A Wedding in Paradise
Believe it or not it is possible to get married in Hawaii without spending a fortune. For the rest of your lives you will recall how the sun set on the water and how the waves were splashing as you were speaking your own vows while standing barefoot on the warm white sand. Hawaii's ideal climate and exotic appeal create the perfect romantic atmosphere for a wedding to remember and you won't have to travel far for your honeymoon!
If you opt to use a wedding planner you can check out the suggestions and leads on the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau's web site at www.gohawaii.com. There you will find a section on weddings and honeymoons in the islands that includes a planner, a wedding service fact sheet and a list of related vendors (wedding coordinators, photographers, florists, etc who are members of the official Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau).Your browser may not support display of this image.
If you choose to do your own planning you will need to contact the Honolulu Marriage License Office, State Department of Health Building, 1250 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 or call them at 808 586-4545 for the legal paperwork. They will mail you their Getting Married brochure and direct you to a marriage licensing agent close to wherever you will be staying in the islands. These agents range from private individuals to government employees who will help you with the required forms.
When you arrive in Hawaii you will meet with the licensing agent to get the license. It costs $60 in cash and is good for 30 days. The only requirement is that both the prospective bride and groom be 18 or older and not more closely related than first cousins. Contrary to popular belief, at this time gay couples cannot marry in Hawaii, a license can only be issued to an opposite sex couple.
Once the legalities are behind you it is time to start the real planning. You can save a lot of money by becoming Mr. and Mrs. in one of the many magnificent outdoor settings that abound here. Hawaii's state and county beaches and parks allow you to have your ceremony there at no cost but you must fill out some paperwork to get the necessary permits. More than 20,000 ceremonies are performed in the islands a year and some of these are in surprising places; along a waterfall, deep in a rainforest, atop a bluff overlooking the ocean not to mention the traditional settings, like a church or chapel. Also, many of the resorts offer their own wedding planners and sites if that is more to your liking.
Of course you will want to contact us for your air, car and accommodations for the wedding party and the guests too. We work with lots of prospective brides and grooms to help plan the perfect wedding and honeymoon suited ideally to them, their vision and their budget.
So maybe a Hawaiian wedding isn't out of the picture for you, give us a call and let us see if we can help you to make it happen! Create an extraordinary memory that will last a lifetime! Aloha Vicki, vs@incrediblejourney.net
