How to Get Married in Hawaii: The Ultimate Guide

February 19, 2020


Finally! He popped the question, and you seriously can’t contain your excitement. OMG!
You never thought this day would come, but now you’re overrun with emotions, and the thought of having your dream wedding won’t allow you to sit still. Your wish to get married in Hawaii would be a dream come true. 
Hawaii is hands down one of the most amazing destinations with pristine beaches, majestic mountains, fantastic weather, a generous culture, and not to mention all those beautiful islands.
It would easily qualify as the most beautiful place on earth, and this is exactly where you want to have one of the most special days of your life. Besides, you always wanted to experience the Aloha spirit, and what better way than to get married in Hawaii?


Where Do You Start?
With a wide array of resorts and half a dozen islands to choose from, planning your dream wedding is bound to be overwhelming.
Which island do you prefer? How do you get your marriage license? When’s the best time to get married in Hawaii? What’s the ideal budget?
Do Some Research On Hawaii Islands
With seven major islands in Hawaii and even more islets, which one is the best for your destination wedding?
Oahu, Maui, and Kauai are the most popular islands and offer some of the most unique experiences. Known as the gathering place, Oahu is the most vibrant island with an abundance of restaurants, shopping centers, movie theaters, among other activities, and you would undoubtedly love Oahu wedding venues.
You’ve probably heard of Honolulu, Diamond Head, Waikiki, and Pearl Harbor, all of which are in Oahu. This island is home to some of the most pristine beaches in the world and would make incredible wedding memories.
However, if you want a laid back wedding, then Maui and Kauai are more relaxed and quiet. On these islands, you get more of a rural feeling compared to Oahu, and they would be perfect if you want to get away from it all.
What Kind of Wedding Do You Have In Mind?
Can you imagine a simple Hawaiian wedding on the beach with just a few friends and family?
Maybe you’d like a lavish wedding at one of the top-rated resorts in Hawaii. You’d be surprised at how affordable weddings in Hawaii can be if you just want a simple and memorable ceremony.
Still, if you want to pull out all your stops and have a grand ceremony, then you’ll find some of the most lavish venues.
How Much Are You Willing to Spend?
Now that you have an idea of the island you want and the type of wedding you’d like, you need to set a budget and see how much of it you can make a reality. Hawaii weddings can go anywhere from several hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on the simplicity or complexity of a wedding.
To estimate your budget, you may need to estimate your guest count.
Unless you live in Hawaii, or relatively close, you need to factor in travel expenses. How many of your friends and colleagues can make the trip? Can you afford to pay for everyone?
How about your accommodations, welcome dinner for your guests, also known as Luau in Hawaii, post-wedding brunch, rehearsal dinner, and even welcome amnesty? 
Hire a Wedding Planner
Some people choose to plan their own weddings, especially if they’re on a budget. However, in a new destination, it may be hard for you to find the best venue, choose floral arrangements, sample menu items, among other things.
Unless you move to Hawaii in advance, sampling cakes, or checking whether the venue lights are flattering enough would be impossible. You may need expertise, so pick a wedding planner with local connections from the island of choice.
Make Your Priorities Known
Once you hire a wedding planner, you need to be on the same page when it comes to what you want.
Do you want a killer sunset? Maybe a beach wedding? Ensure you make your “must-haves” known.
If you opt for a beach wedding, you need to understand that Hawaii beaches are public, and you may have onlookers gawking. If this is a problem, choose a garden, gazebo, chapel, or terrace wedding.
The Best Time to Get Married In Hawaii
One of the best things about Hawaiian weddings is that the weather in Hawaii is always great. It may be a little hot at times, but temperatures stay between 70-80 degrees, and you should be more concerned about the days and not the months.
If you’re planning a beach or park Hawaiian wedding, non-holiday weekdays may be better because you’ll have more privacy. On weekends, public places tend to be overrun by people. Still, some of the most favorable times include spring break, winter holidays, and the Japanese Golden Week.
What Should You Wear?
Hawaiian weddings are some of the most casual around the world. However, on one of the best days of your life, you should be able to wear whatever you want. One of the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to attire is that heels can be dangerous in the sand.
Stay True to the Locale
Embrace Hawaii and all it has to offer for your wedding. For instance, you can go tropical with the flowers and choose orchids, heliconia, frangipani, hibiscus, among others. You can also incorporate Hawaiian instruments as well as have something unique and memorable.
Of course, you only need to go far as you like without getting carried away to the point of regretting some things. Once you start discovering Hawaii, you’ll learn about the Hawaiian chants, hula dancers, and fire dancers, which is all very exciting. However, don’t feel pressured to be a part of it.
Ready to Get Married In Hawaii?
There you have it! You can start planning your amazing day and get married in Hawaii. The 50th state is one of the most incredibly beautiful places in the world, and if you get everything right, you’ll have an awesome wedding.
Please check out our website for more tips and advice about planning your dream wedding.