From Anchorage to Aloha: How to Plan a Maui Wedding from Alaska

Planning a wedding from 3,300 miles away sounds complicated. It is not, but it does require knowing a few things up front. Alaska Airlines runs direct seasonal flights from Anchorage to Kahului (about 5.5 hours), typically from October through April. Outside that window, you connect through Seattle, which adds a few hours but still gets everyone there same-day. We recommend starting 12 to 14 months out, partly because venue availability on Maui is competitive, and partly because giving your Alaska guests enough lead time to book affordable flights makes a real difference in your headcount. The remote planning piece is easier than most people expect. We do everything over video calls and a shared planning portal where you can review vendor proposals, approve design mockups, and track your timeline. You do not need to visit Maui before your wedding week, though some couples like to do a venue tour trip 6 months ahead. The marriage license process in Hawaii is simple: apply online, do a brief in-person appointment when you arrive, and you are set. No waiting period, no residency requirement. For your guests, the biggest adjustment is the wardrobe change. Coming from Alaska in January, they are packing parkas at home and sundresses for Maui. We build a custom travel page for every wedding with flight tips, hotel recommendations near your venue, rental car advice, and a packing list. Groups of 20 or more can often get block rates on flights through a travel agent who handles Alaska routes. The time zone difference is only 1 to 2 hours, so jet lag is basically a non-issue.