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Updated Oct 30, 2023The Best Hawaiian Destination Wedding Spots
Here's where to say "I do" in paradise.
BRANDI TOOLE PHOTOGRAPHY
Year-round gorgeous weather, world-class beaches, and some of the most dramatic sunsets on the planet make the Aloha State rather hard to beat when it comes to romance. If you're dreaming of a Hawaii destination wedding, we're here to help. We've rounded up a few of our favorite Hawaii wedding venues on each island so that you can find the best fit. Whether you're hoping for a laid-back oceanside ceremony in Kauai or a glamorous garden wedding in Maui, we've got you covered. Read on to see the best places to host your Hawaii destination wedding—then head to The Knot to book your dream spot.
Hawaii Wedding Venues: Oahu
Why: The liveliest of the Hawaiian islands, Oahu is more densely populated than the others—and most widely-visited by tourists. Honolulu, the island's most famous city, is located here, as is Waikiki, home of the island's main entertainment district and a hopping nightlife scene. But Oahu is still packed with natural beauty and native culture, and is the most convenient island for a destination wedding because it has the biggest airport and the most frequent direct flights from the mainland.
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.
Turtle Bay Resort
Just 45 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu is Turtle Bay, a large lush resort encompassing over five miles of beach. Each room and cottage has views of the ocean, and two championship golf courses ensure that your link-loving guests will be well entertained.
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Halekulani
Host your wedding at one of the biggest and best on Oahu, and where the A-listers stay. Spend your wedding night (or longer) in the Vera Wang Suite, created by the eponymous bridal designer, complete with a selection of signature beauty products, favorite movies and butler service.
Kualoa Ranch
Love & Aloha Photography
One of the more iconic Hawaiian wedding venues, this expansive natural reserve is equal parts charming and exquisite. With 4,000 acres of land to work with, you'll be able to plan the Hawaii destination wedding of your dreams.
Lanikuhonua Cultural Center
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Known as "where heaven meets earth," this gorgeous venue is the perfect backdrop for your wedding day. Exchange vows in front of the ocean and then dance the night away on the scenic lawn.
Dillingham Ranch
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This adorable ranch has a breathtaking natural aisle—made possible by two tall rows of palm trees. After the ceremony, celebrate your nuptials in the barn (complete with string lights, of course).
Sunset Ranch Hawaii
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Get the best of both worlds by having your wedding at Sunset Ranch in Maui. The outdoor spot offers views of the Pacific Ocean and the Waimea Valley. After you exchange vows, enjoy the company of your loved ones in the gorgeous open-air barn.
Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
If you want options (or maybe your family has differing ideas about venue you should use), consider the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina. Ceremony and reception spaces vary between an oceanfront spot, a historic chapel, a tropical garden, a gorgeous ballroom or an expansive lawn.
Hawaii Wedding Venues: Hawaii, the Big Island
Why: The island of Hawaii is called the Big Island to avoid confusion. As you may have guessed, it's the largest in the chain and offers incredibly diverse topography. In fact, 11 of the world's 13 climate zones can be found on the island (there's even snow on top of the highest mountains). The landscape varies dramatically as you travel around the perimeter of the Big Island. The Kona coast to the west has a lunar-like landscape, while the north and east coasts are wet and super-lush.
Guest Activities: Check out the lava oozing from the Kilauea volcano on a hiking tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park—or, for a better view, take a helicopter tour. Additionally, explore the rain forest region of the island, go horseback riding, strap on snorkel gear and get to know the reefs, or just laze on the beach sipping tropical drinks.
Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel
Serious golfers and beach lovers alike will appreciate the Hapuna's location—surrounded by an Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole golf course and asserting a prominent presence over one of the nicest beaches on the Big Island. Choose from poolside venues, perfect for cocktail hours, to rugged grassy lava bluffs overlooking the Pacific.
Mauna Lani Luxury Resort
Courtesy of Mauna Lani Luxury Resort
This spot opened in January 2020, but it's already become an iconic Hawaiiain destination wedding spot. Choose from the thirteen indoor and outdoor wedding spaces on the property. The scenery and integration of Hawaiian culture create a true old-Hawaii feel while the modern amenities make it feel on-trend and luxurious.
Royal Kona Resort
Looking for the ultimate hawaii wedding venue? Check out Royal Kona Resort, which offers a gorgeous wedding set up. Exchange vows at their oceanside venue, craft a customized menu alongside an award-winning chef, and enjoy help from on-site day-of coordinators. The best part? Your guests won't have to travel to or from the ceremony—they'll be just a few steps away in their rooms.
