There are endless reasons Why you should Elope in Hawaii, but I know planning can be tough! That’s why I’ve put together Your Complete Guide to Eloping in Hawaii! It’s got everything from information about How to Elope in Hawaii, to How Much a Hawaiian Wedding Costs, a list of the Best Places to Elope in Hawaii and information about common Hawaiian Wedding Traditions.
Imagine this – you touch down in Hawaii with your love and the only thing you need to worry about is checking into your accommodation and having an epic time! You’ve chosen to elope in a destination that people the world over dream about, and everything’s organized and ready to go. There are epic mountain ranges, tranquil beaches, landscapes so surreal and beautiful they seem like they’re from another planet.
Hawaii is a seemingly impossible combination of adventure, relaxation, and the very best nature has to offer from volcanoes to jungles, mountains to seaside bliss. In case you can’t tell, I’m a huge fan, and it’s why I really believe Hawaii is one of the best places for couples like you, dreaming of an adventurous elopement planned especially for you.
YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO ELOPING IN HAWAII
Why you should Elope in Hawaii
An elopement is a beautiful chance to marry your love in a way that is intimate and meaningful to the two of you, and Hawaii? Well, it’s hard to find reasons why not to elope in Hawaii! Hawaii world-famous for a reason, from its relaxed island lifestyle to its iconic scenery.
Across Hawaii’s eight major islands, you can find lush rainforests, towering mountains, white sand beaches, out-of-this-world volcanic landscapes, red sand beaches, epic waterfalls, black sand beaches… Did I mention all the different colored beaches? There’s something for everyone, and with beautiful warm weather all-year round, you’ll no doubt be able to plan something truly unique and beautiful for your Hawaiian elopement.
How to Elope in Hawaii
Eloping in Hawaii isn’t difficult, but you’ll need to make sure you apply correctly for your marriage license and follow a few laws specific to Hawaii. I shared some information about that on Stephanie & Alex’s Kauai elopement blog post, but I’ll share it again here, too!
Can you Elope in Hawaii?
Yes, you absolutely can elope in Hawaii! You just need to follow a few easy steps to make sure your elopement and marriage is officially registered. I’ve detailed this steps in the ‘How to Elope in Hawaii’ section below this! It’s also worth making sure you’ve obtained any specific permits or permissions that might be required for your Hawaiian elopement location.
Hawaiian Wedding & Elopement Permits
When you decide to elope in Hawaii, you’ll first need to apply for your marriage license through the Hawaiian Department of Health. The total fee is $65 (a $60 application fee plus a $5 administration fee). Next, you’ll need to find a Hawaiian wedding celebrant, called a “Wedding Performer” to officiate your wedding. In Hawaii, only these performers can perform legal wedding ceremonies and so it’s important to book one in. You can find a complete list here, or feel free to ask me for a recommendation if you book me as your Hawaii Elopement Photographer. Your wedding performer will then advise and assist with you with lodging the paperwork after your ceremony to make it official.
Something else your photographer should assist you with is ensuring you have the correct permits & permissions for photography at your chosen Hawaiian Elopement Location. Hawaii is home to epic landscapes and beautiful, delicate ecosystems that need to be protected for future generations. It’s also home to many important, sensitive cultural landmarks that deserve our full respect and consideration. I know this might sound scary, but there’s no need to fret! Any decent photographer with experience photographing elopements will know how to help you navigate this process with full respect for the Hawaiian people and environment.
Best Places to Elope in Hawaii
The Hawaiian archipelago is made up of over 132 islands, atolls, reefs and shoals, but it’s best known for 4 of its islands – Hawai’i (or the Big Island), Oahu, Maui and Kauai. Each island is known for different reasons, but there’s no doubt that each island is special in its own right. Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong when you choose to Elope to Hawaii! To help you decide though, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite spots across the Hawaiian Islands that would make for beautiful elopement locations. And if you’d like to explore more location ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out! I’d love to help you plan something epic.
Haleakala Crater, Maui
The Haleakala Crater, named because it “resembles a warrior’s shield”, is truly beyond description. It’s a World Heritage Site found on Maui that boasts a super beautiful mix of greens, reds, and chocolate browns thanks to the volcano’s activity. The Haleakala Crater is also a very important cultural site for ancient Hawaiians, and is still used for some ceremonial purposes. For this reason, it’s really important to be respectful and get the right permits, but you can absolutely elope at Haleakala Crater! In fact, I think it’s a truly unique location for adventurous elopements.
Hamoa Beach, Maui
If you can’t decide between Hawaii’s classic white sand beaches with crystal clear waters or its dramatic black volcanic rock beaches, Maui’s Hamoa Beach is perfect for you. Hamoa Beach is located along Maui’s famous Road to Hana, which is packed with epic locations, but is easily accessible.
Hanalei Bay, Kauai
Hanalei Bay on Kauai perfectly combines Hawaii’s dramatic mountain backdrops with its chilled out coastal vibes. No matter the weather, the view is guaranteed to take your breath away, making it a beautiful location to Elope in Hawaii. It might be best to plan for a weekday though, as Hanalei Bay can get busy!
