18th Annual Maui Wedding Expo Showcases $192M Industry

The 18th Annual Maui Wedding Expo will be held outdoors this year at the Plantation House in Kapalua. Courtesy photo.

By Sonia Isotov

The Maui Wedding Association will host the 18th Annual Maui Wedding Expo 2013 on June 1 at the Plantation House Restaurant in Kapalua.

“For the first time, the expo is at an outdoor venue and the first time in Kapalua,” said Tambara Garrick, secretary to the Maui Wedding Association. “The event is free to the public and food and beverage provided by the Plantation House Restaurant is available for purchase at the event.”

Besides providing a showcase for the Maui wedding industry, the Expo features musical entertainment, Polynesian hula exhibitions, excerpts of stage performances like the story of Ulalena from The Maui Theatre, and performances from Maui-based entertainers, like Marty Dread.

Tim Clark, president of the Maui Wedding Association. Courtesy photo.

“The Maui Wedding Association is made up of over 150 wedding professionals in Maui that represent the $192 million spent every year on weddings in Maui. We represent the top wedding vendors on Maui, which are all bound to the highest code of ethics in our dealings with clients, the community, and ourselves,” said Tim Clark, the president of the Maui Wedding Association.

“The association produces an award winning magazine annually with a circulation of 17,500, and arranges Maui´s only wedding expo, which attracts around 50 top wedding vendors to exhibit to a crowd of 900 wedding couples each year. ”

When asked about the trends in the Maui industry today, Clark said, “Brides are looking for the flower-garden-themed wedding with centerpieces that are sophisticated and carefully arranged; gold candelabras and lots of ornate charger plates on linen tablecloths.”

“Traditional dinner selections such as ham, prime rib, and even quail are on the menu along with gin cocktails and specialty liqueurs served up in pretty cut crystal glassware. In 2013, [brides are] looking for bird themes… spun sugar birds nest caramel cupcakes, birds on wedding cakes, bird nest wedding favors and bird cage centerpieces. ”

The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, go to weddingexpomaui.com.