Hawaii Wedding and Elopement Guide
EVERYTHING YOU
NEED TO KNOW
Planning a wedding or elopement in Hawaii is truly a unique and amazing experience. From golden sunsets that light up the sky to tropical jungles that make you feel like you’re in Jumanji – because hey, they filmed it here – each island offers something completely unique that it’s no wonder Hawaii is considered to be one of the top destinations for weddings and elopements. But figuring out where to start—venues, locations, permits, timelines, vendors—can quickly feel overwhelming. Trust me, I’ve been there!
The good news? Is that planning a wedding or elopement in Hawaii doesn’t have to feel stressful or confusing. Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate beach elopement on Maui, a cliffside ceremony on Kauai, a vibrant Oahu celebration, or a Big Island adventure surrounded by lava fields and black sand beaches, each island has its own rhythm and magic. Understanding the seasons, logistics, and local requirements can make all the difference in creating a smooth, intentional experience. And if that’s what you’re looking for, then you’ve come to the right place!
As a local Hawaii wedding and elopement photographer, I’ve designed this guide to bring everything together in one place so you can plan a wedding or elopement that feels effortless, meaningful, and truly yours.
Wedding vs Elopement in Hawaii
Let get started!
Where to Get Married in Hawaii
Choosing the Right Island
Oahu Weddings & elopements
Popular and accessible, diverse locations, iconic beaches
Kauai weddings & elopements
Lush, dramatic landscapes, more secluded
Maui weddings & elopements
Luxury meets nature, great for resorts + scenery
Big island weddings & elopements
Volcanic landscapes, unique and adventurous
How to get Married, in Hawaii.
Everything you need to know from obtaining your marriage license, to finding your officiant, and how to obtain needed permits.
COST of a Hawaii Wedding or Elopement
Average Cost of Hawaii Elopements
$2,000 – $15,000
Average Cost of Hawaii Weddings
$30,000 – $80,000
Best Time to get Married in Hawaii
It all depends on:
Seasons
While Hawaii weather makes it the perfect place to get married at any season, there are wetter months that you should try to avoid as rain and wind are inevitable factors at their many outdoor venues. That being said, end of Spring into Summer and the Fall season are the most popular times to get married. Particularly the months of May through November.
Weather
And while May through November are the best times to get married in Hawaii, keep in mind that May and November months can still have rain and wind, and August and September are the hottest and most humid months in the year.
Crowds
Crowds also play a factor in making prices for plane tickets more expensive and for dates to be booked out in busier months. So having your wedding or elopement in the off-season – the months of September, October, February, and March, can be less pricey for hotel and flight costs. Just remember you’re trading in price for chances of rain.
Helping you Plan a Wedding and Elopement that Feels like You
As a US born local girl from Hawaii, to also living abroad in Switzerland, these Wedding and Elopement Guides were made just for you!
These Hawaii guides come from experience of planning my own destination wedding and helping others do the same. I handle the hard stuff so you don’t have to—because I know firsthand how overwhelming it is to plan something this big from afar. My goal is to make it feel simpler, more intentional, and something you can actually enjoy along the way.
Explore our Hawaii Wedding and Elopement Guides
Planning your Hawaii Wedding or Elopement (Step-by-Step)
Step 1.
Choose your date
and why it’s important
Some of us have had our dates picked since we got engaged. But if you don’t, then this is for you. While you may have an idea of WHEN you want to get married, your date has more significance than being a special date.
It’s the first thing your wedding or elopement vendor will ask. Because without your date, they can’t tell you if they’re available.
Step 2.
Decide between wedding or elopement
and home vs destination?
While this step may seem common knowledge, you would be surprised at how many couples find it hard to pick between a big wedding celebration, an intimate wedding celebration, a destination elopement with close friends and family, or an intimate adventure elopement with just the two of them. This next article will help you weigh the pros and cons, and give you some ideas to think about that you, at first, might not be aware of and help you decide if you want to have a wedding or elope.
Step 3.
Find your location or venue
WHere are you getting married?
You got your date locked in, you decided between a wedding or an elopement. Now we have to find your dream venue or find your dream location!
You’ve done the hard part of choosing your date and deciding if you want a wedding or to elope. Next we will break down how to choose your dream venue for your wedding, or pick your beautiful location for your elopement!
Step 4.
Build your vendor team
Now to find your wedding & elopement vendors
You got your date locked in, you booked your dream venue or have your dream location planned out, and now you’re looking to build the team that will help make your dreams come to life!
While finding your vendors and service providers may seem overwhelming, this guide helps breaks down how to make this an easy transition, where to find your vendors, and how to book them!
Step 5.
Plan the details
TImeline, styling, Legal Details
Date, check! Location and venue check! Vendor team check, and check! Now for the fun part! You may already be started on this but here’s a list of tips and ways on how to plan all the details of your day! This mini guide will touch on timelines, inspiration, DIY vs Full Planning, and more!
Step 6.
Prepare for your wedding or elopement day
gIVING YOU A GAME PLAN SO THAT YOU’RE READY FOR ANYTHING!
You’ve done all the planning, or found someone to do it for you. Now for the little things that make your day truly yours.
Your wedding will be a whirlwind of love and laughter, and sometimes, things don’t always go as we planned. But with the right guide, and great preparation, you can be sure to show up on your big day, stress-free, relaxed, and ready to party!!!
Wedding Guides – COMING SOON!
Elopement Guides – COMING SOON!
Ready to
plan
YOUR
BEAUTIFUL
STORY?
If you’re planning your day and feeling overwhelmed, or you’d just rather have someone guide you through it all, I’d love to help. As the wedding and elopement photographer behind these guides, I work with couples to create a day that actually feels like them not just through my lens but guiding them every step of the way. Click on the link below to reach out and I’d be happy to help.