Getting married in Hawaii is big business. In the state of Hawaii we have over 20,000 weddings per year. The good thing about a Hawaiian wedding is that you can have it as small as just the happy couple or you can find a Hawaii wedding venue that accommodates hundreds.
Best places to
get married
in Hawaii
With so many options the difficulty is figuring out which location is the right one for your special day.
There are beautiful beaches on each island where ceremonies can be had with the purchase of a permit but most don’t have changing rooms, facilities, or a place to hold the reception.
All beaches are public so you cannot host a reception on the beach even if you wanted to. And in some cases, you cannot even put chairs on the sand for your guests. So, if decide that you want a beach wedding you will most likely have to find a different venue for the reception unless you decide on a private estate that has beach access.
KAUAI is called The Garden Isle so it stands to reason that this island has a number of breathtaking gardens. The Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens is not an inexpensive place to hold your wedding but it is unbelievably versatile.
There is a residence where your caterer can prepare the meal. So, this spot is a good choice for the reception. Indoors or outdoors depending on your vision. Besides gorgeous gardens, this Na Aina Kai has waterfalls, meadows, forest, beaches on the ocean, and lagoons. It is a photographer’s dream venue. Located on the North Shore this fantastic place is perfect for a memorable wedding with just the two of you or up to two hundred.
The Big Island of HAWAII is known as much for its volcanoes and beaches as it is for the beautiful ranch land. In Hawi, on the Kohala Coast the Puakea Ranch is the perfect place to get hitched on an authentic restored plantation era ranch.
Surrounded by ancient lava rock walls the ranch has historic guest houses, vast lawns, rolling green hills, ocean vistas, beautiful gardens and giant trees.
For something a little different in terms of photography, the ranch has friendly white horses and oversized old timey swings that are wonderfully unique to Puakea. There are several small cottages on the property so you can do the wedding reception and honeymoon right there!
The Kona Beach Bungalows are five luxury vacation houses on the same oceanfront estate in Kailua-Kona where your wedding party can stay and enjoy the festivities too. You can rent one or more or all five! The estate has a lava rock saltwater pool and Jacuzzi with a lushly landscaped yard that overlooks the ocean. It can accommodate up to 34 overnight guests. The location has a fabulous view of the sunset so it would be a great spot to tie the knot as the sun goes down.
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Kukahiko Estate Maui
MAUI has resorts, churches, lavender fields, botanical gardens and sandy beaches but if your heart is set on a location where you can have the wedding and reception on the water there are several estates that you should consider. One of my favorites is The Kukahiko Estate in Makena. It is family owned for generations with a two bedroom house and fantastic kitchen for your caterer’s use. The patio or lanai area can be used for a dance floor or you can have your reception there.
This location is exotic and the scenery absolutely stunning. Whether you want to say your vows on the rocky beach or the expansive grassy lawn both with the ocean right there, and neighbor islands in the distance you can do so without all the sand getting in the wrong places. If you decide to get married during whale season (mid-December through mid-April) you might be surprised by extra special guests showing up in your photos. Kukahiko Estates is perfect for a smaller wedding and after party in the same place.
Located in Kihei, South Maui Gardens offers a magical setting for a Maui wedding. This large property is a community garden, a working nursery with over 500 species of tropical plants, and an in-the-know Maui event space. This is a fabulous hidden oasis on Maui.
For Maui weddings, couples are provided a gorgeous event space with indoor and outdoor areas to enjoy. The meticulously maintained gardens and beautiful tropical foliage offer a picturesque setting for capturing those once-in-a-lifetime wedding photos.
The reception space welcomes guests with its elegant stone flooring, ambient lighting, and plush seating. The outdoor area boasts various terraced areas, artistic sculptures, and cozy nooks for guests to unwind, socialize, and enjoy. With a harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor spaces, this venue promises that your Maui wedding is charming and memorable.
Imagine exchanging vows amidst lush greenery, with the soft melodies of nature and acoustic musicians providing the soundtrack. This garden venue is a hidden gem, offering equal parts of intimacy and beauty.