Iao Valley, Maui
Maui’s Iao Valley is famous for the Iao Needle, a towering rock (it’s 1200 feet high!) that seems to erupt from the forest. Asides from the needle itself, the Iao Valley is covered with lush tropical forests and beautiful mountain views. The tropical climate means the valley is often encompassed by a beautiful fog as the day goes on.
Kaihalulu Beach, Maui
If the mention of red sand beaches intrigued you earlier, look no further than Kaihalulu Beach on Maui. You’ll need to reserve your entrance to the state park ahead of time, a process I’m more than happy to help you with, and I promise, it’s worth it! The deep red sand against surrounding greenery contrasted with the blue of the Pacific truly seems out of this world. It’s a steep hike down though, so while I’d say this is definitely one of the Best Places to Elope in Hawaii, I’d also recommend it for those of you with some hiking experience.
Kilauea Lighthouse, Kauai
The Kilauea Lighthouse is a landmark found in the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. This isolated spot is a protected breeding ground for Hawaiian seabirds, so it’s a great option for adventurous souls who are also wildlife lovers! The Kilauea Lighthouse itself is located at the edge of the Point, a beautiful cliffy area jutting out into the Pacific that makes for a seriously beautiful photo backdrop.
Road to Hana
The Road to Hana has been named one of the world’s most beautiful drives for a reason, and there are no shortages of spectacular backdrops along the way! It’s even home to a few of the locations I’ve listed above, so you can include more than one of the Best Places to Elope in Hawaii in your very own adventurous elopement!
How Much Does a Hawaiian Wedding Cost?
Where an average Hawaiian wedding will set you back $32,900, a Hawaiian elopement tends to cost a lot less. That’s because there’s no need to hire a big venue, pay for meals or an open bar, or even a wedding planner! Instead, your Hawaii Elopement Photographer will be there to help you iron out most of the details.
That said, of course your elopement can be as expensive or as affordable as you want to it to be! At the end of the day, the only things you absolutely need are your marriage license ($65) and the services of an officiant (approximately $100 to $200). From there, the main prices tend to be your travel and accommodation, wedding outfits, your photographer, and any other additional touches you’d like to add like a hair & make-up artist or a florist. Or why not a wedding day tattoo, like Bailey & Nathan did?
Hawaii Elopement Photographer
Your photographer will likely be the biggest expense for your Hawaiian elopement (my elopement packages start at $5000), and there’s good reason for that!
Asides from beautifully documenting one of your life’s biggest days, your Hawaii Elopement Photographer will be so much more than just your photographer. We’re also there to guide you through the day. I’ll help you to understand exactly what you want for your elopement day and then do everything I can to make that happen, from scouting locations to figuring out which permits you’ll need. They should connect you with any local vendors and, seeing as you’re eloping, your photographer will also be one of the few people (or only person!) you spend your wedding day with!!
It’s so important that we get along and that you’re both excited to spend the day adventuring, exploring, and saying ‘I do’ with whoever that is. In fact, this is one of the reasons I don’t book any elopements without first having an initial phone call – so that you’ll know from the start what it’ll be like to work together!!
If you’d like to know more about what it’s like to work with me, then feel free to check out my elopement experience page, where I detail all the steps!
Hawaiian Wedding Traditions
Finally, let’s talk about Hawaiian Wedding Traditions! Of course, Hawaii is famous for its incredible landscapes and scenery, but it’s also famous for its important cultural heritage, history and traditions. In fact, many of these traditions are very about the Hawaiian peoples’ connection to nature. While you don’t need to include Hawaiian Wedding Traditions in your elopement ceremony, it can be a beautiful way to pay homage to where you’re getting married. Here are a few of the most common traditions.
Blowing the Pu, or Conch Shell
The conch shell, or Pu, is used to announce a special moment. Many Hawaiian wedding performers will blow it either at the beginning of the ceremony or when the bride arrives. Traditionally, it will be blown in four directions – some say this is to represent each of the elements, others say it’s to point in the four directions of the Earth.
The Hawaiian Flower Lei
Hawaiian Flower Leis are given to celebrate every happy occasion in Hawaiian culture, a tradition passed down by Hawaii’s first Polynesian settlers. It’s a symbol of love and friendship, so when a lei is offered, it should always be accepted!
Washing Your Wedding Rings
Another Hawaiian Wedding Tradition is to wash your wedding rings during your ceremony. Your Hawaiian Wedding Performer might wash your rings in a bowl made of Koa wood using Ti leaf and saltwater from the Pacific. Each element has its own significance. The Koa wood signifies strength, the Ti leaf symbolizes health and prosperity, while the saltwater is said to cleanse you of past mistakes, allowing you to enter your marriage refreshed and stronger than ever.
Do you have more questions about How to Elope in Hawaii, the Best Places to Elope in Hawaii or are you ready to book me as your Hawaii Elopement Photographer? Whatever it is, I would love to hear from you! All you need to do is contact me.
Did you find this Complete Guide to Eloping in Hawaii helpful? Or do you have a quick question? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!