Hawaii Wedding Venues: Maui
Why: Many visitors think of Maui as the most romantic Hawaiian island, perhaps because it's filled with waterfalls and rainbows. Its beaches are considered to be among the best in the world.
Guest Activities: Active visitors will want to head for the west coast, known fondly to some as the "Golf Coast," and surfers (or aspiring ones) will find some of the world's most famous waves here. Drive along the amazing Road to Hana, a jaw-dropping route hugging cliffs that overlook beaches and lush jungle. Of course, snorkeling, kayaking, whale-watching, and all the activities you'd expect from a tropical paradise should be on the agenda too.
Haiku Mill
Matias Ezcurra / NV Maui Media
If you're looking for a non-beach Hawaii wedding venue, consider Haiku Mill, a converted sugar mill on the island of Maui. (It's where Bachelor stars Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Lauren Burnham married.) The lush greenery makes the location feel like a tropical enchanted forest, adding even more magic to your special moment.
The Fairmont Kea Lani
A few of Kea Lani's many lures: a privileged position on Maui's Polo Beach, where you can snorkel, sail, and windsurf; a swank group of signature suites with dreamy views of the shoreline; and the Honi Honi Romance package (highlights include a private dinner and a sunset cruise).
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
MeewMeew Studios
Get married with a backdrop that looks straight out a postcard. On top of the jaw-dropping views, the Four Seasons Maui offers top-notch service, as they only host one wedding a day (read: your event will be front and center).
Ho'oilo House
A beautiful Balinese-inspired bed-and-breakfast with a total of five rooms, this is a great option for couples wishing to take over an entire property. This intimate, secluded location offers sweeping views off the ocean.
Palauea Beach
Samantha Takes A Photo,Simply Eloped
For a quintessential Hawaii destination wedding, get married at Palauea Beach. The white sands, sparkling blue waters and unobstructed views make for a jaw-dropping Hawaii wedding venue.
Hale O Aloha
MeewMeew Studios
In Hawaiian, "Hale O Aloha" means "House of Aloha." This adorable Hawaiian wedding venue has a grand ballroom, a private bridal suite, a stunning spiral staircase, a restaurant-quality kitchen and a beautiful outdoor space.
Hawaii Wedding Venues: Kauai
Why: Kauai is known as the "Garden Island" for its incredibly lush tropical landscape. It remains the least developed of the four main islands, and life here tends to move at a slower pace. Although Kauai's Mount Waialeale is considered the wettest spot on earth (it receives an average of more than four hundred inches of rainfall per year), the island's southern coast is perpetually sunny.
Guest Activities: Take a surf lesson, get an aerial view of the island's beauty during a helicopter tour, and hike the Kalalau Trail, a rigorous trek through some of the island's most breathtaking terrain. For a bit of history, tour one of Hawaii's few remaining operating sugar mills.
Montage Kapalua Bay
NADYA VYSOTSKAYA PHOTOGRAPHY
Say "I do" in style at the Montage in Kapalua Bay. Whether you opt for an gorgeous oceanside ceremony or dance the night away on the sunset patio, this luxurious resort will help bring your dream wedding to life.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
Lush gardens, gorgeous ocean views, a Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course, and amazing ANARA Spa treatments are a few of the draws of this Kauai resort. Exchange vows on the Regency Club lawn in the beautiful white wedding gazebo, where your ceremony will be framed by the placid ocean beyond.
National Tropical Botanical Garden
NAOMI WONG PHOTOGRAPHY
Take in the immaculate ocean views and tropical trees as you exchange vows in the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Poipu, Hawaii.
Hawaii Wedding Venues: Lanai
Why: What other island can lay claim to being home to both a "Garden of the Gods" and a croquet lawn? As one of the smallest of Hawaii's islands, Lanai is a quiet tropical paradise that has retained much of its native culture but doesn't shortchange visitors in search of luxe. Thanks to the Dole company setting up shop here at the turn of the last century, Lanai is nicknamed "Pineapple Island." High-end resorts and local hotels coexist alongside the central highlands that tumble into the blue Pacific.
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 Resort Lana'i
The brand's legendary service lives on at the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i and at the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i, The Lodge at Koele. The lodge offers the charm of a country manor while couples at Manele Bay can exchange vows Cliffside, in gardens, or on Hulopoe Beach.
Hotel Lanai
Also located in the central highlands, the oldest hotel on the island, Hotel Lanai retains the laid-back spirit it has had since its inception as a retreat for executives of the Dole (as in Dole pineapples) Company. Its small scale—10 rooms and a cottage—allows your guests to get to know each other well.
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