Hawaii - The PERFECT Backdrop For Your Destination Wedding

 

The Hawaiian Islands have always been a destination of romance and adventure, with their tropical climate and beautiful landscapes. When it comes to getting hitched, the options are endless on this island chain. No matter what you want your wedding day to be like, Hawaii has something for every couple seeking an idyllic setting for their big day. — the only hard part is choosing the best location!

Discover The PERFECT Island for Your Wedding:

 

Here is a brief description of what each Hawaiian Island has to offer for your destination wedding. 

 

Maui: 

 

Maui will give your special day an idyllic setting for the destination wedding of your dreams! You can be as casual or as sophisticated as you want, from a relaxed beach wedding to a lavish affair at one of Maui’s five-diamond resorts.  Maui really can meet EVERY expectation!  

Activities For Your Wedding Group

Maui has an amazing variety of sights and adventures you can do with your wedding group!  Some of the top beaches in ALL of Hawaii are here in Maui and offer your group total relaxation or water activities such as snorkeling, swimming, and paddleboarding.  

During the winter months, you can see migrating humpback whales on a whale-watching tour You can do a nature hike in the famous Iao Valley, and of course, a helicopter tour is a great way to see ALL of the amazing beauty and geography of each island as well!   

It’s ALWAYS fun to plan a one-of-a-kind cultural performance, stage show, or other special events that you just can’t experience anywhere else.  

 

World-Class Wedding Venues in Maui

 

Maui is home to many properties that will give you a beautiful & memorable destination wedding! You'll have no problem finding amazing 4 and 5-star resorts & Villas offering wedding packages that will make your special day be EVERYTHING you have always dreamed it would be.  

As I always tell my clients, the best resort is the one that fits you and your fiancée’s wedding vision! It really depends on what type of experience you and your new spouse are looking for.  Make sure you and your fiancée research the wedding properties together so that you book the resort venue that is a true reflection of everything you are envisioning for your wedding day.  

PROS:  Several wedding venues, great resort options for your guests accommodations, romantic sunsets, and fun activities to do with your guests.

CONS:  More expensive and some areas are more commercial vs authentic like you’ll find in Kauai. 

 

I recommend Maui for your destination wedding if you enjoy unique dining, enjoy nature hikes in beauty beyond compare, but also want the luxury, pampering, and romance of a 5-star resort!  

 

Kauai: 

 

 

Kauai’s lush green landscapes, and long sandy beaches with sapphire-blue waters make Kauai the PERFECT destination to say “I Do!”  A favorite location of Hollywood filmmakers, and where Elvis Presley filmed Blue Hawaii, Kauai offers an amazing array of endless destination wedding venues, sites, and locations to choose from for your wedding. 

One thing is for sure, Kauai can give you and your wedding guests EVERYTHING you are looking for in your dream destination “I Do!” 

Activities For Your Wedding Group

Kauai offers a multitude of fun & exhilarating activities you can do as a wedding group.   Ziplining through the rainforest is always a favorite, as well as taking a kayaking tour down one of Kauai’s famous rivers.  Go mountain tubing down the rivers and streams of Mt. Waialeale, and  I would definitely recommend either hiking or driving to see the Waimea Canyon, which is breathtaking!  If you can afford it, a helicopter tour of the Napali Coast is something no one will EVER forget!  

  

And I always recommend that you get out and explore some of the local culture, such as doing a Luau, visiting museums and famous historical sights.  You can even take a filmmakers tour to the locations of over 60 TV shows & films!  

 

Plenty of Incredible Wedding Venues in Kauai

 

Whether you’re looking for a wedding ceremony overlooking the sea, or an intimate garden wedding, Kauai has some of the most amazing resorts, villas, botanical gardens, and other wedding locations for your destination wedding!  Each of these wedding venues has a setting filled with either the beauty of lush tropical landscapes or the background of glimmering blue waters against the sandy shores!  Finding the PERFECT wedding venue won’t be hard in Kauai.  

PROS:   Luxury, and World-Class Service & Amenities,  Great Wedding Packages, Amazing Natural Sights, And Fun Activities to do!     

CONS:   Less flight options from the U.S.  

I recommend Kauai for couples who love to get out and explore, hike, have some adventure, and want to experience “Bucket List” natural beauty! 

