When we use the word “Hawaiian” to talk about a Hawaii wedding, we are referring to the Hawaiian traditions that make a wedding in paradise so special. While your ceremony will have traditional elements, unique moments are rooted in this wonderful culture.

If you’ve checked out our Hawaii wedding or vow renewal packages, you’ll see they all include the following:

Officiant & Romantic Marriage Ceremony Including:

• Enchanting Unity Sand Ceremony
• Vows - Traditional (repeated) or Customized (written)
• Children’s Ceremony (For Blended Families)
• Blessing Of The Wedding Rings
• Traditional Hawaiian Lei Exchange With Two Keepsake Shell Leis

Many of our couples want to know more about these items and how the ceremony “works.” If we haven’t yet had the pleasure of chatting or emailing with you, here’s the inside scoop.

7 Tips to Plan an Affordable Destination Wedding

Most couples don't think of Hawaii when planning a cheap and affordable destination wedding, but when we researched How Much a Hawaii Destination Wedding Costs, we were surprised at how affordable it could be compared to a traditional wedding.

Is a destination wedding really cheaper than a traditional wedding? Yes, in most cases, it's cheaper.

Surprisingly, a traditional wedding averages over $25,000, yet many of our couples spend much less to fly to Hawaii, spend seven nights in a hotel, and have a beautiful Hawaiian wedding ceremony.

Every couple is different, and many options exist when planning a destination or a traditional wedding.

On average, a destination wedding is cheaper, and we thought of some ideas to help you plan the most affordable dream wedding possible.

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 elopement experts and have helped countless couples plan their dream Hawaii 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.

Once you decide to have your wedding or vow renewal in the beautiful state of Hawaii, what steps are involved in ensuring you and your partner have an amazing, stress-free experience?

1. Apply for Your Marriage License (not required for vow renewals)

It's super easy to get a marriage license in Hawaii. Although it can be done last minute, it is required, so plan in advance.

To apply for a Hawaii marriage license, complete the online application on the State of Hawaii website.

Once you arrive in Hawaii, you'll both need to meet with a licensing agent to pick up your license. The process takes around 15 minutes.

For details on requirements, processes, and more, visit our marriage license page.

FAQs:

• There are no state residence or U.S. citizenship requirements.
• Blood tests are not required.
• The legal age to marry is 18 years for both applicants.
• A valid I.D. (passport) or driver’s license may be presented for anyone 19 or older.
• If previously married, proof of original divorce decree or death certificate needs to be presented to the marriage agent by the applicant if the divorce or death was final within 30 days of applying for a marriage license.

Planning a wedding means making a million decisions. Next to choosing your spouse, picking the place where you'll say "I do" is the biggest decision you have to make when planning your nuptials.

What's So Great About Destination Weddings?

Destination weddings in Hawaii offer several advantages over traditional weddings. Whether you're getting married for the first time, planning a commitment ceremony, or renewing your vows, a destination ceremony has many perks.