Category Archives: Destination Wedding

Destination weddings have taken approximately 20% of the weddings that take place each year. Brides find they are spending sometimes up to 40% less on their weddings than other brides for many reasons. For one, you will find that for the most part, acquaintances and distant friends may not attend. The wedding will comprise more of the close family and friends one may expect to see more often. Why? Because the cost for each guest to attend a destination wedding is much higher than that if they were to attend a local wedding.

Hawaii as a destination wedding is a great place if you reside on the West Coast. The flight is about 5-6 hours and 10 out of 12 months of the year, the weather is beautiful and 82 degrees with high humidity. Paradise most would call it. Even for us San Diegans. If you are looking for a destination Wedding in Hawaii, here are some great venues to look into.

Sheraton Kauai

Sheraton (Kauai) – Great location. Beautiful part of the island and just a great hotel to hold a wedding. This hotel has beach front accommodations along a sandy beach.

Hilton Hawaiian Village (Oahu) - Looking for that busy atmosphere in Paradise with lots of shops and right on the beach. This venue has various ballrooms that can accommodate any size wedding. The ballrooms are all located inside the hotel, but I believe they can also accommodate an outside ceremony. The budget is a little more on the higher side for this venue, but can be a convenient location where guests do not need to rent a car to get around. Everything is so close. Right there in the heart of Waikiki. Always the sunny side of Oahu.

Turtle Bay Resort (Oahu) – This venue is my favorite. Elegant, secluded, and a very romantic spot for a wedding. They offer an elegant ceremony location in a covered outside area ballroom area. The accommodations are amazing. It’s right on the beach location on the North Shore in a secluded area. With this venue, guests will need to rent a car to get around since it is about 5 miles to the nearest town (Haleiwa), but this venue can be worth it if you are looking for a quiet location. This would be considered one of higher priced accommodations on the island for this type of event.

Hale Koa (Oahu) for Military Families – The Hale Koa accommodates military families and veterans and is economically priced and well worth the stay for the budget. It is located in the heart of Waikiki and offers on-site Luaus, activities, and great restaurants. There is a garden area where they hold outside ceremonies. You must be active duty, veteran, or DoD to reserve, but accommodations are very reasonably priced and the hotel is a nice decent place to hold a wedding and it’s centrally located to everything.

Hyatt Regency (Oahu) – Located in Waikiki right in front of Queen’s Beach, which is probably the busiest place in Waikiki. So close to all the shopping that some of the high end stores are actually attached to this building. This is a busy spot, so if you are looking for a great location that is well open to the public, this would be a great spot. The prices are on the higher end, as much of the hotels are, and the accommodations are very nice.This hotel is located on Kalakaua (main strip along Waikiki Beach), but is located on the opposite side of the street so the beach is across the street.

Marriott KoOlina (Oahu) – The beach this beach sits on is well secluded and they only allow a certain number of people to park at the public beaches along these three coves. This keeps from the beaches getting over crowded. A great location if you want to be away from the city and in a cove where the ocean is beautiful but the waves are not crashing down. Great place if you have quite a few young kids. The hotel itself also is well known for weddings here.

Hilton Waikoloa Village (Island of Hawaii) – Right on the beach. Shopping center inside hotel lot. Lots to do for the kids. If you are planning the Island of Hawaii for your destination wedding, this is a beautiful spot in Waikoloa, on the sunny side of the island, and has great family activities including dolphin quest, golf, and a luau. Guests will love this place.

Ka’anapali Maui

Ritz Carlton (Maui) – This location is well-known for events and weddings. It’s located in Kapalua and has an outside ballroom where all four sides are open to the outside breeze. Located on the beach and is about 5 miles up from Lahaina, the popular city in Maui. Not as busy as Waikiki, Oahu, and offers that vintage Hawaiian feel.

Hawaii is a great location for a destination wedding. It could get expensive so if you are planning to have a Hawaii wedding, make sure you are certain on your guest list. This is a great place where you know that families, individuals, and children can have a good time. All hotels have concierge that can help you plan your extra free time with island tours, trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center, shrimp truck visit, or just some on-site fun. Contact us for more information on how we can assist you in planning your destination wedding to Hawaii. We know the ins and outs of the island and can give you some guidance on how to plan from afar.

Hiring a local wedding planner to help plan your destination wedding can help ease the stress of the uncertainties and not being able to meeting face to face with your planner. Contact us today with questions!

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