How To Elope In Hawaii

If you’re thinking of planning an elopement in Hawaii but aren’t sure where to start, I’ve got you! I’ve come up with a step by step guide on getting started with planning your Hawaii elopement. As always, I’m here to help if you ever have any questions along the way! After all, as your Hawaii elopement photographer, my job is to make sure you have the best day ever when it comes to your wedding day here in the Hawaiian Islands. Let’s dive into how to elope in Hawaii!

Step One: Decide on Where You Want to Elope in Hawaii

Most of my couples who choose to have a Hawaii elopement have never been here before. And hey, there’s nothing wrong with that! That’s where your photographer is able to step in and guide you. This is why it is important to ask some questions when choosing your elopement photographer and where to elope in Hawaii.

The most popular islands to elope on in Hawaii are Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and Big Island. When thinking of location, consider this: has your photographer been there before? I have lived on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Big Island and spent time on Lana’i and Moloka’i, so I know them inside and out! If the weather changes or our original plan doesn’t work out, I can help you pivot to a new location quickly because I am familiar with other places on each island that we can go.

If you aren’t sure where to begin when starting your location search, that’s totally okay, and super common! I will send you photos of real ceremonies from each island on my location guide, and we can look through them together! Usually, after seeing these photos, you’ll see a location that you fall in love with, and the rest of the day will begin to fall into place from there!

Start daydreaming about what landscapes you are thinking of for your elopement!

• Mountains: The greenery of Waimea Canyon State Park in Kauai as well as the staggering cliffs meeting the oceanside of the Na Pali coast make the perfect elopement location for those who love hiking, helicopters, or adventurous boat rides to get some of the most epic mountain views Hawaii offers. Another beautiful area with more accessible mountain views is the stunning Kualoa Ranch on Oahu.
• Black lava fields: For a more unique location for your wedding ceremony, Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island could be a great fit! A Hawaii volcano elopement!
• Beautiful Beaches and City Life: If you want to have a city elopement but still catch sunset on the beach, the white sand beaches of Waikiki in Oahu allow you access to restaurants and shopping while being a short walk away to the coast.
• Waterfalls and Seclusion: The Road to Hana in Maui is a beautiful drive to the small town of Hana down a winding and well traveled road. The longer drive pays off in privacy allowing you to have more of a getaway to a secluded Maui elopement in a remote area.
• Epic Sunrise or Sunset Elopement: I love watching sunrise or sunset from Haleakala National Park in Maui! If your heart is set on sunrise, be sure to snag permits months in advance for a slot to enter the park for this sought after time!

Step Two: Deciding When to Elope in Hawaii

I often get asked, “What is the best time of year to elope in Hawaii?” The good news is, getting married in Hawaii means any time of year is a good time to elope. That being said, while the weather is similar year round, there are certain times of the year that can be slightly more busy!

Mid November through first week of January, is what a lot of resorts dub the “festive season”. During this time of year, many people will be on the islands celebrating the holidays. The festive season in the Hawaiian Islands might make things a little more crowded, and you might have less options when it comes to locations and vendors. The upside of this time of year is that if you live somewhere where it’s cold during the winter, it can be a welcome change to come here to Hawaii! There can also be a few more storm systems during winter, bringing more rain to Hawaii during this time of year.

September and October are the shoulder season, and you may have more options for locations, accommodations, and car rentals.

June through August: Summertime is a popular time of year to visit Hawaii, and the summer months bring a lot of families to the Hawaiian Islands. It’s an amazing time of year! And luckily, as someone who lives here, I don’t think it shifts the needle too much in terms of crowds!

If you have a family and want your children to be involved when you elope in Hawaii, summer is a great time to come. If you want to do any ocean activities or envision yourself on a boat, the calmest water conditions usually occur during summertime.

Consult a photographer who knows weather patterns for when it’s safe for getting in the water: as a surfer, the tides and waves can impact an elopement or trash-the-dress session. It definitely helps to speak with someone who understands the water before you are planning an elopement on a beach that disappears under the tide (which actually does happen!). 

March through May: Last but certainly not least, we have springtime in Hawaii. As far as springtime goes, it’s good to note that spring breaks won’t make or break your experience! Just plan ahead and book your accommodation early so you don’t run out of options. Don’t be deterred! It never gets super crazy during springtime in Hawaii. If you are a student or in a grad program, spring can be a lovely time to come. 

Here is a good rule of thumb on choosing actual date of elopement ceremony: plan for at least three days after you land. This is to give yourself a buffer day to adjust, a day to pick up florals, cake, etc and have your marriage license appointment. I also always recommend a day where you do nothing to just exhale and spend time together before your elopement ceremony. After your ceremony, then you get to jump right into your honeymoon!

Step Three: Booking Travel and Accommodations

Flying to Hawaii is pretty seamless from almost anywhere in the country! Here is your cheat sheet to airport codes:

Oahu Airports

• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) – If you’re flying to Oahu, you’ll be flying into Honolulu!

Maui Airports

• Kahului Airport (OGG) – Kahului Airport is the main airport for flying in and out of Maui.
• Hana Airport (HNM) – This airport is used for light aircraft. If you are coming from the Big Island or you are staying in central Maui, you can take a scenic flight to Hana and skip the long drive by flying with Mokulele Airlines.
• Kapalua Airport (JHM) – A smaller airport for private aircraft that serves the island of Maui.

