Hawaii's beautiful scenery and rich culture make it a popular wedding destination.
Planning a wedding can be tough, but if you've chosen to hold yours in Hawaii, you certainly won't struggle to find a great location. In fact, with so many picturesque potential wedding venues dotted around Hawaii's eight main islands, you may find yourself spoiled with choices. From spectacular coves to quaint chapels, Hawaii has truly special settings for every type of wedding, be it a large gathering for friends and family or something much more intimate.
St. Peter's Church, Big Island
If you're planning a church wedding, one quintessentially Hawaiian venue is St. Peter's Church, often known as the "painted church" or the "little blue church." The distinctive appearance to which it owes those nicknames has also made this intimate chapel one of the most photographed buildings in Hawaii and a popular image on postcards. The church is Catholic, but weddings are available for all denominations. Not to be confused with St. Benedict's, another "painted church" on the island, St. Peter's stands at the north end of the Kahalu'u Beach Park, which provides not only a picturesque backdrop, but also some of the best snorkeling on the island. St. Peter's Church is available as a venue in packages offered by several Hawaiian wedding planning companies, including Kona Weddings, Hawaiian Island Wedding Planners and Beach Weddings Hawaii.
Makena Cove, Maui
If you have a mental picture of a Hawaiian beach wedding, there's a strong chance that picture looks a lot like Makena Cove, otherwise known as Paako Beach. Small in size, it offers pristine white sands bounded by lava on either side. It is sometimes referred to as "the secret beach" because of its secluded location, but the accuracy of that nickname is under threat: Makena is so spectacularly beautiful that it has become one of Hawaii's most popular wedding venues. Evenings are particularly popular, as Makena Cove is famed for offering particularly beautiful sunset vistas. At peak times, four weddings can take place at once, so if you have your heart set on Makena, you may wish to have a morning or afternoon ceremony. All Ways Maui'd, Island Wedding Memories and A Paradise Dream Wedding are among the many firms offering Makena Cove wedding packages.
Waterfall Weddings
Head away from the beaches and into the interior of Hawaii's islands and you will find spectacular waterfalls. A waterfall backdrop, as rugged as it is romantic, can add a definite sense of drama to a wedding. Kona Weddings offers a package that will take an entire wedding party by 4x4 van into the heart of the Big Island's untouched tropical paradise, accompanied by a skilled guide, to a ceremony location said to have been a beloved swimming spot of King Kamehameha I. You, too, can take a dip after the ceremony. If the image of the waterfall appeals to you but the rainforest trek seems less romantic, you may wish to try the Pukalani Falls Wedding Garden, on Oahu, for a less wild waterfall wedding experience.
'Imiloa Astronomy Center, Big Island
Quaint chapels, beautiful beaches and rugged waterfalls may spring more readily to the mind when thinking of Hawaiian wedding locations, but to find a truly unique setting for your ceremony, it's sometimes necessary to think outside the box. The 'Imiloa Astronomy Center is just the kind of quirky venue that your guests may not expect, and one they certainly won't forget. With a hall seating up to 180 people, it can accommodate large gatherings, while the planetarium could provide some unconventional and spectacular wedding entertainment. Hold your ceremony on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, and you could also take advantage of exclusive hire of the 100-capacity Sky Garden restaurant.
Tags: Makena Cove, Peter Church, Astronomy Center, Hawaiian wedding, Imiloa Astronomy