Pros & Cons of Eloping Or Destination Wedding during Covid19 – Maui Wedding Photography

MAUI WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER EXTRAORDINAIRE

The Pros & Cons of Eloping OR Having a desination Wedding in Hawaii during Covid19
https://tadcraigphotography.com/project/hannah-jonathon-explore-maui-wedding-day/

 Congratulations on deciding to come to Hawaii for your wedding. Now comes the big decisions!  Do you just make it easy & ELOPE or make it the DESINATION WEDDING you have always dreamed about?  There certainly are lots of pros & cons to doing both. Before Covid 19 this decision was probably easier to make then it is now.

Yes, unfortunately Covid 19 has changed everything & that begins with the mandatory State of Hawaii travel restrictions. Below are some of the mandatory restrictions, but I encourage you to research for the very ;latest changes as The State of Hawaii has been known to change the rules suddenly. For more information from the State of Hawaii look at the link attached below.

These restrictions are as follows.

All travelers must have a negative test result BEFORE beginning the final leg of their trip. Anyone without a negative test                      result PRIOR to departure must quarantine upon arrival. Mandatory quarantine is ten days. 

               -The negative test result must be uploaded onto Safe Travels prior to departure or printed out prior to departure and hard                    copy in hand when arriving in Hawai‘i.

               -Once in Hawaii there are also additional mandatory restrictions including mandatory mask wearing throughout the                              entire Hawaiian Islands. 

                – Fortunately the State of Hawaii has eased up on some rules specific to weddings where the mask can be removed at                            certain times for the wedding couple, the family & wedding party. Although social distance rules are still in effect. All                              vendors, other then ministers & some musicians have to wear their mask & keep their distance throughout the entire event. 

So knowing what the basic rules are & the difficulties of having a your dream destination wedding or do you simplify it & just elope?? That is the question??

So obviously if you want to have your dream wedding it can be done. Unfortunately it is just at a greater expense then it used to be, because of all the additional protocols that need to be taken in getting to Hawaii  & once here the additional expense of the keeping the guests & vendors safe. Pretty much all the vendors I know have gone to great lengths to make sure that the weddings go off seamlessly with safety protocols in place using six feet of social distancing, hand sanitizers & wearing masks 100% of the time. Of the few big weddings I have done since Hawaii has opened up I have worn a mask for nine hours straight maintained social distancing.

One aspect of having a big destination wedding in Hawaii is not only the difficulties of your travel but also the travel of all of your guests. So in 2020 I have had two big weddings that were right at the quotas for maximum number of people. One of the weddings, all of my clients were from Iowa  where Covid19 has been especially brutal. Unfortunately because of what is happening the grandparents were not able to travel & couldn’t attend. In addition some of the wedding party, the very night before they were to fly almost didn’t get the mandatory documents to the State of Hawaii.  They were able to get it done in the nick of time, but with great stress. This added stress/anxiety definitely needs to be considered during your evaluation whether to have a big wedding or simply eloping.

So what about Eloping? Obviously it’s just the two of you so your parents & family are not going to attend & cry as they see you walk down the aisle. For some, like my wife, this was NOT an option for her parents.I totally understand the importance of this and this might be the single biggest decider on what you do and might be  the biggest detriment to eloping. BUT nowadays with technology like live streaming that can ease the parents concerns about traveling during covid and also using zoom to include people who were not able to travel.  Another thing that will make your family more content with your decision to elope is having a fantastic photographer. Having a great photographer who captures not only all the the little moments & important details, but also the great big dramatic images that will blow the socks off of all that see the images!

More benefits about eloping include making the wedding something you never dreamed it could be with a large destination wedding. Something I love doing is planning an executing an “Adventure Weddings” where you literally go on a photo adventure shooting unique images at each location that are off the beaten path & then have the nuptials maybe in a tropical forest & experience the sunset on a windy cliff with breaking waves.  Perhaps it is at sunrise on the summit of Haleakala or with your feet in the white sand of the perfect beach. Other benefits about eloping is that instead of spending money on tents & chairs & fruity drinks, you can go all out with your dream dress & deluxe accommodations/dinner at your dreamy Maui restaurant.  So these are just a few of the pro & cons about eloping or holding a destination wedding in Hawaii during Covid.

 

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Tad Craig Photography

P.O Box 791996 Paia Hi, 96779

808-283-0617

Follow me on Instagram! @tadcraigphotography 

OMG these two lovers Laughing & Loving all day long! So much joy celebrating Izzy & Kula’s wedding day. Both from Maui & both choreographed dancers when they first met they got paired together in The Nutcracker!  That pairing five years ago led to this gorgeous wedding on the slopes of Haleakala with the Pacific Ocean as their backdrop. Absolutely Stunning! Congrats to these two!🌴❤️💍🥂👍🏼  #mauiweddings #mauiwedding #maui #mauiweddingplanner #mauievents #mauiweddingvenue #mauiweddingphotographer #mauiphotographer #mauihawaii #mauieventvenue #mauiweddingphotography #hawaiievents #destinationwedding #mauievent #waileaphotographer #mauiweddingvenues #mauiweddingphotographers