Hawaii Airports

• Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) – Those flying into Hawaii from the mainland will most often be flying into KOA.
• Hilo International Airport (ITO) – If you are staying in Hilo, Pahoa, or along the Hamakua Coast, it would be best to fly into the east side of the island. Otherwise, you can rent a car in Kona and make the 1.5-2hour drive to the east side.
• Upolu Airport (UPP) – This is a small regional airport on the island of Hawaii for private aircraft.
• Waimea-Kohala Airport (MUE) – Another smaller airport that serves the island of Hawaii.

Kauai Airports

• Lihue Airport (LIH) – This is the main airport on Kauai, even though it is a lot smaller than most of the main airports on other Hawaiian Islands!
• Port Allen Airport (PAK) – A small, regional airport located in Kauai for private aircraft.

Lanai Airport

• Lanai Airport (LNY) – To get to Lana’i you will need to fly into Maui (OGG) and then take a small regional aircraft with Mokulele Airlines.

Molokai Airports

• Kalaupapa Airport (LUP)
• Molokai Airport (MKK)

I love using Google Flights to explore all options. Once you’re here, if you want to island-hop, can use Southwest Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines or Mokulele Airlines. Pro-tip: Hawaiian airlines is the only airline to provide non-stop direct flights from the Big Island to Kauai. Otherwise, both airlines offer similar flight options with Hawaiian having the most options throughout the day.

There is no shortage of amazing places to stay in Hawaii; it will all depend on your location, budget, and vibe! I’d love to help you brainstorm on the resorts, Airbnbs, or VRBOs that resonate with you and your partner. Deciding on where to stay can be much easier after deciding on your elopement location.

TIP: Your accommodation should be within 30minutes…or an hour at most from your ceremony location to make the day go smoothly.

Step Four: Obtaining Permits

If your elopement planning process has you gravitating towards eloping at a Hawaiian beach, state park, county park etc., it is important to make sure you are working with someone who is familiar with permitting processes, and who will be able to get this all squared away for you in a timely manner!

Another thing to keep in mind is making sure your photographer is familiar with the concept of “pono“. In ‘olelo Hawaii (Hawaiian language), pono literally translates to “goodness, uprightness, morality, correct or proper procedure.” Applying this principal into respectful location scouting is an essential component to how I plan elopements in Hawaii and is an essential trait to look for when choosing your Hawaii elopement photographer. Upholding the concept of pono means that we are bringing you to beautiful locations that we can enjoy respectfully, while avoiding Kapu (culturally sacred) places or “secret” locations that many local residents frequent with family and friends.

Step Five: Choose Vendors

Google is a great resource, but can sometimes feel like a bit of a wormhole! It’s best to search for vendors once you have decided on an island so that you aren’t wasting precious time googling into the abyss. I know where each vendor is located on each island, so I can help connect you with the vendors that are not only a great fit for the vibe of you and your elopement, but that are also closest to you.

Once you book with me and we do our planning call, you will walk away from the call with a set of contact information for vendors I’ve custom selected for you based on your stylistic preferences and your location! If you have a unique vendor request or some people aren’t available, it is still absolutely possible to find the perfect fit – and I am here to make that happen! I pride myself in going above and beyond in researching vendors for you to ensure that you are taken care of.

My biggest tip when first contacting vendors is to make a mini email template; putting your date, elopement location, and general synopsis of what you’re looking for. Send it to 3-5 vendors right away and go from there. Feeling overwhelmed? I can help you come up with a email template, or even reach out to a vendor on your behalf. I’ve got your back and you will never be alone in this process 🙂

Step Six: Marriage License

Making your marriage legal in Hawaii is an easy process! Trust me, I know approaching this can feel daunting at first, but I promise it can be pretty simple. First, you will want to fill out a marriage license application. Your next step is to set up marriage license appointment. If you’re having trouble setting up your appointment, I am here to guide you! I know a few private license agents that may not be listed online that are happy to help.

You’ll want to ensure you take care of these steps before you get to your chosen island for your elopement. Once you’re on island, go to your marriage license appointment with proper documentation. The appointment itself takes 15minutes and depending on the drive will take no more than 2 hours of your day, so don’t forget to set aside some time during your trip! If this feels too overwhelming for you, you can totally get married at your state courthouse and take care of all the legal paperwork there – having your Hawaiian elopement be purely symbolic.

Step Seven: Time to Pack!

Don’t forget to always bring a sweater; and during the evening or on the beach, you may want a light jacket! The island of Hawaii isn’t flat, so different towns are at different elevations and can be colder than others! Even if you’re traveling here in summer, pack for more than the summer season. Things people often overlook include: rain gear, reusable bag/tote (because most islands don’t have bags at grocery stores),and reef-safe sunscreen. Check out my blog post on what to pack for your Hawaii elopement, as well as tips for your first Hawaii trip!

As far as how to pack your dress or wedding attire I recommend getting a Carry-On Wedding Dress Bag and asking the flight attendants if you can hang it in the closet.

Step Eight: Have the Best Hawaii Elopement!

Now that you’re here, it’s time to enjoy it! All the work you put into planning your day means that now is the time for you and your partner to just soak it all in. Remember that it is always my pleasure to lend a helping hand — I never want my couples to feel overwhelmed when figuring out how to elope in Hawaii!

YOUR HAWAII ELOPEMENT EXPERT (& fingers crossed new BFF): ALY DOVE

Having photographed over 100+ elopements in Hawaii, I’d love to help you begin planning your best adventure yet! Contact me to set up a time to chat and let’s get started on planning your dream Hawaii elopement!