Hawaii Weddings

Couple celebrating on Waikiki Beach.

Benefits of Hawaii Weddings

There is something about standing on a tranquil seashore with palms swaying in the sunset. But the stress of wedding planning often makes brides want to abandon ship. The hassles of wedding planing can make someone wish they were far away, having a simple ceremony in paradise. If you’re thinking like this, Hawaii weddings could provide the perfect solution.

Consider the bonuses of having a destination wedding in Hawaii. A destination wedding allows you to simplify. You can combine the honeymoon and the wedding all in the same place. There is no additional stress of traveling after the wedding. Also, there is no jetlag to recover from on the precious days of your honeymoon. And if you want to stay in a different hotel than your guests, simply book another nearby resort. Or catch a short flight to another Hawaiian island.

Destination weddings also allow you to cut down your guest list. People appreciate that weddings like these are just for close friends and family. As a result, they are much more understanding of not being invited.

Lastly, Hawaii is an ideal destination wedding location, because it is still in America. There is no currency to exchange. Plus no passport is required for you and your guests (assuming all live on the continental US or US territories). Finally, there will be no worries if you ever need medical attention. And yet it is the picture of exotic, tropical bliss.

Not sure which island to choose for Hawaii weddings? Our highlights below can help you choose the island best for you.

Waikiki Beach on Oahu.

Oahu

Oahu is a good place for Hawaii weddings. First of all, you have innumerable world-class restaurants nearby and luxury resorts. Examples include the historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel or the glamorous JW Marriot Ihilani Ko Olina Resort and Spa. Everything you need is readily available and the activities for your guests are infinite.

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

When the wedding is over, the family vacation begins. Your guests will forever value your wedding as a timely retreat into one of Hawaii’s most beautiful islands. They can surf on the North Shore. Go golfing on a spectacular course. Visit famous war memorials or hike Diamond Head. Whatever the case, they will have many things to look forward to on their trip to Hawaii. Want nothing more than to lounge on the famous beach in Waikiki or explore the state capital of Honolulu? If so, Oahu is the perfect place.

Maui

The locals have a phrase saying “Maui no ka oi” (i.e., is the best) for good reason. Have the rehearsal dinner in historic Lahaina at one of the charming restaurants. Or give an outdoor rehearsal dinner luau-style. Want your wedding on a quiet beach or in the elaborate ballroom of a high-end resort? If so, Maui provides the ultimate setting for whatever kind of wedding you desire.

Ka’anapali Beach on Maui.

Then, once the wedding ceremony is over, the honeymoon fun begins. Get lost amid the bridal beauty of ancient waterfalls. Hike to the remote red-sand beach with your new spouse. Or take some risks and incorporate new adventures and activities on your vacation on Maui.

Big Island

Hapuna Beach on the Big Island.

Having a ceremony on the Big Island of Hawaii is sure to present you more options that you had considered. Beach-front weddings could involve an active volcano in the backdrop. You could say your vows on a black sand beach or in one of the old churches on the island. If you want something unique, take a private boat out for a mid-sea ceremony or ride horses up through Waimea. For a luxurious experience, the hotels on the Big Island will allow you to fully indulge and relax before your big day. Then once your honeymoon begins, snorkel off the Kona coast or hike up to Rainbow Falls for a romantic picnic for two. You will be happy you chose to get married on the Big Island.

Kauai

Hanalei Bay on Kauai.

Photography lovers may prefer Kauai to any other island. This is because nowhere else will you find such dynamic backdrops for the most important day of your life. Soaring green mountains and the clearest aqua shores make a wedding on the beach seem like the only real option. The resorts on Kauai have lavish pools, luxurious chambers, restaurants, and plush honeymoon suites. Indulge in a full-body massage before the big day. Or treat the bridal party to private in-room facials at places like the Grant Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa. Once you are married, kayak down rivers together, bike through the verdant green hills and valleys. Or take a helicopter tour over iconic filming locations. Your Garden Isle wedding will be an experience that neither you nor your guests will ever forget.

Molokai

Papohaku Beach on Molokai.

Go back in time for the day everlasting love. Molokai does not have any resorts and only a few hotels, so it truly feels like an escape from the toils and trials of the modern world. With a much more simplistic approach, Molokai is a good match for couples who do not want materialism to crowd their lives. Molokai has the high cliffs, tall waterfalls and majestic mountains, making any wedding feel relaxed and stress-free. Imagine standing on the quiet shores of one of the least developed and unspoiled places of all the Hawaiian Islands, while vowing to love your spouse for all time.

Your guests will always consider your wedding as the most exciting and memorable day and vacation. You will forever cherish the reality that dreams do come true and your wedding pictures are the envy of all you know. There will be no question about where you and your spouse will return for your 10 or 20 year anniversary getaway; you can go right back to the same resort where you first tied the knot!  Out of all the places in the world to commit your life to someone, there is no place better than on one of the most beautiful islands on earth.

Check out our practical Travel Tips for more details. We’ll tell you how to get a marriage license and about everything you need for memorable Hawaii weddings.