Super Helpful Tips When You Plan A Hawaii Destination Wedding

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Image by Ross Dance Photography 

Helpful Tips When You Plan A Hawaii Destination Wedding

 So you’re planning a destination wedding in Hawaii. That’s awesome! We totally get all the reasons why you’d want to do that, but there are so many details to plan, and we can help. We’ve put together some helpful tips to ensure your special day is as perfect as possible. So let’s dive into it and see what you need to know about planning a Hawaii destination wedding!

Planning a Hawaiian wedding takes some serious work!

Planning a Hawaiian wedding takes some serious work! But it is well worth it. Many aspects of planning a destination wedding are specific to Hawaii and can sometimes be confusing. Here’s what you need to know:

  • The weather in Hawaii changes year-round. It will likely not be the same as your hometown or another Hawaii island. You should consider this when choosing your date and time!
  • The location matters! If you want an outdoor ceremony, you’ll have fewer options because September through November tends to be windier months with rough seas on the western side of Maui and Oahu (and sometimes Kauai).

If you want an indoor ceremony, there are many options. However, some of these locations may not be available on your preferred date because they book up quickly! The best time to get married in Hawaii is usually early morning or late afternoon.

Weather and climate in Hawaii

The weather and climate in Hawaii is tropical, with warm temperatures year-round. The average temperature of Hawaii’s main islands ranges from 75°F (24°C) to 80°F (27°C), but it can get as cool as 60°F (16°C) at night or as hot as 90°F (31°C) during the day. As a result of its proximity to the equator, there are no seasons in Hawaii—the weather is fairly predictable and moderate all year long.

Hawaii also has a good deal of annual rainfall due to trade winds that carry moisture from the tropical Pacific Ocean onto the islands; however, most rain falls between October and April.

What is the best time to get married in Hawaii?

Hawaii is a year-round destination, but there are some things to consider when deciding to plan a Hawaii destination wedding. The best time for weddings in Hawaii is between May and September. This period brings perfect weather, fewer crowds, and lower costs for your wedding day activities, such as photos or ceremonies on the beach. If you prefer cooler temperatures, then October through April could be an option for you as well.

There are many options available if you want a more formal wedding ceremony experience at any time of year, including churches, chapels, and other venues with indoor spaces that offer historical value in manor houses or plantation estates with beautiful views of tropical gardens or oceanfront locations like those found on Maui Island at The Fairmont Kea Lani Resort & Spa which has hosted many celebrity weddings over its 100+ years of operation including Carrie Underwood’s!

Where are you going to have your wedding ceremony?

Your wedding ceremony should be one of the most important decisions you make for your big day, so it’s a good idea to do some research and think about what kind of wedding you want before you book anything. Fortunately, Hawaii is full of beautiful locations that are perfect for weddings.

If you’re planning on getting married on a beach, there are dozens across the islands where you can have your ceremony surrounded by ocean views and sandy beaches. If you’d prefer something more intimate or traditional, plenty of gardens are available throughout all four islands and churches with lots of history.

Regardless of whether or not there are religious affiliations involved in your relationship (or if this isn’t important to either person), having a legally binding marriage ceremony in Hawaii requires both partners’ signatures on a marriage license application form at least 72 hours (three days) before getting married—so if anyone has any doubts about whether they want to get married in front of God or just each other and their closest family members, now’s the time to decide!

View on the mountains of Kauai in Hawaii

Image by Ross Dance Photography

You can get married on any island, but one island is trendy!

You can get married on any island, but Oahu is especially popular. Do you know why? Oahu has the most wedding venues and is a great place to stay if you plan a destination wedding in Hawaii. However, if you need some inspiration, you should definitely check out our blog post about the 11 most beautiful Hawaii wedding venues. We are confident you’ll find the perfect venue for your Hawaii destination wedding!

What are the legal aspects of a Hawaii Destination wedding?

Let’s talk about the legal requirements to get married in Hawaii. We guess you want the paperwork done correctly so that your marriage certificate can be used as a legal document in your home country, right? You don’t want to spend money on a wedding only to find out later that it’s not legal.

The basic requirements for getting married in Hawaii are:

  • Both parties must be 18 years old or older (and provide ID)
  • Apply for a marriage license (which takes about 24 hours)
  • Find an officiant who will perform your ceremony – there are many options, from religious to non-denominational ceremonies.

The marriage license is valid for 30 days and can be used anywhere in Hawaii. After applying for your marriage license, which costs $60 per couple and can be paid by cash or credit card, you will receive an “Original Certificate of Marriage.” This document should be taken with you to your ceremony site and presented to the officiant for them to sign it. Unlike most states, Hawaii does not require couples to wait a certain number of days before getting married.

Happily, Hawaii is a place where same-sex weddings are common and accepted. With more than a third of the state’s population identifying as LGBT, it is one of the most gay-friendly places in America. In fact, Hawaii became the first state to recognize same-sex marriage when then-Gov. Linda Lingle signed into law a bill allowing couples to wed on November 13, 2013.

Time to start the planning in detail!

There’s no doubt that planning a destination wedding can be stressful, but you can make it easier on yourself by following some of these tips. They may seem like common sense, but they are often overlooked when people become overwhelmed by all the details. Remember to stay positive and don’t let anything get you down when planning your wonderful Hawaii destination wedding!


Learn more about Destination weddings. Also, check out our LOOKSLIKEFILM WEDDINGS Instagram account for amazing inspiration!