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

029 // The Comeback of Classic Weddings: Savannah & Danny’s Elegant White + Green Celebration at Sugar Beach

📋 Episode Description (Show Notes):
Are timeless wedding styles making a comeback? I think so—and Savannah and Danny’s stunning celebration at Sugar Beach is proof!
In this episode of Dream Wedding Maui, I’m sharing all the beautiful details from one of our most elegant events to date. From a luxurious white and green floral palette to twinkle-lit chiffon ceiling draping, custom sweetheart table setups, and a heart-shaped Aloha marquee sign—this wedding was the perfect blend of sophistication, romance, and island charm.
If you’ve been dreaming of a classic wedding design that still feels warm and personal, this one’s for you.
💡 What You’ll Hear About:
Why classic white and green weddings are trending again
How we brought Savannah & Danny’s vision to life at Sugar Beach
Floral highlights (hello, white phalaenopsis orchids!)
How to dress up the Sugar Beach space with lighting and thoughtful design
The power of one inspo photo in creating a jaw-dropping event
Why Sugar Beach is a top pick for formal or elegant Maui weddings
The magic of surprise fire knife dancers (always a hit!)
🔗 Links & Resources:
→ Browse more real weddings at adreamwedding.net→ Follow along on Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui→ Ready to chat? Book a free consult
🌺 Love This Look? Let’s Plan Yours.
Whether you’re drawn to timeless elegance or bold tropical vibes, I’d love to help you bring your unique vision to life. Subscribe for more weekly inspiration—and don’t forget to trust the classics. 😉

028 // Why Your Wedding Planner’s Preferred Vendor List is Absolute Gold

📋 Episode Description (Podbean Show Notes):
Not all vendors are created equal—and when it comes to planning a seamless Maui destination wedding, who you hire really matters.
In this episode of Dream Wedding Maui, I’m sharing why our preferred vendor list is a total game changer for our clients. From florals to photography, DJs to dinner service, I break down how I personally vet each vendor we recommend—and why that list is actually quite small (for good reason!).
I also share real stories of what can go wrong when couples go off-list—and what makes our vendor team such a dream to work with. If you're planning a wedding on Maui or anywhere, this is a must-listen before you start booking your vendors.
💡 What You’ll Learn:
What a preferred vendor list actually is (and isn’t!)
How I personally select and vet each vendor
The difference between a smooth planning process and… well, chaos
True stories that will make you want to trust the list
Why assembling the right team is about more than just individual talent
🔗 Links + Resources:
→ Learn more at adreamwedding.net→ Follow along on Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui→ Want to chat with me about your dream Maui wedding? Schedule a free consult
🌺 Let’s Stay Connected:
Subscribe for weekly tips on planning an effortless destination wedding in paradise, and leave a review if you’re loving the show! Mahalo for listening and trusting us with your big day.

027 // Do You Have to Feed Your Wedding Vendors? | Maui Wedding Planning Etiquette

If you're planning a Maui destination wedding, you’ve probably wondered: Do I have to feed my wedding vendors? In this episode, Maui wedding planner Ashley Ulery shares her honest (and spicy!) take on vendor meals—what's expected, what’s reasonable, and what not to do.
You’ll learn:
What a vendor meal is and when it’s required
The 4-hour rule every couple should know
Why vendors should not eat when guests eat
Whether it's ever okay for vendors to go through the buffet line
The small gesture that vendors never forget
Whether you’re a Maui bride, a groom, or just getting started with your wedding planning checklist, this episode will help you feel confident handling vendor meals the right way—with clarity, care, and a whole lot of aloha.
Mentioned in this episode:
Rule of thumb: Feed any vendor working 4+ hours
Vendor meals don’t need to be fancy—just thoughtful and timely
Why guest experience comes first
How planners coordinate meal timing with caterers
Why the phrase “Have you eaten?” means so much on a wedding day
Connect with Ashley:💻 Website: https://adreamwedding.net📸 Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui
Subscribe for more episodes on:✔️ Maui wedding planning tips✔️ Vendor selection✔️ Destination wedding etiquette✔️ Budgeting, timelines, and stress-free planning
 
 

