Thinking about getting married in Hawaii? Whether you’re looking for a tropical wedding day in the mountains, a sunset elopement with family on the beach, or an adventurous ceremony in the water, there are tons of options around the Aloha state that would be a perfect fit for your big day! So what should you know before getting married in Hawaii? Here are some answers to all the questions I often hear from couples on how to get married in Hawaii.

GETTING TO, AND GETTING AROUND, HAWAII 

Hawaii consists of eight major islands (and several atolls/islets in the northwest) across 1,500 miles in the Pacific Ocean. The most well known islands are Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii (or “The Big Island”). Molokai and Lanai are less visited. Kahoolawe and Niihau you need special permission to access, so for the sake of this blog post, I won’t get into much detail on those islands. Every island has its own personality and points of interest, even though all of them are full of lush forests, beautiful mountains, and amazing beaches. 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. There are dozens of flights direct to the 4 well known islands 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 Hawaii 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

As far as paperwork and process, getting married 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 abroad 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 same-day 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 marriage 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.

In general, the process is also quite fast. Obviously if you’re planning ahead it’s good to get it done early, but a couple times I have been part of an elopement in which the couple filled out their paperwork, paid the fee, and booked an officiant all within a couple hours. I don’t recommend this approach, but it has been done before.

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?

Unfortunately, only state-approved “performers” can legally marry you on any of the Hawaiian islands and handle the post-wedding paperwork. 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 have your ceremony, or I’d be happy to give some recommendations of vendors as well. Once you’ve reserved an officiate for your ceremony, and have filled out the license paperwork online, you’re ready to get married!

 WHAT ISLAND SHOULD YOU GET MARRIED ON

This is one of the toughest questions I get asked, and could spend days talking about the pros and cons of each one (hey, that's a great idea for some more blog posts!) You’ve got six great islands, all with amazing locations, so how do you choose where in Hawaii to have your wedding? I would recommend starting with which island best suits what you’re looking for. 

Kauai  – (My personal favorite) Less developed than other popular islands, while still having many direct flights from the mainland. Many of the main attractions involve a helicopter ride, boat tour, or major hiking to experience, but there is also no shortage of beaches to spend the day relaxing on. Highlights: Nā Pali coastline, Waimea Canyon, Hanalei Bay

Oahu  – The most populated island that’s easy to get good flight deals to. The most developed island, Oahu bridges raw beauty and convenience in your experience.  Lots of amazing hiking, beautiful beaches, and great food. Highlights: the North Shore + Lanikai Beach

Maui  – Diverse (a variety of nature as well as resorts), easy to find flight deals. Highlights: Haleakalā National Park + Road to Hana

Hawaii “Big Island”  – If you put all the islands together, they still won’t be as large as the Big Island. This gives you lots of space to find remote locations for a private, beautiful celebration 🙂 it also has the most climates in such a small area, so whether youre looking for a jungle, beach, desert, or snow location, you’ll find it all here. Highlights: active volcano at Hawai’i Volcano National Park + Punalu’u black sand beach

Lanai  – Peaceful beauty on Hawaii’s smallest inhabited island. Luxury resorts and beautiful nature. Highlights: Spinner dolphins at Hulopo’e Beach + Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods)

Molokai – The least visited island, and probably the most authentically Hawaiian. Expect empty beaches and friendly locals! Highlights: snorkeling/diving at Molokai’s reef, long empty beaches on the West Side, Halawa Valley

PICKING A HAWAII CEREMONY LOCATION

Blog: Where To Get Married on Kauai (everything you need to know)

Blog: 10 Best Kauai Wedding Resorts

Blog: 5 Best Beaches to Elope on Kauai

The amazing thing about Hawaii is there are so many more ceremony location options than just white sandy beaches.  Looking to celebrate on the top of a mountain? Check out Haleakala, Kilauea, or Koke’e. Looking to get married under a waterfall? There is a venue with that! Looking to your backdrop to be lava flowing into the ocean? Check out the beaches of Puna. 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!

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 super important. 

 WHEN TO GET MARRIED IN HAWAII

Blog: When is the best time of year to get married on Kauai?

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 WEDDING WITH THE WEATHER IN MIND

Always remember to follow 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 getting married 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 GET MARRIED IN HAWAII?

You’re probably wondering, “how expensive is it to get married 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 celebrate in the wild nature of the island. A lot of hotels and wedding planners offer “all-inclusive elopement packages” or “beach wedding 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. Your cost if you’re eloping by yourselves or with just a few guests will be much lower than if you invite your 500 closest friends. In the wake of COVID-19, it may be wise to plan for a smaller wedding as venue capacities have dropped.

Without a wedding planner / other “all inclusive” package: 

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 Hawaii Wedding 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. Renting a tent for an outside reception is super important as weather is unpredictable, and food/drinks need to be catered.

With a wedding planner / other “all inclusive” package:

Usually it’s just hiring a photographer and that’s it! This is definitely the more expensive route but it saves a ton of time and they are here in the islands making sure nothing falls through the cracks so you can relax knowing all you have to do is show up and have the best celebration of your life!

And finally I would recommend spending a good portion of your budget on a great 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 Hawaii 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 wedding! Getting married on any of Hawaii’s beautiful islands will be nothing short of amazing, and especially after the craziness of 2020, getting away from it all to celebrate your love is the perfect escape to begin your matrimony on the right foot. 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 big day, I’d love to connect with you to help build your dream elopement in Hawaii!