Oahu:  

 

 

If you’re considering Oahu for your destination wedding, the options are limitless!  Instagram worthy wedding venues, perfect weather, & world-class wedding packages, your destination happily ever after will be unforgettable!  

 

Great Resort Wedding Venue Options For Every Couple

 

 

Oahu is also home to a large number of fantastic resort wedding venues offering  5-star service & amenities all catered to making your destination wedding EVERYTHING you’ve dreamed it to Depending on your budget and the type of ceremony & reception you want to have, you’ll have no problem finding the perfect resort for your destination wedding.  With that being said, REMEMBER, this is your wedding, not just another vacation, this isn’t the time to be cheap!  If you’re going to make the investment of going to Hawaii, then at the very least I wouldn’t book anything lower than a 4-star resort. 

Activities For Your Wedding Group

Endless activities abound in Oahu for your wedding group. You can enjoy incredible golfing, do a luau, go on a shopping tour,  enjoy the surf, take a catamaran cruise, a submarine dive, even visit a nature reserve where you can spend a whole day ziplining, driving ATVs, as well as so much more!  You will find something that everyone in your group will enjoy!  

PROS:   Variety of Resort Wedding Options for Every Taste & budget, Plenty of Activities and Nightlife, Easy to get to from the U.S.   

CONS:  Densely Populated,  Wedding Privacy Could be an Issue, Big City Right Next to The Resort Zone.  

I recommend Oahu for couples who love water sports, big-city shopping, and nightlife, while still being able to experience the physical and cultural beauty of Hawaii.

Lanai:  

 

Lanai is the smallest of all Hawaii’s inhabited islands and will give you a “secluded” island experience to your destination wedding. Lanai will give you the ultimate in luxury and privacy.  Just ask Bill Gates, because he chose to say “I Do!” right here on Lanai!  

 

World Class Wedding Indulgence!

 

Lanai is home to the incredible Four Seasons Lanai,  an indulgent 5-star property that rivals the top resorts in ALL the Hawaiian Islands!  This unbelievable resort overlooks the magnificent Hulopoe Bay, a protected marine preserve.  Getting married here is first class all the way!  

Activities For Your Wedding Group

Lanai doesn’t have a ton of activities, but it does offer championship-level golf, off-the-beaten-path 4-wheel drive experiences, and there is the Lanai Ferry that will take you back and forth to Maui, where you can enjoy all of the activities and sights Maui has to offer.  Check out the activities I have listed above in my overview of Maui.  

PROS:   Privacy, Luxury, and World-Class Service & Amenities, Top Shelf Wedding Packages   

CONS:  Expensive, Only One Resort Option,  Ferry to Maui For Activities and Sights.  

I recommend Lanai to couples who are looking for luxury, serenity, privacy, and off-the-beaten-path experiences.

The Island of Hawaii

 

The “Big Island” could be just the perfect Hawaiian island for your big day!  The island of Hawaii offers endless wedding venue options that will make your wedding unforgettable.  Imagine, having a sunset ceremony on the beach, or saying your “I Do” in a botanical garden with a snow-capped inactive volcano as your backdrop.  For a little flash and excitement, how about saying your vows in an intimate ceremony with your toes in the sand, as the active volcano is erupting behind you!  Your choices of great wedding locations in Hawaii are limitless!  

 

Wide Variety of Great Resort Wedding Venues

 

 

The island of Hawaii offers a wide variety of accommodations for a picture-perfect destination wedding.  The wedding resorts here can offer you amazing wedding packages and services so that you don’t have to stress out about your big day!   No matter what type of wedding, big or small, extravagant or casual,  there will be a resort that will accommodate your destination wedding desires! 

Activities For Your Wedding Group

Known as “Hawaii’s Island of Adventure” No other Hawaiian Island will give you the variety of activities and adventures Hawaii offers.  Just imagine you and your guests swimming with manta rays or whale watching. Traveling inland to see a 420-foot waterfall, or stop by one of the black sand beaches. And you definitely have to see the VERY active volcano!  

PROS:   Privacy, Luxury, and World-Class Service & Amenities, Top Shelf Wedding Packages   

CONS:  Expensive, Only One Resort Option,  Ferry to Maui For Activities and Sights.  

