Want to Elope in Hawaii? - Why Hawaii Is Perfect for an Elopement

“They made our elopement so stress-free, and everything went as smoothly as planned. My husband and I planned to elope to Hawaii with our two kids and were very pleased with Weddings of Hawaii.” -Charisse M.

At Weddings of Hawaii, we have become experts on elopements and have helped countless couples plan their dream beach wedding. Elopements are a great way to have an affordable destination wedding in a beautiful atmosphere, and Hawaii makes it incredibly easy to do.

Here's what you need to elope in Hawaii:

• A marriage license - You apply online and pick up your license together (bring a government-issued ID).
  • No witnesses required.
  • No blood tests required.
• A registered marriage performer (officiant, pastor, celebrant, etc.) to perform your ceremony and file the license.

Why Elope?

Eloping is perfect for the spontaneous couple, but it’s also great for those who like to plan ahead. As opposed to a traditional wedding, an elopement is a beautiful way to keep your ceremony intimate and focused on what is most important for you and your partner.

Elopements, small Hawaii weddings, and even Hawaii commitment ceremonies offer a stress-free experience that a traditional wedding can't. Destination wedding companies understand how to help take away that stress, making your elopement as stress-free as possible.

Finally, an elopement is usually much more affordable than a wedding at home. We wrote an article on how much a Hawaiian wedding costs, and many of our couples are surprised they can have a wedding and honeymoon for much cheaper than a traditional wedding.

Wedding of Hawaii has been helping couples plan their dream wedding on the beautiful white sand beaches of Hawaii since 1978, and our wedding coordinators are always available to answer any questions you may have.

But Why Elope in  Hawaii?

If you choose to capture your special day with a ceremony and highlight video, it's time to start thinking about your wedding video song.

A ceremony and highlight video are included in Lehua wedding packages and above, and you can add it to any package. You'll have two videos: (1) a video copy of the ceremony beginning to end and (2) a highlight video including clips from the ceremony and clips from the photo shoot. 

You get to choose a song for your highlight video. We know each couple is unique, so we want to give you time to pick a song that fits your personality and style.

Although most couples would rather not wake up early for a sunrise wedding in Hawaii, it is an option to consider. The thought of getting ready early, driving to the location, and arriving while it’s still dark is not for most, but there are some advantages and reasons why sunrise is a good time to have a Hawaii wedding.

Pros of a Hawaii Sunrise Wedding

More Seclusion

It’s quiet in the morning. While there might be some people out walking the beach for exercise, beachgoers aren’t out yet. You’ll feel more like you have the beach to yourself, and there’s something really nice about the early morning in Hawaii.

We often get asked for recommendations on things to do in Hawaii, and we understand why. With so many activities to choose from, it's sometimes hard to decide how to spend your precious time in paradise.

Island Water Sports Hawaii is open and a great way to get out on the water, and you'll experience a truly unforgettable memory. Their submarine scooters are an amazing way to explore the clear waters of Hawaii, yet the excursion is so much more!

 You will see so many fish :)

Beach weddings are in a class of their own when it comes to outdoor weddings. Gardens and wineries are beautiful, but there is something genuinely magical about an oceanfront ceremony. (Full disclosure, we have been doing Hawaii beach weddings since 1978, so we’re probably a little biased.)

A romantic seaside dream for many, but with so many venue options, it can be hard to decide if it's right for both of you. Here’s everything we could think of to help couples determine whether a beach wedding is a good fit for them.

Choosing the Right Beach for Your Wedding

For most couples, a beach wedding means a destination wedding, but for the lucky few who live near a beach, you’ll have a slightly different approach as you may have a larger guest count. You may need first to decide if you’ll be planning a destination wedding vs. a traditional wedding.

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. 

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