Getting Married and Renewing your Vows in Hawaii



Hawaii is a perfect place for getting married or renewing your vows. The scenery choices are endless; jet-black lava rock against deep-blue ocean, a cave of ferns draping down behind you, baby white sand brushed with emerald green waves, palm tree branches silhouetted against orange-red sunsets, or a simple expanse of lush green grass with coconut trees in the distance.

Where else but Hawaii can even the men adorn themselves with flowers and natural plant leis and not look silly? Where else but Hawaii can the couple wear matching cool and casual clothes and still look elegant. Heck, I got married in my bare feet.

—- Marriage License Requirements

  • No residency requirements
  • No waiting period
  • No blood test
  • You’ll need a birth certificate or ID, and $60 (as of 2005)
    current marriage license details here


    —- Where to get married in Hawaii

  • Where you are staying is a good place to start looking. Many hotels and rentals have gardens or gazebos set aside to get married in. I set up my brother-in-law’s wedding at the Kona Surf Hotel gardens, and it was perfect (the old Kona Surf is now the Sheraton Keauhou). They had a nice deck with shade and seats and a table, and the flowers and ocean in the background provided a beautiful backdrop. They even had a little church next to a Koi pond. Use of just the gardens cost us $75.
  • State and county parks are the next place to look - they offer great locations, and are usually free. They won’t usually be private, but people will respect your privacy and picture space normally. I got married at Pahoehoe Beach Park which was completely free.
  • Tropical gardens and special areas like Fern Grotto will normally charge you a fee - but you should get good privacy and attention for that fee. Almost all the islands have very nice tropical gardens that can offer waterfalls, tropical plants, and ocean views.
  • Yes, we have churches too, and a wedding coordinator can hook you up with one if you don’t mind getting married indooors.

    —- When to get married in Hawaii

  • early in the morning
  • late afternoon

    These are just my opinions, but high noon is just going to be too darn hot. About 9 to 10 a.m. is a good time I think. I got married at 10 a.m., and it was just starting to get really good and hot. Another good thing about 10 was when we were done with the ceremony and signing, it was time for lunch.

    —- How Inexpensive Can it Be to Get Married In Hawaii?

    I hate to say it, but if you don’t live here you are probably going to need to hire a wedding coordinator. You’ll need someone to arrange everything for you.

    When I got married I hired a coordinator (I didn’t know much about the island back then) and total was about $650. That covered the coordinator, the minister, the leis, the cake, a photographer, and a person to take video. We couldn’t afford much more, so the only thing we splurged on was the photographs.

    When my brother-in-law got married I was his coordinator. I paid $75 for the location, $80 for the minister, $65 for a light catered lunch (delivered through the hotel) for four, and did the rest myself. I bought a wedding cake from KTA (a grocery store) and picked it up that morning ($45 if I remember correctly). I bought leis from the flower store down the street and picked them up the night before. My husband and I took the pictures and video.


    —- About Leis

  • A haku lei is a must for the bride. They are expensive (at least $50) but they are oh-so prettyand special. A haku lei is one worn on the head, and can be made of just about anything. Here are some examples

    Haku Lei

  • Open-ended Ti leaf or Maile leis are the tradition for the groom, and you may want to get one for the minister or ceremony officiate

    Maile lei

    Ti leaf lei

  • Pikake leis are good for around the bride’s neck
  • Keep the leis in the fridge for freshness


    —- Wild Ways to get Married in Hawaii

    Get married underwater

    Arrive in a horse and carriage

    Arrive in an outrigger canoe

    Fern Grotto Weddings


    —- The Coordinators

  • More than one island

    Hawaiian Island Weddings

    http://hawaii-weddings.net/

    http://www.beachesndreams.com/

    http://www.hawaiibride.com/ - Magazine

  • Big Island

    http://www.beachweddingshawaii.com/

  • Oahu

    http://www.alohaweddingshawaii.com/

    http://www.maui.net/~weddings/

    http://www.hawaiiweddings.com/
    http://www.hawaiiweddings.net/

    http://www.wedaloha.com/
    http://www.lovehawaii.com/ - Inexpensive

  • Maui

    Mariah’s Mane - Maui Makeup and Hair

    http://www.maui.net/~myndi/

    http://www.mauidestinyweddings.com/

    http://www.dolphindreamweddings.com/

    http://www.mauiweddingvows.com/

    http://www.luausonmaui.com/

    http://www.hawaiileihochzeit.com/

  • Kauai

    http://www.kauaiweddings.com/

    http://www.kauaiweddingvideos.com/

    http://www.kauai-hawaii-wedding.com/

    http://www.weddings-kauai.com/

  • Hawaii Leis and Flowers
    You can’t have a Hawaiian-style wedding or a wedding in Hawaii without fresh leis and Hawaiian flowers. Especially look at the gorgeous Haku leis at some of these sites.

    7 February 2008 | More like this: Lisa's Vacations, Islands, Best of Hawaii

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