How Much Does It Cost To Get Married In Hawaii?

Getting married in paradise sounds like a dream come true for many couples. With its gorgeous beaches, amazing weather, and romantic atmosphere, Hawaii is one of the most popular wedding destinations in the world.

But before you book those plane tickets, you’re probably wondering—how much does it actually cost to get married in Hawaii?

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The average cost for a Hawaii destination wedding ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 including travel expenses for a small intimate wedding. Luxury weddings with 100+ guests average $30,000 or more.

Hawaii Wedding Venue Costs

Beach locations

Getting married on one of Hawaii’s world-famous beaches can be an idyllic and affordable option. Public beaches do not charge a venue fee, though you will need to obtain a permit. Popular spots like Waikiki Beach, Lanikai Beach, and Sunset Beach see countless barefoot ceremonies with simply an officiant and a small group of friends and family.

The gorgeous natural backdrop is free! Just be sure to time your nuptials between sunrise and sunset when the beaches are open to the public.

For a more private beachfront venue, there are resorts and hotels that have designated wedding locations right on the sand. These will have venue rental fees ranging from $500 to over $5,000 depending on the location’s popularity and capacity.

The Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island offers several beach ceremony sites, with rates starting at $2,500. Maui’s Hotel Wailea has a lovely beachfront wedding lawn with ceremony packages from $2,800.

Resorts and hotels

In addition to beachfront venues, Hawaii’s resorts and hotels offer a variety of stylish event spaces for weddings of any size. From intimate oceanview terraces to grand ballrooms, couples can find the perfect setting for their vision and guest count.

Resorts like Trump International Waikiki and Mandarin Oriental Honolulu have on-site wedding coordinators to assist with planning. Venue rental fees typically start between $1,500-$3,000, with complete wedding packages ranging from $5,000 up to $15,000 or more during peak seasons.

For those on a tighter budget, hotels like the Sheraton Maui or Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach offer more affordable wedding packages under $4,000. The deals often include a ceremony site, on-site coordinator, bouquet and other floral decor.

Having your wedding at a hotel where many of your guests will already be staying can also enhance the convenience and celebratory atmosphere!

Public parks

Hawaii’s public parks department manages over 100 stunning locations statewide that can be rented as wedding venues. Sites range from secluded coastal overlooks to sprawling botanical gardens to mountainside rainforest retreats.

Rental fees are very reasonable, starting around just $60 per hour on Oahu. Permit policies, prices and availability vary on each island, but you can expect to spend $500-$2,000 for a small to midsize wedding at one of these public gems.

On Maui, the scenic Iao Valley State Park and lush Makena State Park are top choices for vow exchanges with a dramatic natural backdrop. Kauai couples adore the sweeping ocean vistas at Ahukini State Park and Lydgate Park. There are so many hidden gem options across Hawaii’s public parks system!

Hawaii Wedding Packages

All-inclusive packages

All-inclusive wedding packages in Hawaii take the stress out of planning by bundling amenities like the venue, catering, florals, and more into one price. These convenient packages simplify logistics and often save money compared to piecing together a la carte services.

Popular all-inclusive options in Hawaii include:

• Beachfront resort packages covering everything needed for a dream island wedding.
• Elopement packages with an officiant, photographer, flowers, and more.
• Cruise ship weddings with ceremonies and receptions on board.

According to Hawaiian wedding planners, all-inclusive packages in Hawaii range from $2,000 to $10,000+ depending on factors like:

À la carte planning

Couples who want more customization tend to go à la carte, picking and choosing Hawaiian wedding vendors and services individually vs. a package. This allows you to hand-select locations and secure only the vendors you want.

À la carte Hawaiian island weddings average $15,000-$30,000, as reported by Maui wedding pros. Major expenses may include:

• Venue – From $2,000 for bare-bones to $15,000+ for 5-star resorts
• Catering – $100-$250+ per plate
• Photography – $3,000+ for 6-8 hours
• Florals – $500+ for bridal bouquet & boutonniere
• Officiant – $400+ for ceremony

Savvy couples can cut Hawaii wedding costs🤑 with Friday/Sunday dates, brunch menus or limited bar options. But overall, à la carte allows ultimate flexibility to craft a customized island affair.

Hawaii Wedding Requirements

Marriage License

To get married in Hawaii, you’ll need to obtain a marriage license. This involves submitting an application and paying a fee. Here are the key steps:

• Apply in person at any Hawaii Department of Health office at least 3 days prior to your wedding date. Both partners must be present with valid photo ID.
• Pay the $60 application fee. Accepted forms of payment include cash, money order, or travelers checks.
• There is no waiting period in Hawaii. You can get your license right away as long as you apply at least 3 days before your wedding.
• The license is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. This gives you a month to have your ceremony once approved.

