 

019 // Why a Wedding Planning Team Is Your Secret Superpower

🎧 Episode Description:
In today’s episode, I’m sharing a very real behind-the-scenes moment: I almost didn’t record this because I’m currently dealing with a pretty brutal skin cancer treatment (shout out to anyone who’s been through the dreaded chemo cream). But that’s exactly what inspired this topic—because even when I’m not at my best, the planning doesn’t stop. And that’s the beauty of having a team.
If you’ve ever wondered why it might be better to hire a team of planners instead of just one solo expert, this episode is for you. I’m diving into how our team works together to support each couple with creativity, consistency, and compassion—no matter what life throws at us.
Here’s what I’m sharing in this episode:
Why I moved from being a one-woman show to building a full wedding planning team
How we support each other (and you!) through sick days, travel, and long event weekends
The benefits of multiple sets of eyes on your details—from guest lists to floor plans
How we play to our strengths and work collaboratively to serve you better
An exciting update about our new Design Specialist and what that means for your wedding!
📲 Let’s connect:If you’re newly engaged or just curious about what it’s like to work with our team, I’d love to hear from you.Visit: www.adreamwedding.netFollow me on Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui
💬 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another couple planning their big day in paradise.

018 // Let's Get Maui'd - You Got Your Final Guest Count... Now What?

The RSVPs are in—yay! But now what? In this episode of my Let’s Get Maui series, I’m walking you through exactly what to do once your final guest count is locked. This phase is all about logistics, and I’m here to help you tackle it with confidence and ease.
In this episode, I’ll share:
How to start (and survive!) your seating plan
What to communicate to your caterer—like entrée counts and food allergies
How your final headcount affects rentals, transportation, and your budget
Common mistakes I see with place cards and how to avoid them
My suggested RSVP and planning timeline to keep things stress-free
This is such an exciting milestone in your wedding planning journey, and I want to make sure you’re checking every important box before the big day. Let’s dive into these details so you can stay calm, organized, and ready to celebrate!
📋 Need help planning? Book a free consultation at adreamwedding.net📱 Follow me on Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a Wedding Tip Wednesday!

017 // 3 Wedding Details I’m Loving Right Now

This week, I’m sharing three wedding details that I am absolutely loving right now — straight from a stunning event we just wrapped at the gorgeous Olowalu Plantation House. From bold color palettes to guest-friendly lei walls and unforgettable entertainment, these ideas are all about creating joyful, meaningful experiences that reflect you as a couple.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Why color is making a big comeback (and how to use it well)
What a lei wall is and why it’s such a wow-worthy welcome
Ways to elevate your guest experience — including my favorite surprise moment: fire knife dancing!
Whether you're just starting to plan or deep in the details, this episode will inspire you to personalize your celebration in a way that feels vibrant, intentional, and completely your own.
✨ Let’s make your dream wedding come to life — with aloha.
📍 Ready to plan your Maui wedding?DM me on Instagram @adreamweddingmaui or book a consult — I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up!

016 // Mother's Day Special: Heartfelt Ways I Help Couples Honor Mom on Their Wedding Day

In this special Mother's Day episode of A Dream Wedding Maui, I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to honor moms and grandmas on your wedding day. Whether your mom is there to celebrate with you or you're finding meaningful ways to remember her in spirit, there are so many thoughtful touches to make her feel seen and celebrated. From processional roles and bouquet dedications to repurposing her wedding dress, I’m covering it all.
📝 In This Episode, I Talk About:
How to include moms and grandmas in the processional (and why it’s so important not to overlook them)
Ways to involve both parents in the "giving away" moment
Special getting-ready moments and keepsake photo ops with mom
Including a mother-daughter dance, or even a family dance
Bouquet dedications and personalized gifts
Creative ways to repurpose your mom’s wedding dress into something new and meaningful
Honoring moms who have passed through memory chairs, heirloom jewelry, and more
How to celebrate grandmothers in special roles (including one of my favorite recent weddings where Grandma was the flower girl!)
💌 Stay Connected:
I'd love to hear how you're planning to honor your mom or grandmother at your wedding! DM me on Instagram or send me a message through my website.
Website: aDreamWedding.net
Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui
🌸 Wishing all the amazing moms out there a beautiful and love-filled Mother’s Day. See you next week!
 

015 // Let's Get Maui'd - Timing is Everything: How to Create a Smooth Wedding Day Timeline

Welcome back to A Dream Wedding Maui! This week, we're diving deep into one of the most important pieces of your wedding planning puzzle: your wedding day timeline.
I'm sharing why a great timeline matters not just for you, but for your guests and your entire vendor team — and how the right flow can turn your big day into an unforgettable experience. From when to schedule hair and makeup to building in those special sunset photo moments, I’m breaking it all down step-by-step.
You'll learn:✨ Why sunset time is the first thing we plan around in Maui✨ The three audiences every great timeline must serve✨ How to structure your day for maximum fun (and minimum stress!)✨ Pro tips to avoid common timeline mistakes — like long bar lines or speeches that drag on✨ How your planner (that's me!) keeps everything flowing behind the scenes
Whether you're planning an intimate beach elopement or a big oceanfront celebration, this episode will help you feel calm, confident, and ready to soak in every moment.
Book your complimentary consultation: adreamwedding.net
Follow us on Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui

014 // Let's Get Maui'd - Set the Table for Love: How to Design Beautiful & Functional Wedding Table Setting

Welcome back to A Dream Wedding Maui! In this episode of our Let's Get Maui series, we're talking all about wedding table settings — one of the most important details that sets the tone for your reception. Whether you're dreaming of tropical elegance or laid-back beachy vibes, a well-designed tablescape can make your guests feel truly welcomed and wowed.
Ashley walks you through everything you need to know:
What’s included in a standard Maui place setting
The differences between buffet vs. plated service setups
How to elevate your design with chargers, glassware, napkins, and menus
Favorite tips for adding texture, color, and personal touches
What local caterers provide (so you don’t overpay!)
Budget-friendly ways to make a big visual impact
What to watch out for in breezy Maui venues (spoiler: we’ve got tricks for that!)
Candles, florals, favors, and how to bring it all together seamlessly
Plus, Ashley shares her behind-the-scenes process: how she creates mockups, sets every napkin fold with intention, and ensures no detail is overlooked when it comes to your guests’ dining experience.
Whether you're going all-in on tabletop decor or just want to make smart, impactful choices, this episode is packed with guidance to help you create a reception table that’s as beautiful as it is functional.
🌺 Planning a Maui wedding? Let’s chat!Book a consult: www.adreamwedding.netFollow us on Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui

013 // Let's Get Maui'd: Signs of a Beautiful Wedding Day — Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Signage

In this episode of A Dream Wedding Maui, we’re talking all about wedding day signage!
Signage is one of the most overlooked — but highly impactful — details of a destination wedding. Not only does it help guide your guests and provide helpful information, but it’s also a beautiful opportunity to show off your style and personality.
From must-have signs like welcome signs and seating charts to fun extras like bar menus and directional signage — I’m sharing everything you need to know to plan for wedding signage that’s both functional and beautiful.
We’ll chat about:
The essential signs every wedding should have
Fun and creative signage ideas to personalize your day
Materials and design styles for signage
Where to source signage (DIY, Etsy, or hire a pro?)
Signage tips for Maui weddings (wind, weather, and logistics!)
The biggest signage mistakes to avoid
Wedding signage helps create a warm, welcoming, and seamless guest experience — and I’m here to help you get it right.
Resources & Links:
→ Learn more at: adreamwedding.net→ Follow along on Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui→ Ready to plan your Maui wedding? Book a free consultation with me here.