 

Destination Wedding Pro Tips For The Hawaiian Islands

Stay at Least a FULL 9 Days, 8 nights!

Because Hawaii can have long travel times,  10-12 hours from the East Coast & Mid-West, as well as around 5 hours from the West Coast, I recommend that you stay at least a FULL 9 days, 8 nights.

 

Get the breakfast package

There are no All-Inclusive resorts in Hawaii, so you will want to buy a package that includes daily breakfast at your resort. Definitely have meal costs in your budget.  An example is that some breakfast buffets can be $75 a person. 

 

Celebrate Your Honeymoon on a Different Island! 

How cool would it be to skip off to a new island the day after you say “I Do”?  I always recommend that you try to at least see at least two different islands when visiting Hawaii.  So if you were to have a 9-day, 8-night trip, I would recommend staying 5 days on one of the Islands, and 4 days on another island.   

 

Wait if needed

Hawaii is a bucket list destination, but if you just don’t have the money or time to go to Hawaii, then I suggest that you wait until you do have the money and time to go.  Maybe for a special anniversary or even a vow renewal!

 

Consider St. Lucia:

 

If you have your heart set on going to Hawaii, but just can’t swing it this time around, then I recommend St. Lucia!  St. Lucia is often called the “Hawaii of the Caribbean.” There are also many excellent All-inclusive resorts in St. Lucia!  If you would like to read more about St. Lucia, click here to read now! 

 

I hope this post has helped you get a feel for the different islands and which one would be the best destination wedding spot for you and your wedding group. Of course, all of the islands have their own charms! No matter where you end up having your wedding, I wish you the best with your wedding plans. Congratulations!

 

 Are you ready to make your dream wedding in Hawaii a reality? Schedule a complimentary consultation with me today and let’s get started! Calendly - Nicole Lynn

7 Amazing Locations for a Dreamy Destination Wedding

While lots of couples get married at home, destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular. A destination wedding allows for a truly special event with everyone you love in the same place. And when it comes to choosing your destination, there's no shortage of options—from remote islands and historic castles to lush gardens and bustling urban centers. Here are 7 of our favorite places for your fairytale day, including our pros & cons list! 

Turks & Caicos

If you’re looking for the quintessential destination wedding in paradise with both exotic white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, look no further than Turks & Caicos. 

Your wedding photos will be stunning with a backdrop of dazzling white sand and turquoise blue water that will almost look fake! If you and your guests are beach lovers, Grace Bay beach ranks among the top beaches in the world. 

Where to Get Married in Turks & Caicos:

There's a nice variety of fantastic resort wedding venues in Turks & Caicos, especially on Grace Bay in the Providenciales. These resort wedding venues offer amazing wedding packages, luxurious accommodations and great activities for both you and your guests. 

What to do With Your Wedding Group:

Activities available for you and your group are world-class diving & snorkeling, Hobie Cats, Aqua Trikes, on the Providenciales, and hiking & horseback riding, and historic sites on Grand Turk. 

Pros: Turks & Caicos is also one of the most accessible destinations in the world, making it easy for all of your family & friends to EASILY travel to your wedding! 

Cons:  More expensive than other locations, most motorized water sports like glass bottom boats, water or jet skiing, are prohibited due to the Marine National Park.

México:  Riviera Maya/ Cancun

Located in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, along the Caribbean Sea, Cancun & Riviera Maya is one of the most popular wedding destinations in Mexico, offering miles of white sandy beaches, a seemingly endless number of local sites to see and explore, and a plethora of activities for you and your wedding guests to see and do! 

Where to Get Married in Cancun/ Riviera Maya:

Cancun features the famous "hotel zone" where some of the most popular resorts in Mexico reside, on powder white sand beaches contrasting turquoise blue water! There is an abundance of great resort options in Cancun for your wedding.  You can choose from ultra-chic & modern, to more laid-back and casual.  Cancun has more nightlife, shopping, and powder white sand beaches, but you’ll also face more crowded beaches and resort areas. 

The Riviera Maya is about 30 minutes and beyond south of Cancun and resorts here are more spacious and spread out from each other. The beaches are a little more natural here, due to protections set up by law to protect the natural coral and beach areas. The resort venues here in Riviera Maya, are going to give you a less crowded atmosphere and a more authentic natural vibe.

