The Best Hawaii Destination Wedding Venues & Wedding Packages

In the world of destination weddings, Hawaii stands out as an tropical and tempting destination. Offering all the appeal of a South Pacific paradise with the convenience and ease of staying within the US, the top Hawaii wedding venues mirror that perfect blend. The enticing backdrop of roaring waterfalls, palm-dotted beaches, or hibiscus-filled gardens, along with the convenience of having dedicated wedding planners, all-in-one wedding packages, and on-site lodging for your guests are all what makes a Hawaii destination wedding stand out.

If you're just starting to begin the Hawaii wedding-planning process, the 18 venues below should give you a sense of what each island offers. While Oahu is certainly the easiest to reach, couples who value privacy may prefer undeveloped Lana'i, and couples keen to offer their guests unique activities like whale watching may prefer Maui (which is the second easiest island to reach from the mainland US).

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These are 17 of the best wedding venues in Hawaii, from beachy resorts with affordable elopement packages to vine-covered ruins where your guests can dine and dance the night away under the stars.

Hawaii Wedding Venues in This Article:

Oahu Wedding Venues

Photo: Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach

The liveliest of the Hawaiian islands, Oahu is the most popular among tourists. Not only is it home to the state's largest airport, but it's also home to the capital city of Honolulu and famous Waikiki Beach.

But it's not all cities and development, and aside from Honolulu, the rest of the island is still pretty laid-back. Oahu wedding venues are probably the most numerous of any island, and your options range from beaches to private ranches to seaside restaurants and high-end beachfront resorts. For your guests, Oahu is the most convenient island for a Hawaii destination wedding—not just because it's the easiest to reach from the mainland, but because it has the most variety of hotels and resorts to suit guests with different travel budgets. After all, Hawaii can be a little expensive.

Guest Activities: Anyone who's ever dreamed of learning to surf should take a lesson, since Oahu's North Shore is home to the world's most storied waves—at Sunset Beach, Banzai Beach, the Pipeline, and Waimea Bay. Guests can also take a submarine tour of a shipwreck in Waikiki Beach, tour the ranch where they filmed movies like "Jurassic Park" and "Godzilla,' or hike the short-but-steep trail up Diamond Head for gorgeous views of the southern coastline.

'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach

If you're dreaming of a Hawaii destination wedding with rural tropical view but the convenience of being in a big city, 'Alohilani Resort at Waikiki Beach could be a great option. It's across the street from Waikiki Beach, so weddings have the backdrop of Diamond Head and the Honolulu cityscape. The resort has plenty of places for your guests to hang out before and after the nuptials, including two pools, a swim-up pool bar, and private cabanas, and it's one of the most walkable hotels in Waikiki for guests who want to shop or try the city's restaurants.

The hotel offers three wedding packages starting at a very reasonable $3,500. The trade off is that the outdoor venue has views of the beach (next to the pool), but isn't on the beach. But if you're looking for a balance between cost and views, it could be an ideal choice.

Accommodations: The resort has a mix of room types, all of which have a modern seaside feel. Rooms range from partial ocean-view rooms to one- and two-bedroom suites with private lanais. Your guests can also splurge on rooms with access to the hotel's Longboard Club, giving them access to private outdoor spaces, a lounge with complimentary breakfasts, and afternoon and evening dinner and wine services.

Turtle Bay Resort

Turtle Bay Resort is a sprawling beach resort set on oceanfront cliffs on Oahu's north shore. While it doesn't have the walkability of hotels in Waikiki, it does have a more private resort feel and three pools (one just for adults). There are ongoing family activities throughout the week, making it a good Oahu wedding venue for anyone with plenty of kids in attendance. There's also an on-site spa, multiple restaurants, and a weekly "Hawaiian Cowboy Luau" that can serve as a fun group activity for guests who come early or stay late.

There are eight venues across the resort ranging from pavilions to ocean-view lawns to on the beach, and prices start around $7,500. It's best for larger destination weddings as most of the venues are sized for at least 100 guests. If you're hoping to elope and have dinner without a catered event portion, you can't book further than two months out.

Accommodations:

Turtle Bay Resort has some of the most varied accommodations of any Hawaii wedding venue. Guests can book Ocean Bungalows, which come with amenities like a private pool, separate check-in, and resort host. But most of the standard guest rooms still have private patios, and guests can add on club service to access the resort's private lounge area. Other options include suites or multi-room villas that can sleep up to 10 guests, ideal for families or wedding parties.

Kualoa Ranch

While Kualoa Ranch is primarily known for its tours and outdoor activities, it's also gained popularity as a wedding venue, probably for its lush greenery, majestic mountains, and picturesque ocean views. It's a popular filming location for movies that need picture-perfect tropical backdrops.

The massive ranch's wedding site is the Paliku Gardens, which has gorgeous views of Mokoli'i Island perfectly framed by tall palm trees. It doesn't offer Hawaii wedding packages, exactly, but it has preferred vendors couples can choose from who know the ranch's ins and outs to make sure your wedding runs smoothly. While there's no lodging on-site, there is plenty of parking, rooms for the wedding party to get ready, and a covered pavilion, plus room for a tent. Events must end by 10 p.m.

Accommodations: There's no lodging on site, so you'll need to bus guests in or ask them to drive. Kualoa Ranch sits just north of pretty Kaneohe Bay, so your guests can either stay on the bay at a resort like Paradise Bay Resort (a 10-minute) drive, or north of the ranch. Options closer to the north shore include the multo-room and more affordable condos at Pat's at Punalu'u or the Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore, which offers clean, mid-range lodging that won't break the bank for your guests.

Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute

The Lanikuhonua Cultural Center Chief Kākuhihewa was once one of the most important pieces of land on the island. It was the vacation property of Oahu ruler Chief Kākuhihewa. It later became the vacation property for wealthy business owners in the late 1930s, who gave it its name: Lanikuhonua, which means "where heaven meets earth."

The gorgeous venue has three different venues accommodating up to 1,000 guests, making it an excellent Oahu wedding venue for extremely large destination weddings. However, it also offers a 30-person microwedding package starting around $3,800, so it works well for very small Hawaii destination weddings, too.

Accommodations: The Lanikūhonua Cultural Institute is in the town of Kapolei and is only about 25 minutes from Oahu's main airport, so it's an easy place for guests to reach. Kapolei has plenty of hotels to accommodate even the largest of weddings, including the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa for guests with deeper pockets, or Embassy Suites by Hilton Oahu Kapolei and Hampton Inn & Suites Oahu/Kapolei for attendees trying to spend a little less.

Tiki Moon Weddings

Tiki Moon is a non-traditional wedding venue in Hawaii and perfect if you want the relaxed, barefoot feel of southern California with the open-air feeling (and scenery) of Hawaii. It's one of the more affordable wedding venues on Oahu, with garden and beach settings. It only does daytime weddings, with a cap of 30 guests. Or if you're doing something smaller, check out the venue's Hawaii elopement packages, starting around $2,900. Tiki Moon is a great choice for couples who want a personalized, more low-key celebration in Hawaii.

Accommodations: Tiki Moon has a variety of home and beach bungalow rentals on the property that can sleep anywhere between two and 10 guests. However, you can only rent them for 30 days at a time, so while that may work for a couple staying for a while, you may want to look elsewhere for your guests. The Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore is the closest, but Turtle Bay Resort is only 25 minutes away, and the very affordable Paradise Bay Resort is only five minutes farther.

Maui Wedding Venues

Photo: The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua

Many visitors think of Maui as the most romantic Hawaiian island, perhaps because it's filled with waterfalls, and its beaches are considered to be among the best in the world (as is the snorkeling). It's probably best known for the "Road to Hana," a winding road through dense rainforests and along dramatic coastal cliffs, but it also offers a plethora of cultural experiences and convenience for weddings too. It's why we named the destination and several of its esteemed properties among the best US destination wedding venues. It's also the second-easiest island to reach after Oahu, with many direct flights from the West Coast.

