If you read our blog post on weather in Hawaii, you know that we have great weather, which allows us to have beach weddings any time of year! However, it does occasionally rain in paradise.

Fortunately, our wedding locations rarely get more than a brief shower, usually lasting only a few minutes. In fact, you may want a little rain as that’s what brings rainbows. :) Here are more details about what happens if it does rain on your wedding day.

When we use the word “Hawaiian” to talk about a Hawaii wedding, we are referring to the Hawaiian traditions that make a wedding in paradise so special. While your ceremony will have traditional elements, unique moments are rooted in this wonderful culture.

If you’ve checked out our Hawaii wedding or vow renewal packages, you’ll see they all include the following:

Officiant & Romantic Marriage Ceremony Including:

• Enchanting Unity Sand Ceremony
• Vows - Traditional (repeated) or Customized (written)
• Children’s Ceremony (For Blended Families)
• Blessing Of The Wedding Rings
• Traditional Hawaiian Lei Exchange With Two Keepsake Shell Leis

Many of our couples want to know more about these items and how the ceremony “works.” If we haven’t yet had the pleasure of chatting or emailing with you, here’s the inside scoop.

7 Tips to Plan an Affordable Destination Wedding

Most couples don't think of Hawaii when planning a cheap and affordable destination wedding, but when we researched How Much a Hawaii Destination Wedding Costs, we were surprised at how affordable it could be compared to a traditional wedding.

Is a destination wedding really cheaper than a traditional wedding? Yes, in most cases, it's cheaper.

Surprisingly, a traditional wedding averages over $25,000, yet many of our couples spend much less to fly to Hawaii, spend seven nights in a hotel, and have a beautiful Hawaiian wedding ceremony.

Every couple is different, and many options exist when planning a destination or a traditional wedding.

On average, a destination wedding is cheaper, and we thought of some ideas to help you plan the most affordable dream wedding possible.

Once you decide to have your wedding or vow renewal in the beautiful state of Hawaii, what steps are involved in ensuring you and your partner have an amazing, stress-free experience?

1. Apply for Your Marriage License (not required for vow renewals)

It's super easy to get a marriage license in Hawaii. Although it can be done last minute, it is required, so plan in advance.

To apply for a Hawaii marriage license, complete the online application on the State of Hawaii website.

Once you arrive in Hawaii, you'll both need to meet with a licensing agent to pick up your license. The process takes around 15 minutes.

For details on requirements, processes, and more, visit our marriage license page.

FAQs:

• There are no state residence or U.S. citizenship requirements.
• Blood tests are not required.
• The legal age to marry is 18 years for both applicants.
• A valid I.D. (passport) or driver’s license may be presented for anyone 19 or older.
• If previously married, proof of original divorce decree or death certificate needs to be presented to the marriage agent by the applicant if the divorce or death was final within 30 days of applying for a marriage license.

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.

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.