The 10 Dreamiest Wedding Locales in Hawaii
Haiku Mill, Grand Wailea, Shipwreck Beach—did someone say dream wedding?
If real estate and getting married have anything in common, it’s that location matters. A lot. Fortunately, there are many gorgeous wedding locales in the Hawaiian Islands—and almost any beach, bay or hotel will provide world-class views. Below are 10 places that will make your wedding day just a bit more special—and will probably give you a good idea of where you want to honeymoon.
1. Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Maui
If you’re looking for something all-inclusive with a perfect backdrop for your wedding pics, consider the Grand Wailea on Maui, which offers couples three different private wedding locales, all equally beautiful and memorable. If you want your toes in the sand while saying, “I do,” Wailea Beach is a great option. Or opt for Molokini Bluff, an oceanfront lawn on the resort’s expansive property. And then there’s the Grand Wailea’s seaside chapel, which looks straight out of a fairy tale, surrounded by a quaint lake and looking out over the big, blue Pacific. Wedding packages include an overnight stay in one of the resort’s oceanview rooms, two hours of photography, floral bouquets and lei, a traditional tiered wedding cake and Champagne, a guitar or ukulele player for your ceremony and a post-wedding couples treatment at the spa. grandwailea.com, (808) 875-1234.
2. Sunset Ranch Hawaii, Oahu
Located high on the slopes of Pupukea, this 30-acre North Shore gem offers couples an expansive green space for small to large weddings, as well as a bird’s-eye view of Oahu’s picturesque northern coastline. The private estate, which boasts six different venues, also houses a botanical garden, horse ranch and avocado and citrus farms. sunsetranchhawaii.com, (808) 638-8333.
3. Hilton Garden Inn, Kauai
The Hilton Garden Inn on Kauai offers versatile spaces for every kind of Island wedding. Its private gazebo is perfect for a small, intimate wedding ceremony, and offers a view of the sparkling waters and golden sands of Wailua Bay. The hotel’s ballrooms and other outdoor spaces—there are more than 7,000 square feet of venue space here—can accommodate larger weddings. Couples can choose from several wedding packages, including Jewish and interfaith ceremonies and vow renewals. hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com, (808) 892-1820.
4. Haiku Mill, Maui
Getting married in an old sugarcane processing site might not sound romantic, but the Haiku Mill has made an impressive transformation over its 150-year lifespan. The North Maui property now flaunts French-inspired decor, tastefully overgrown walls and a wide array of flowers and plants spread throughout. The venue can accommodate up to 100 people, so think smaller, more intimate ceremonies. haikumill.com, (808) 575-9994.
5. Keoneloa Bay, Kauai
Picking just one beach on Kauai to tie the knot at can be a difficult choice, but one popular option is Keoneloa Bay, often referred to as Shipwreck Beach. White sands, turquoise seas and stunning natural rock formations give the beach a unique and photogenic appeal—and a nearby parking lot makes it an accessible and convenient destination.
6. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, Oahu
Photo: Courtesy Hilton Hawaii
Choosing between the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s two on-property wedding venues is no easy task. You can either ascend the landscaped stairway to the open two-story AKALA Chapel & Gazebo, fronted by waterfalls, or exchange vows in the gorgeous White Beach Chapel with breathtaking views of Waikiki Beach. Neither will disappoint. And the resort offers several spacious ballrooms for your wedding reception—and an outdoor garden space that can comfortably accommodate up to 120 guests. hiltonhawaiianvillage.com, (808) 949-4321.
7. Kahua Ranch, Hawaii Island
The Big Island is perfect for big weddings—and Kahua Ranch in Kamuela offers a charming and rustic locale for your special day. The working ranch features three event venues, including a 1,600-square-foot covered deck attached to a working barn and a 3,000-square-foot lawn space with ocean views. kahua-ranch.com, (808) 882-4646).
8. St. Benedict’s Painted Church, Hawaii Island
If you’re Catholic (or even if you’re not) and looking for a special church to get hitched in, check out St. Benedict’s Painted Church in the coffee town of Captain Cook, about a 45-minute drive from downtown Kona. The historic one-of-a-kind church boasts colorful fresco paintings and vaulted ceilings, and has turned into a popular visitor destination. The church, which has been in use since 1902, hasn’t changed much since it was first built, retaining every bit of its country charm. thepaintedchurchhawaii.org.
SEE ALSO: St. Benedict’s Painted Church in Kona is a One-of-a-Kind Artistic Wonder
9. Secret Island Beach, Oahu
Sandwiched between the epic Koolau Mountains and Mokolii Island (Chinaman’s Hat), Secret Island Beach may be hard to reach, but the views are well worth the trouble. The easiest way to plan your wedding here is by coordinating with Kualoa Ranch, a 4,000-acre working ranch on Oahu’s eastern coast. To get to this intimate, secluded beach, you’ll have to take a five-minute catamaran ride across an 800-year-old fishpond to the beach’s isolated shores. The venue holds up to 50 guests and the beach has restrooms, picnic tables, grassy areas, dining tents and shade trees. kualoaranch.com, (808) 237-7321.
10. Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hawaii Island
For some couples, a garden wedding is better than any chapel or beach, and the Hilton Waikoloa Village’s Palace Garden is the prime example of outdoor elegance. Looking out over Waiulua Bay, this space catches the sunset perfectly. Or opt for the resort’s open-air wedding chapel—the Hale Aloha—with ocean views, or the Grand Staircase, which overlooks the resort’s lagoon and waterfall. hiltonwaikoloavillage.com, (808) 886-1234.
