If your dream wedding looks like sandy beaches and a tropical experience, without leaving the country, Hawaii is for you. You’ll be in good company with other couples who said “I Do” in this serene location. According to People Magazine, such couples include: Miles Teller & Keleigh Sperry, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson & Lauren Hashian, Arie Luyendyk Jr. & Lauren Burnham. Let’s get to planning your timeless Kauai destination wedding!

When to Go

According to the National Weather Service, there are only two seasons in Hawaii. “Summer” is between May and October, and “Winter” is between October and April. Winter has more rain, but it is still a beautiful time to get married. Choose a date that has meaning for you and your spouse! Regardless, you can’t go wrong in Hawaii.

How to Get to Your Kauai Destination Wedding

For all destination weddings, travel for your guests is a worthwhile consideration. A common stop on the way to Hawaii is Seattle, Washington (SEA). From SEA to Lihue, Kauai (LIH) it’s about a 6 hour flight. While Hawaii will likely be a big travel commitment for your guests, it is also a great choice for them to be able to attend your wedding and have their own vacation! 

Depending on where you choose to stay in Kauai, the hotel may have designated transportation to and from the airport. If they do not, there are still many options for you and your guests. Uber, Lyft, Taxi, and rental cars are all available. If you plan to stay for your honeymoon, choose a rental car to explore the island. Be sure to book one in advance and save yourself a headache.

How to Legally Wed in Kauai

You should apply for your marriage license ahead of time with a Marriage License Application. Couples can apply and pay for a marriage license as well as locate a performer (IE officiant) to complete the ceremony.

Your hotel should have a list of officiants they work with. However, if you are searching on your own, our Kauai wedding officiant recommendation is Frieda Gayle. Freida welcomes all types of Kauai weddings including traditional, same sex, elopement, simple marriage license signing and even last minute decisions to get married while on Kauai! 

Other Kauai Destination Wedding Vendors

For our couples who enjoy pampering on their big day, Susan is our recommendation for hair and makeup. In Hawaii, the humidity can be vastly different than what you are used to. By having a professional you are making an investment in yourself!

Susan travels around Kauai so you can relax on your big day knowing she will be there! She trained at the Graham Webb academy in Arlington, Virginia then worked at a high-end salon in the Washington, D.C. area. Susan can’t wait to help you feel as beautiful as you are on such your special day!

By adding flowers, you can make your wedding day extra special! Reach out to Blue Orchid Kauai and choose a bouquet, corsage, boutonniere, reception style or ceremony main altar. Embrace a true Hawaiin experience and opt for a flower lei and Haku (head leis) for you or your wedding party! 

Where to Have Your Kauai Destination Wedding

Where do people get married in Kauai? It really depends on what kind of wedding you’re looking for! We have known couples to elope at Waimea Canyon Kauai. We also have couples who prefer a more traditional experience in a luxurious environment. 

Wedding Venues for a Kauai Destination Wedding – Beach Backgrounds

Kauai Destination Wedding at Hyatt

Sink your toes in the soothing white sands of Poipu Beach. On Kauai’s sunny south shore at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, your dream wedding awaits you. This eco-friendly, luxury beachfront oasis has it all. Enjoy lush gardens and ocean view dining. Stay in a room with private lanais. Following your evening, enjoy a round of championship golf and relax at the Anara Spa.

Grand Hyatt made the first page on Wedding Spot! This website is a great reference if you’re asking, “how much does it cost to get married in Kauai?” They have a variety of venues listed with price ranges for every budget. For a personalized quote, reach out to the Hyatt directly. 

Hyatt Event Locations

GRAND GARDEN: The Grand Garden lives up to it’s name. It is surrounded by tropical flowers and plants; it also fronts the Grand Ballroom. This intimate space is perfect for receptions and rehearsal dinners.

ILIMA GARDEN: Ilima Garden offers a spacious lawn for large dinners and dancing. As a result, you can enjoy cocktails in one area with dinner adjacent.

GRAND LAWN: The Grand Lawn features gorgeous ocean and resort views. This is the ideal location for small cocktail receptions and intimate wedding ceremonies.

RESOLUTION GARDEN: Another garden space option is the Resolution Garden. It is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the saltwater lagoon. This is an especially beautiful choice for water lovers.

OUTDOOR VENUES: Scattered throughout the resort are a variety of gardens that offer beautiful locations for memorable events. The Hyatt team can walk you through these options.

Catering: Make your first meal together as a married couple matter! At Hyatt, you can choose from their delectable menus for your special day. For example, their options range from a simple pupu-style meal to a carving station with prime rib. Their talented chefs can create a variety of menus that complement the stunning island setting.