OMG these two lovers Laughing & Loving all day long! So much joy celebrating Izzy & Kula’s wedding day. Both from Maui & both choreographed dancers when they first met they got paired together in The Nutcracker! That pairing five years ago led to this gorgeous wedding on the slopes of Haleakala with the Pacific Ocean as their backdrop. Absolutely Stunning! Congrats to these two!🌴❤️💍🥂👍🏼

#mauiweddings #mauiwedding #maui #mauiweddingplanner #mauievents #mauiweddingvenue #mauiweddingphotographer #mauiphotographer #mauihawaii #mauieventvenue #mauiweddingphotography #hawaiievents #destinationwedding #mauievent #waileaphotographer #mauiweddingvenues #mauiweddingphotographers
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43 5
Name something more beautiful and romantic then a Maui Sunset?  I’ll wait…………………. Still waiting!!!!  #romanticsunset #sunset #sunsetlovers #sunsetphotography #romantic #love #beach #sunsets #couplegoals  #sunsetlover #romanticdinner #romanticplace #traveling #goldenhour #sunsetdinner #beachsunset #romanticbeach #maui #mauiromance

Name something more beautiful and romantic then a Maui Sunset? I’ll wait…………………. Still waiting!!!!

#romanticsunset #sunset #sunsetlovers #sunsetphotography #romantic #love #beach #sunsets #couplegoals #sunsetlover #romanticdinner #romanticplace #traveling #goldenhour #sunsetdinner #beachsunset #romanticbeach #maui #mauiromance
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28 2
Maui Strong Benefit concert for the Lahaina fire victims was absolutely incredible!  The Maui community coming through in Huge way raising $200,000 tonight alone!  Way to go Maui community supporters throwing down to help their own!  Oh and the concert wa nearly FIVE hours of continuous music w each musician or group playing just two to four songs before the next musician would come on stage!  Totally Amazing!  #mauistrong #lahainafire #lahainastrong

Maui Strong Benefit concert for the Lahaina fire victims was absolutely incredible! The Maui community coming through in Huge way raising $200,000 tonight alone! Way to go Maui community supporters throwing down to help their own! Oh and the concert wa nearly FIVE hours of continuous music w each musician or group playing just two to four songs before the next musician would come on stage! Totally Amazing!

#mauistrong #lahainafire #lahainastrong
...

40 2
Makana playing James Taylor at the Maui Strong Benefit concert  #mauistrong #lahainastrong

Makana playing James Taylor at the Maui Strong Benefit concert

#mauistrong #lahainastrong
...

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Tad Craig Photography  | 120 Baldwin Ave. Paia, HI 96779  |  808.579.9571  |  Established in 1999

  tad@tadcraigphotography.com  |  ©Tad Craig Photography  LLC

Extraordinary Maui Honeymoon Session

Extraordinary Maui Honeymoon Session

“In life, its not where you go, it’s who you travel with!”~ Charles Schulz •

 



Ok actually where you go matters too! Honeymooners Christina and Korosh never got the “wow” shot from their wedding & couldn’t wait to do a real honeymoon photo shoot when visiting @fsmaui. At first they were a bit disappointed by all the clouds and lack of sun, but I remained optimistic that something spectacular would come! Were they ever surprised when the sky literally EXPLODED in color and smiles ear to ear graced their faces. So happy for these two!

honeymoon session at four seasons maui

 

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YES, you should ELOPE to Maui for your wedding!

YES, you should ELOPE to Maui for your wedding!

Considering Eloping to Hawaii?

So you are on the fence over having the big grandiose wedding your family is TELLING you to have, or running off to Hawaii, just the two of you, to run and frolic on the beach the way you have in your dreams!

Over the years, I literately have heard this SO MANY TIMES! It is just too common that the family is calling the shots and making the decisions on what your most important day should look like. Really you should listen to what your heart is telling you to do, but there are certainly some really attractive perks that come with eloping.

So I completely understand why so many couples choose just to run off and do what they want and what they choose to do. Of course, being a professional photographer in Hawaii I prefer this as well. The benefits of going this route are numerous and make it a much more attractive way to go. Here are some tips to make your Elopement  easy and stress free.

The very first thing to know is the sky is the limit. Literally! You could do a helicopter wedding landing in a remote location with just a pilot, a minister and a photographer. You could marry on the summit of a 10,000 foot volcano at sunrise or sunset, perhaps a jungle wedding in Hana with waterfalls or an adventure photography session before/after the wedding giving you a complete feel for true Hawaii! Let your imagination run wild as there are no limits.

Personally, I LOVE IT when the couple chooses to do an ELOPEMENT THEIR WAY. It shows not only their style, but also the unique ways they choose to celebrate and express their love for each other. Of course, doing a more adventurous elopement makes incredible photo opportunities and will make especially profound memories.   Planning a three to five hour photo session is reasonable in price and will guarantee that you get all of the great moments that tell the story of your day. This includes moments from getting ready, to exploring through the rain forest, to sharing the most amazing Hawaiian sunset documented for you to cherish for a lifetime.

