Words by Coco Zickos
Imagine exchanging vows with your loved one as the sun dips below the horizon and waves lap a golden shoreline. The Garden Isle is a romantic dream come true and many of its lovely locales are perfect for tying the knot.
Kauai weddings include everything from casual and barefoot on the beach to elegant soirées and fine dining at luxury resorts.
Destination weddings on Kauai are usually small and intimate so you don’t have to worry about accommodating a large number of people. Still, it’s a good idea to plan your Kauai wedding well in advance because venues at private locations book quickly and there are other aspects like finding a licensed officiant, that require advance preparation.
Kauai elopement
Rather than an extravagant wedding, you can also plan a Kauai elopement. Opt to hop on a plane with your partner and elope without anyone knowing. It’ll still require planning and logistics, such as obtaining proper permits ahead of time and hiring a professional Kauai photographer to capture the moment. But the best part is that after you make your promises to each other, you can start your honeymoon right away.
Kauai wedding planner
If you really want to ease your mind hire a Kauai wedding planner. It’ll take the burden of research and the stress of organizing everything away so you can just enjoy the moment. They will help you find everything from Kauai caterers to Kauai hair and makeup artists.
Check out some of Swell Photography’s highly recommended wedding businesses and professionals on Kauai.
Outdoor Kauai weddings
If you’re looking for something inexpensive, albeit gorgeous, you can’t go wrong with a ceremony on the beach. All you have to do is acquire a permit which, depending on the number of guests, costs less than $100. Beaches like Shipwreck on the South Shore and Hanalei on the North Shore are two of the most popular wedding sites that also make for excellent photographs.
You will to need plan ahead for various elements like the possibility of rain. It’s also a good idea to encourage guests to wear less formal attire, particularly for outdoor weddings with sandy terrain and warm Hawaii temperatures.
Other Kauai venues
Some of the more lavish and luxurious Kauai wedding venues include The Beach House in Poipu, which offers all-inclusive wedding packages that are coupled with food and entertainment. Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens on the North Shore is another elegant option where larger parties can be hosted in spectacular settings.
These are also prime locations for wedding photography, where the happy couple’s joy will complement the gorgeous, opulent backdrops.
Kauai wedding photographers
Arguably the most exciting part about planning destination weddings is choosing the right Kauai photographer to meet your needs. While Kauai photographers abound, few have the professional, trustworthy experience needed to capture such beautiful moments like Swell Photography.
Choosing the right setting is all you’ll have to do; the rest is up to the professionals. Lush, garden areas are great for photo-taking purposes. Likewise, the beach is an excellent place to capture lasting memories, especially during the golden glow of sunset hours.
Kauai photo booth
You and your guests will not only get to commemorate your love as a couple in these remarkable, sun-kissed locations, but you’ll be able to relax and unwind in equally gorgeous settings for the reception.
This is a great opportunity to rent a Kauai photo booth where guests can have fun and create their own memories. Book a Kauai-themed photo booth from Swell Photography that will bring amusement and laughter for your friends and family to enjoy, as well as provide them with keepsakes they can take home to serve as a reminder of the good times.
Hawaii Marriage Registration
If you opt to go the DIY route for your Kauai wedding, you’ll have to visit the state’s Department of Health website and complete a marriage application that costs $65. Make sure you have already decided upon your officiant prior to filling out the application.
This marriage license application, which is good for one year, must be filed out before visiting an agent on island, who will then issue you a license. You and your loved one need to both be present when you visit a marriage license agent. There are several around the Garden Isle, and you will be provided with a list of licensing agents and their contact information once your application is submitted and processed.
When you arrive on island, visit the agent of your choice in order to receive your marriage license. They usually charge a small fee around $5. For the best-case scenario, make an appointment with an agent before you arrive on Kauai. Once you have your marriage license, the ceremony must commence within 30 days.
After you’ve exchanged vows, the responsibility of filing the final marriage details is up to your Kauai officiant. Your marriage certificate will arrive in the mail soon after, so all you have left to do is enjoy your newlywed bliss.
Kauai is one of the most beautiful places in the world to solidify your love. Make this important time in your life one of the most memorable moments you’ve ever had by planning the perfect Kauai wedding. And make the memories last forever by hiring a Kauai photographer who can capture each special moment so that you’ll be able to cherish them for the rest of your life.