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Filed under: Beach, Hotel, Romantic
Whether couples want to say their "I do's" at a big luxurious resort or at an intimate boutique property, one thing is certain -- Hawaiian weddings come standard with sun, surf and stunning backdrops. Here are our suggestions for the perfect Hawaiian wedding locations.
Hotel Renew, Oahu
Love it or hate it, Waikiki Beach has served as Hawaii's gateway to world since the 1950's, its iconic curve of sand embodying aloha in movies, TV shows and postcards too numerous to count. Sitting pretty just half a block from the sandy white landmark, this boutique property is one of Oahu's best-kept value secrets. Its end-of-the-strip location attracts a hip clientele of beach-goers who want comfort and style without steep smack-dab-on-the-sand prices. Gracious staffers, luxurious beds and eclectic amenities like Jiun Ho linens and FACE Stockholm bath products more than make up for the smallish bathrooms and lack of onsite amenities like a pool or spa. Nightlife-loving guests will love the easy access to Honolulu's bar-hopping -- especially the 160+ beer selections at Bar35 and sake cocktails and people watching at Doraku Sushi.
The wedding: Hotel Renew is home base, not a wedding venue, but their attitude-free staff is happy to connect you with preferred local Hawaiian wedding coordinators if you need one. Waikiki Beach is the obvious choice for in-the-sand ceremonies; it's public, so expect some onlookers. Afterwards, bring your group of 20 or less to celebrate over cocktails and pupus back at Lounge Renew, where the vibe is more edgy Los Angeles than money-saving destination. Have a bigger event in mind? Say "I do" at Anela Garden Chapel, a private estate at the base of Diamond Head just a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The classic nondenominational chapel is tucked amongst tropical gardens, with flagstone paths and a photo-ready gazebo, and the adjacent guest house offers pre-wedding prep space and onsite catering for up to 100 guests.King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, Big Island
Get this -- one of the most sacred sites in all of Hawaii is also one the most affordable. During King Kamehameha's reign in the 1800's, the royal established his residence on the current site of the "King Kam." The 460-room hotel has been a landmark for over 30 years, and rooms in the West Tower recently underwent a massive overhaul -- new lava motif carpet, coffee bean-print upholstery and soothing rainforest hues. The lobby, pool and public areas are up next, with renovation slated to be complete by New Year's Eve. This stretch of Kailua-Kona coastline is the island's best spot for shopping, restaurants and nightlife. And there's no easier place more convenient for a sunset cocktail cruise; Body Glove's 65-foot catamaran departs Kailua-Kona Pier, just steps from the hotel.
The wedding: The hotel recently snagged Hawaiian wedding planner Vital Demonti from pricey Kona Village Resort down the road, proving their dedication to marriage-minded guests. Demonti brings an enviable roster of vendor contacts generally reserved for high-end properties, and an eye for making shoestring budget weddings (starting at $500) look swank. Barefoot couples clad in tuberose and ti leaf leis can exchange vows on Kona's only white sand beach, with views of Kamakahonu Bay and Ahu'ena Heiau, the personal worshipping site of the King himself. Receptions accented with local plumeria blossoms are held in the hotel's three gardens or in the airconditioned ballroom. There's no site fee, and catering prices are super reasonable.
Inn at Mama's, Maui
Tourists love the string of large resorts at Wailea and Kaanapali, but for something more low-key, head to lesser-known Paia, on Maui's North Shore. Home to Owen Wilson and famous Ho'okipa Beach, Maui's most consistent surf break, Paia was recently ranked #4 in Surfer magazine's "Ten Best Surf Towns in America." Couples are drawn to the Inn at Mama's for its private cottages and retro Polynesian vibe. Whether lounging on your lanai or on the small, secluded beach out front, it's the perfect oasis for peace and tranquility. Stay in one of the new Junior Suites, with kitchenette and private courtyard, or splurge on the two-bedroom oceanfront cottage, whose spacious open-air lanai makes a perfect sunset gathering place.
The wedding: The Inn doesn't offer any formal Hawaiian wedding packages per se, but general manager Tami Joslin will gladly reserve its oceanfront wedding site and even set up a gazebo for ceremonies with $200 site fee. Want something more elaborate? She'll recommend local vendors to cut down on your leg-work. Whatever your ceremony style, there's no doubt your reception menu will wow. Since the 1950's, Mama's Fish House has been a favorite destination for in-the-know diners in search of fresh seafood. (Their menus even tell you what fisherman brought in the catch.) The restaurant can accommodate receptions for up to 50, and site fees are waived for hotel or restaurant guests.