Hawaii does not require blood tests or medical exams, which makes getting a marriage license relatively straightforward. As an added bonus, licenses issued in Hawaii allow couples to use any legal surname after marriage without a formal name change.

Officiant Services

Hawaii law allows a few different people to officiate weddings, so you have options:

• Ministers, priests, or rabbis ordained in Hawaii or elsewhere in the U.S.
• Federal, state, or county judges licensed in Hawaii.
• Anyone licensed as a marriage officiant by the Hawaii Department of Health.

One of the most popular choices for destination weddings is to use a non-denominational officiant. They typically charge $200-500 depending on the extent of services provided. Many resorts and wedding planners have preferred officiants they work with regularly.

Officiants handle all the legal paperwork from the ceremony and submit your signed license back to the Health Department. There’s no need to file anything further on your own after the wedding.

Hawaii Wedding Attire

Bridal gown or dress

When it comes to bridal gowns in Hawaii, brides have lots of fabulous options. From simple beach dresses to extravagant ballgowns, Hawaii offers spectacular backdrops for all styles. Lightweight fabrics like chiffon, lace, and silk are popular choices for destination weddings to stay comfortable in the tropical climate.

Many brides opt for convertible gowns that transition from ceremony to reception looks.

Hawaii’s year-round warm weather means brides can wear dress styles like plunging necklines, open backs, and shoulder-baring straps that might not work elsewhere. Gorgeous floral details like Hawaiian flower crowns or print dresses capture the island vibe.

For beach ceremonies, shorter hemlines are practical and pretty.

The average cost of a wedding dress in the US is around $1,631, but gown rental services in Hawaii help brides save money. Rent the Runway, Borrowing Magnolia, and Hawaii Wedding Dress Rental offer hundreds of designer dresses for every style and budget.

Rental prices average $200-$500 for the week, a super affordable way to wear your dream designer gown!

Tuxedo rental

Grooms have so many handsome tuxedo options for effortlessly stylish Hawaiian weddings. A lightweight linen or seersucker suit is a comfortable choice for outdoor ceremonies, capturing a relaxed island vibe. For formal hotel or ballroom weddings, grooms may prefer a classic black tuxedo and bow tie.

Renting tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen simplifies coordination and keeps costs affordable compared to purchasing attire. Popular Hawaiian tux shops like Aloha Rents, Tuxedos and Ballgowns, and Men’s Wearhouse offer convenient online booking for groups.

Full tuxedo rental packages average around $200 per person, including jacket, pants, shirt, vest/cummerbund, and accessories.

Some companies even deliver directly to the couple’s hotel for ultimate convenience! Grooms enjoying wedding festivities can relax knowing their stylish wedding day look is totally covered.

Hawaii Wedding Photography

Hiring a professional photographer

Capturing your special day in paradise with a professional Hawaii wedding photographer is a must. The long flights and costs of a destination wedding in Hawaii make professional photos even more critical. Here are some tips for finding the right photographer:

• Review portfolios online to find a style you love. Hawaiian photographers range from photojournalistic to extremely posed.
• Ask about turnaround time. Many offer a sneak peek gallery within a few days and the final, edited images within a month or so.
• Inquire about packages and à la carte options. Some photographers offer set packages while others allow you to customize.
• Meet via video call if possible. Discussing vision, style and details in advance is ideal.
• Read reviews and ask for references to ensure quality and reliability.

Most Hawaii wedding photographers charge $2,500 – $5,000+ for coverage, depending on factors like number of hours, additional photographers/assistants, albums and more. This investment pays off through gorgeous, professional images you’ll cherish forever.

Photo session length

For the ceremony and reception alone, planners typically recommend 4-6 hours of photography coverage minimum. This allows the photographer to capture getting ready photos in addition to the event itself. More extensive coverage spanning 2+ days is popular for destination weddings. Options include:

• Elopement sessions – 1-2 hours focused solely on the couple and ceremony itself
• Standard wedding packages – 4-6 hour sessions encompassing preparation through ceremony and reception events
• Multi-day packages – 5 hours or more of coverage across activities like welcome dinners, day-after brunches etc.

Discussing the schedule, locations and overall vision with your photographer is key to getting the images you want within your ideal timeframe. And don’t forget to account for travel – shooting a wedding in Waikiki may take less time than an oceanfront celebration on Kauai’s North Shore.

Conclusion

Getting married in Hawaii can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000+ depending on your wedding style, guest count, and other factors. The three biggest expenses for Hawaii weddings are typically the venue, wedding planner/coordination, and travel costs for you and your guests.

But with strategic planning and budgeting, you can have your dream Hawaii wedding without breaking the bank. The key is focusing on what matters most—celebrating your love surrounded by stunning Hawaiian backdrops.

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