Hawaii destination weddings
Trusted by 2,500+ travellers
4.9/5
30+ years of travel
Ready to start planning your Hawaii destination wedding?
Tell us your preferred island, guest count, and ideal date and we will put together Hawaii resort and venue proposals with wedding packages that fit. Completely free.
No passports, no currency exchange, no visa considerations for any of your guests. Everything is domestic. Your suppliers bill in dollars, your phone works without an international plan, and anyone in your group who has never left the US can attend without any friction. The experience feels completely removed from everyday life. The logistics do not.
Maui is the most resort-rich and most popular. Kauai is the most dramatic and most intimate. The Big Island offers volcanic landscapes that exist nowhere else on earth. Oahu has the best flight access and the most hotel inventory. Each island is a genuinely different experience. Most couples choose based on the photographs and rarely regret it.
A Hawaii marriage licence costs $65, takes about 15 minutes to apply for online, and is valid for 30 days. Both parties need a valid government ID. No residency period, no blood test, no apostilles, no local witnesses required beyond the officiant. It is the most friction-free legal wedding process of any destination on this list.
How much does a destination wedding in Hawaii cost?
Hawaii is the most expensive destination wedding option for US couples, with most weddings running $25,000 to $75,000 or more. The pricing reflects domestic US labour and venue costs rather than the Caribbean all-inclusive model, and Hawaii vendors operate at a premium even by US standards.
The all-inclusive resort model essentially does not exist in Hawaii. Weddings are structured as venue plus catering plus separately booked accommodation, similar to a domestic mainland US wedding. This gives full flexibility on every line item but eliminates the cost predictability that makes Mexico and the DR easier to budget.
Resort stays range from $400 per night at the entry tier (Marriott, Hyatt, Sheraton mid-tier) to $1,500+ per night at the luxury end (Four Seasons Maui, Andaz Maui, Montage Kapalua). The advantages that justify the cost are the absence of international travel logistics, no passport requirements for US guests, and venue quality that competes with anywhere in the world.
Which part of Hawaii is right for your destination wedding?
Maui is the most popular wedding island, with the highest concentration of luxury resorts along the Ka'anapali and Wailea coasts and a deep vendor infrastructure built around weddings. If you want maximum choice on resort tier, photographer style, and ceremony venue, Maui is the easiest island to plan in.
Kauai is the most lush and naturally dramatic of the islands, suited to couples who want jungle, waterfalls, and the Na Pali coastline as a backdrop. The resort selection is smaller, the pace is slower, and the photography is unmatched.
The Big Island offers volcanic landscapes and the Kona coast resort cluster, with a more dramatic and less crowded feel than Maui. Oahu balances Waikiki's accessibility and the North Shore's quieter beaches, and is the best choice if guest activities and nightlife matter as much as the wedding itself. Lanai is the smallest and most exclusive, dominated by the Four Seasons properties.
Trusted by 2,500+ travellers
4.9/5
30+ years of travel
What a gorgeous resort! From the swings at the bar to the numerous pools… Many thanks to Zandra and Vacationeeze for planning such a dream vacation to El Dorado Maroma in Playa del Carmen last November! It was a beautiful location and the organized events were perfect! We had a delicious dinner on the beach that was beautifully decorated with flowers and lights… just magical! Thank you Zandra, for picking such an amazing resort - we loved the Mexican night, the tequila tasting, and the mariachis! We will be returning for more advice from you in the future!!
5/5
We quickly decided we didn't want to do a local wedding, so we started looking up YouTube videos of destination weddings. We found Jack and fell in love with him. We loved how he was a no nonsense type of guy that wasn't trying to sell anyone on anything, he was just stating facts and his knowledge. We quickly decided that we wanted Jack to be the one to help us figure out a destination wedding for us.
5/5
I cannot recommend Jared highly enough. The trip surpassed my expectations, and I am grateful for the meticulous planning and personalized attention provided by Jared. If you're looking for a travel planner who combines expertise with a genuine passion for creating memorable experiences, look no further! Thank you, Jared, for making my trip truly unforgettable. I look forward to planning my next adventure with your expertise!
5/5
Traditional Hawaiian luau
Haleakala sunrise
Whale watching, Maui
Kilauea helicopter tour
Na Pali Coast boat tour, Kauai
Molokini Crater Snorkelling
Road to Hana, Maui
Is Hawaii good for a destination wedding?
Hawaii is the best destination wedding option for couples who want a genuinely exotic feel without international travel complexity. No passports or currency exchange required, the legal wedding process is the simplest on this list, and the range of settings across four distinct islands means there is a Hawaii wedding experience for every couple.
How much does a Hawaii destination wedding cost?
Hawaii is generally the most expensive destination on this list. Resort rates on Maui or Kauai can run $400 to $800 per room per night in peak season. Total event costs for 30 to 50 guests typically fall between $25,000 and $50,000 including venue, catering, and ceremony. Budget at least 50% more than a comparable Mexico or Caribbean wedding.
Do you need a special licence to get married in Hawaii?
No special licence is needed beyond the standard Hawaii marriage licence, which is obtained online from the Hawaii Department of Health. It costs $65, takes about 15 minutes to apply for, and is valid for 30 days. Valid government-issued ID is required for both parties. No residency period, no apostilles, no translations required.
What is the best island in Hawaii for a destination wedding?
Maui is the most popular and has the best resort infrastructure, particularly along the Wailea and Ka'anapali coasts. Kauai is more dramatic and intimate with fewer large resorts. The Big Island offers volcanic landscapes that exist nowhere else, with luxury options on the Kohala Coast. Oahu has the best flight access and most hotels but less intimate atmosphere. The right island depends on your aesthetic and guest count.
Is Hawaii more expensive than Mexico for a destination wedding?
Yes, significantly. The average destination wedding in Mexico costs between $10,000 and $20,000 for the event itself (with guests covering their own accommodation separately). A comparable Hawaii wedding typically costs $25,000 to $50,000 or more. Resort rates, vendor costs, and the absence of the all-inclusive model all contribute to the higher price point.
What is the best time of year for a Hawaii destination wedding?
April through early June and September through October are the sweet spots, offering good weather, lower rates than peak winter season, and smaller crowds. December through March is peak season with the most reliable weather but highest prices. Summer (July and August) is warm and popular with families. Trade winds keep temperatures comfortable year-round on most islands.
4.9/5Tell us your ideal date, how many guests you're expecting, and whether you're thinking adults-only or family-friendly, and we'll come back to you with resort proposals that fit.