Must-Do With Your Wedding Group: 

One of the best things about this part of Mexico, is that there are literally endless excursions and activities you and your wedding guests can do from swimming in an authentic Cenote, checking out Mayan ruins, spending the day shopping in historic Playa del carmen, or enjoying Xel Ha's authentic eco water park. 

Pros:  Dollar for dollar Mexico offers the BEST value compared to any other destination wedding area. 

Cons: Having a Legal Wedding in Mexico has a lot of extra hoops you have to jump through. I always recommend doing a symbolic wedding when getting married in Mexico. 

Mexico:  Los Cabos

Located in Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Cortez, beautiful palm trees, and incredible desert landscapes, Los Cabos brings a blend of up-level luxury and endless things to see and do for the ultimate wedding away.  

Los Cabos offers something for everyone looking to have a destination wedding.  Here you have your choice of stark desert landscapes intermingled with mountains and beautiful coastlines.  

What to do with your wedding group:

The beauty of Los Cabos is that you can just relax and enjoy a couples massage at the spa, hang out by the pool and get catered to all day long, or you can jump off of the resort and try jet skiing, scuba diving, parasailing, horseback riding, snorkeling, bungee-jumping, and even go for a camel ride or ATV tour.  There is no shortage of memories you and your wedding guests can make together!  

Where to get married in Los Cabos: 

Do you want a poolside cabana, maybe a beach cabana?  How about a private terrace with an ocean view, or an infinity pool that looks like it disappears into the ocean?  Well, you can have all of this and more at one of the many fantastic resort properties here in Los Cabos. Luxury is the main focus at many of these resorts which is a win for both you and your guests!  These resorts also have some alluring and brilliant wedding packages to give you a dream destination “I Do”. 

Pros:  If you live on the west coast of the U.S, there is no simpler honeymoon destination than Los Cabos!  Some incredible resort options, and some of the best wine and cuisine you can find in all of Mexico.  

Cons:  Rougher water unless you are on Medano Beach, so you won’t have a swimmable beach at most resorts. 

St. Lucia  

Known as the Hawaii of the Caribbean, St. Lucia is the emerald of the Caribbean isles!  Lush green tropical rainforests, waterfalls, active volcanoes, Sulphur springs, and beautiful beaches, St. Lucia really does have it all!   

A Must Do With Your Group:

If you are planning to get married in St. Lucia, it is a must to do some type of excursion with your wedding group to see the magnificent beauty of this Island.  From hiking the famous Pitons or the rainforest, ziplining adventures, soaking in a volcanic Sulphur spring, actually visiting the active volcano, or even sharing a round of golf together, the memories you can make with your wedding group are endless!   

Where to Get Married in St. Lucia:

You’ll have a wide range of accommodations to meet every budget for your destination wedding.  You can go ultra-high-end or beautiful & balanced with many resort wedding venues St. Lucia has to offer.  All of these resorts will do a great job for your destination wedding, it just depends on your style and budget.  

While I usually recommend doing a symbolic wedding, for most locations, St. Lucia is one of the easier Caribbean locations to get legally married in.  

Pros:  Bucket list excursions and activities that will make lasting memories for your wedding.

Cons: St. Lucia is in the southern Caribbean, so it is about a 5-6 hour flight from the states.  St. Lucia is more expensive than other locations in the Caribbean.

Costa Rica

If you love lush green vistas,  mountains, wildlife, beautiful beaches, and an emphasis on eco-protection, then Costa Rica may be the perfect destination for your wedding.  Located between the Caribbean sea on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, Costa Rica can offer many different experiences.  

Where to get married in Costa Rica?:  

Costa Rica is home to many unique and beautiful resort wedding venues.  You can host your wedding at a beachfront resort, or at a resort tucked away in a jungle paradise, it really depends on what you and your wedding group are looking for.  All of the resort companies in Costa Rica have great wedding packages and accommodations to give you a wedding you’ve always dreamed of.  

Must Do’s With Your Group: 

Costa Rica is rich in sightseeing and eco-activities:  You can see the active volcano, go on a coffee plantation tour,  Zipline through the rainforest,  hike in the mountains, look for wild monkeys in a biological reserve, or just whistle the Jurassic Park theme song as you slide down a mountain in an open face water slide.  The memories you make with your wedding group will be priceless!  

