How to Elope in Hawaii
Plan a Hawaii Elopement
Everything You Need to Know to Elope on the Islands
Hawaii is a land of adventure! Whether you’re looking to spend as much time as you can in the water, on the beach, or hiking amongst the dense green forests, you’ll find a piece of paradise here. Hawaii elopements are truly something special - you’re basically guaranteed perfect weather, gorgeous views, and endless opportunities to explore. If you want to elope in Hawaii - keep reading - I’ll share all the secrets I’ve learned about how to plan and experience a magical Hawaii wedding!
↓ Keep reading for detailed suggestions to help you plan your Hawaii elopement! ↓
A Little Bit About the Islands - Why Hawaii is the Best Place to Elope
If you’re anything like me, you’re going to LOVE all the wildlife in Hawaii!
Immediately upon arrival I noticed there are birds everywhere - like, actually all over the place - you’ll never hear total silence. Between the tweets and twitters, and the sound of lapping waves, Hawaii has a white noise in the background that is so incredibly peaceful.
Hawaii is made up of eight islands - plus atolls, islets, and seamounts - across 1,500 miles in the Pacific Ocean. Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii are the most well-known. Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and Niihau are less visited and much smaller.
Each island is known for something different - Kauai is the “Garden Isle,” Oahu is the “Gathering Place,” Maui is the “Valley Isle,” and Hawaii is the “Big Island.” Each has thick green forests, mountains, and incredible beaches! Hawaii is still growing - The Big Island is known for volcanic activity, and that constant shift and lava flow is perpetually altering the environment. You can visit any of these islands and come back years later to notice subtle or massive changes.
You can choose one island, or “island hop” between them quite easily! You could even visit multiple islands in a couple days, but there is so much to do on each - I highly recommend staying at least a couple days on any island you visit. Whether you want to climb volcanos, swim in pools beneath waterfalls, or just sit on the beach and drink cocktails - you’ll always wish you had more time in Hawaii!
Choose an Island & Things to do During a Hawaii Elopement
You’ve got eight incredibly beautiful islands to choose from, and each island has an abundance of gorgeous locations - how do you pick one place to elope!?
You’ll need to begin by narrowing down what is most important to you. Below, I’ve wayyy oversimplified each island - whichever description fits your vision best, that’s probably the island you want to home-base from during your Hawaii elopement!
Oahu Elopement – The most populous island. Oahu has the “big city vibes” alongside natural beauty. You can often find good flight deals, plus there are amazing restaurants and beaches!
Kauai Elopement – Home of the Nā Pali coast, Kauai is called the “Garden Isle” for good reason - the natural beauty here is front and center. This is also one of the best places for a multi-day backpacking trip if you want to get rugged for your elopement!
Maui Elopement – Maui is a diverse landscape & community - you’ll find wild spots in nature as well as huge resorts. The Road to Hana is called one of the most beautiful / terrifying drives in the world! The 7-hour drive takes you along the east side of Maui to dozens of hikes & waterfalls. Maui is also home to Haleakalā National Park, which you’ll want to get a permit to visit for sunrise!
Hawaii “Big Island” Elopement – The recently active volcano at Hawai’i Volcano National Park has left lava fields so massive and otherworldly, you’ll need to see them to believe it. The diversity of landscapes is what makes this island unique - in the winter, you can ski at the top of Mauna Kea in the morning and then sunbathe on the beach in the afternoon.
Lanai Elopement – Hawaii’s smallest inhabited island is quiet and peaceful. There are luxury resorts as well as abundant nature. Get offshore and witness the towering cliff walls along the south side of the island - or, if you’re an adrenaline junkie, jump off one of the many famous outcroppings!
Molokai Elopement– The least visited island, and one of the least “touristy.” The beaches are much less busy, and you’ll want to get out to snorkel along the reefs - there are also many day tours from Maui to snorkel off Molokai.
Pick a location for your Hawaii elopement ceremony:
If you Google “Hawaii wedding,” you’ll think the only place to get married is on a beach - that’s simply not true! While there are an abundance of gorgeous beaches, that’s only the tip of the iceberg for what Hawaii offers couples willing to go on an adventure.
There is no one “Hawaiian” wedding location - the thick green forests dotted by hundreds of colorful flowers, the black lava rocks jutting along the shore, and steep cliff are all truly Hawaiian. If you’re not sure what place is perfect for you, begin planning with a photographer who knows the area (ahem, that would be me). But actually, any photographer familiar with the Hawaiian islands will be able to point you in the right direction - and away from the places you realistically can’t go. The sad fact is there are plenty of trending images from the islands of locations that actually don’t allow foot traffic or ceremonies. As protecting the environment is of utmost importance to us, we’ll ensure whatever location you choose is not only beautiful but also sustainable.