Follow me on Instagram! @tadcraigphotography 

OMG these two lovers Laughing & Loving all day long! So much joy celebrating Izzy & Kula’s wedding day. Both from Maui & both choreographed dancers when they first met they got paired together in The Nutcracker!  That pairing five years ago led to this gorgeous wedding on the slopes of Haleakala with the Pacific Ocean as their backdrop. Absolutely Stunning! Congrats to these two!🌴❤️💍🥂👍🏼  #mauiweddings #mauiwedding #maui #mauiweddingplanner #mauievents #mauiweddingvenue #mauiweddingphotographer #mauiphotographer #mauihawaii #mauieventvenue #mauiweddingphotography #hawaiievents #destinationwedding #mauievent #waileaphotographer #mauiweddingvenues #mauiweddingphotographers

OMG these two lovers Laughing & Loving all day long! So much joy celebrating Izzy & Kula’s wedding day. Both from Maui & both choreographed dancers when they first met they got paired together in The Nutcracker! That pairing five years ago led to this gorgeous wedding on the slopes of Haleakala with the Pacific Ocean as their backdrop. Absolutely Stunning! Congrats to these two!🌴❤️💍🥂👍🏼

#mauiweddings #mauiwedding #maui #mauiweddingplanner #mauievents #mauiweddingvenue #mauiweddingphotographer #mauiphotographer #mauihawaii #mauieventvenue #mauiweddingphotography #hawaiievents #destinationwedding #mauievent #waileaphotographer #mauiweddingvenues #mauiweddingphotographers
...

43 5
Name something more beautiful and romantic then a Maui Sunset?  I’ll wait…………………. Still waiting!!!!  #romanticsunset #sunset #sunsetlovers #sunsetphotography #romantic #love #beach #sunsets #couplegoals  #sunsetlover #romanticdinner #romanticplace #traveling #goldenhour #sunsetdinner #beachsunset #romanticbeach #maui #mauiromance

Name something more beautiful and romantic then a Maui Sunset? I’ll wait…………………. Still waiting!!!!

#romanticsunset #sunset #sunsetlovers #sunsetphotography #romantic #love #beach #sunsets #couplegoals #sunsetlover #romanticdinner #romanticplace #traveling #goldenhour #sunsetdinner #beachsunset #romanticbeach #maui #mauiromance
...

28 2
Maui Strong Benefit concert for the Lahaina fire victims was absolutely incredible!  The Maui community coming through in Huge way raising $200,000 tonight alone!  Way to go Maui community supporters throwing down to help their own!  Oh and the concert wa nearly FIVE hours of continuous music w each musician or group playing just two to four songs before the next musician would come on stage!  Totally Amazing!  #mauistrong #lahainafire #lahainastrong

Maui Strong Benefit concert for the Lahaina fire victims was absolutely incredible! The Maui community coming through in Huge way raising $200,000 tonight alone! Way to go Maui community supporters throwing down to help their own! Oh and the concert wa nearly FIVE hours of continuous music w each musician or group playing just two to four songs before the next musician would come on stage! Totally Amazing!

#mauistrong #lahainafire #lahainastrong
...

40 2
Makana playing James Taylor at the Maui Strong Benefit concert  #mauistrong #lahainastrong

Makana playing James Taylor at the Maui Strong Benefit concert

#mauistrong #lahainastrong
...

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~HAWAII BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER EXTRAORDINAIRE~LUXURY WEDDINGS~ ~EPIC ELOPEMENTS~SURPRISE ENGAGEMENTS~COUPLE SHOOTS~ADVENTURE SESSIONS~SPONTANEOUS MOMENTS~ FAMILY GATHERINGS~ BIRTHDAY PARTIES & CORPORATE EVENTS~

Tad Craig Photography  |  120 Baldwin Ave, #791996, HI 96779  | 808.283.0617 | Established in 1999

  tad@tadcraigphotography.com  |  ©Tad Craig Photography  LLC |2023

Engagement at the Four Seasons on Maui (2018)

Engagement at the Four Seasons on Maui (2018)

She said “YES”!
This top secret proposal planned perfectly by Victor. Just the day before Cait had taken a lei making class at the hotel and made the haku head piece, not knowing that the following day she’d be wearing it as her boyfriend of six years proposed on the beach. Victor dropped to a knee and said those magical words she enthusiastically said “YES”! What an incredible moment to witness! Just after the sky exploded in amazing color! Congrats to these two lovebirds on their engagement! Maui No Ka Oi!

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Honeymoon Love in Maui

Honeymoon Love in Maui

Postcard Perfection for Adrianna and Nick celebrating their honeymoon in style at The Fairmont Kea Lani. Their Michigan wedding more than a week ago had more than 850 people at it so relaxing poolside with fruity drinks in their hands was a high priority! They were enjoying the views, to say the least! Congratulations to these two!

Postcard Perfection for Adrianna and Nick celebrating their honeymoon in style at The Fairmont Kea Lani. Their Michigan wedding more then a week ago had more then 850 people at it so relaxing poolside with fruity drinks in their hands was a high priority! They were enjoying the views to say the least! Congrats to these two!