Location. Beaches in Hawaii to get married

Where is Hawaii?

Hawaii is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 3,875 kilometers from San Francisco and 8,516 kilometers from Manila. It is a group of volcanic islands, and the capital city is Honolulu. Hawaii consists of six major islands: Oahu, Lanai, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Hawaii.

How Long is the flight to Hawaii?

The flight from London, United Kingdom, is about 17 hours and 50 minutes, and the flight time from New York City is just over 10 hours. Also, the flight from Los Angeles takes around 4 hours.

Highlights

What is Hawaii Famous for?

Hawaii is famous for its incredible nature of these island groups. It is the world’s largest island chain – and it is home to some spellbinding nature. Despite the islands’ remoteness, Hawaii attracted over 10 million visitors in 2019 and remains a world-leading travel destination. It is home to world-class surfing opportunities, majestic volcanic hikes, a rugged coastline, and unique wildlife.

A gorgeous tropical climate blesses the Hawaiian Islands, and it is the USA’s most southerly state. Daytime high temperatures are between 82 and 87 Fahrenheit (28 and 31 degrees Celsius), and the island’s heavy winds reduce humidity, making the weather very comfortable. Hawaii has a long history and a very diverse culture; visitors love the native Polynesian influences that are a pillar of Hawaii. The rich island culture makes it fantastic for destination weddings. 

Here are some of Hawaii’s best spots for weddings!

Oahu

Oahu is the third-largest Hawaiian island and is home to around 1 million people. It is the most-visited Hawaiian island, attracting almost 5 million visitors every year. The island is home to Hawaii’s famous capital Honolulu, and visitors adore the notorious world-class Waikiki Beach.

It is an excellent spot for your Hawaiian destination wedding because there is so much nature around the beautiful secluded beaches. On many beaches, you will often be the only people for a very long way. If you’re looking for an excellent spot to have a secluded marriage – there are endless spots here.

Furthermore, Oahu is home to the legendary Stairway to Heaven hike, one of the world’s most popular ‘social media photo opps’, with stunning views. A popular wedding resort on Oahu is Turtle Bay, offering guests luxury facilities, expert wedding organizers, and beautiful beaches on the resort’s doorstep.

Maui

If you’re looking for an excellent quiet spot to relax and enjoy, Maui island is a perfect choice. Incredible tropical rainforests and national parks cover the island, and popular sites include the Hana Highway and Makena Beach. The Haleakalā National Park is one of the most beautiful American national parks, covering over 33,000 acres with gorgeous wilderness.

Maui is a popular wedding spot because it is so isolated yet so beautiful. It offers the ideal romantic destination for getting married. Also, the island has relaxed wedding regulations & laws, making it easier to marry there.

Hawaii

Hawaii is the largest island and home to some of the world’s most incredible natural attractions. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the main attractions – it includes Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Furthermore, the national park houses the Mauna Loa, the world’s most giant shield volcano.

There are endless natural attractions, and because of the sheer seclusion of the island, it is a popular wedding destination. You can find many secluded tropical beaches and idyllic natural areas to get married in.

Weather and climate

Daytime high temperatures are between a balmy 82 and 87 Fahrenheit (28 and 31 degrees Celsius), and the island’s heavy winds help reduce humidity, making the weather very comfortable. Temperatures rarely fall under 62 Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius) at night.

Hawaii receives most of its rain during the summer months of October and April and most sunshine between May and September. However, during that period, you should be aware of the risk of tropical cyclones’ even though they rarely hit Hawaii. The climate makes Hawaii ideal for your destination wedding.

Culture and etiquette

Hawaiian culture is an eclectic mixture of traditional influence and ethnic influence, with some unique aspects dating back centuries. One of the most notorious customs in Hawaii is the gifting of the lei. It is presented to people as a welcome gesture to mark special occasions. The leis vary from elaborate garlands with tuberose, orchids, and floral blooms to very simple one-flowered strands.

The Hula is another popular Hawaii cultural tradition, where you will see a swaying of hips, colorful costumes, elegant dancing, and gesturing hands. Locals have evolved the movements over centuries, and initially, it was a religious dance where women and men would dance together. Today, the Hula has two primary forms – the ancient Hula Kahiko or the modern hula auana.