Kauai Destination Wedding at Koloa Landing® Resort

Koloa Landing Resort on Kauai’s sunny South Shore is a gorgeous option for your dream wedding. Palm trees sway, waterfalls cascade, and wooden bridges span streams. This Kauai destination wedding venue looks like it is straight out of a movie set! Be married in a serene paradise that brings an exotic touch to your nuptials.

Your guests will arrive via the famous tunnel of trees on Maluhia Road. Here you find a relaxed elegance, majestic beauty, and a warm spirit of aloha. Whatever your vision may be, Koloa Landing’s Hawaiian hospitality, ensures that they will create the wedding of your dreams.

Koloa Landing Resort Event Locations

Ocean Lawn: The Ocean Lawn is a picture-perfect backdrop of azure-blue waters and lush tropical greenery. Spectacular Kaua’i sunsets are a delight while you exchange your vows. A wedding arch, flower-petal aisle and white chairs may also be provided to help you complete your vision.

Garden Lawn: Offering an ideal location for a Hawaiian ceremony, the Garden Lawn is full of hibiscus, plumeria and orchid flowers. Besides the beautiful garden, this lawn flows to the Kōloa Ballroom Lanai, where guests can enjoy cocktails and appetizers. After, they will transition into the stunning ballroom. Your outdoor reception on The Garden Lawn includes café lights strung from surrounding coconut trees and tiki torches. Simply magical!

Other Reception Options

Sunset Infinity Deck: This intimate poolside spot is ideal for a casual reception of 20-40 guests. Personalize your Bar and Food Station Cabanas to make this a memorable gathering on an elevated pool deck.

Koloa Grand Ballroom: This large ballroom offers the grandeur of 17 foot ceilings. The glass doors open to embrace the tropical Garden Lawn. This versatile ballroom is for intimate celebrations with 30 of your closest friends and family or a fabulous gala for up to 500 guests. This ballroom offers a blank canvas for you to personalize your special celebration with flowers, décor and lighting.

Wedding Venues for a Kauai Destination Wedding – On the Beach

Some couples prefer to be on the beach directly. We were able to capture the magic of a beach wedding during a Monterey Beach Wedding. Ryan and Vivian had a beautiful altar on the beach with florals and tulle bringing a quiet beauty to the scene. I recommend white chairs on the sand for every beach wedding. The subtlety of the sand and the chairs complement each other. In contrast, a darker color draws attention away from the natural beauty of the beach.

If you envision your day on the beach, The Royal Sonesta Kauai Beach Resort is the right place for you. Discover sophistication at The Royal Sonesta Kaua’i Resort Lihue, perfectly situated on Kalapaki Beach. The resort brings together stunning spaces and culinary experiences, creating the ideal setting for your dream wedding. 

Say “I do” amidst the gorgeous scenery of their beachfront oasis, with The Royal Sonesta dedicated staff handling every detail of your special day. Experience a wedding that will be remembered for a lifetime!

OUTRIGGER Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa

Eat, drink, and get married on the beach in Kauai! This resort offers open-air and inspiring indoor venues, from their oceanfront lawn and award-winning restaurant, to their ballrooms.

Here Comes to Guide shares more about an Outrigger experience, calling it a “serene oasis.” This venue embraces 25 acres of lush oceanfront grounds including tropical lagoons, garden courtyards for outdoor celebrations and a barefoot luxury vibe.

Kauai destination packages are a specialty. The gorgeous beachfront can be accompanied by a traditional Hawaiian soloist and an exchange of leis. Guests will appreciate their plush garden or ocean view accommodations. Meanwhile, everyone who attends will enjoy the fresh island cuisine at the Naupaka Terrace Restaurant!

The resort’s Hawaiian Rainforest Spa is serene. Experience togetherness with your soon to be spouse during a private beachside couple’s massage. This signature treatment incorporates the island’s indigenous botanicals and Hawaiian rituals.

We want to shout out our couple Ashley & Bryan who got engaged in Hawaii! They went on a week-long vacation with Ashley’s parents. One of the nights they were there, they attended a Luau. There was a photographer taking pictures of couples and families overlooking the water with the sunset in the background. Bryan had them go take pictures and proposed on the spot. The photographer caught the moment on camera and her parents got to see everything! Without doubt, Hawaii is so special!

Being Considerate of Hawaii

The August 2023 wildfires resulted in the devastating loss of loved ones, homes, cultural and historical sites, and businesses in Lahaina, located in West Maui. Go Hawaii shares, “we are grateful for the outpouring of support for Maui from around the world, from sharing memories and offering their assistance, to asking questions about travel to Maui and the rest of the state.”

Respectful travel to any of the Hawaiian Islands, including Maui, is welcomed and encouraged. For instance, with the exception of Lahaina, – Maui is open and there is plenty to see and experience. However, they urge visitors to be especially respectful and mindful. To learn more about how to travel responsible during your Kauai visit, read here. 

Finally, if you’re ready to plan your own Kauai destination wedding, let’s connect!