How to Elope on Kauai (a complete guide)
Thinking about eloping on the beautiful island of Kauai? Awesome! The Garden Isle is one of the most breathtaking places in the entire world, and eloping with your special someone is the best way to kick off an eternity together. Whether you’re looking for a sunset elopement on the beach, a wedding day in the mountains, or an adventurous ceremony in the water, there are dozens of locations around Kauai that are perfect for your big day! So what should you know before eloping in Kauai? Below are answers to all the questions I hear all the time from couples on how to elope in Kauai.
UPDATE JULY 1 2020: With the rise of COVID-19, please also read my post on how to plan an event in a post-pandemic Hawaii for more tips.
GETTING TO, AND GETTING AROUND, KAUAI
Kauai is the northernmost Hawaiian island in the chain, and the fourth most populated isle. If you’re visiting from the mainland US, no passport is needed, but travelers from other countries will need a valid passport. The best way to get to the Hawaiian islands is to fly. As of the time of this writing, direct domestic flights to Kauai have been scaled down due to COVID-19, and I’m pretty sure all international flights out of Kauai have been suspended as well, so you will likely have to travel to Honolulu then jump on an inter-island flight to get to Kauai. There are dozens of flights direct to Honolulu each day from all over the west coast, like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, Vancouver, and so much more.
Once you’re in Hawaii, you will want to rent a car. Unfortunately Kauai does not have very good public transportation, and if you want to do any sightseeing on your trip outside of a tour, you will need a car to get around.
Pro Tip: As of 2019 Southwest Airlines began flying interisland, so if you are looking to get around the state flights are really cheap right now, some are only $40 each way!
HAWAII MARRIAGE LICENSE AND LAWS
Eloping on any island in Hawaii legally isn’t difficult, and if you want a quick overview, watch this video about the process of getting married in Hawaii. Hawaii does not require US citizenship or a blood test to apply for a license, which makes it easy for couples coming from another country to get married on the islands. I recommend filling out the application for a marriage license online so it’s taken care of ahead of time. You and your fiance will need to present the application and proof of your age (a valid ID or driver’s license if you’re over 18) in person with a marriage license agent in Hawaii. If you’ve been married before, you’ll also need to present proof that the old marriage has ended. The nice thing about eloping in Hawaii is that you can get the license the same day you submit the form, and even have your wedding the day the license is issued as long as it’s on a weekday (non-holiday) and during business hours and that you have your ceremony within 30 days of the license being issued. The elopement cost in Hawaii is relatively cheap as well, costing (as of the time of this article) $65; a $60 application fee plus a $5 administration fee.
For full info, check out the state department for official instructions and laws before you begin the elopement process.
WHO CAN MARRY YOU IN HAWAII?
Currently, only state-approved “performers” can legally marry you on any of the Hawaiian islands and handle the post-wedding paperwork. Unfortunately, this means a friend or family member can’t legally officiate your ceremony. You can search by location for a marriage performer in the area of Hawaii you’d like to elope. Once you’ve reserved a performer to officiate your elopement, and have filled out the license paperwork online, you’re ready to get married!
PICKING A KAUAI ELOPEMENT CEREMONY LOCATION
The amazing thing about Kauai is there are so many more ceremony location options than just white sandy beaches. Wanna get married under a waterfall? There is a venue with that! Wanna celebrate on the top of a mountain? Check out Waimea Canyon or Koke’e. If mobility is an issue for you or your guests, don’t forget that there are plenty of easy to access areas at the beach, overlooks, mountains, and rainforests that don’t compromise in beauty! The same goes for if you want an amazing experience without having to hike a lot on your wedding day. You can also do a helicopter tour, ride a boat, kayak or stand up paddle board, or any other adventure you can think of. Basically, Hawaii has something for every couple getting married!
North Shore: Lush, green, rigid mountains that fall straight into the sea. Beautiful sunsets and vistas over the ocean and through the mountains. Higher chance of rain compared to other sides of the island, but worth the gamble if you are looking for jungle and beaches.
East Side: Thick jungle, beautiful green mountains, cooler days with strong sea breeze. Beautiful sunrises. Also higher chance of rain compared to other sides of island.
