Hawaii
If you've always had your heart set on a dream destination wedding, you've probably thought about getting married in Hawaii. Hawaii is the perfect tropical setting, along with the added bonus of being part of the United States, so you don't have to fuss with foreign marriage licenses and passports. However, planning a wedding in Hawaii can be very expensive if you aren't careful. Give yourself a budget to stick to, and then find ways to cut costs when planning your Hawaii wedding. Here's how.
Accommodations
You and your guests will need a place to stay while in Hawaii, and resorts and hotels can be notoriously expensive. Instead of paying for separate hotel rooms, consider renting small bungalows that can fit a small family inside. The bungalows found at the Ke Iki Hale each have two rooms, an ocean view and cost only $65 per night. You still have the beach at your feet like you would at a more expensive resort, but you're paying a lot less, which will ease the financial burden on you and all of your guests. Remember to book well in advance for the best deals and the best bungalows.
Ceremony Site
There are plenty of places in Hawaii where you can get married for a fee, but why would you? The entire island is covered in perfect wedding spots where you can be married for free. Go a few days before your wedding and scout out an area by the beach or on an ocean cliff that would be great for a ceremony spot. Check out places like Kapiolani Beach Park on Oahu, a stretch of sandy beach that is completely free on which to be married and less busy and quieter than the popular Wakiki Beach. Don't waste your money on arches and gazebos; instead, choose an organic, romantic and natural tropical wedding right on the beach.
Reception
Chances are that you have brought only a select few of your family members and friends to join you for the wedding, so why spend your money on a reception? Instead of a formal reception, skip it and attend an island luau instead. You can let the resort staff know that you were just married and purchase the food and drinks for those that attended your wedding. A luau is a more traditional approach to a Hawaiian wedding, and it will cost you a lot less than renting a venue as well as buying the food and drinks. Check out places like Paradise Cove, which offers luaus nightly for guests and ask that you be able to join.
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