There's lots to love about a Valley Isle wedding. Start with sunset-tinted beaches, fragrant gardens and oh-so-romantic resorts — all beautiful backdrops for bride and groom. Or opt instead for the unique and unusual: Imagine saying "I do" atop a surfboard or under water or perched on a cliff side.

Whatever your heart's desire, you'll find it on Maui. Wondering where to start? Begin with our guide to one-of-a-kind weddings on Maui:


DON'T STAND ON CEREMONY
Looking for something novel? Maui's got you covered!

Consider, for example, the "Surf's Up Delight" offered by Anointed Weddings of Hawaii (1-800-962-7622). Local surf legends, including the minister, accompany each couple on a "tandem ride into life's endless summer." Bride and groom choose how much wave action they want for their wedding day. Couples can also climb aboard an ocean kayak to say "I do."

"Dive" into marriage with Scuba Weddings (808-280-2510), which takes couples to dive sites off the Maui coast. Brides can don a white wetsuit and net veil while the groom slips into a tuxedo-front T-shirt. A bouquet of plastic flowers and weighted leis complete the ensemble.

The wedding party — including minister, photographer or videographer — enters by land or sea and proceeds to a white floral arch along a "bubble aisle." Vows are signed on a slate board and rings exchanged along with a kiss. Back on board, the newlyweds celebrate with champagne and a cake offering "Best Fishes."

Let your fantasies take flight as Blue Hawaiian Helicopters flies you to a private landing site in lovely Ulupalakua, where the pilot, also an ordained minister, can perform your ceremony. Honeymooners might want to choose the Maui Spectacular, an 80-minute air tour of Maui with a 20-minute stop on the slopes of Haleakala for a champagne toast.

Also check out the Anulele Falls Helicopter Package, offered by "I DO" Weddings (1-800-628-4436), whisking you to waterfalls accessible only by chopper. Accompanying the couple are the officiant and a guitar player/singer plus all the traditional trimmings like a bridal bouquet, leis, engraved toasting flutes and beverages.

GO HAWAIIAN
Choose the symbolism of ancient Hawaii, as interpreted by Kuhina Hawaiian Weddings and Blessings (1-888-KOKONUT), for your ceremony. "Hawaii Kahiko" is conducted in both English and Hawaiian and includes a Hawaiian blessing and welcoming chant. Bride and groom are anointed with kukui hemolele 'aila (holy oil) and their hands bound briefly, called ope'a, with sacred cords.

Each receives ti leaf wrist ties or keepsake kukui nut bracelets and leis of tropical flowers, maile, ti leaf or seeds. The couple feeds each other a choice of ceremonial food or drink: coconut milk or haupia for fertility or abundance; awa, a sacred root drink; or kulolo, a steamed taro/coconut dish, for family and growth.

The ceremony moves on to include a selection of Hawaii-inspired rites, including an offering to ocean or land, blessing of rings wrapping in blessed wedding kapa, or ho'oponopono, a process of forgiving one another. Couples can also choose the "Hawaiian Wedding Song" performed on ukulele as well as an ancient union prayer and copy of their wedding vows. Ceremonies are performed at locations throughout Upcountry and West Maui.

"I DO" Weddings (1-800-628-4436) offers another take on a Hawaiian-style wedding, "Kupuna Ha'na." The ancient Hawaiian ceremony includes male and female hula dancers, Tahitian drummer/chanter, conch shell blower and torch bearer. A Hawaiian singer/guitarist rounds out the ensemble of lively and colorful performers.

Other ways to "go Hawaiian"


BEGIN WITH A BANG ... OR FLUTTER
Light the night sky with fireworks as a finale to your nuptials. Precious Maui Weddings (1-866-573-6686) is among wedding planners that can arrange for a professional fireworks display, laser light show or fiber optics for your wedding or reception.

Leaning toward something not so loud? Consider a release of white doves or butterflies. Maui Doves (808) 573-1717) can supply up to 100 doves — actually homing pigeons — for release anywhere on Maui and as far as Lanai and Molokai. Since doves symbolize love, peace and purity, they are a perfect choice to signify abiding devotion. A favorite of couples is the hand release of two doves.

Maui's Merry Monarch Butterfly Ranch (808-878-3553) is a family-run business that hand rears butterflies to be used at outdoor weddings. Instead of rice or birdseed, guests can let loose butterflies along with good wishes as the newlyweds leave the altar. For a small event, just the couple or the wedding party can release the butterflies, which will flutter overhead before flying off.

Merry Monarch Butterfly Ranch will deliver the butterflies packaged in decorated boxes of various sizes, ready for release at the predetermined moment. After being freed, the butterflies will blend naturally into the environment.

LOVE IN BLOOM
Flowers are an integral — and fragrant — part of any wedding ceremony and reception in Hawaii. Often bride and groom are adorned in leis — his, the traditional maile intertwined with pikake, and hers, pikake or some other prized flower. Instead of a veil, the bride may opt for an intricately woven haku head lei of flowers and ferns.

Brightly colored blossoms can add even more impact and meaning to your ceremony. Imagine standing in a circle or "heart" of flowers as you say your vows. This is an especially striking island statement in the sand. Flower circles can be created to contain the couple only or attendants too, according to Flowers by Melissa (808-878-3903), which also crafts bouquets, centerpieces, arches and other dιcor.

Another beautiful addition is a path of flower petals. You can choose a red rose petal path or a white bridal path from A Touch of Aloha (1-866-484-MAUI), also offering a tiki lantern path with tropical flowers along with leis, bouquets and other floral arrangements.

Envision your wedding suite aglow with candles and fragrant with rose petals. A Touch of Aloha can add romance to your honeymoon with dιcor, flowers, hand-painted champagne flutes, non-alcoholic champagne and a box of chocolates.
Buy fresh leis and tropical flowers for your wedding


HAVE YOUR CAKE — HAWAIIAN-STYLE
A wedding cake may be a tradition but it certainly doesn't have to be "traditional," especially when you're in Maui.

The wedding cakes from Maui Wedding Cakes (1-866-537-8888) are colorful and creative with a tropical twist. Consider their Aloha Shirt Wedding Cake, abloom with tropical flowers, or a Hawaiian Quilt Design Wedding Cake, draped with a sugar blanket stenciled with quilt patterns. The white cake with Vanilla Whipped Cream Custard and Lilikoi (passion fruit) is a best seller. You can also choose from Macadamia Nut, Coconut, Pineapple or Guava Mousse.

Have an island theme in mind? Choose the "Hawaiian Petroglyph" topped with tikis, "Dolphin" adorned with sand and shells or "Surfer" with blue gel waves. You can also select showy accents like sugar plumeria, fondant palm trees and, of course, fresh flowers. Traditional cakes are also an option, decorated with wild orchids or other tropical or classic blossoms.

Cakes by Jo Ann Maui (1-877-312-2537) offers an array of show-stopping confections elegantly adorned with swags, roses, seashells and — for the bold — even sharks! Choose a chocolate, vanilla or lemon cake with fillings such as coconut, passion fruit and mango mousse topped with a butter cream fondant frosting. Creations are also topped with a variety of island blooms — orchids of every kind and color, roses, anthuriums and more.

Exotic look, exotic flavor!