South Side: Beautiful blue water and much drier. The hills and pastures gives it more of a cowboy/western aesthetic. Beautiful sunsets over the ocean. Lots of hotels and places to stay for convenience.
West Side: Much less populated, the towns feel like you’ve traveled back in time to old Hawaii. Crystal clear waters, and sunsets that fall over Ni’ihau.
Pro Tip: Hire a photographer as adventurous as you are. There are some locations that are tricky to get the perfect shot at, and having a photographer that can capture the moment in all terrains is huge.
WHEN TO ELOPE IN HAWAII
Hawaii is, for the most part, a two-season state: dry season (May-October) and rainy season (November-April). Rain isn’t always a bad thing, as most venues are prepared for weather, and depending on what you’re looking for, rain can add to the beauty and adventure of the celebration’s photos (see my previous blog about a beautiful rainy elopement in Kilauea, Kauai). Temperature changes between the two seasons are minimal, usualy 15 degrees between July and January. In general, sunset or sunrise is best for lighting in open locations, but ceremonies in the denser, jungle-esque locations are more suited for mid-day photos due to lack of direct sunlight. Knowing the locations and lighting variables is a necessity, so hiring a local photographer (like me!) is usually a good idea.
HOW TO PLAN YOUR HAWAII ELOPEMENT WITH THE WEATHER
Hawaii’s golden rule: never leave the house without an umbrella and a swim suit! Hawaii weather is very unpredictable, and showers can last for 30 seconds or 7 hours, so it’s good to be prepared. If you aren’t eloping at a wedding venue, be sure to have a couple umbrellas handy just in case. If you are eloping at a wedding venue, most places have back-up plans if there is weather. For more info, please read my blog post dedicated to this topic.
Pro Tip: Don’t listen to your weather app. The apple and android weather apps will label the whole day as “rainy” even if it’s forecasted to rain for a half hour that day. Look at the hourly forecast for a better idea of what the day will look like.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ELOPE IN HAWAII?
You’re probably wondering, “how expensive is it to elope in Hawaii?” The answer really depends on what level of luxury you want, where you’re flying from and if want a posh wedding venue or to elope in the wild nature of the island. A lot of people offer “all-inclusive elopement packages,” which can be a great thing for those who are looking for ease and convenience, but it might not be the best option for adventurers who want a unique celebration.
Travel Costs
Traveling to Hawaii in the off season, and flying out of a major airport will help keep your flight costs down. I also recommend staying at an Airbnb accommodation with a kitchen in a smaller town to save on lodging and food costs.
Pro Tip: Alaska Airlines Credit Card’s Companion Fare Hack. With their credit card, once a year, wherever you fly you can bring someone else for $122 round trip. So if flights are $600rt, two people would pay $722 instead of $1,200. Big savings 🙂
Wedding Costs
Obviously, the less people, the cheaper the bill will be. If you’re eloping by yourselves or with just a few guests, it’s easy to keep your Hawaii wedding costs low. As you can imagine, wedding venue prices can be high on the islands, but if you’re reading this you’re probably looking to elope somewhere wild anyway 🙂
There may be a permit fee needed if you want to get married on the beach, so make sure you check out the rules about your ceremony location. You’ll need to hire an officiant to marry you, and of course you’ll need to purchase or rent your wedding clothes.You may want to hire a florist in Hawaii to create an awesome bouquet or leis, but you can also buy or make your own from local flowers and greenery at farmers’ markets or local greenhouses.
And finally I would recommend spending a good portion of your budget on a great elopement photographer. I know this sounds like another plug for my services but it really is important that you find someone you not only trust with documenting and capturing your perfect elopement, but also someone who makes you feel comfortable in front of the camera.
And there you have it, everything you should know about a Hawaii elopement! Eloping on any of Hawaii’s beautiful islands will be nothing short of amazing, and I highly recommend eloping for those looking for a low-key, adventurous, or budget-conscious method of celebrating your love. If there’s anything I missed in this article I’d love to answer any of your questions. Please don’t hesitate to email or call. And if you’re looking for a Hawaii wedding photographer for your elopement, I’d love to connect with you to help build your dream elopement in Hawaii!