Why A Destination Wedding in Hawaii SHOULD Be On Your List
Hawaii is a bucket list location for an unforgettable destination wedding. It is an unbelievably beautiful place that every wedding couple should consider for a destination wedding. The choices are endless. You can get married on a secluded beach where there's not another soul in sight, on a lush green mountaintop, overlooking a waterfall, or even in a flower-covered tropical garden with luscious plants and colorful birds fluttering about. ALL of your friends & family will be talking about your special day for years to come! No matter what you want your wedding day to be like, Hawaii has something for every couple seeking an idyllic setting for their big day. — the only hard part is choosing the best location!
Keep reading to discover the PERFECT island for your wedding:
Why A Destination Wedding in Hawaii SHOULD Be On Your List
Maui
Maui will give your special day an idyllic setting for the destination wedding of your dreams! You can be as casual or as sophisticated as you want, from a relaxed beach wedding to a lavish affair at one of Maui’s five-diamond resorts. Maui really can meet EVERY expectation!
Maui has an amazing variety of sights and adventures you can do with your wedding group! Some of the top beaches in ALL of Hawaii are here in Maui and offer your group total relaxation or water activities such as snorkeling, swimming, and paddleboarding. During the winter months, you can see migrating humpback whales on a whale-watching tour You can do a nature hike in the famous Iao Valley, and of course, a helicopter tour is a great way to see ALL of the amazing beauty and geography of each island as well!
Maui is home to many properties that will give you a beautiful & memorable destination wedding! You'll have no problem finding amazing 4 and 5-star resorts & Villas offering wedding packages that will make your special day be EVERYTHING you have always dreamed it would be.
As I always tell my clients, the best resort is the one that fits you and your fiancée’s wedding vision! It really depends on what type of experience you and your new spouse are looking for. Make sure you and your fiancée research the wedding properties together so that you book the resort venue that is a true reflection of everything you are envisioning for your wedding day.
PROS: Several wedding venues, great resort options for your guests accommodations, romantic sunsets, and fun activities to do with your guests.
CONS: More expensive and some areas are more commercial vs authentic like you’ll find in Kauai.
I recommend Maui for your destination wedding if you enjoy unique dining, enjoy nature hikes in beauty beyond compare, but also want the luxury, pampering, and romance of a 5-star resort!
Kauai
Kauai’s lush green landscapes, and long sandy beaches with sapphire-blue waters make Kauai the PERFECT destination to say “I Do!” A favorite location of Hollywood filmmakers, and where Elvis Presley filmed Blue Hawaii, Kauai offers an amazing array of endless destination wedding venues, sites, and locations to choose from for your wedding.
Kauai offers a multitude of fun & exhilarating activities you can do as a wedding group. Ziplining through the rainforest is always a favorite, as well as taking a kayaking tour down one of Kauai’s famous rivers. Go mountain tubing down the rivers and streams of Mt. Waialeale, and I would definitely recommend either hiking or driving to see the Waimea Canyon, which is breathtaking! If you can afford it, a helicopter tour of the Napali Coast is something no one will EVER forget!
Whether you’re looking for a wedding ceremony overlooking the sea, or an intimate garden wedding, Kauai has some of the most amazing resorts, villas, botanical gardens, and other wedding locations for your destination wedding! Each of these wedding venues has a setting filled with either the beauty of lush tropical landscapes or the background of glimmering blue waters against the sandy shores!
PROS: Luxury, and World-Class Service & Amenities, Great Wedding Packages, Amazing Natural Sights, And Fun Activities to do!
CONS: Less flight options from the U.S.
I recommend Kauai for couples who love to get out and explore, hike, have some adventure, and want to experience “Bucket List” natural beauty!
Oahu
f you’re considering Oahu for your destination wedding, the options are limitless! Instagram worthy wedding venues, perfect weather, & world-class wedding packages, your destination happily ever after will be unforgettable!
Endless activities abound in Oahu for your wedding group. You can enjoy incredible golfing, do a luau, go on a shopping tour, enjoy the surf, take a catamaran cruise, a submarine dive, even visit a nature reserve where you can spend a whole day ziplining, driving ATVs, as well as so much more! You will find something that everyone in your group will enjoy!
PROS: Variety of Resort Wedding Options For Every Taste & budget, Plenty of Activities and NightLife, Easy to get to from the U.S.
CONS: Densely Populated, Wedding Privacy Could be an Issue, Big City Right Next to The Resort Zone.
I recommend Oahu for couples who love water sports, big-city shopping, and nightlife, while still being able to experience the physical and cultural beauty of Hawaii.
The Island of Hawaii
The “Big Island” could be just the perfect Hawaiian island for your big day! The island of Hawaii offers endless wedding venue options that will make your wedding unforgettable. Imagine, having a sunset ceremony on the beach, or saying your “I Do” in a botanical garden with a snow-capped inactive volcano as your backdrop. For a little flash and excitement, how about saying your vows in an intimate ceremony with your toes in the sand, as the active volcano is erupting behind you!
Known as “Hawaii’s Island of Adventure” No other Hawaiian Island will give you the variety of activities and adventures Hawaii offers. Just imagine you and your guests swimming with manta rays or whale watching. Traveling inland to see a 420-foot waterfall, or stop by one of the black sand beaches. And you definitely have to see the VERY active volcano!
PROS: Privacy, Luxury, and World-Class Service & Amenities, Top Shelf Wedding Packages
CONS: Expensive, Only One Resort Option, Ferry to Maui For Activities and Sights.
Destination Wedding Pro Tips For The Hawaiian Islands:
Stay at Least a FULL 9 Days, 8 nights!
Because Hawaii can have long travel times, 10-12 hours from the East Coast & Mid-West, as well as around 5 hours from the West Coast, I recommend that you stay at least a FULL 9 days, 8 nights.
Get the breakfast package:
There are no All-Inclusive resorts in Hawaii, so you will want to buy a package that includes daily breakfast at your resort. Definitely have meal costs in your budget. An example is that some breakfast buffets can be $75 a person.
Celebrate Your Honeymoon on a Different Island!
How cool would it be to skip off to a new island the day after you say “I Do”? I always recommend that you try to at least see at least two different islands when visiting Hawaii. So if you were to have a 9-day, 8-night trip, I would recommend staying 5 days on one of the Islands, and 4 days on another island.
Wait if needed:
Hawaii is a bucket list destination, but if just don’t have the money or time to go to Hawaii, then I suggest that you wait until you do have the money and time to go. Maybe for a special anniversary or even a vow renewal!
Consider St. Lucia
If you have your heart set on going to Hawaii, but just can’t swing it this time around, then I recommend St Lucia.
St. Lucia is often called the “Hawaii of the Caribbean.” There are also many excellent All-inclusive resorts in St. Lucia!
With so many options and ideas, it's easy to get overwhelmed when planning a destination wedding. Not to worry! After you hire a planner, take some time to research online so you can narrow down your options and make the best choices for your special day. Use this guide as an overview of the most popular Hawaiian wedding spots. And say 'I do' in paradise!
Are you ready to make your dream wedding in Hawaii a reality? Schedule a complimentary consultation with me today and let’s get started!
