In today’s episode of Dream Wedding Maui, I’m sharing how the book Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara has inspired me—and how it perfectly translates into the way we serve our couples.

Unreasonable hospitality isn’t just about doing a good job. It’s about surprising and delighting people in deeply personal ways—in the small details, the big gestures, and the quiet moments that aren’t written on the timeline.

I’ll share three real stories from weddings we’ve planned:

The last-minute LED sparklers that almost didn’t arrive—and how we made sure every guest had one.

A groom’s pet peeve about lighting—and the lengths we went to dim a neon sign so the dance floor felt just right.

The time I reconstructed a bride’s dress minutes before her first look—because she deserved to feel radiant and confident walking toward her groom.

I’ll also open up about what this means as our business grows: my commitment to making sure every couple feels cared for, seen, and celebrated through this level of above-and-beyond service. Because to us, wedding planning isn’t just about logistics—it’s about memory-making.

✨ Resources & Links

Learn more: @adreamweddingmaui

If this episode resonates with you, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a couple who wants a wedding that’s not just beautiful—but unforgettable.

Music is one of the most powerful parts of your wedding day. Long after the flowers fade and the cake is gone, the songs you choose will instantly transport you back to those unforgettable moments.

In this episode of Dream Wedding Maui, I’m walking you through the top 10 songs every couple should select for their wedding day—from the processional and bridal entrance to the dance floor opener and the very last song of the night.

You’ll learn:

Which songs set the tone for your ceremony

Fun options for cake cutting and parent dances

Why your first dance song is often the most personal choice of all

How to choose the perfect dance floor opener to get guests moving

Tips for creating a Spotify playlist, “must play” list, and “do not play” list for your DJ

Whether you’re dreaming of a Hawaiian-inspired ceremony, a classic ballroom celebration, or a fun beach bash, music will help define the experience and create lasting memories for you and your guests.

✨ Resources & Links

Book a complimentary consultation: @adreamweddingmaui

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another couple planning their big day.

Micro weddings are having a moment—and I am here for it! In this episode of Dream Wedding Maui, I’m sharing all about Sarah and Aaron’s beautiful and intimate wedding at the Sheraton’s hidden gem: the Ali‘i Suite.

From a sunset ceremony on a private lawn to a relaxed dinner on the lanai with their closest people, this day was low-stress, high-style, and absolutely unforgettable.

Tune in to hear:

What really defines a “micro wedding” (hint: it’s not just about the guest count)

Why I love planning these stress-free, connection-filled celebrations

A behind-the-scenes look at Sarah and Aaron’s wedding day flow

My favorite Maui venues for micro weddings (including secret spots you might not know!)

Tips for keeping your guest list tight—and why that matters with small venues

How to make a micro wedding feel just as luxurious and meaningful as a big one

Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate gathering or just want more quality time with your guests, this episode will inspire you to think small—in the best way.

→ Learn more at @adreamweddingmaui

Whether your celebration is 15 guests or 150, we’ll help you design a day that feels effortless, elegant, and full of aloha. Subscribe for weekly planning tips and inspiration!

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.

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!)

→ Browse more real weddings at @adreamweddingmaui

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. 😉

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 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

→ Learn more at @adreamweddingmaui

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.

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:

Subscribe for more episodes on:

🎧 Episode Summary:

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:

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:

💌 Don’t forget:

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:

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.net

Mahalo for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with any couple dreaming of a Maui wedding.

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’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

Visit us: adreamwedding.net

Follow on Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui