With everything from turquoise bays surrounded by perfect white crescents to hidden waterfalls tucked into tropical rainforests, it's easy to see why Hawaii is such a popular destination for all things romantic -- weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries, you name it. The weather is perfect; the people are warm; the scenery is beautiful; there's an easy, laid-back feel to everything; and, let's face it, everyone looks fantastic after a few days lounging on a beach. Planning a destination wedding, the perfect honeymoon, or an anniversary that brings back all the old magic can seem daunting at first, but Hawaii has been in the love business for years, and there are many people and places just waiting to help celebrate yours.
The logistics. You must apply in person for a wedding license in Hawaii, but you can download, fill in, and print the application from the State government's website: http://www.hawaii.gov/health/vital-records/vital-records/marriage/index.html. There is no waiting period and no blood test required. The cost is $60, which must be paid in cash. The license is valid for 30 days. Your certificate of marriage will be mailed to you after the wedding; for $10 you can put a rush on the certificate, which can be very useful for brides intending to change their last names.
The ceremony. The idea of planning a wedding in a strange place, thousands of miles away, may be enough to cause night sweats for some, but fear not. Hawaii is home to some of the world's best wedding planners, many of whom are employed by -- go figure -- the more popular destination wedding resorts. Narrow your locations down and contact a few planners for quotes. Many planners work in conjunction with caterers and florists and offer packages; the resort-based planners have a variety of packages on offer. They're all used to people shopping around, so don't be afraid to haggle.
Those wishing to steer clear of the resort wedding and tap into old Hawaii may also want to seek the help of a local planner, unless they have personal knowledge of their chosen destination or trustworthy friends or family in the area who can help taste food, scout locations, and meet potential officiants. There are certain things that are just too difficult to research from a distance, and having a wedding planner doesn't mean that your wedding will be expensive, nor does it mean that you'll end up with a Mainland wedding in Hawaii or some sort of Hawaiian kitsch wedding (unless of course that's what you want!). These are people who know Hawaii well and can help you find the perfect secluded beach, the local florist with the most beautiful orchids, or a house on the water for you and your inner circle, and the best caterer to roast a pig for you in the backyard.
The traditions. Most people who wed on Hawaii incorporate local traditions to some extent. These can include Hawaiian music, ancient Hawaiian chants and blessings, and traditional Hawaiian food at the reception.
A simple lei exchange is customary for most couples -- some include only the bride and groom, others splurge and get leis for everyone. Typically green maile garlands are for grooms, and strands of pink and white pikake flowers are for brides. In a traditional Hawaiian wedding ceremony, the officiant, called the kahuna pule in Hawaiian, binds the couple's hands together with a maile lei.
Almost everything is less expensive in Hawaii during the off-season (September to mid-December), and weddings are no exception. Since the weather is perfect all year round, there's no reason to hold out for the more expensive summer months.
Honeymoon Planning
Hawaii is a popular destination not only for everything it's got going for it, but for everything it's not as well -- it's not all that far away; it's not outside the U.S. yet seems like another country; and it's not outrageously expensive if you plan well.
As for romance, yes, Hawaii's romantic clichés -- sunsets, beach strolls, moonlit walks -- still work their magic, but there are also plenty of more unique ways to experience the romance of Hawaii, whether you're looking to explore or just veg out together for awhile (swim with sea turtles, lounge on the beach, skinny dip in waterfall pools).
Almost as important as your choice of island is your accommodation choice. Although Hawaii is home to dozens of world-class resorts all waiting to anticipate your every need, there are also several secluded B&Bs that are the perfect blend of luxury and total privacy. Most B&Bs have a honeymoon room or suite, and many of them offer stand-alone cottages. For even more privacy, there are several homes for rent throughout the islands, many of which are in stunning locations and often rent for less per night than rooms at the big resorts. Each island has its own B&B association, which inspects properties and lists the best of them.
Hawaii's tourism bureaus spend a lot of money every year to keep people coming back for all things related to romance. Part of that entails running regular promotions in bridal magazines and on websites, so be sure to take a look at the usual suspects for the latest offers before booking your trip (go to www.gohawaii.com, then click on the individual sites from there).
Romantic Notions
Sunset on the North Shore in the winter. Way more than just the average sunset -- it's the usual scorching red sun and beautiful beach, but add to that the biggest waves you've ever seen, and killer local surfers catching the last few rides before dark.
Catering from Alan Wong's Pineapple Room, Ala Moana. Delicious bits of 'ahi and onaga and Waimea tomatoes from one of the stars of Pacific Rim fusion make any reception extra special, and uniquely Hawaiian.
The Vera Wang Suite at the Halekulani, Waikiki. Who else to design the perfect honeymoon suite but the designer made famous by her wedding dresses?
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Waikiki. The pink palace just screams Blue Hawai'i.
Surprise your spouse by saying "I do" all over again. Many hotels offer vow-renewal ceremonies, making it a snap to be spontaneous.
Turtle Bay Resort, North Shore. Ocean views from every room, 880 oceon-front acres on the North Shore, 5 mi of beaches, and 12 mi of oceon-front trails are all here, at a price well below that of most of the resorts in the islands.
Only in Hawaii Holidays
If you happen to be in the Islands on March 26 or June 11, you'll notice light traffic and busy beaches -- these are state holidays not celebrated anywhere else. March 26 recognizes the birthday of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, a member of the royal line who served as a delegate to Congress and spearheaded the effort to set aside homelands for Hawaiian people. June 11 honors the first island-wide monarch, Kamehameha I; locals drape his statues with lei and stage elaborate parades. May 1 isn't an official holiday, but it's the day when schools and civic groups celebrate the quintessential Island gift, the flower lei, with leimaking contests and pageants. Statehood Day is celebrated on the third Friday in August (Admission Day was August 21, 1959). Another holiday much celebrated is Chinese New Year, in part because many Hawaiians married Chinese immigrants. Homes and businesses sprout bright-red good luck mottoes, lions dance in the streets, and everybody eats gau (steamed pudding) and jai (vegetarian stew). The state also celebrates Good Friday as a spring holiday, a favorite for family picnics.