Weddings on Kauai

The romance of Kauai-from diamond-studded waterfalls, to crashing waves on a secluded, white sand beach-makes this island the most memorable spot for a wedding, vow renewal or honeymoon. Kauai’s wedding possibilities range from extravagant to simple and all points in between. Favorite wedding spots include a dewy, emerald fern grotto, complete with the soft strains of Hawaiian music; scenic lookouts with spectacular canyons as the backdrop; and lush tropical gardens blooming with floral scents and colors.

Other possible wedding sites are the garden or interior of a quaint, historic church, a chapel surrounded by a lagoon, beside a peaceful Japanese koi pond, beneath swaying palms on a sun-drenched beach or in a pristine forest clearing.

With limousine service, old-fashioned horse-drawn carriages, and even flower drops from helicopters, the possibilities for an unforgettable wedding on Kauai are endless. The many experienced wedding service coordinators on Kauai available to assist with the planning and execution of each and every detail of your special day.

As a honeymoon setting, Kauai is unrivaled. With more sandy beaches than any other island in the Hawaiian archipelago, Kauai is a honeymooner’s dream. Imagine the possibilities that Kauai offers to couples seeking the ultimate secluded getaway.

Your honeymoon hideaway could be a luxury suite in one of Kauai’s superb resort hotels, or a cozy cottage nestled in a coconut grove, or even a homey bed & breakfast surround by orchids, palms, and a waterfall. If your dream honeymoon is one that’s filled with every luxury, consider the Hyatt Regency Kauai in Poipu Beach, the Kauai Marriott at Kalapaki Beach or the Princeville Hotel on the North Shore. From champagne and flowers, to breakfast served in your suite every morning, to a soak in the jacuzzi after massages at the health spa, these resort hotels will surround you with romance and beauty. Each hotel has several restaurants, superb golf courses, elegant shops, and breathtaking oceanfront settings.

You might prefer a quiet, intimate cottage or B&B in the country or on the shore where you can relax and be by yourselves. You’ll find that the hosts and hostesses are very flexible; they’ll provide as much or as little personal attention as you want. They are experts in island lore, activities, and restaurants. Some locations include swimming pools, jacuzzis, and complimentary wine or sweets in the evening. Breakfasts at many B&Bs include fresh fruit, homemade breads, and special entrees.

Kauai also has a number of midsize, mid-range hotels that offer spacious rooms near the beach, restaurants, swimming pools and jacuzzis, with friendly service and other amenities. Vacation condominiums located all over the island usually have kitchenettes with refrigerator and coffee maker, pools, tennis courts, golf courses nearby, their own or a nearby restaurant, maid service, and information on things to do and places to go. Another option is renting a vacation rental home, which is ideal if you’ve decided to make your wedding trip a reunion or if you are renewing your vows with your family included in the celebration. Many luxurious homes are on the ocean, have complete kitchens, are fully and beautifully furnished, and include lots of extras such as barbecue grills and beach equipment. To help you make a choice from all of these great options, consult your travel agent or call the many accommodations listed in this Vacation Planner. Many wedding coordinators can also help with these arrangements.

On the Garden Island, slipping away to an uncrowded beach lined with vine-covered, white sand dunes is the perfect way to revel in the beauty of the crystalline turquoise waters of the warm Pacific Ocean. Escape by kayak or boat up one of Kauai’s many rivers and streams to secluded picnic spots in the shadows of rugged mountains.

Pack the camping gear and retreat to the sand dunes and haunting legends of Polihale State Park, where the full moon and twinkling stars heighten any romantic experience. The Na Pali coast at Hanakapiai, Hanakoa and Kalalau Valleys offer similar camping retreats for the adventurous honeymooners, provided proper permits have been obtained from the Department of Land and Natural Resources at the State Building in Lihue. Permit applications must be submitted well in advance.

North Shore beach spots that are often uninhabited include Kalihiwai Beach, the very secret “Secret Beach” and Lumahai Beach, where scenes from the famous film, South Pacific, were shot. Other small, remote beaches are located along the way from Hanalei to Haena and marked by “Public Access to Beach” signs.

On Kauai’s sunny south shore, a multitude of clandestine play spots abound, either for exploring or splashing in the surf. Mahaulepu, past the Hyatt Regency Kauai, offers a very pristine beach accessible only via a guarded cane road. It is as much fun to find as it is to enjoy, and the spectacular outlines of the Hoary Head Mountain Range are breathtaking. At Shipwrecks Beach, honeymooners can watch expert surfers carve the sleek curling wave faces, or see the tail-slapping grandeur of a humpback whale as it breaches into the sky. Whale season runs November through April, during which time these gentle giants can be observed frolicking in the sapphire waters surrounding the island.

West side sunsets are some of the most colorfully spectacular in the world. Watch the sun slip behind the cliffs of Niihau from remote Glass Beach near Port Allen, or from the wide white sands of Kekaha Beach. Polihale, too, is one of Kauai’s most dazzling sunset arenas, as are Haena and Kee Beach on the dramatic north shore. Beaches aren’t the only isolated regions of Kauai. Her hiking trails, miles of dirt roads accessible by 4-wheel drive or mountain bike, and quiet woodland paths are treasured places where a newly wedded couple can get to know each other-and Kauai’s beautiful scenery-intimately.

At Kokee and Waimea Canyon State Parks, make a getaway for the secluded canyon floor via the Kukui Trail or languish in the depths of a fragrant pine forest near the fairyland stream called Kawaikoi, where a refreshing dip will cool the heat of any hike. Or slip away down one of the many hiking trails where the only other encounter a honeymooning couple may have is with the legendary rainbow maiden who hides in the mysterious pools below one of the numerous waterfalls.

Kokee Natural History Museum interpreters will gladly assist with trail selection and point out the best spots to enjoy waterfalls, bird watching, or native flora and fauna.

Weddings, vow renewals and honeymoons on Kauai are the experience of a lifetime, the fulfillment of dreams, and the opportunity to live out your fantasies. Start dreaming about the perfect wedding or honeymoon, then come and experience it here on Kauai.