026 // Let's Get Maui'd: What to Expect on Your Wedding Day

🎧 Episode Summary:The big day is finally here — now what? In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly what to expect on your Maui wedding day, from your first cup of coffee to your last dance. We’ll cover how the morning unfolds, what hair and makeup really looks like, why pacing yourself matters, and why a private post-ceremony moment might be your new favorite wedding hack.
Whether you’re a bride, groom, or guest-of-honor who just wants to feel calm and prepared, this is your behind-the-scenes look at how the day typically flows — plus a few tips to help time slow down just a bit.
You’ll learn:💄 When hair and makeup usually start (hint: it’s earlier than you think!)🍓 Why hydration, food, and minimal alcohol are game changers📸 The real reason you want to gather your flat lay items in advance💍 Whether or not to do a first look — and why it’s okay to change your mind🕊️ What happens behind the scenes before the ceremony🥂 Why you might want a post-ceremony private moment💃 And how to actually enjoy your cocktail hour and reception
Mentioned in this episode:
Hair & makeup day-of prep
Flat lay photo tips
Vow timing (spoiler: don’t wait until the day-of!)
How your wedding planner runs the timeline so you don’t have to
Let’s Connect:Ready to start planning your dream wedding in Maui?🌴 Book a consultation: www.adreamwedding.net📷 Follow along on Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui
💌 Don’t forget:Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and please leave a review if this helped you feel more prepared for your big day!
 

025 // We’re Back! Wedding Planning Lessons from Vacation Mode

After a whirlwind summer of family vacations and beautiful Maui weddings, I'm back—and full of fresh perspective. In this episode, I’m sharing surprising takeaways from our recent travels (yes, even Disneyland taught me something about weddings!).
From the importance of a well-planned timeline to the emotional impact of how events begin and end, these reflections will help you think differently about your own wedding day. I also open up about how overwhelming travel can feel—and how that gave me new empathy for couples in the thick of planning.
Whether you’re planning a grand celebration or an intimate elopement, this episode is packed with thoughtful insights to help you stay calm, intentional, and focused on what really matters.
What You’ll Learn:
Why the beginning and end of your event are the most memorable
How Disney inspired me to rethink how we wrap up weddings
The parallels between vacation overwhelm and wedding planning stress
Why planning ahead creates more freedom (yes, I use Aisle Planner for vacations too)
The value of taking intentional breaks during the planning process
Links & Resources:
Book a free consultation: adreamwedding.net
Follow on Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui
Let’s Connect:If you're getting married in Maui and looking for support, I’d love to meet you! Reach out anytime—DM me on Instagram or visit the website to get started.

024 // Kayla & Armando’s Elegant Maui Wedding Week

In this heartfelt episode of A Dream Wedding Maui, I sit down with Kayla and Armando—an amazing couple who celebrated their dream wedding on Maui with a ceremony at Sacred Hearts Mission Church and an unforgettable reception at Olowalu Plantation House.
Together, we reflect on the design-forward planning process, a week full of activities for their guests (including a catamaran sail, golf course welcome drinks, and a sunrise bike ride down Haleakalā!), and even a flower mishap that turned into a beautiful win thanks to communication and trust.
We talk about:
How they chose Maui and what made them fall in love with Olowalu
Planning a destination wedding with full-service support
Creating an elegant design that felt timeless and Hawaiian
Why it's worth planning multiple events during your wedding week
How vendor synergy and a solid planner made all the difference
The unexpected moment when bouquets needed a redo—and how we fixed it fast!
Vendors Mentioned:
Venue: Olowalu Plantation House
Ceremony Location: Sacred Hearts Mission Church
Catering: Café O’Lei Catering
Music: Marvin Tevaga Music
Photography: Dmitri and Sandra Photography
Videography: No Ka Oi Media
Coconut Bar: The Catered Coconut
Planning Tip: Always communicate with your planner if something isn’t right. We’d much rather know and fix it than miss the chance to make things right. Case in point: Kayla’s bridesmaid bouquets weren’t what she expected—but one phone call later, we turned the day around.
 Favorite Moments:
The catamaran snorkel sail
Something blue welcome drinks at Ka‘anapali Golf Course
A surprise welcome speech that brought guests to tears
Their dreamy white orchid lei wall and satin-ribboned place cards
Connect with us at adreamwedding.netFollow along on Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui
Mahalo for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with any couple dreaming of a Maui wedding.

023 // Let's Get Maui'd: Wedding Day Flow: Behind the Scenes with Your Maui Wedding Planner

While you're sipping champagne and enjoying hair and makeup with your wedding party, your planning team is already hard at work making the magic happen. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on exactly what goes on behind the scenes on your Maui wedding day.
From early-morning vendor confirmations to sunset photo coordination and post-reception pack-up, we’re walking you through the full day—from our perspective! Get a feel for the calm, confident energy we bring to each wedding, how we keep things running on time, and why working with trusted vendors makes all the difference.
Whether you’re a few weeks out or just getting started, this episode will help you envision a stress-free day where your only job is to soak in the joy and say “I do.”
 What You’ll Learn:
What’s happening behind the scenes while you’re getting ready
How we confirm and communicate with vendors (and what we do if they don’t respond!)
Tips for seamless ceremony and reception setup
The details we triple-check—so you don’t have to
How we manage timelines, surprises, and last-minute requests with aloha
 Links & Resources:
Visit us: adreamwedding.net
Follow on Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui
 

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