Guest Activities: Aside from diving the road to Hana, guests can go whale watching between November and May, or see the ocean without getting wet at the Maui Ocean Center. There are several luau options across the island, and the wide, sandy cove at Kapalua Bay is one of the prettiest beaches in the entire state.

Haiku Mill, Haiku

Haiku Mill isn't just one of the best destination wedding venues in Hawaii - it's one of the best destination wedding venues anywhere in North America. That's because it's so exceptionally unique—you won't find a venue like this anywhere else. It's an old sugar mill with a wide variety of places for your ceremony, from a courtyard beneath a 100-year-old mango tree to the central square of the old mill, now covered with lush, hanging vines. You can pretty much count on gorgeous photos, too, since it feels like an abandoned castle in a tropical forest. On weekends, you need to rent the whole space, but on weekdays, you can opt for smaller sections of the property for things like cocktail hours, welcome receptions, or photo shoots. If you're an outdoorsy couple eloping in Hawaii and can do it mid-week, it's hard to think of a better Oahu wedding venue than Haiku Mill.

Accommodations: Haiku Mill doesn't have onsite accommodations, so most people stay around Wailea. It's a little further (about 40 minutes from the venue) but has better access and more roads than closer towns, so your guests are less likely to get stuck in traffic. You also have dozens of hotel options in Wailea so you can give your guests a variety of price points. Good options include the fairly affordable Hale Kamaole Vacation Rentals, the mid-range Residence Inn, or the lux, adults-only Hotel Wailea.

Merriman's Kapalua, Kapalua

Merriman's Kapalua is one of the most well-known restaurants in Maui with an enviable location on a rocky outcropping with great views in every direction. So it's no surprise that it's one of the most desirable outdoor Hawaii wedding venues for couples expecting a maximum of about 50 guests. Ceremonies are held outdoors with cocktails on the outdoor deck and dinners under a private cabana — but if you don't mind having dinner indoors, a full buyout of the restaurant can accommodate up to 200 guests. Included at Merrimans for all weddings an on-site coordinator, rehearsal space, event set-up and break-down, decor set up, and assistance with securing your marriage license. Site fees start at a very reasonable $1,500.

Accommodations: There's only one road around the towns in West Maui, so it's important to have your guests stay as close to the venue as possible to avoid traffic delays. Fortunately, there are dozens of hotels within a five-minute drive, including the Ritz Carlton Maui Kapalua, the The Kapalua Villas Maui, Montage Kapalua Bay, Napili Village Hotel, and Napili Kai Beach Resort, among countless others. There are plenty of hotels in the area, so you won't have to worry about your guests finding a place to stay (even for last-minute bookers).

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua

Photo: The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua

The Kapalua coast of Maui is something out of a fairy-tale with black lava rocks jutting out to sea or rainbows sprinkling the bays. This Ritz-Carlton property, particularly, went through a recent multimillion dollar renovation.

With numerous wedding venue options (40, in fact), from the most intimate elopement locations to well-operated, large-scale functions on the lawn, couples will easily find the perfect place for both the ceremony and reception. One of the most picturesque and ethereal choices is the Banyan Tree Restaurant. Venue rental rates at the resort for the site fee (excluding catering, rentals and more) starts at $5,000.

Accommodations: With the renovation rollout in late 2022, expectations should be high for a five-star resort. (A win for everyone.) Couples and guests will have their choice between suites or rooms, some with Club Lounge access. The newest category is the Fire Lanai Collection, a premium room option that includes a lanai and fire pit. Your golf-adoring guests will especially appreciate a stay here as Kapalua is world-renowned for its courses. Plus, the pool isn't so bad too, as in the 10,000 square-foot-pool is one of the highest-rated options in all of Hawaii.

Wailea Beach Resort, Wailea

Photo: Wailea Beach Resort

If you're looking for Maui wedding venues where planning a celebration from afar is fairly simple, look at the pretty and elegant Wailea Beach Resort. It covers 22 acres near the shore, giving the resort's venues fantastic views of the beach and sunsets (and, if you're lucky, migrating humpback whales). Your Hawaii wedding package can be as robust (or not) as you'd like, which means the resort can handle everything from catering to decor to vendor sourcing to make it easy on couples who don't want to micromanage all the details.

It's an extremely convenient location for a Maui wedding, not just because your guests can stay on-site and not worry about driving, but because it has everything your attendees will want in one spot. There's an on-site spa, multiple pools, a movie theater, and a kids club, plus on-site activity booking service so your guests can enjoy everything from paddling a traditional Hawaiian canoe to a romantic candlelight dinner on the beach. Venue rental rates start around $4,000.

Accommodations: Booking a wedding at Wailea Beach Resort means your guests don't have to worry about transportation—and you'll have all your friends and family in one place all weekend. The resort has more than 500 rooms, all of which have private outdoor space. There are multiple room types, including suites, oceanfront rooms, rooms with outdoor bathtubs and fireplaces, and suites that sleep several couples. If you want your wedding to also be a vacation for your guests, Wailea Beach Resort is the spot.

Montage Kapalua Bay

Maui's Montage Resort on Kapalua Bay is a great wedding venue if you want to do some customizations, but don't want to deal with all the details. The five-star, all-suites resort has an elopement package ($9,500), which includes the ceremony, officiant, leis, and seating for 10—but you can add on features like photography or an orchid-petal aisle to customize the celebration. But it also welcomes larger celebrations of up to 60 guests, offering multiple venues and indoor or outdoor ceremony and reception spaces.

Accommodations: The Montage Kapalua Bay has no traditional hotel rooms; instead, it offers 56 one- to four-bedroom villas. All are extremely elegant with kitchen, living, and dining areas, and even the most "affordable" room would be considered a high-end suite at most hotels. The most exclusive are the "signature residences," which have different features ranging from private ocean-view lawns to private hot tubs and pools, depending on which you rent.

Hawai'i Big Island Wedding Venues

Photo: The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

The island of Hawaii is called "the Big Island" to avoid confusion, though there's another easy way to know if people are talking about the state or the island: the Big Island is spelled with an apostrophe: Hawai'i. The state name is spelled without. But as you may have guessed, Hawai'i is the largest of the main islands and offers a diverse topography. In fact, 11 of the world's 13 climate zones are on the island, and it's even been known to get snow. The Kona coast to the west has a lunar-like landscape (and is known for great coffee-growing conditions), while the north and east coasts are more moist and lush.

Guest Activities: The Big Island is the home of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, meaning your guests can see fresh lava flows, go hiking, or even take helicopter tours of the fascinating landscape. Coffee tours abound in Kona, and inland, options range from horseback riding to ATV tours to world-class stargazing. As with all islands, the snorkeling and diving is top-notch, and in the winter, humpback whale viewing boat tours are a must.

The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is one of the prettiest high-end beach resorts on the Big Island, with a sprawling resort that balances amenities like multiple pools and bars without feeling overdeveloped or theme park-y. It sits on a less-developed section of coastline, so it feels natural and secluded (though it also means your guests may need to rent cars to do much exploring). That said, your guests will be able to walk to several beaches and use the free shuttle to the beaches of nearby Kaunaʻoa Bay.

The Westin has several Hawaii wedding packages ranging from $8,000 to $13,000, plus food and beverage minimums. You can mix and match what ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception spaces you want. If you're having a small destination be sure to check out the small lawn at Turtle Point, with perfect sunset views and a huge tree that perfectly frames the ceremony space.

Accommodations: Easy, peasy: the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort has plenty of accommodations for everyone, from standard king hotel rooms up to suites with private lanais. All 249 rooms have access to amenities like the resort concierge, outdoor pools and hottubs, the nearby ocean-view golf course, and more. But it's not inexpensive: like most hotels in this area, the starting rate is around $600, plus resort fee.

The Royal Kona Resort

The Royal Kona Resort is a rare find on the big island: it's a full beachfront resort with a spa, a private beach, and even an on-site luau — but rooms start in the $200s per night. That makes it an ideal choice for a Hawaii wedding venue if you want to ensure as many of your invitees as possible are able to attend.

Wedding ceremony venues range from a lava rock platform to in front of a private lagoon to a covered ocean-view patio. The resort offers several Hawaii wedding packages ranging starting at $3,900, ranging from packages that include everything you need for a small elopement to a large celebration followed by a private luau.

Accommodations: Your guests will love how affordable the Royal Kona Resort's accommodations are, especially considering how elegant the resort feels. Rooms are surprisingly large and have private patios or lanais spread across three towers (all walkable to one another). Guests can also add on amenities like car rentals or daily breakfast through the hotel.

The Kona Salt Farm

Hawaii doesn't hurt for beach wedding venues, but the Salt Farm is unique among them. It's the only salt farm on the island and has a deep, wide beach dotted with green plants, lava rock, and beach grasses that wave in the breeze. It's a private beach venue, so you don't need to worry about having anyone in the background of your photos, and the beach's outdoor fire pits add a romantic vibe once the sun goes down.

What gives the Salt Farm an advantage over some of the pretty venues at public beaches and state parks is that it has on-site amenities ro make hosting easy, like bridal suites, an on-site prep kitchen, a covered lounge.

Accommodations: The Salt Farm is in Kona, which has literally dozens of hotels, resorts, and vacation home rentals. It's also one of the more affordable destinations on the island, with hotels like Kona Reef Resort and the Castle Kona Bali Kai starting under $200 a night. More luxurious four-star resorts like OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa and Honu Kai Bed & Breakfast start under $300, and five-star resorts like the Holualoa Inn and Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa (just to the north) are a bit less expensive than they'd be in tourist towns on Maui or Kauai. Because there are so many hotels, you can let your guests pick their own accommodations if you'd rather not deal with arranging a room block.

Kauai Wedding Venues

Photo: The Meritage Collection

Kauai, the northernmost and fourth-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, is known for its rugged beauty that sets it apart from the other islands. The most dramatic characteristic of the island is the stunning Na Pali Coast, with massive cliffs that rise roughly 4,000 feet above the turquoise ocean. But the island has plenty of other stunning landscapes, including the gorgeous Waimea Canyon. Kauai's comparatively smaller size and lower population density contribute to a more laid-back and intimate atmosphere than you'd find on Maui or Oahu, making it ideal for couples looking for a Hawaii wedding venue in a more tranquil and secluded (but still accessible) setting.

Guest Activities:

In addition to plenty of beaches, hiking, and outdoor sightseeing along Waimea Canyon, guests can explore the Nāpali Coast via boat tour or helicopter tour (or hiking, for the very fit). Guests can also choose from dozens of sunset or snorkeling sailing tours and tour botanical gardens, or choose something more unusual like river tubing through historic sites or learn how to harvest coffee at Kauai Coffee. There are also lots of ocean-view golf courses for guests who would rather hit the links.

Koloa Landing Resort at Poʻipu Beach

You can get married facing sunset and the Pacific or within the gardens of the resort at this popular hotel. Most couples choose an evening sunset ceremony–weather-permitting. After the ceremony, your guests can move to an outdoor reception on the large lawn under outdoor market lights. Also an Autograph Collection property, couples who want their Marriott Bonvoy points to go the extra mile should have discussions with the team about adding on a potential minimoon after the wedding.

Accommodations: Guests and couples can choose between standard hotel rooms or villas. Many come equipped with washers and dryers since the Kauai is all about adventure. Typically for weddings, though, couples book the one or two-bedroom villas for getting ready moments. Teeming with lush Kauai flora and Poipu Beach, just steps away, the resort is a welcome respite for those who also want to retreat between wedding festivities. (Koloa Landing's pool, in fact, is one of the most beloved in Hawaii!)

Koʻa Kea Resort on Poʻipu Beach, Kauai

Ko'a Kea Resort is one of the best Hawaii wedding venues for small-to-medium sized destination weddings, accommodating up to 60 attendees. It's an ideal Kauai wedding venue for couples who want to take the stress out of planning as it has multiple packages that include almost everything you'll need to get hitched in Hawaii. It also has specials for elopements and vow renewals, plus romantic add-ons you (or your guests) can add to your room booking.

The hotel also has a generous room block policy that includes spa credits and complimentary rooms for the couple and a rentable private dining space for rehearsal dinners or smaller gatherings. Packages start around $3,600, and room rates start in the $500s per night.

National Tropical Botanical Garden

If it's the lush, tropical flora of the islands drawing you to start exploring Hawaii wedding venues, you'll want to consider the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai. It has the largest collection of Hawaiian plants in the world and covers more than 2,000 acres. Naturally, that creates several wedding venues to choose from, including a meadow large enough for your ceremony and reception, a tropical garden, or in a private gazebo next to a secluded waterfall. It's a great Kauai wedding venue for any size wedding as it can accommodate anything from elopements up to weddings of 400 guests. And with no limitations on which vendors you can use, you'll have the freedom to customize your celebration however you prefer.

Accommodations: The Botanical Garden doesn't have on-site lodging, but the town of Poipu is under two miles away and has some of the best resorts on Kauai. Your guests can choose the hotel that suits them the best, as pricey hotels like the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa and Koloa Landing Resort at Po'ipu are just a few minutes from more affordable options like Prince Kuhio 323 Condos.

Common Ground Kauai

Couples who care about low-impact, sustainable weddings — which can be especially hard to pull off when your guests are flying from afar — may find that the modern farm community of Common Ground Kauai is their perfect venue. It's a former guava farm that now not only aims to practice regenerative farming, but also hosts community events, classes, and workshops, and serves as a marketplace for locally sourced products. You can get married next to a garden pond, on a spacious lawn, or on the stunning raised Eucalyptus tree canopy, with natural framing of the distant mountains. There's also a large indoor event space if you'd rather have dinner indoors before partying on the lanai.

Accommodations: Common Ground is on the north shore of the island, very close to remote beaches and stunning hiking trails. The closest hotels are in Princeville, about 25 minutes away. There, you'll find affordable options like the condos at Hale Moi or the Club Wyndham Ka Eo Kai, mid-range resorts like Alii Kai Resort and Makai Club Resort, and more luxury options, like The Westin Princeville.

Lanai Wedding Venues

Photo: Four Seasons

Believe it or not, 98 percent of Lanai, the small island off the coast of Maui, is owned by one person. That means there are very few hotels on Lanai, and the ones that are there tend to be quite expensive. So it's a trade-off: it's one of the most pristine, undeveloped islands in the entire Pacific Ocean, but it comes at a price. Make sure your guests can afford to stay there, or choose it if you're planning an intimate wedding, but celebrating with a bigger group somewhere else.

Guest Activities: There's a lot of activity packed into a tiny space. Duffers should hit the links on one of the two challenging courses. Water bugs can check out sea life on a snorkeling trip—look out for the Rectangular Trigger, Hawaii's state fish. And active landlubbers can go off-roading on guided 4x4 tours. There are plenty of scenic spots and serene lanais for lounging and simply soaking up the sun

Four Seasons Lanai

The Four Seasons Lanai may be the most exclusive Four Seasons resort in Hawaii, both in terms of cost and access: it sits on a stretch of beach with few other neighbors in sight, creating the feel of being on a private island. Amenities at the lux resort include complimentary yoga dn acultural classes, free shuttle service to Lanai City, full access to the resort's botanical garden, complimentary snorkel gear, and more.

Couples can choose between beach or wedding venues and choose from Hawaii wedding packages ranging from an elopement package ($4,500) to a luxury wedding package for 30 guests ($20,500). Thirty is also the cap on the number of guests you can have, so if your celebration is going to be bigger, consider instead heading to the Four Season Lanai for a mini-honeymoon after your wedding on another island.

Accommodations: Accommodations at this Lanai wedding venue are pricey, but spectacular. All the rooms and suites have stunning ocean views and are filled with materials, decor, and art inspired by the Hawaiian islands. Even your guests in standard guest rooms (which aren't at all "standard,") will have amenities like bath products made with local kukui nut oil and twice-a-day housekeeping services.