On the eve of our wedding day, we celebrated with all of our guests by treating them to a quintessential Hawaiian experience—an authentic Polynesian luau at Old Lahaina Luau!
We loved that our guests took advantage of the location and made our wedding weekend into a longer vacation. Most of our family and friends arrived 5-6 days before the wedding which gave us plenty of time to relax, catch up and spend quality time with them before the big day. This is one of the biggest benefits of a destination wedding and definitely one of the top reasons a destination wedding was right for us.
Two-thirds of our guests had never been to Hawaii before so we didn’t want to dictate their vacation by over-scheduling activities. Everyone could explore the islands for themselves and vacation the way they like to vacation. Of course we provided a list of our favorite places and activities in their welcome gift bags to save time.
Now getting to Hawaii from the east coast is 1) not the easiest on the wallet and 2) not the easiest travel-wise so we definitely wanted our guests to know that we really appreciated each of them making the journey and feel like they were being taken care of while on Maui.
Planning-wise we were already working on a destination wedding, day-after brunch, Nashville reception, and a day-after lunch. By booking through Old Lahaina Luau we were able to knock out all the rehearsal dinner planning easily. We didn't have to worry about the decor, food, drinks, music, entertainment or rentals, it was all included! The Old Lahaina Luau took care of everything and more, and made our rehearsal dinner a breeze!
My in-laws had a brief conversation with Kerri, our group coordinator, and everything was taken care of. Simple as that!
Located on the western shore of Maui, Lahaina was the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845 before being moved back to Honolulu. The area is a beautiful combination of rich history and modern convenience. Locals and visitors can stroll, shop, and eat along Front Street enjoying the mild climate, an afternoon of sailing, or simply one of the west side’s renown sunsets. Lahaina is one of the driest areas of Maui, which is calming if you’re planning an outdoor event. :)
The Old Lahaina Luau has a gorgeous waterfront location in the historic center of Lahaina with amphitheater, leveled seating around a circular stage and Pacific Ocean as a backdrop.
Our bus pulled in around 6 p.m. and our host for the evening hopped aboard. He welcomed us and provided a quick explanation of the evening’s plan before leading us to the entry. From that point we were immediately immersed in Hawaiian culture and the spirit of Aloha.
We were greeted with fresh flower leis and prepared drinks (mai tais and fruit punch) then guided to our seats. The first hour of the event is a laid-back cocktail hour. Guests are encouraged to wander around, grab a drink, take photos by the water, learn a simple hula with bamboo slit sticks, play traditional Hawaiian games, admire traditional woodcarving by local craftsman, check out demonstrations, and watch the unearthing of the kuala pig from the imu - the underground oven - in which the pig has been cooking all day in preparation for the luau.
In addition to typical open bar drinks, there was a specialty drink menu with clever island-inspired cocktails like a Honey Girl (vodka, pineapple, strawberry, guava) and Little Tita (dark rum, passion orange, guava, cranberry, orange), and of course the always popular mai tai and pina colada. For a local beer the Bikini Blonde Lager was by far the group favorite! There are also several fresh fruit juices and soda options for non-drinkers and kids in attendance.
We all enjoyed a fabulous Maui sunset and took some group photos before being asked to take our seats. After a short welcome speech, tables were dismissed for the all-you-can-eat buffet. The buffet was filled with mouthwatering traditional and non-traditional island options including Kalua Pork, Laulau (pork wrapped in taro leaves), fresh caught fish, chicken long rice, stir fry vegetables, sweet potatoes, Ahi poke, poi, salad, bread, fruit, and more! There was something for everyone even veggies, gluten-free, and vegans. Note: The guava butter and bread was a huge hit!
When everyone seemed to be wrapping up a platter of desserts was delivered to each table which included such sweet treats as a Passion Fruit Cake, Upcountry Lavender Lemon Shortbread Cookies, Hawaiian Chocolate Chili Pepper Brownie, and Haupia (coconut milk squares). All of it was delicious!
The show is a true production! Guests are taken on a narrated journey through Hawaiian history while enjoying live music, different styles of hula, and the story of the island through its mythology. Towards the end those celebrating special occasions were invited to share a lovers dance under the stars (in which LeBraun reluctantly participated haha).
At the end of the night our host presented each person in our group with small, individual loafs of homemade banana bread - an island specialty - in takeaway bags. It’s believed Polynesians brought bananas with them to Hawaii on the canoes they sailed across the Pacific.
The entire evening was an unforgettable experience. The Old Lahaina Luau’s staff are nothing if not hospitable. We felt like we were a part of their family and were warmly welcomed and invited to enjoy the evening with them. The luau is more than a simple dinner show, it was a bucket list experience. The venue’s design provides an intimate feel in a beautiful location along the West Maui shore, and the sunset cast a romantic and dreamy spell over the rest of the evening.
We are so glad we booked our rehearsal dinner at the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui and were able to provide such an memorable Hawaiian experience for our guests. It was the perfect kick-off to our wedding weekend and we would 100% do it the same again!
If you find yourself on Maui, we’d highly recommend making a reservation to attend the Old Lahaina Luau for an authentic Hawaiian experience. Check out their website for more information, to check availability, and to book tickets for the experience. @oldlahainaluau
All photography by @tealephotography
What's included in the ticket price?
A friendly luau host for the evening, Hawaiian lei greeting, unlimited tropical cocktails and beverages, traditional craft, dance and cooking demonstrations, a bountiful buffet (with opportunity for seconds, and an award-winning luau performance.
Traditional or Table & Chairs Seating?
At the luau there are two types of seating arrangements. The first is traditional. Guests are seated on cushions around low tables surrounding the stage. The second is table and chairs like you would expect.
We selected traditional seating after making sure everyone was comfortable and capable of sitting at the low tables for awhile.
Do note that each table accommodates eight and they are communal so if your party does not occupy all seats at the table, other parties will join you.
Kerri allowed us to seat 10 at one table to avoid a group of two being separated. It worked out well since my kid cousins were seated together and took up less space.
How to get to the Old Lahaina Luau?
We chartered a bus which picked us and our guests up from our hotel, drove us to the old capital of Lahaina, and brought us safely back, a 45-minute drive from the resort area of Wailea one-way. Providing transportation allowed our guests to fully relax and enjoy themselves, not having to worry about drinking, driving, parking, etc.
Can I bring my photographers and videographers?
Yes! The luau is a popular destination for events and the luau welcomes guests to take photos and videos of their experience.
