As the holidays roll in this year, I’ve been feeling something I know many of you can relate to — that sense of being on a hamster wheel of expectations. Between the shopping, events, travel, traditions, pressure to “make it magical,” and worrying what everyone thinks… it’s so easy to lose sight of what the holidays are really about.

And you know what?

In this deeply personal episode, I share the emotional moment I experienced last Christmas — and the surprising clarity that came when my family and I talked honestly about what truly matters to us this season. Spoiler: we’re not scaling back everything… we’re actually going bigger on what brings us joy and letting go of the rest. Yes, tacos for Christmas dinner and yes… hiring a DJ for our house party!

This realization ties beautifully into how I encourage my couples to plan their weddings:

If you’re planning a destination wedding, feeling overwhelmed by decisions, or struggling with expectations from family, friends, or social media — this episode will help you breathe again. I’m giving you the same framework my family used:

✨ Identify your non-negotiables

Whether your dream wedding includes a packed dance floor, stunning florals, intimate moments with your closest people, or a simple, unfussy menu… you deserve a celebration that reflects your values and vision.

Inside the episode, you’ll hear:

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay grounded, connected, and true to yourselves during the wedding planning process — this one’s for you.

Resources Mentioned:

If this episode resonates with you, please share it with an engaged friend or leave a review — it means the world and helps more couples plan their dream wedding with ease and intention.

In this episode of Dream Wedding Maui, I sit down with my sweet bride Danyelle to relive her stunning summer wedding at Olowalu Plantation House. From her 12-year love story with Scott to her vibrant floral design and heart-melting father-of-the-bride moment, this conversation is packed with warmth, laughter, and inspiration.

Danyelle shares what it was like planning a destination wedding on Maui, how she personalized her design with thoughtful touches (including a basketball-bracket-style seating chart!), and the lessons she learned along the way.

We also chat about:

Plus, I include a quick note about vendor professionalism and why it’s so important to work with a planner you trust before booking any vendors — a small decision that makes a huge impact on your wedding-day experience.

Whether you’re planning your own Maui destination wedding or just love hearing real love stories, this episode will give you all the island wedding feels. 🌺

Getting married in Hawaii? 🌴 In this episode of Dream Wedding Maui, I’m sharing exactly what you need to know to make your marriage legal in paradise.

I’ll walk you through how to apply for your Hawaii marriage license, what to bring to your appointment, how long it takes to receive your official marriage certificate, and what to do if you’re bringing your own officiant from the mainland.

Here’s what I cover:

Whether you’re planning a simple beach elopement or a full celebration with family and friends, this step-by-step guide will help you feel confident that your wedding will be beautiful, stress-free, and legally official.

🌐 @adreamweddingmaui

In this week’s episode, I chat with Corissa, who planned her stunning Olowalu Plantation House wedding all the way from Berlin! From an intimate welcome party at Hotel Wailea’s Birdcage Bar to a whale watch with Trilogy and a heartfelt ceremony surrounded by loved ones from around the world — Corissa’s Maui wedding was filled with creativity, connection, and emotion.

We dive into her thoughtful design vision (inspired by volcanic tones and still-life art), her best advice for other destination couples, and how she and Jason navigated time zones, planning stress, and post-wedding blues with grace and humor.

Whether you’re planning from afar or dreaming of Olowalu, this conversation is packed with inspiration and heart.

How Corissa and Jason planned their Maui wedding while living in Berlin

The story behind their elegant, art-inspired design at Olowalu Plantation House

Why they chose a long engagement and how it helped them stay grounded

The vendors that brought their vision to life — from Maui Bars to Noni from Maui Palm Tree Floral

Honest reflections on post-wedding emotions and the magic of slowing down to soak it all in

Planner: A Dream Wedding Maui

Visit adreamwedding.net for Maui wedding inspiration and planning resources.

Remember when every couple wanted a massive, super-detailed wedding checklist? The longer, the better? Well… those days are gone — and for good reason.

