How to Get Married in Hawaii

Volcanic peaks, staggering sea cliffs and idyllic sunsets leave little room to wonder why the paradise of Hawaii is such a popular honeymoon and destination wedding spot. If you're wondering how to get married in Hawaii, we've got the ultimate guide for you, from how to get a Hawaii marriage license to finding a venue and planning all the finer details. We'd also recommend planning a fun bachelorette here, too!

"Other than it's totally gorgeous and you have your honeymoon location already at your doorstep, one of the biggest pluses for having your wedding in Hawaii is that you have the opportunity to pare things down and focus on the people and experiences that matter most," says Becky Ringler of Simple Kona Beach Weddings. "The weather is almost always fantastic, and there is so much natural beauty that you don't need as much in terms of decoration to make your wedding gorgeous." Here's everything you need to know for your dream Hawaii wedding.

In this article:

• How to Get a Marriage License in Hawaii
• Notable Wedding Locations in Hawaii
• How to Plan a Wedding in Hawaii Step-by-Step

How to Get a Marriage License in Hawaii

If you're getting married in Hawaii, the requirements are pretty straightforward. You'll have to first apply online for a marriage license (the total cost is $65 and non-refundable). You then need to meet with an agent 30 days prior to your ceremony date to review the application and any necessary documentation, which includes a valid government ID. Your ceremony must take place within 30 days of picking up your licenses; if it doesn't, the license is null and void. There are no state residence or US citizenship requirements and the license is good in Hawaii only.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

Notable Wedding Locations in Hawaii

There's no shortage of places for your wedding in Hawaii thanks to its many islands. "Even though it's all beautiful, there are so many different locations in Hawaii—from luxury hotel weddings to beach weddings, country weddings and mountain weddings," says Hawaii photographer Wendy Laurel. That's why finding a location and a local wedding planner is key, she adds.

There are a wide range of Hawaii wedding venues, but they'll vary by region. When choosing a locale, you'll want to consider the price, scenery and transportation options for out-of-town guests. These are some of the most popular islands for your destination wedding in Hawaii.

Kauai

Known as the Garden Isle, the island of Kauai is teeming with native plants and wildlife and stunning beaches. It's home to Waimea Canyon State Park, the Na Pali Coast State Park, the idyllic Hanalei Bay and several stunning Kauai wedding venues. The weather is relatively stable year-round, which makes it a good choice no matter what season you're getting married in.

Oahu

Honolulu, Waikiki and the North Shore all call Oahu home. With such popular areas, the island is teeming with wedding venues. Whether you choose its sandy beaches with crashing big waves, the cityscape of the capital or its vibrant greenery as a backdrop, you can't go wrong with getting married in Oahu.

Maui

Maui is nothing short of magical thanks to its lush rainforests, 30 miles of beaches and cotton candy-colored skies. As the second largest Hawaiian island, The Valley Isle has plenty of the best Maui venues, from luxury resorts to grassy green seaside lawns.

How to Plan a Wedding in Hawaii Step-by-Step

Planning a wedding in Hawaii is exciting given all of the state's natural paradisiacal beauty. But there are also a few state-specific logistics to bear in mind. Here are a few Hawaii wedding planning tips to get started, and don't forget to check out some Hawaiian wedding traditions to incorporate into your wedding day and fun captions for when you post all your dreamy photos to Instagram.

1. Set a Budget

Since Hawaii is located remotely in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, weddings in the state aren't always the most affordable—especially if you're hosting a destination wedding that tacks on flight and travel costs. Use The Knot Budget Advisor to get a better idea of how much a wedding in Hawaii will cost, from venues to catering, and to create a budget that works for you.

2. Pick a Season

Timing is everything, Laurel says. "Hawaii has seasons for weather so you can take that into account as well as more popular (read expensive) times of the year," she explains. "Taking your family and friends' schedules into account as well is important for a destination wedding."

Summer in Hawaii typically runs May through October, while winter runs November through April. While Hawaii generally experiences comfortable temperatures year-round, it gets a lot rainier during the winter.

3. Find a Venue

With so many stunning Hawaii destination wedding venues, it can feel daunting to pick just one. Begin narrowing it down by choosing which Hawaiian island you want to tie the knot on. From there, you can decide if you want your wedding at a luxury resort, a beautiful barn or a sunny beach, to name a few. If you're considering a rental home, Ringler says you'll need to consider whether they'll even allow a wedding, and if they do, what the venue fee is.

"Venues are a necessity for any groups over 35, so be aware that you won't be able to take your huge group and just do a wedding on the beach," she says. "Every island has different types of venue offerings, from hotels to private homes to private wedding sites of all types. Consider how much flexibility you want in terms of the atmosphere you want to create, look for time restrictions at a venue and convenience to where you are staying. The fewer the people, the more wiggle room you have for just about everything."

4. Consider a Planner

Hiring a planner in the area for a Hawaii wedding can save you a lot of headaches because they'll have the best knowledge of locations and weather, Ringler says. And if you're having an Indian wedding in the state, there are several Indian wedding planners to choose from to help bring your vision to life.

If you're getting married in Hawaii on the beach, Ringler suggests hiring an island local who can "give you the skinny" on the best locations. "There are a lot of restrictions on the beaches here, and some islands have more than others," she says. "Having a professional to help you who is located on that island will help you navigate the ins and outs of these restrictions, as well as give you help and guidance on beach permitting."

DYI-ing in a place like Hawaii is very challenging, she adds. "If you end up booking someone very inexpensive, you are probably going to be stuck doing all of the other legwork yourself, which can be very time-consuming and difficult in a place you are unfamiliar with."

5. Find a Photographer

Securing a good photographer is essential for any wedding, but especially in a state like Hawaii where couples come far and wide to take advantage of the breathtaking scenery. Laurel advocates heavily for a film photographer because film "captures the light in Hawaii so well and the beautiful colors we have here."

She suggests picking someone whose work you love and booking a couples or engagement shoot first as a test drive. Because Hawaii is such a sought-after destination wedding location, many photographers from the mainland will travel to the state. "If you go that route, make sure you choose someone who has Hawaii experience," she says. "The light here is bright and the sunset hour is not an hour but more like 15 minutes, so you want someone who is comfortable shooting in Hawaii."

Find an experienced photographer and other local vendors familiar with weddings in Hawaii on The Knot Marketplace.

6. Figure Out Your Vendors

With your photographer and planner booked, you'll also need to figure out what other vendors you need. Many venues offer vendors in their packages, so take a look at what's included in yours and determine what remaining holes you'll need to fill. Transportation should be at the top of your list given that many people will be traveling from out of state and that some Hawaii wedding venues can be in more remote locations.

"Hawaii is actually a very small town," Laurel says. "All the wedding vendors know each other well and work together often so it's easy to get referrals and the planning and day flow well."

"Hawaii is special in that there are a lot of people who offer a one-stop-shop in terms of planning, coordination and officiation under one roof," seconds Ringler. "They are not all created equal, however, so be sure to take the time to meet with people by phone or Zoom to see who will offer you the kind of assistance you are looking for."

7. Determine Your Guest List

"Choosing to do a destination wedding in a place like Hawaii that is both far away and on the pricier side allows you to be more choosey in terms of who you invite and what you'd prefer to spend your budget on," Ringler says. If you want it to be the two of you or prefer to invite just your closest family and friends, you can. "Plus, if you are choosing to have your wedding on the beach (which is one of the most economical and beautiful routes) versus at a venue, you are restricted to party size, since only a small number are permitted on the beach."

If you do opt for a more intimate wedding, it's worth your time to explore elopement packages or small wedding venues.