Begin by asking yourself what sort of activities you want to engage in to reach your ceremony location. If you want to hike, that opens up a lot of options! If you specifically don’t want to hike, we’ll talk about what is accessible by car. If you really hate driving those winding island roads, we’ll find a spot along the coast that is easily accessible. You can also take a helicopter tour, submarine ride, kayak or paddle board offshore, or take a boat off any of the main islands. There is no wrong answer!
Connect with a photographer who can help you plan, not just take photos.
If you’re not familiar with Hawaii, the endless location options can seen overwhelming! You might also end up frustrated if you don’t know the area - like, if you get attached to a location idea only to find it’s inaccessible because of private land or closures. Your wedding day isn’t the day to fly by the seat of your pants (at least, not entirely). A well-researched plan can truly make your experience that much more enjoyable.
If you’re ready to begin planning your Hawaii elopement, REACH OUT.
If you want to know more, keep reading - We cover the legalities and other important information next!
Get Married in Hawaii - Laws & Licenses
Each state has different laws, but it’s easy to get married in Hawaii if you’re not from there - making this place perfect for elopements!
You don’t have to be a US citizen to get married in Hawaii! If you’re traveling from elsewhere, you can apply and pay online, making it a simple trip to pick up your license once you arrive. Once in Hawaii, you and your partner will bring your identification and application to a marriage license agent in Hawaii. That’s all you need - no blood tests or other time-consuming requirements.
You’ll need a marriage performer (an officiant or judge) who is licensed in Hawaii. It is possible for officiants outside Hawaii to apply, but it will likely be easier and take less time to find someone local. Unfortunately, Hawaii is not one of the states where an easy online officiant’s license will suffice, which means you can’t just have a friend get licensed and legally officiate your ceremony. However, Hawaii does have same-day marriage licensing! There’s no wait period between picking up your license and being able to get married, though you must have performed the ceremony within 30 days of obtaining your license.
If at any point in the planning process, the act of getting legally married seems like a hassle - you might want to consider another option. For example, if you’re traveling to Hawaii for only a few days to elope, it might be a real pain to spend one of those days at a government office. I’d rather be on the beach too! In that case, you might want to apply locally for a marriage license where you live, and sign the papers before or after your elopement ceremony. I have couples do this all the time and it often relieves them of stress on the day of their elopement.
FACT: You don’t have to get legally married on your wedding day for it to be your wedding day! The government isn’t who determines the validity of your vows or commitment to each other - and you shouldn’t ever let paperwork get in the way of having a fun elopement experience. My husband and I signed our marriage license about 8 months before we eloped, and the only downside is having to remember that first date when filling out any legal paperwork. We still consider our elopement date to be our wedding date!
COST: The marriage application is $60, plus a $5 administrative fee. Read more about Hawaii marriage license laws.
Disclaimer: This is just my understanding of the process for getting married in Hawaii. Laws change and recent COVD-19 restrictions may have limited the timing or processing for certain state offices - please confirm the above rules are still the latest iteration before moving forward.
Want to know more about planning a Hawaii elopement? Below we go over seasons, timelines, and budgeting for a Hawaiian adventure wedding!
Plan Your Hawaii Elopement
It may be paradise - but that doesn’t mean planning a wedding in Hawaii is less stressful than planning any other elopement. You have a lot of decisions to make - dates, locations, timelines, and budgets! While each individual couple is going to have a different experience depending on their unique vision, I outlined a couple things you’ll want to keep in mind when planning your elopement. As always, budget a little time and money for unexpected surprises!
What does it cost to elope in Hawaii?
I wish I could give you a straight answer, but there simply isn’t one. Depending on the level of luxury and convenience you’re going for - your financial situation will be very different. Many resorts offer wedding bundles that include a place to stay, a ceremony & reception location, food, and even a photographer. Personally, I think those cookie-cutter packages aren’t personalized enough, and result in couples paying way more for an experience that doesn’t feel true-to-them. Remember, these resorts are hosting the same wedding experience for different couples day after day. If you happen to find a package that perfectly suits your dream - go for it! But, in my experience, you’ll be able to plan a wedding celebration that aligns with your goals by booking your own accommodation, collaborating with your photographer while location scouting, and including only the details you really want.