Today’s Hawaiian culture mixes art, music, fashion, and dancing into traditional cultural values. It leaves people with long summery memories. On top of the traditional culture, it’s  part of a western-country with a very relaxed vibe. Many people compare it to California. Honolulu is a great city, with a Californian feel – with great nightlife and surfing culture.

Is Hawaii Safe?

According to neighborhood scout, Hawaii is one of the safest American states, with lower crime levels than the United States average. You should always take standard precautions when you’re out and about, watch out for pickpockets in Honolulu and watch your belongings on the beaches. Especially if you are swimming and there’s nobody left to safe-guard them, only take things as your room keys and any other non-valuable essentials as water.

Food & Drink

Hawaiian food is delicious, and there is a wide variety of excellent dishes. Many excellent Hawaiian dishes are exclusive to the islands, so it is a great idea to experiment with as much loved local cuisine as you can. A prevalent dish is poke – visitors and locals love it. It is a rich dish of simple yet delicious ingredients, such as ahi tuna, sesame seeds, limu seaweed, and soy sauce to wash it down.

Kalua Pua’a is another one of Hawaii’s most incredible dishes. The dish includes a mixture of slow-roasted pork cooked in an underground oven, ending in the most delicious pork imaginable. Also, the chef will mix the pork with heaped portions of rice, making it a delightful and filling meal.

Another trendy dish is the Loco Moco. Locals see this dish as the ultimate comfort food, where you’ll get a hamburger patty topped with a fried egg and gravy. It is a filling, scrumptious, and must-taste dish in Hawaii. Furthermore, there are various wineries in Hawaii, and out of the first ten American sommeliers, five called Hawaii their home at some point in their life. Many wine tours offer excellent excursions.

Money and wedding costs

Is it expensive to get married in Hawaii?

The price for destination wedding Hawaiian packages varies dramatically, depending on the resort, ceremony, and location. The average price of a Hawaiian wedding package alone is around $1,500. However, a traditional Hawaiian wedding can be costly, often over $30,000, depending on the scale and guest numbers.

Generally, the average wedding – including flights, hotels, and the ceremony – is up to $5,000, but it is much more if you have over 100 guests at a traditional wedding.

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Legal requirements for marrying in Hawaii

Hawaii has been a popular wedding destination for decades because of the island’s incredible natural beauty. Therefore, locals have relaxed the wedding laws over the last 40 years, and it is relatively easy to get married there.

You don’t need to be a Hawaiian resident or a U.S. citizen to get married here. However, if you have previously been married, you must have proof of the original divorce decree or your partner’s death certificate. Both parties need to be at least 18, and you will need a valid government photo I.D.

Do I need to get a permit to get married in Hawaii?

Couples can apply for a wedding via the online application route, and the government website is a straightforward and easy way to do it , without the need for agents and paperwork. You must be planning to get married within a year of applying for the license. Once your application is submitted – you will receive an eight-digit confirmation code. You should keep this for your records in case you need it.

How to get married in Hawaii – what to do when you arrive.

When you arrive in Hawaii, you will need to pick up the license you applied for online from the Department of Health. You must do this before the wedding, and you can’t get married without it. As a couple, you will both need to produce photo identification when you arrive.

Once you have finished your appointment, the wedding license only lasts for 30 days, so you must complete the wedding ceremony within this period, or you’ll need to re-apply. Also, you must bring your marriage license with you to the wedding ceremony.

After you have married – the Department of Health will send the marriage certificate to the address you stated on the application. It will take up to 6 weeks to arrive at that address, and the certificate is valid globally.

Find out more by browsing our Hawaii Wedding Directory to start planning your dream wedding.

Regions of Hawaii

Hawaii is home to 6 different regions, and these regions include Hamakua Coast, Hilo, Kona, Puna, Kohala, and Kau.

There are six different islands: Hawaii, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, Kauai, and Lanai.

See our Hawaii map to start planning your dream Hawaiian wedding!

Map of Hawaii – source document.