How to Choose an Island for Your Wedding in Hawaii
So you’ve decided to have a wedding in Hawaii! Congratulations! Not only does getting married in Hawaii give you an unforgettable wedding day experience, but it also allows you to get to relax and celebrate in (what I consider) paradise on earth! When planning your wedding in Hawaii, one of the first decisions you’ll likely have to make is which island to get married on. With so many beautiful islands to choose from in Hawaii, it can be difficult to decide which one will be the best for your wedding day! As a wedding photographer who has traveled to and captured the beauty of Hawaii's diverse landscapes, I understand the importance of selecting the perfect island that aligns with your vision and creates an unforgettable backdrop for your special day. In this blog, I'll guide you through the process of choosing which island will work best for your destination wedding in Hawaii.
4 Top Islands for Your Hawaii Wedding
While many people think only think of eight islands when they think of Hawaii, there are actually 137 islands that form the state of Hawaii. Of the eight main islands though, there are four that you will likely be considering for your destination wedding in Hawaii: O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i, and Hawai’i (also commonly referred to as the Big Island). Each of these islands has something different to offer, so choosing one for your Hawaii wedding really comes down to what type of vibe you want to experience.
Oah’u
The first of the four major islands is Oah’u. Oah’u is the most visited of the islands, and it’s not hard to see why. It has a little bit of everything from the city to beaches and everything in between. The island is full of shopping, great restaurants and resorts, and beautiful beaches known for their big waves and surfing competitions. Some of the main sights on the island are Waikiki Beach, the North Shore, and the Pearl Harbor Memorial. This island is great for couples who want access to lots of venues, food, and vendor options for their Hawaii wedding.
Maui
The second largest Hawaiian island is Maui. Best known for its beaches, Maui is a great balance between city and nature. More of a resort island, you’ll have more restaurants and shops than some of the quieter islands, but you’ll also feel the relaxed “island vibe” that Hawaii is so well-known for. Also, did I mention that Maui has great beaches? From red to black to green sand beaches, you could spend your entire time exploring the different beaches on Maui and still not visit them all. Some of the main attractions on Maui are the Road to Hana, whale watching, and, of course, lounging at your favorite resort or beach.
Kaua’i
Of these four main islands, Kaua’i is the least visited and quietest, but don’t let that stop you from visiting this slice of heaven on earth! Kaua’i is a nature lover’s paradise and is arguably, one of the most beautiful of the Hawaiian islands. With stunning scenery like the Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon, you can’t beat the views on Kauai. The island may not have as many shops or restaurants as its neighbors, but what it lacks in city life, it makes up for in relaxed island vibes and stunning scenery. Kauai is the perfect place for couples looking to plan a low-key wedding filled with tons of local vibes and nature.
Hawai’i
When planning a wedding on the island of Hawai’i, be sure to give yourself lots of time to explore all that this island has to offer. The biggest of all the Hawaiian Islands, Hawai’i (aka the Big Island) offers a variety of scenery from beaches to rain forests to waterfalls to volcanos to black sand beaches. This island is very spread out and offers tons of authentic Hawaiian culture and is also home to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a must-do for any visitor!
How to Choose the Best Island for Your Wedding in Hawaii
Define your Hawaii Wedding Vision
The first step in planning your wedding in Hawaii is to define your wedding vision. Now that we’ve covered the four main islands and what they have to offer, think about which island best fits the vibe that you are looking for. Do you want an upscale beach wedding or a more relaxed ceremony out in nature? Depending on what your wedding vision entails will help you determine which island will best suit your needs.
Consider Weather
While many people think that Hawaii is always sunny, the islands are actually full of microclimates. No two islands experience the same weather and even the same island can experience different weather depending on which side you are visiting. Some islands may receive more rain than others and the time of year always impacts this as well, so be sure to consider the weather when choosing a date for your wedding in Hawaii!
