The Local Touch: Dream Team
Your Dream Team of Hawaiian Vendors
Your Dream Team: The Secret to a Magical Hawaiian Wedding
The secret to a truly magical and stress-free Hawaiian wedding lies in the team you assemble. While large, generic vendor directories can be a starting point, they're often overwhelming and lack a personal touch. The real magic comes from working with local professionals who not only are masters of their craft but also possess a deep love and understanding of the islands.
🌺 The Power of Hiring Local
Hiring local is more than just a practical choice. It's an act of reciprocity that supports the local community and ensures your wedding day is infused with genuine aloha. This curated list features vendors who embody the values of this guide: romance, adventure, cultural reverence, and a commitment to quality.
When you hire a Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) owned business, you're doing more than just planning a wedding. You're actively supporting the keepers of these traditions and contributing to the perpetuation of a vibrant, living culture. This act of reciprocity transforms your wedding from a simple event into a meaningful exchange that enriches your own celebration while honoring its source.
Wedding Planners: Your Guide, Advocate & Visionary
Your planner is your guide, your advocate, and your visionary. Choosing one who aligns with your values is essential for creating a celebration that truly reflects your love story.
The Gay Agenda Co.
A truly unique and vital voice in the industry, this company is proudly Queer, Kanaka (Native Hawaiian), and Sustainably Owned. They specialize in creating inclusive spaces and planning with a deep reverence for Hawaiian culture and the ʻāina.
Specialty: Inclusive spaces, cultural reverence, eco-conscious celebrations
A Perfect Day Hawaii
For couples who love to be on the cutting edge, this team are experts in the latest wedding trends. From bold color palettes to eco-conscious practices, they excel at creating stylish, modern, and personalized events.
Specialty: Latest trends, bold designs, eco-conscious practices
VIP-Wedding-Hawaii (Beach Glass Weddings)
Based on the Big Island, this planner is a specialist in crafting exquisite, intimate elopements and micro-weddings. Their all-inclusive, hands-on approach is perfect for couples who want a beautifully designed, stress-free celebration for a small group.
Specialty: Small group celebrations, all-inclusive packages, personalized service
Photographers: Capturing Your Forever Memories
Your wedding photos are your forever memories. Choose a photographer whose style speaks to your soul and who understands the unique beauty of Hawaiian landscapes and light.
Karma Hill Photography
With a talented team of photographers across all the major islands, Karma Hill Photography offers the invaluable benefit of local expertise. Their signature style is bright, joyful, and authentic, mastering the art of capturing real, heart-squeezing moments against the stunning backdrop of Hawaiʻi.
Specialty: Authentic moments, local expertise, bright and vibrant style
Megan Moura
Based on Oʻahu, Megan's work is the definition of elegant, timeless, and artful. With a documentary approach, she focuses on capturing honest moments and creating images that feel both classic and deeply personal. A perfect fit for couples who value storytelling and legacy.
Specialty: Storytelling, classic elegance, honest moments, Oʻahu expertise
Florists: Weaving Stories with Island Blooms
Flowers bring color, fragrance, and life to your wedding day. These local florists are true artists who understand the unique beauty of Hawaiian flora and how to weave it into your love story.
The Flower Bunny
Melody, the artist behind The Flower Bunny on Oʻahu, doesn't just arrange flowers; she weaves stories with them. Known for her unique, heartfelt, and creative designs, she has an incredible eye for color and texture, creating arrangements that are vibrant and unforgettable.
Specialty: Storytelling through flowers, vibrant colors, Oʻahu weddings
Passion Roots
A highly respected name in the Oʻahu wedding scene, the team at Passion Roots are masters of floral design. With deep knowledge of what blooms are in season and how to match them perfectly to a couple's theme and style, they create stunning, lush arrangements from bouquets to elaborate arches.
Specialty: Seasonal blooms, theme matching, elaborate arrangements, Oʻahu expertise
Specialized Vendors: Cultural Practitioners & Unique Services
Beyond the core wedding team, these specialized vendors offer unique services that can add deep cultural significance and unforgettable experiences to your celebration.
🎵 Licensed Kahu (Hawaiian Ministers)
For authentic Hawaiian cultural elements, work with a licensed Kahu who can perform traditional ceremonies, oli chants, and cultural blessings with proper spiritual integrity.
🌊 Sustainable Caterers
A Maui Wedding Day and A Perfect Day Hawaii specialize in farm-to-table catering with zero-waste approaches, supporting local farmers and fishermen.
🎭 Cultural Performers
Traditional Hawaiian musicians, hula dancers, and cultural performers who can add authentic entertainment while honoring the islands' rich heritage.
🏝️ Adventure Coordinators
For couples wanting adventure elements, specialized coordinators can arrange activities like helicopter tours, volcano hikes, or private beach picnics.
Choosing Your Dream Team: Essential Tips
✅ Do This:
- Research vendors' portfolios and reviews thoroughly
- Schedule video calls to ensure personality fit
- Prioritize vendors with local expertise
- Support Native Hawaiian owned businesses
- Ask about sustainable practices
❌ Avoid This:
- Booking vendors who don't understand local culture
- Choosing based solely on price
- Waiting too long to book popular vendors
- Skipping contracts and insurance verification
- Using mainland vendors unfamiliar with islands
💡 Pro Tip: Building Your Vendor Network
Start with one key vendor (usually planner or photographer) and ask for their trusted network. Local vendors who work well together create seamless experiences and often offer package deals. This approach ensures your team has established relationships and understands each other's working styles.
Aloha, and a Life of Adventure
Your Hawaiian wedding is more than a single, beautiful day. It's the beginning of your greatest adventure, a life shared together. It's a commitment blessed by the sun, witnessed by the ocean, and infused with the lasting spirit of aloha. As you've journeyed through this guide, from choosing your perfect island to envisioning your honeymoon thrills, I hope you feel empowered, inspired, and confident. The path to your wedding day should be filled with as much joy and discovery as the celebration itself.
Remember the values that make this place so special: the kuleana to care for the land, the aloha that welcomes all, and the spirit of adventure that calls from every volcanic peak and turquoise bay. Weave these into your celebration, and you'll create more than just a wedding. You'll create a foundation for a marriage that's strong, vibrant, and full of life.
Your forever begins here, in paradise.
Aloha.
About the Author
Jade Kawanui is an adventure photographer, social media strategist, and adventure columnist for Things To Do Hawaiʻi. Born and raised on Maui, she splits her time between documenting the islands' hidden gems and helping visitors discover Hawaiʻi responsibly. When she's not behind the camera, you'll find her exploring trails with her rescue poi dog Hoku or leading food tours that showcase the local grindz that fuel every great adventure.
📅 Booking Timeline
- 12+ months: Wedding planner
- 8-10 months: Photographer
- 6-8 months: Florist
- 4-6 months: Cultural practitioners
- 2-3 months: Final vendors
💰 Budget Allocation
- Photography 20-25%
- Planning 10-15%
- Flowers 8-12%
- Cultural Elements 5-8%
❓ Questions to Ask
- • How long have you worked in Hawaii?
- • Can you provide local references?
- • What's your backup plan for weather?
- • Do you understand Hawaiian culture?
- • Are you licensed and insured?
- • What sustainable practices do you use?