Flights
You’ll be able to save a lot of cost on travel by flying to Hawaii in the off season (late spring or autumn). Flying out of a major airport will also usually be cheaper - SEA, LAX and SFO often have the best deals. If you want to get a good deal on flights, begin searching Google Flights about 6 months before your wedding date: 2-6 months out is often when prices drop the lowest.
Accommodation
Booking a rental with a kitchen in a smaller town is going to be much cheaper than staying at a hotel in a city and eating out each night. Plus, staying in a town is going to give you a much more authentic island experience, as big name hotels tend to make you feel more separated from the local markets.
Celebration costs
If you’re eloping just the two of you, it’s easy to keep your Hawaii wedding costs down. Venue prices on the islands are extremely high, but there are many natural places to choose from that aren’t venues if you don’t have guests. If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for a less traditional wedding experience anyway - so there are a few elopement tricks I’ve found to keep the cost of your celebration from spiraling out of control:
Bring what can fit in your suitcase, but buy local decor. Purchasing attire or jewelry on the islands will be more expensive, so you’ll probably want to bring your dress/suit/etc. on your flight. However, local flowers are cheap and gorgeous! Buy local decor and food to avoid checking a second suitcase - plus, bringing in any non-native plants and food is in violation of Leave No Trace principals.
Permits & Fees - Pay Them. There may be a permit fee needed to to get married on the beach, which we’ll figure out while choosing your location. If you’re getting legally married, you’ll need to hire a local officiant to marry you and pay the application fees. Doing both those things the right way will be much cheaper than getting caught performing a ceremony without a permit or being somewhere that required an entrance fee. You’re already avoiding the costs of a venue by eloping, just get the permit!
Photography - Hire someone who knows the area. If you’re not from Hawaii, make sure you hire someone familiar with the area who can steer you in the right direction. Like getting a permit mentioned above, local know-how is extremely valuable to ensuring you don’t pay extra by making little mistakes. I’ve found the highest cost of travel to simply be poor planning.
When to elope in Hawaii
Hawaii has some of the most consistent weather in the world - visit in February or August and you won’t notice much of a difference. You’ll mostly want to take into consideration the rainy season and dry season, especially if you’re hiking out to a water feature - it’ll be strongest during the rainy season! You’ll also need to take into consideration high-traffic seasons, as Hawaii is an extremely popular tourist destination. Coming to one of the most popular islands during a busy week will mean fewer (if any) available accommodations, price hikes on excursions and rentals, and increased foot traffic basically everywhere.
A rule I live by that will get you privacy during even the busiest season: no one wakes up for sunrise, until you do.
Sunrise, on a weekday, will always be the best time to find privacy on Hawaii’s beaches. Of course, there will likely be a few locals catching the surf, or perhaps another group of visitors who broke the mold and woke up early - but that is rare. I’ve been all over the world at different times of year, and I have yet to experience a busy sunrise. If you’re not a morning person, that’s also fine! No one says you have to wake up early on your wedding day if you hate the idea. However, sunrise and sunset are the best times of day to get gorgeous lighting on the islands. On an eastern shore, sunrise will be most spectacular. On a western shore, watch the sunset. The beaches are much more crowded at sunset, but we can find a less-popular location for an even ceremony. If you’re planning on a hike, sunset will be perfect!
Choosing a Season - Prepare for Hawaii Weather!
(This is mostly a joke)
Bring a rain jacket, or be okay with getting a little wet. Unless you’re catching the height of rainy season, you’ll likely dry out quickly from any Hawaiian rain shower. I’ve hiked above the clouds on Maui and gotten properly soaked, only to be perfectly dry by my return to sea level. Rain showers pop up quickly on the islands, and can be unpredictable. Sometimes the rain is inconsistent throughout the day, and often it quickly disappears.
No matter the season, you’ll want proper footwear. Even when it’s sunny out, there will be mud in the forests and under the canopy. Good hiking boots or sturdy sandals are a necessity if you’re hiking in Hawaii. As for clothing - dress like it’s going to be hot, because it will be. Unless you’re climbing to high elevations (Mauna Kea, or Haleakalā at sunrise), you’ll find most days in Hawaii to be a comfortable 75F degrees.
Ready to Plan Your Own Hawaii Elopement?
Now that you have a good idea how to plan a Hawaii elopement, reach out! We’d love to help you figure out details, choose your perfect location, and explore the islands with you - check out our current travel schedule to see when we’ll be in the area, or get on the calendar so we can put Hawaii on our schedule!
