Everything You Need to Know About Kawela Bay

Kawela Bay is our top North Shore ceremony location. For couples staying on the North Shore, the drive to many of our other Hawaii wedding locations is a bit far, and considering the proximity to Turtle Bay and other North Shore accomodations, Kawela Bay proves to be a great choice. Although we have descriptions and photos of all our wedding locations, we wanted to share more details that may help you in choosing the perfect beach for the big day!

As you probably have seen in the pictures, this location features soft sand, calm blue water, and one of the most amazing Banyan tress in Hawaii.

The combination of the beach and forest gives couples a "two-in-one-location” photo opportunity..

There are no shortage of hikes in Hawaii! From easy trails to restricted areas that we definitely do not recommend, the islands are full of places to explore. 

For the avid hikers, we recommend downloading the Alltrails app and carefully read reviews and precautions for each hike. There are very dangerous hikes in Hawaii! Please always think safety first! 

Getting out and exploring Hawaii will provide you with some amazing memories, just remember to always wear sunscreen, take water, and do not leave valuables in your car. 

We've made a short list of our favorite hikes to get you started ;)

Diamond Head Summit Trail

With stunning, 360-degree views in all directions from Waikiki to Waianae, the Ko'olau Mountains and the Koko Head Crater, it's easy to see why the Diamond Head Summit Trail is one of Oahu's most popular hikes. Located at 4180 Diamond Head Road just 2.5 miles south of Waikiki, the trail head is accessible by car, bike and public transit, and there are restrooms, a food truck, and water fountains available.

Diamond Head is a hike everyone should do at least once!

Whether you're looking to recommit to your spouse, want a wedding day do-over, or simply want a personalized alternative to a legal wedding, commitment ceremonies provide the opportunity to affirm your relationship on your terms.

What is a Commitment Ceremony?

A commitment ceremony is similar to a wedding in that it is a public declaration of love and dedication made between two people. The ceremony is a special event -- one that is often held in an inspiring location like Hawaii, wink wink ;) -- and the guest list usually includes the people who mean the most to you.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SANDY BEACH

Sandy Beach is located on the southeast coast of Oahu and is a well-loved beach by locals and visitors alike.

As with all our Hawaii beach wedding locations, we have photos and videos in our Sandy Beach wedding locations gallery, but we like sharing all the details about each location to help you decide which will be best for your ceremony!

Note: Sandy Beach is best for weekday ceremonies or early mornings on the weekends. Weekends get very crowded with the local population.

While we wouldn't normally hold the ceremony this close to the waves, your photographer will likely encourage you to get your feet wet for some shots ;)

Having a wedding or vow renewal is not something done often, so one of the questions that often comes up is, "Is tipping common? If so, how much?" 

The short answer: Yes, tipping is common in the wedding industry. As we like to say, "tipping isn't expected, but it's always appreciated."

If you Google this question, there are many articles about tipping vendors. Just remember that many of those are for large, traditional weddings. We're trying to make it easy with this article by letting you know what's common here in Hawaii.

Who to Tip

It's common to consider tipping anyone who performs a service on your special day. 

• Officiant
• Photographer/Videographer
• Musician/Dancer
• Limo Driver
• Hair and Makeup Artist