We've wanted to write a post like this for a while. There's no shortage of activity guides for Hawaii, and while those are great sources of information, we want to share some places we love.

You can trust us as your Hawaii wedding planners, and we think we know a thing or two about activities as well.

These recommendations are our personal favorites. We included a few of the popular attractions that many of you've heard of, but we did our best to go off the beaten trail and focus on the lesser-knowns that we feel make Oahu so special.

We broke our recommendations down into five categories: beaches, activies, hikes, Hawaiian foods, and shopping. 

Okay, let's get to it!

Oahu Beaches

Oahu's beaches are a great place to start. Not only are they one of the top reasons people visit Hawaii, but they're also free! Just as with weddings, we highly recommend weekdays (Monday-Friday) and non-holidays for the best beach experience and least crowds. If you are driving, never leave valuables visible in your car. Don't forget reef-safe sunscreen and towels!

Introduction to Micro Weddings

Micro weddings are rising in popularity, and now more than ever is a great time to consider if it may be right for you. Here at Weddings of Hawaii, we’ve been specializing in destination weddings of all sizes for over 40 years.

Thousands of couples have benefitted from the happy-medium of a micro wedding, and we’d love to help you determine if you could be one of them!

Small, intimate beach weddings are the perfect kind of micro wedding.

What Is a Micro Wedding?

A micro wedding for many places in the world is a small wedding, usually with around 20 and no more than 50 guests, but a Hawaii micro wedding is usually smaller, often with the couple and a few guests.

Generally, it is more streamlined but similar to a traditional wedding, with everything on a smaller scale.

Aside from the guest count, the biggest difference is that the reception is more casual and less structured than a traditional wedding reception.

If you choose to capture your special day with a ceremony and highlight video, it's time to start thinking about your wedding video song.

A ceremony and highlight video are included in Lehua wedding packages and above, and you can add it to any package. You'll have two videos: (1) a video copy of the ceremony beginning to end and (2) a highlight video including clips from the ceremony and clips from the photo shoot. 

You get to choose a song for your highlight video. We know each couple is unique, so we want to give you time to pick a song that fits your personality and style.

Although most couples would rather not wake up early for a sunrise wedding in Hawaii, it is an option to consider. The thought of getting ready early, driving to the location, and arriving while it’s still dark is not for most, but there are some advantages and reasons why sunrise is a good time to have a Hawaii wedding.

Pros of a Hawaii Sunrise Wedding

More Seclusion

It’s quiet in the morning. While there might be some people out walking the beach for exercise, beachgoers aren’t out yet. You’ll feel more like you have the beach to yourself, and there’s something really nice about the early morning in Hawaii.

We often get asked for recommendations on things to do in Hawaii, and we understand why. With so many activities to choose from, it's sometimes hard to decide how to spend your precious time in paradise.

Island Water Sports Hawaii is open and a great way to get out on the water, and you'll experience a truly unforgettable memory. Their submarine scooters are an amazing way to explore the clear waters of Hawaii, yet the excursion is so much more!

 You will see so many fish :)

Beach weddings are in a class of their own when it comes to outdoor weddings. Gardens and wineries are beautiful, but there is something genuinely magical about an oceanfront ceremony. (Full disclosure, we have been doing Hawaii beach weddings since 1978, so we’re probably a little biased.)

A romantic seaside dream for many, but with so many venue options, it can be hard to decide if it's right for both of you. Here’s everything we could think of to help couples determine whether a beach wedding is a good fit for them.

Choosing the Right Beach for Your Wedding

For most couples, a beach wedding means a destination wedding, but for the lucky few who live near a beach, you’ll have a slightly different approach as you may have a larger guest count. You may need first to decide if you’ll be planning a destination wedding vs. a traditional wedding.