HOW TO PLAN YOUR ELOPEMENT IN HAWAII FROM A HAWAII BASED ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

Let me start by saying…. Congrats! Not only on your engagement but on deciding to have your special day the way you want and on throwing the traditional wedding day out! Because lets be honest at the end of the day all that matters is what is best for YOU and your partner! Since you decided to elope that means that you get to have an incredibly unique wedding experience that is a true reflection of you and your partner as well as your love story! When it comes to eloping there are no rules on whats the proper way to do it. Even though like a wedding it can be overwhelming you get the freedom to so what feels good to you both! I have created a list of important information to know when planning your elopement in Hawaii

What You Need to Get Married in Hawaii

Just like any other wedding there are a few things you will need to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the day of the wedding. 

1. A Marriage License- to get legally married in Hawaii you need to have a marriage license. You can apply online and pick your license together, you must both bring a government-issued ID. You can apply for your marriage license 30 days in advance of your wedding. The marriage license is $60 plus $5 for the processing fee. To start this process and fill out the application online go to the Hawaii State Department of Health. Once finished then together go to their office with a form of ID! 
2. A Registered Marriage Perfromer– This is someone to perform your ceremony and file your license 
3. Hawaii does not require you to have any witnesses, your elopement can be very intimate with just you and your partner and someone to officiate your wedding! 

Picking a Location for Your Elopement

One of the main reasons that Hawaii is a hub for elopements is because of the vast diversity throughout the islands. You have mountains, forests, beaches, waterfalls and everything between. There is truly something for everyone! Below are a few breathtaking locations for your elopement:

1. Mountains- Crouching Lion Ka’ena Point State Park, Ahupua’a ‘O’Kahana State Park
2. Venues: Kualoa Ranch, Waua Lua Valley, Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute, Sunset Ranch
3. Beaches: Makapu’u Beach, Lanai Lookout 
4. Waterfalls: Manoa Falls

With all of that beauty that Hawaii has, there are steps we must take to maintain the state of the land. We must follow the set of ethics of Leave No Trace to ensure we protect the environment around us to help us leave the least amount of impact possible we will:

• Plan Ahead
• travel/camp on durable surfaces
• Dispose of waste properly
• Leave what you found
• Minimize campfire impacts
• Respect wildfire
• Be considerate of other visitors

Also, when planning for your elopement some policies that Hawaii has started to require to protect their land is requiring a permit to have your wedding/elopement or even just professional photos at most locations. A permit is a piece of paper from the government informing that you have permission to have a ceremony or take photos in that specific location. There are a few different types of permits a Wiki Permit and a Special Use Permit. Good news though, once we choose a location for your elopement it is my job as your elopement photographer is to apply or help you through this process for permits. It is crucial that we choose where you will be having your ceremony first as some locations require different types of permits for this especially if you have a guest in attendance.

Best Time of the Year to Elope in Hawaii

One of the most amazing things about Hawaii is that there are really only two seasons in the year, summer and winter. As always there are pros and cons to each of these seasons. ​The best time of the year to elope or visit Hawaii is between March and September. However this means that the islands are at the highest temps with the lowest rain. On the other hand, November through March has more regulated weather but this is the rainy season. Rain showers can still be localized and occur any time of the year, but this is why everything is so green and lush. Plus you might get the infamous rainbows to peak out in your photos after a rain storm! Rain or shine your elopement is going to be amazing so lets dance in the rain and soak up the sun!

1. Winter- Runs from November to March. This is the best time for an elopement due to tourism being slower, the temperatures are cooler, and more rain occurs during these months, and the average temperature is 78 degrees. Also during the winter is when the surf is intense. 
2. Summer- Runs from April to October. This is when the days are nearly perfect sunny days and has less rain with with higher temps. However Tourism is higher during these months. The average temperature is 85 degrees, and the surf is going to be calmer. 

Planning Elopement day activities

Now that we are talking about the day of let me be your Hawaii guide! Planning your elopement in Hawaii means that there are many activities you cannot do in other states. Based on your Hawaii elopement packages, I will recommend the best companies for your activities, as well as food recommendations, accommodations, and of course all my favorite vendor referrals based on which island you choose for your elopement.

On your elopement day, you don’t have to be in your wedding dress all day! We can plan activities and capture some fun moments that reflect your love story, something you both want to try, or even just your daily routine of getting coffee, reading, or going to the beach. Some of my favorite activities are below:

1. snorkeling
2. waterfall exploring
3. hiking
4. horseback riding
5. taking a boat/sailboat/catamaran tour
6. ATVing
7. A relaxing beach picnic! 

Hawaii Elopement Photographer | Kylene Morgan 

Planning your Hawaii elopement can be easy and fun with me to help you along the whole process! Are you ready to know more about what your elopement could look like in Hawaii? Curious to learn I would be a good fit to photograph your elopement? Feel free to inquire with me through my contact form, and mention you are interested in an elopement. We will chat all about the best option for you both! I am so thrilled to be apart of your special day!