In this episode of A Dream Wedding Maui, Ashley shares how her approach to wedding planning checklists has completely evolved over the years. What used to be hundreds of detailed tasks has now become a simple, streamlined, effortless process — because that’s what modern couples truly want.

Ashley dives into:

If you’ve ever felt buried under a never-ending wedding to-do list, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh Maui air.

Website: adreamwedding.net

Your wedding day goes by in the blink of an eye—and after months (or years!) of planning, the best gift you can give yourself is the ability to be truly present. In this episode of Dream Wedding Maui, I’m sharing six powerful ways to slow down, soak in the magic, and create memories that last a lifetime.

From handing off logistics to your planning team, to building intentional pauses, to anchoring your favorite moments—you’ll walk away with simple, heartfelt strategies to actually enjoy your wedding day instead of rushing through it.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about a perfectly executed timeline or the exact shade of blush in your florals—it’s about connection, gratitude, and love.

🌸 Why “overplanning and then letting go” is the key to peace of mind

✨ Whether you’re planning a beachside elopement or a grand oceanfront celebration, these tips will help you feel calm, present, and connected on your wedding day.

💌 Let’s Connect:

Website: @adreamweddingmaui

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a new episode, and if this helped you, please leave a review or share with a friend who’s planning their big day!

Your wedding day will be unforgettable—but what if you could stretch that joy across an entire weekend? In today’s episode of the Dream Wedding Maui Podcast, Ashley shares how planning multi-day celebrations can transform your destination wedding into a full guest experience.

Fresh off a three-day birthday celebration packed with unforgettable activities, Ashley shows how the same ideas can be reimagined for wedding weekends. From private luaus and canoe regattas to sandcastle competitions and sunset sails, discover creative ways to connect your guests, honor Hawaiian culture, and make memories that last a lifetime.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

Why wedding weekends create deeper connections with your guests

How extra events allow us as planners to deliver even better service

Unique activity ideas from a recent 3-day celebration, including:

Private luau with music, hula, and cocktail competitions

Canoe regatta with Hawaiian cultural experiences

Garden lunch with a live art class and music

Semi-private dinner at Nobu—perfect for a rehearsal dinner

Sandcastle building competition on the beach

BBQ lunch + sunset sail to wrap up the weekend

How multi-day celebrations help guests from all over the world feel like family by the wedding day

Options for full planning or à la carte event planning with A Dream Wedding Maui

Links & Resources:

Hey friends, it’s Ashley!

Today I’m diving into a problem that’s been growing in the wedding world lately — and especially here in Maui. And I’ll be honest…I’ve been part of it, too. It’s Amazon.

What used to be one or two simple boxes from couples — a card box, some cocktail napkins, a few favors — has now turned into my team feeling like an Amazon fulfillment center. Dozens of boxes filled with candles, signage, chargers, and fragile glass arrive at venues, leaving us knee-deep in bubble wrap instead of where I want to be: by your side on the wedding day.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

At the end of the day, I want to be fully present with my clients, not unboxing Amazon shipments. Let’s rethink how we approach these wedding details and choose options that are beautiful, practical, and kind to Maui.

🌺 Find me at @adreamweddingmaui.

Most couples think the first step in planning a wedding is locking in the venue. But here’s the truth: booking your venue first is actually step two. In this episode of A Dream Wedding Maui Podcast, I’m sharing why hiring your wedding planner before you choose your venue can save you time, money, and stress — and make the entire experience so much more enjoyable.

Fresh from a full day of site inspections with one of my couples, I’ll walk you through:

The common pitfalls couples face when booking a venue on their own.

How my insider knowledge and venue relationships streamline the process.

Why efficiency matters: how one couple planned on multiple days of site tours, but with my connections, we knocked it all out in a single day.

The hidden benefits of site inspections — building trust, setting priorities, and laying the foundation for a great planning relationship.

If you’re dreaming of a Maui wedding or just starting your venue search, this episode will give you the clarity to start planning in the right order.

Resources & Links:

Learn more at adreamwedding.net

Follow along on Instagram: @adreamweddingmaui

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.