Weddings & Honeymoons

Weddings & Honeymoons

There's no question that Hawaii is one of the country's foremost honeymoon destinations. Romance is in the air here, and the white, sandy beaches, turquoise water, swaying palm trees, balmy tropical breezes, and perpetual summer sunshine put people in the mood for love. It's easy to understand why Hawaii is a popular wedding destination as well, especially as the cost of airfare has gone down and new resorts and hotels entice visitors. A destination wedding is no longer exclusive to celebrities and the superrich. You can plan a traditional ceremony in a place of worship followed by a reception at an elegant resort, or you can go barefoot on the beach and celebrate at a luau. There are almost as many wedding planners on the islands as real estate agents (because of the recent boom), which makes it easy to wed in paradise, and then, once the knot is tied, stay and honeymoon as well. What makes Kauai such an attractive wedding and honeymoon destination is its seclusion. The "separate island" has a greater feeling of intimacy, making even public places feel like you're on your own private island. And the lush and green surroundings are evocative of, oh, the Garden of Eden.

The Big Day

Choosing the perfect place. When choosing a location, remember that you really have two choices to make: the ceremony location and where to have the reception, if you're having one. For the former, there are beaches, bluffs overlooking beaches, gardens, private residences, resort lawns, and, of course, places of worship. It really depends on you. As for the reception, there are these same choices, as well as restaurants and even luau. If you decide to go outdoors, remember the seasons -- yes, Hawaii has seasons. If you're planning a winter wedding outdoors, be sure you have a backup plan (such as a tent), in case it rains. Also, if you're planning an outdoor wedding at sunset -- which is very popular -- be sure you match the time of your ceremony to the time the sun sets. If you choose indoors, be sure to ask for pictures of the environs when you're planning. You don't want to plan a pink wedding, say, and wind up in a room that's predominantly red. Or maybe you do. The point is, it should be your choice.

Now, as for the exact location -- Na Aina Kai, Anini Beach, Hanalei Pier, Mahaulepu Beach, Allerton Gardens, say -- we recommend you discuss this at length with your wedding officiant or wedding planner, which brings us to our next point.

Finding a wedding planner. If you're planning to invite more than the person marrying you and your loved one to your wedding ceremony, seriously consider an on-island wedding planner who can help select a location, design the floral scheme and recommend a florist as well as a photographer, plan the menu and choose a restaurant, caterer, or resort, and suggest any special Hawaiian traditions to incorporate into your ceremony. And more: Will you need tents? Of course, a cake. Music. Maybe transportation. Lodging. Many planners have relationships with vendors, providing packages -- which mean savings.

If you're planning a resort wedding, most have on-site wedding coordinators; however, there are many independents around the island and even those who specialize in certain types of ceremonies -- by locale, size, religious affiliation, and so on. A simple "Kauai weddings" Google search will reveal dozens. What's important is that you feel comfortable with your coordinator. Ask for references -- and call them. Share your budget. Get a proposal -- in writing. Ask how long they've been in business, how they charge, how often you'll meet with them, and how they select vendors. Request a detailed list of the exact services they'll provide. If your idea of your wedding doesn't match their services, try someone else. If you can afford it, you might want to consider meeting the planner in person.

Getting your license. The good news about marrying in Hawaii is that no waiting period, no residency or citizenship requirements, and no blood tests or shots are required. However, both the bride and groom must appear together in person before a marriage license agent to apply for a marriage license. You'll need proof of age -- the legal age to marry is 18. Upon approval, a marriage license is immediately issued and costs $60, cash only. Your officiant will want to see the license, because it authorizes a marriage to take place. After the ceremony, your officiant will mail the marriage license to the state. Approximately 120 days later, you will receive a copy in the mail. (For $10 extra, you can expedite this process. Ask your marriage license agent when you apply for your license.) For more detailed information, visit www.hawaii.gov or call 808/241-3498.

Also -- this is important -- the person performing your wedding must be licensed by the Hawaii Department of Health. Be sure to ask. First things first: Make an appointment with a marriage license agent by calling the Department of Health at 808/241-3495.

Wedding attire. In Hawaii, basically anything goes, from long, formal dresses with trains to white bikinis. Floral sundresses are fine, too. For the men, tuxedos are not the norm; a pair of solid-colored slacks with a nice aloha shirt is. In fact, tradition in Hawaii for the groom is a plain white aloha shirt (they do exist) with slacks or long shorts and a colored sash around the waist. If you're planning a wedding on the beach, barefoot is the way to go.

If you decide to marry in a formal dress and tuxedo, don't expect to find such on Kauai. It's possible but not easy. Instead, make your selections on the mainland and hand-carry them aboard the plane. Yes, it can be a pain, but ask your wedding gown retailer to provide a special carrying bag. After all, you don't want to chance losing your wedding dress in a wayward piece of luggage. For fittings, again, that's something you'll want to take care of before you arrive on Kauai.

Local customs. When it comes to traditional Hawaiian wedding customs, the most obvious is the lei exchange in which the bride and groom take turns placing a lei around the neck of the other -- with a kiss. Bridal lei are usually floral, whereas the groom's is typically made of maile, a green leafy garland that drapes around the neck and is open at the ends. Brides often also wear a haku lei -- a circular floral headpiece. Other Hawaiian customs include the blowing of the conch shell, hula, chanting, and Hawaiian music.

The Honeymoon

One island or more? Ever since airlines started flying direct from the West Coast of the mainland to the neighboring islands, fewer and fewer people have been island hopping, especially if their visit is a week or less, and although the flights from island to island are quite short, the time adds up. Consider the recent increased security measures and the fact that most interisland flights -- say from Kauai to the Big Island -- still go through Honolulu, often requiring a plane change. If you're staying a week or less, it just isn't worth it, especially after the stresses of planning a wedding.

Choosing your nest. Do you want champagne and strawberries delivered to your room each morning? A maze of a swimming pool in which to float? A five-star restaurant in which to dine? Then a resort is the way to go. If, however, you prefer the comforts of a home, try a bed-and-breakfast. A B&B is also good if you're on a tight budget or don't plan to spend much time in your room. On the other hand, maybe you want your own private home in which to romp naked -- or just laze around recovering from the wedding. Maybe you want your own kitchen in which to whip up a gourmet meal for your loved one. Maybe your entire family is joining you on your honeymoon. In that case, a private vacational rental home is the answer. Or maybe a condominium resort. That's another beautiful thing about Hawaii: the lodging accommodations are almost as plentiful as the beaches, and there's one to match your tastes and your budget.

Romance on Kauai. Romance on Kauai rains down like the mists over Mt. Waialeale -- continually. It might be the sparkle of the sun reflecting off the ocean's surface, the glow of the sky after sunset, the way a shadow drapes the mountain -- all these things conspire to create romance anywhere on Kauai. But certain experiences are undoubtedly über-romantic. Take, for example, a swim in a secluded waterfall pool -- accessible only by helicopter -- or a sunset walk along the beach in Hanalei. Make sure to witness the full moon rise over the ocean at Kealia Beach (don't forget the wine) and to have a picnic lunch at the nearly-always-deserted beach, Polihale, at the road's end on the west side. The other thing not to miss? On a clear, summer night, stars pop out like fireworks one after another. It doesn't get more romantic than that.