The Ceremony: Sacred Traditions
Crafting Your Unforgettable Moment
Finding Your Venue: From Beaches to Ballrooms
Your ceremony venue is the stage where your new life together begins. It's more than just a location. It's a space that should resonate with your story and feel like a true reflection of you as a couple. Hawaiʻi offers a stunning array of options, each with a unique feeling and spirit.
🏖️ Legendary Beaches
The classic Hawaiian wedding takes place on the sand, with the turquoise ocean as your witness.
Best For: Simple, profound, naturally beautiful settings
🌺 Lush Botanical Gardens
Surrounded by vibrant flora of the islands in peaceful, nature-filled settings.
Best For: Tranquil, budget-friendly ceremonies
🏨 Luxury Resorts
World-class resorts offering all-inclusive packages and perfect service.
Best For: Smooth, elegant, worry-free celebrations
🏞️ Iconic Ranches & Estates
Private, dramatic locations with sprawling landscapes and stunning views.
Best For: Privacy, drama, and versatility
🏛️ Unique Venues Worth Considering:
Making It Official: Your Guide to the Hawaiʻi Marriage License
Navigating the legal requirements for a destination wedding can seem daunting. But Hawaiʻi makes the process remarkably simple, clear, and stress-free. The state has streamlined its system to be welcoming to couples from all over the world.
✅ Great News for Couples:
- • No state residency requirements
- • No U.S. citizenship requirements
- • No blood tests required
- • No waiting period - marry the same day!
Complete the Application Online
Visit emrs.ehawaii.gov and fill out the marriage license application. Total fee is $65 ($60 application + $5 portal fee).
Save your locator ID or authorization code!
Schedule Your Appointment
Book an appointment with a licensed agent on your chosen island. Appointments are prioritized over walk-ins.
Licensed agents are available on every major island.
Meet the Agent in Person
Both partners must appear together with valid government-issued photo ID. Must be within 30 days of your ceremony date.
No proxies allowed - both partners must be present.
Say "I Do!"
License is issued on the spot and valid for 30 days. You can get married the same day anywhere in the State of Hawaiʻi!
If you don't get married within 30 days, the license becomes void.
📋 If Previously Married:
Only need to present a certified copy of divorce decree or death certificate if the event was finalized within 30 days of your license appointment.
Weaving in Tradition: A Guide to Honoring Hawaiian Culture
To wed in Hawaiʻi is to be embraced by a culture rich with history, spirituality, and a deep reverence for love and commitment. Adding Hawaiian traditions to your ceremony is a beautiful way to honor the islands. But it comes with a responsibility to do so with understanding and respect.
🌺 Most Important First Step:
Engage with a licensed Kahu (Hawaiian minister) or cultural practitioner. They will share their manaʻo (knowledge and wisdom) and ensure traditions are honored correctly with spiritual integrity maintained.
🌸 The Lei Exchange
The ultimate symbol of aloha. A powerful, tangible representation of love and the intertwining of two lives into one.
Bride: Pikake lei (romance and beauty)
🐚 The Blowing of the Pū
The conch shell sound is a sacred announcement that calls forth blessings and announces a sacred event.
Purpose: Quiets the mind, prepares the space
🎵 The Oli Aloha (Welcoming Chant)
A beautiful, melodic chant used to officially welcome the couple and guests, preparing the space for blessings.
Now that you have come, love has come with you."
🤝 Pili ā Nai Kealoha (Love That Binds)
Hawaiian handfasting ceremony where the Kahu wraps the couple's hands with soft Maile lei.
Values: Love, respect, eternal devotion
🏝️ Supporting Native Hawaiian Culture:
The most respectful way to honor Hawaiian culture is by hiring Native Hawaiian (Kanaka Maoli) owned businesses and licensed Kahu. This supports the keepers of these traditions and contributes to the perpetuation of a vibrant, living culture.
Recommended: The Gay Agenda Co. (Queer, Kanaka, and Sustainably Owned)
The Sustainable Vow: Planning an Eco-Friendly Hawaiian Wedding
In Hawaiian culture, there's a deep, natural connection to the environment, captured in the value of Aloha ʻĀina—a deep love and respect for the land. Planning a sustainable wedding in Hawaiʻi is therefore more than just a modern trend. It's a beautiful and powerful way to honor this basic cultural principle.
🌱 Aloha ʻĀina Principles:
By making conscious, eco-friendly choices, you're not only reducing your environmental impact but also leaving a positive legacy on the place where your marriage begins.
🏢 Venue Selection
- • Choose single venue for ceremony & reception
- • Seek venues with sustainable practices
- • Look for solar power & water conservation
- • Native, drought-resistant landscaping
🌺 Local & Seasonal Florals
- • Work with local florists
- • Choose native Hawaiian flowers
- • Hibiscus, ginger, and orchids
- • Return leis to the earth after ceremony
🍽️ Farm-to-Table Catering
- • Source from local farms & fishermen
- • Support local economy
- • Zero-waste approach
- • Compost scraps, donate leftovers
🎋 Mindful Décor
- • Let natural beauty be primary decoration
- • Rent décor instead of buying
- • Use living plants as centerpieces
- • Avoid single-use plastics entirely
🎁 Sustainable Favor Ideas:
📋 License Checklist
- Complete online application
- Schedule appointment
- Bring valid photo ID
- Both partners present
- Marry within 30 days
💰 Venue Price Ranges
- Beach Permit Free-$100
- Botanical Garden Free-$500
- Private Estate $2,500+
- Luxury Resort $5,000+