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12 Small Wedding Venues in Hawaii for Your Dream Island Celebration

Tie the knot at one of the most gorgeous spots on the islands.
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by
Lauren Nowack
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Lauren Nowack
The Knot Contributor
  • Lauren is a freelance writer for The Knot Worldwide.
  • While Lauren has been writing her whole life, she began her career by travel writing and reviewing outdoor gear.
  • Lauren is passionate about encouraging people planning a wedding to make it exactly what they want and need it to be.
Updated May 03, 2024

Different destinations lend themselves to various types of weddings, and Hawaii certainly specializes in creating unforgettable celebrations for intimate groups. The best small wedding venues in Hawaii will get you access to stunning spots only a few people can go to at a time, whether that is a mountainside cliff overlooking a cacao farm or a waterfall tucked within a lush forest. Of course, there are plenty of beautiful beach spots on our list to ensure there's something for everyone figuring out how to plan a small wedding. Once you have your small wedding venue picked out, you'll be well on your way to a dreamy, destination wedding.

Summer House Weddings & Events in Honolulu, Hawaii

With various ceremony sites to choose from and an award-winning restaurant on-site, Summer House Weddings & Events is a couture wedding company ready to make your wildest wedding dreams come to life. The building's second floor has two stunning chapels which seat 40 and 60 people each, both with views of the ocean and city skyline. For outdoor options, the flower garden seats 40 while up to 100 guests can watch you exchange vows under the building's grand archway. For your reception, head to 53 By the Sea and use one of their three private dining rooms that hold 40, 18 and 12 guests each or buyout the whole restaurant for groups of 150. With first-class service, floor-to-ceiling windows for ocean views and a team exclusively focused on making weddings happen, Summer House Weddings is an excellent choice for a small wedding in Hawaii.

  • Guest Capacity: 40 in Naupaka Chapel, 60 in Kaui Chapel, 40 in Flower Garden, 100 at Grand Arch, 40, 18, 12 in Private Dining Rooms at 53 By The Sea or 150 for a full buyout

Male'ana Gardens in Kailua, Hawaii

If you're seeking small wedding venues in Oahu, look no further than Male'ana Gardens in Kailua. Capping out at 20 people for celebrations, including the couple, this venue focuses solely on ensuring every detail of your day is executed perfectly. The gardens and landscapes are curated throughout the winter for the wedding season, creating numerous spots for jaw-dropping photos during your ceremony and reception. With the ability to stay on the grounds for a few days, your special day will turn into a week to remember, and you'll have the photos to prove it.

  • Guest Capacity: 20

Maui Pineapple Chapel in Lahaina, Hawaii

While the Maui Pineapple Chapel began its life as a church, it is now quite popular among Hawaii's small wedding venues. Set just steps away from Kapalua Cliffs, the natural beauty of this venue is perfect for the quintessential we-got-hitched-in-Hawaii photos. The chapel and reception hall are connected, allowing 70 people to attend an indoor ceremony. Afterward, roll away the wall separating the spaces and host up to 100 people in the reception hall. Outdoor ceremonies on the Makai Lawn, Mau'u Terrace or cliffside are easily accommodated as well, but this is a wonderful option if you'd like to have a plan B if weather rolls in on your day.

  • Guest Capacity: 70 in the chapel, 100 in the reception hall, 500 on Makai Lawn

Queen Emma Summer Palace in Honolulu, Hawaii

Once home to Queen Emma of Hawaii, her husband King Kamehameha IV and their son Prince Albert Edward, the Queen Emma Summer Palace now sits as a museum showcasing Hawaii's history and royalty. With lush gardens, enormous trees and a mountain breeze, many couples choose to get married on Prince Albert Terrace—a stone patio that holds 50 seated guests. Hold your reception outside in the courtyard or in the Emmalani Hale room, which was constructed from lava rock and has an open floor plan. While the room holds 100 for a banquet, that number goes down as soon as you add a dance floor or other tables. As this is run by The Daughters of Hawaii, a nonprofit, it is an excellent choice for those on a smaller budget.

  • Guest Capacity: 50 on Prince Albert Terrace, 100 in the courtyard and Emmalani Hale Room

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Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Kapolei, Hawaii

If you're looking for Hawaii wedding packages for 50 guests, plus or minus a few, grab the Lōkahi Package from Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Kapolei, Hawaii. Included in this arrangement is everything from the chairs at the ceremony and reception sites to an officiant for your ceremony and an experienced day-of wedding coordinator. You'll also snag the exclusive Fairy Tale Disney Wedding gift after you tie the knot holding a seasonal Hawaiian bouquet or lei. With two hours of professional photography, a ukulele player, guitarist or harpist and plenty of other bells and whistles, there is little left for you to plan once you meet with your Aulani wedding coordinator. For small weddings, host your ceremony with up to 60 guests on the 'Ama'ama Patio and stay in the fresh air for your reception if you have less than 30 or head inside for a ballroom party.

  • Guest Capacity (ceremony/reception): 60 on 'Ama'ama Patio for ceremony, 30 on 'Ama'ama Patio for reception, 50 on Rainbow Reef Patio, 100 in Ka'ala Ballroom, 280 on Halawai Lawn, additional venues available for large groups

The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii

Situated right on Kaimana Beach, The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel is ready and willing to help make your small Hawaii wedding dreams come true. The hotel's private, oceanfront dining room, named Hale Hau, overlooks the beach and hosts a reception of up to 18 guests. Upstairs, a lounge holds up to 30 after a ceremony on the attached porch. With plenty of accommodations for guests and in-house experiences like traditional lei making, yoga, pasta making and an intro to ukulele class, this spot is great for couples seeking to create a peaceful vacation atmosphere for their guests.

  • Guest Capacity: 18 in Hale Hau Room, 30 in the lounge

Waimea Valley in Haleiwa, Hawaii

A list of the best small intimate wedding venues in Hawaii wouldn't be complete without at least one ceremony location in front of a waterfall, which is exactly why we included Waimea Valley. This venue's 40-foot, rain-fed waterfall is an ideal spot for ceremonies of up to 50 people. Afterward, go to the Proud Peacock room with its bright windows and vintage bar for an intimate reception or the Hale Hoike, an open-air pavilion that provides just a bit of shelter from the elements while enjoying fresh Hawaiian air. Larger groups can party down in one of the many lawns or Pikake Pavilion. Many couples choose the Main Lawn, as the enormous Monkeypod Tree is a picturesque centerpiece for your vows.

  • Guest Capacity: 50 at the waterfall, 50 at Puhala Lawn, 100 at Palm Meadow, 50 at Hale Hoike Pavilion, 300 on the main lawn, 300 At Pikake Pavilion, 25 at Proud Peacock

Sanctuary Estate Hawaii in Honolulu, Hawaii

While so many of Hawaii's small wedding packages take you to the beach, Sanctuary Estate Hawaii is a bit unique. Located on a farm growing cacao, lilikoi, papaya and bananas, the off-grid and award-winning modern farmhouse is ready to host your intimate wedding on its lawn. The largest package includes a four-night stay within the Sanctuary Estate for you and your guests. Around the property, you will find plenty of native species, a bustling stream, a walking bridge up in the tree canopy and a large porch overlooking the lawn, each a photo-ready spot for portraits any day of the week.

  • Guest Capacity: 35

Hawaii Vista Weddings at Manana Hills Estate in Pearl City, Hawaii

Centrally located in Oahu, Hawaii Vista Weddings at Manana Hills Estate is one of the more secluded small wedding venues in Hawaii. The two ceremony locations each provide a backdrop of the Waianae Mountains, while a reception can be held in the garden or inside the venue and on the outdoor patio. Manana Hills Estate limits ceremonies to 20 people and receptions to 18 to ensure the intimacy of the space and top-notch service. If you choose the Adventure Elopement site, you will take a short ATV ride to a platform ceremony site on the edge of a cliff, able to hold 10 people. An additional tree house and bamboo forest provide more photo backdrops and places to explore on the 40-acre estate. This all-inclusive micro-wedding venue provides everything you need for a stress-free minimony or elopement.

  • Guest Capacity: 20

Montage Kapalua Bay in Lahaina, Hawaii

Montage Kapalua Bay is a 24-acre resort that doubles as one of the more stunning small wedding venues in Maui, Hawaii. With various Hawaii micro-wedding packages available, you can quickly tailor this spot's offerings to your needs. The Namalu Lawn holds up to 40 guests, while smaller parties can retire to The Cliff House for a private, cliffside meal for 16. For slightly larger groups, tie the knot on The Point, the oceanfront lawn that hosts up to 60 for the ceremony, dinner and dancing. Hosting only one wedding per day and having plenty of accommodations for all in attendance makes this one of the best spots for an intimate Hawaii wedding.

  • Guest Capacity: 16 in the Cliff House, 40 on Namalu Lawn, 60 at The Point

Kailana Chapel with The Best Hawaii Wedding in Honolulu, Hawaii

Tucked on the eastern shore of Oahu, Kailana Chapel gives couples a view of the ocean and the mountains through its large windows that allow in so much natural light. The ivory stone and cream walls create a warm atmosphere inside. For those wanting to be outdoors, the Kailana Garden and Deck gives similar views on the green lawn outside for up to 20 guests. While the chapel can seat 50, the indoor reception room only holds 26. With available add-ons like an ice cream stand, ukulele musician and professional photographers and videographers, this can easily be an all-inclusive venue for your Hawaii micro-wedding.

  • Guest Capacity: 20 on the garden and deck, 26 in the reception room, 50 in the chapel

Villas By The Cove in Kihei, Hawaii

Outdoor patio area with a swimming pool and swaying palm trees
Photo: Villas By The Cove

If you're looking for a centrally located wedding venue that provides privacy and luxury without compromising on access to the beach, shopping and nightlife, check out Villas By The Cove. The entire estate has nine villas, a beach house, two townhomes, a yoga studio, swimming pool and event pavilion. If you book the whole property, 75 guests can stay and celebrate with you. While you can have your ceremony on the property, it is just steps away from two gorgeous local beaches where you can tie the knot before returning to the event pavilion for a reception. With plenty of beach equipment and well-kept grounds, this location turns your Hawaii wedding into a week-long vacation.

  • Guest Capacity: 30 in the event pavilion, 75 on the lawn