But she thinks some of the new rules are too strict. Wedding-industry professionals are assembling recommendations for state officials that they hope will be an acceptable compromise.

The decline in weddings, however, isn't just a wedding issue, noted Marsha Wienert, Hawaii's tourism liaison: Tourism in general is down.

The number of air visitors fell 7.9 percent in the first 10 months of 2008 and total visitor days were down 8.1 percent from the same period in 2007.

And it's not just Hawaii. "Tourism around the world is being affected by our (U.S.) economy," Wienert said.

According to the Hawaii Department of Health, 12,377 non-residents were married in the state through September 2008. That's an 11 percent drop from 13,887 for the same period in 2007.

Many of those who do come to Hawaii are having smaller weddings and ordering fewer services.

Christine Gardner, a hair and makeup artist, said brides are still getting their hair and makeup professionally done, but many are no longer paying for their bridesmaids to join them.

"They're really rethinking what they need," said Gardner, who co-owns the salon Flaunt.

O'Donnell, who has been in the wedding business since 1990, typically helps coordinate about 80 events annually. She has seen a 30 percent to 40 percent drop over the last year.

And Dave Miyamoto, a photographer and president of the Oahu Wedding Association, said his business is down 20 percent from last year. Back then, he says, he was getting bookings at least a year in advance. Now, the calls he receives are more likely to be for a wedding a month or two away.

"People are a little more careful with their money right now," he said.

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On the Net:

https://dlnr.ehawaii.gov/permits/terms.html

http://www.oahuweddingassociation.com