Pros:  Beautiful, movie-like scenery and activities:  Plenty of great resort wedding venues for a magical wedding: Easy to do a symbolic wedding!  

Cons:  Farther away, longer flight times for you and your guests.  More expensive than other Caribbean destinations, and requirements for a legal wedding.  

Jamaica

Jamaica is one of the most diverse wedding destinations in the entire world, offering you sun, sea, sand, rivers, and waterfalls.  Jamaica has a relaxing and fun vibe that flows throughout the island no matter where you get married.  

Something For Everyone in Jamaica:  

From the nightlife and party atmosphere of Montego Bay to the more relaxed vibe of Negril’s world-famous 7-mile beach, to the romance and adventures of Ocho Rios,  you literally CAN have it ALL in Jamaica!  

Where to Get Married in Jamaica?: 

When deciding where to get married in Jamaica you’ll want to consider the best fit for you and your wedding guests.  For example, if you are more of a lively party type of crowd, and don’t want a long drive to your resort, then Montego Bay is a great location for your wedding as most resorts are within 5 minutes of the airport and there are some beautiful beach locations.  Montego Bay is known for its shopping and nightlife as well.  

If you are looking for a perfect beach, and a more relaxing vibe, then Negril could be just the spot.  And if you like more mountainous terrain near some of Jamaica’s most famous activities, such as Mystic Mountain with the Bobsled ride, and Dunns River Falls, then a resort in the Ocho Rios area may be more to your liking.   No matter what area of Jamaica you choose, there will be a resort wedding venue that will give you everything you need for a dream destination “I Do!”

Must Do’s With Your Wedding Group in Jamaica?

As I had mentioned above, there is an endless list of cool things to do with your wedding group in Jamaica, including white water rafting, horseback riding, rum tasting, waterfalls, amusement rides, shopping and even visiting the Bob Marley museum.  Scheduling one or more of these excursions is sure to create some bonding and memories from attending your wedding. 

Pros:  Easy to get to, not too far from the states.  Very easy to have a legal wedding in Jamaica.  Many great resort wedding venues to choose from.  Great shopping, restaurants.  Jerk chicken…need I say more?  

Cons:  Jamaica is a large island, so if you are staying in one part of the island, such as in Negril, and you want to do an attraction in Ocho Rios, it could be a long drive to your attraction.  

The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is the second largest and most diverse Caribbean country.  Just two hours south of Miami, and less than four hours from New York, this under-the-radar wedding destination offers gorgeous beaches, coral reefs, swaying palm trees, rich history, and culture, spectacular outdoor activities that make it a magical option for your destination wedding!  

Where to Get Married in The Dominican Republic:  

The Dominican Republic has some of the newest and most sophisticated wedding resort venues in the world.  Because the Dominican Republic is a relatively newer player in the tourism industry, compared to Mexico or some of the other more popular tourist locations, new resorts on some of the most amazing beaches and properties are still being built for an amazing experience for both of you and all of your guests!  You can relax and know that there is a resort venue in the Dominican Republic that will give you a magical wedding day! 

Must-Dos For Your Wedding Group in The Dominican Republic:  

The Dominican Republic has a wide variety of activities and excursions that you can do with your wedding group to make amazing memories!  Horseback riding, ATV tours,  waterfalls, Casinos, catamaran cruises, snorkeling, and ziplining!  Doing any of these activities with your wedding group will create lifetime memories!    

Pros:  Easy for you and your guests to get to.  New & contemporary resort wedding venues to host your destination wedding at. Great beaches & views.  Your wedding pics will be stunning! 

Cons:  Limited English with staff and service at certain resorts.  Legal weddings are challenging, so symbolic weddings are recommended. 

Venture outside of your comfort zone, and book a gorgeous destination wedding at one of these exotic and stunning locations. These wedding spots will be the stuff of dreams for both you and your guests. 

We’d love an opportunity to hear from you! If you still have questions or just don’t know where to start when planning your destination wedding, book a free consultation with us :

 Calendly- Nicole Lynn or follow us on Instagram @nicolelynnweddingevents