Consider Accessibility
If you or your guests are traveling to the islands for your Hawaii wedding, then you’ll definitely want to consider how accessible each island is. Oah’u and Maui are the more popular of the islands which usually means they offer more flight and accommodation options as opposed to the quieter islands like Kaua’i and the Big Island. The good news is that island hopping is very common so once you arrive on one of the main islands, it’s very easy to hop around to the other islands; it may just require a little more planning and travel arrangements, but can be well worth it if you are looking for a more intimate experience.
Set A Budget for Your Wedding in Hawaii
It’s no secret that visiting the Hawaiian islands can be expensive and these travel costs oftentimes can affect your wedding budget as well. Typically, Oah’u and Maui tend to be more affordable since they see more tourists than the other islands so importing goods is usually cheaper, but in general, be prepared to spend more on the island than you would when traveling in the continental United States. When planning any wedding budget, be sure to prioritize what is most important to you and splurge on the things that will matter the most.
Venue Options
Once you’ve chosen an island for your wedding in Hawaii, it’s time to choose your location. There are tons of Hawaii wedding venues on each of the islands that will fit your style and budget, but here is a list of my top picks on each island.
Oah’u Wedding Venue: Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve
The Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve offers visitors stunning views of Kne'ohe Bay, open meadows, lush gardens, and the famous Mokoli'i Island. The venue sits at the foot of the Kānehoalani mountain peak and offers stunning 360 views of mountains, gardens, and ocean! The venue consists of two large lawn areas, an upper garden, and an outdoor pavilion on the property. Catering packages are also available and options include locally sourced food and flowers for a true farm-to-table experience.
Maui Wedding Venue: Grand Wailea
Grand Wailea is a picture-perfect wedding venue located on the island of Maui. Nestled along the pristine shores of Wailea Beach, this luxurious resort offers an idyllic setting for your special day. With its lush gardens, cascading waterfalls, and stunning ocean views, the Grand Wailea presents an enchanting backdrop for your ceremony and reception. From exquisite cuisine to world-class amenities, this Hawaii wedding venue promises to give you an unforgettable and romantic wedding experience on Hawaii’s “Valley Isle”.
Kaua’i Wedding Venue: Waimea Plantation Cottages
The Waimea Plantation Cottages on Kauai is one of the island’s most scenic wedding venues. If you've always imagined saying your vows amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of Hawaii, then this is the wedding venue for you. This historic plantation property is tucked away along the stunning western coast of Hawaii’s Garden Isle and retains the spirit of old Hawaii, making it a really one-of-a-kind and romantic location for your special day. Imagine saying "I do" in front of swaying palm trees in a lush tropical garden or strolling down a flower-lined aisle on a beach with the Pacific Ocean as your backdrop. Whatever you envision, your wedding at this venue will be filled with the warm friendliness of the personnel and the breathtaking natural beauty of the island.
Big Island Wedding Venue: Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa
Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa is a picturesque Big Island wedding venue that offers a variety of settings for your special day. With its pristine beaches, swaying palm trees, and panoramic ocean views, the Outrigger Kona creates an idyllic backdrop for exchanging vows. Whether you prefer a barefoot beach ceremony, an intimate garden affair, or an oceanside chapel ceremony, the staff at this versatile venue will cater to your unique vision to help make your wedding dreams a reality.
Hire a Hawaii Wedding Planner
I’m a big advocate of hiring a wedding planner to help you plan your special day. Not only can a wedding planner help you feel much more relaxed leading up to your wedding (as well as the day of), but oftentimes they can also help present ideas that you otherwise would have never thought of. A good wedding planner will be able not just to hear your wedding vision, but they’ll also be able to help bring it to life and may even be able to save you money in the process. Especially if you are traveling for your destination wedding in Hawaii, a local wedding planner can help you navigate all the specifics that come with planning a Hawaii wedding.
So there you have it! No matter what island you choose for your wedding in Hawaii, it is sure to be a beautiful experience. I hope this blog was helpful in getting you thinking about the best place to get married in Hawaii. For more destination wedding tips, check out my blog on 5 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding.
Ready to get married in Hawaii? Click on the link below to say hey and send me an inquiry!