The property is decorated with diverse Hawaiian flora, creating a colorful and fragrant backdrop for your special day. With the gentle Maui breeze and the glorious sunlight, the atmosphere is naturally romantic here.
South Maui Gardens is not just a venue; it’s a retreat into Maui’s natural landscape, where every moment becomes a cherished wedding memory. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, here’s a versatile and picturesque setting to bring your island dream wedding to life.
You should check out the Haiku Mill. This is an unbelievable more than a century old historic site. There is old world charm oozing out of every corner of the incredible setting. The ruins of an old sugar mill that was abandoned and left behind were transformed into an elegant European style courtyard with chandeliers and delightfully hand selected French antique décor.
This is another location where you can happily combine the wedding and reception for up to 120 seated 150 guests cocktail style. There is also a sweet little shabby chic cottage furnished with a flair reminiscent of by-gone days, its available for pre-ceremony preparations.
OAHU has the majority of the state’s population by far and first time visitors to Hawaii usually go there. So, it makes sense that the largest number of wedding venues would be there as well. This fact makes it very hard to choose which ones to recommend, but since we are not looking at resort venues that narrows it down.
First of all, who even knew that Oahu had ranches much less ranches that host weddings? Yes, it’s true. There are several beautiful ranches where couples can tie the knot. Most are 45 minutes from Waikiki.
One in particular is The Dillingham Ranch on the north shore in Mokuleia, which is near Haleiwa. Haleiwa is known for surfing, shark cage diving and people jumping out of airplanes.
Dillingham Ranch which is 19 acres of oceanfront land and extends to the ridge line adjacent to the Mokuleia Forest Reserve and the Waianae Mountains, offers views of Kaena Point and spectacular views of the famous surfing beaches. This location gives couples a multitude of choices for private and picturesque nuptials and a tented reception.
For a truly magnificent location that is spacious and private with several options of where to set up for the ceremony Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe is worth checking out. Besides lush colorful tropical gardens there is a Tahitian chapel on the grounds that is perfect for couples who would be too stressed worrying about weather. You can set up inside or outside and if the weather doesn’t cooperate you have a back-up location.
The wedding coordinator works with you to fit your budget and to eliminate the stress of planning a wedding. The venue is part of Haleiwa Joe’s which is an award-winning restaurant set against the backdrop of the Ko’olau Mountains, which provides a beautiful setting for your wedding and reception, (all receptions are held in the restaurant).
Also on the North Shore is Waimea Valley. Deeply rooted in Hawaiian history this breathtaking location has world class botanical gardens, ancient archaeological sites on 1,875 acres of sacred land. There are a number of wedding and reception sites to choose from such as; a spectacular waterfall; two meadows; a pavilion; a main lawn; two covered open air sites; and one indoor lanai. So depending on your preference and the size of your guest list there is a location at Waimea Valley for you.
Each island has wedding coordinators who will make your dream wedding a reality. They will take the stress out of the process and walk you through each step.
In fact, all but Surf Song have their own coordinators who are well connected and have made many brides and grooms very happy.
Kualoa Ranch on Oahu is an incredibly versatile wedding location! It is also one of Hawaii’s top film and TV production sites. It has been used as a set for a wide range of films, from Elvis to dinosaurs and King Kong. As such, the scenery here is so varied that you won’t need to look elsewhere to find the vibe you seek. This private nature preserve, also known as Jurassic Valley, sprawls over 4,000 acres of pure natural beauty. There are secret beaches, lush valleys, majestic mountains, ancient Hawaiian cultural sites, historic ranch buildings, hidden gardens, and the most breathtaking views.
For your wedding reception, they offer a unique Hawaiian culinary experience. You can choose from dishes that feature their own Kualoa-grown beef or local pork, seafood, and lamb. Paired with island-grown fruits, vegetables, and even chocolate, they will give you a true farm-to-table experience.
Two beautiful garden areas with sweeping views offer you a memorable spot for your vows. The photos are sure to be as unique as you are!
For all of the details, the team at Kualoa Ranch can provide you with a complete list of their preferred vendors. Of course, they have worked with some of the best professionals in the industry. From event planners to photographers, you will find everything you need to plan your dream wedding in Hawaii.