KÄ?'anapali Beach Hotel, Maui
Couples come to Maui's drier Western side for reliable beach weather, emerald green golf courses and meticulously planned resorts. A number of them line the white-sand stretch of Kaanapali, called best beach in America by Dr. Beach in 2003. KBH sits in the middle of it all, bringing warm Hawaiian hospitality and ambiance at a better price than its brand-name neighbors. Complimentary cultural activities, including nightly hula performances and sunset cliff-diving shows at nearby Black Rock, are perfect for families. Guests will love the proximity to Lahaina for shopping, history (it was once Hawaii's major whaling port) and nightlife; Maui Brewing Co. offers live swing, salsa and reggae on Saturday nights.
The wedding: Four wedding packages makes planning easy, but the onsite coordinator can also create a custom experience if you prefer. The hotel prides itself on its cultural authenticity, so accent your Hawaiian wedding ceremony with floral leis, a ukulele band, even custom-made wedding sarongs. The hotel's lush oceanfront garden is a favorite combo ceremony/reception site; it doesn't need much in the way of decoration -- a petal path, some pretty linen-clad seats and a beaming bride should suffice.
Photo courtesy of Wally G on Flickr
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Filed under: Beach, Hotel, Romantic
Whether couples want to say their "I do's" at a big luxurious resort or at an intimate boutique property, one thing is certain -- Hawaiian weddings come standard with sun, surf and stunning backdrops. Here are our suggestions for the perfect Hawaiian wedding locations.
Hotel Renew, Oahu
Love it or hate it, Waikiki Beach has served as Hawaii's gateway to world since the 1950's, its iconic curve of sand embodying aloha in movies, TV shows and postcards too numerous to count. Sitting pretty just half a block from the sandy white landmark, this boutique property is one of Oahu's best-kept value secrets. Its end-of-the-strip location attracts a hip clientele of beach-goers who want comfort and style without steep smack-dab-on-the-sand prices. Gracious staffers, luxurious beds and eclectic amenities like Jiun Ho linens and FACE Stockholm bath products more than make up for the smallish bathrooms and lack of onsite amenities like a pool or spa. Nightlife-loving guests will love the easy access to Honolulu's bar-hopping -- especially the 160+ beer selections at Bar35 and sake cocktails and people watching at Doraku Sushi.
The wedding: Hotel Renew is home base, not a wedding venue, but their attitude-free staff is happy to connect you with preferred local Hawaiian wedding coordinators if you need one. Waikiki Beach is the obvious choice for in-the-sand ceremonies; it's public, so expect some onlookers. Afterwards, bring your group of 20 or less to celebrate over cocktails and pupus back at Lounge Renew, where the vibe is more edgy Los Angeles than money-saving destination. Have a bigger event in mind? Say "I do" at Anela Garden Chapel, a private estate at the base of Diamond Head just a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The classic nondenominational chapel is tucked amongst tropical gardens, with flagstone paths and a photo-ready gazebo, and the adjacent guest house offers pre-wedding prep space and onsite catering for up to 100 guests.King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, Big Island
Get this -- one of the most sacred sites in all of Hawaii is also one the most affordable. During King Kamehameha's reign in the 1800's, the royal established his residence on the current site of the "King Kam." The 460-room hotel has been a landmark for over 30 years, and rooms in the West Tower recently underwent a massive overhaul -- new lava motif carpet, coffee bean-print upholstery and soothing rainforest hues. The lobby, pool and public areas are up next, with renovation slated to be complete by New Year's Eve. This stretch of Kailua-Kona coastline is the island's best spot for shopping, restaurants and nightlife. And there's no easier place more convenient for a sunset cocktail cruise; Body Glove's 65-foot catamaran departs Kailua-Kona Pier, just steps from the hotel.
The wedding: The hotel recently snagged Hawaiian wedding planner Vital Demonti from pricey Kona Village Resort down the road, proving their dedication to marriage-minded guests. Demonti brings an enviable roster of vendor contacts generally reserved for high-end properties, and an eye for making shoestring budget weddings (starting at $500) look swank. Barefoot couples clad in tuberose and ti leaf leis can exchange vows on Kona's only white sand beach, with views of Kamakahonu Bay and Ahu'ena Heiau, the personal worshipping site of the King himself. Receptions accented with local plumeria blossoms are held in the hotel's three gardens or in the airconditioned ballroom. There's no site fee, and catering prices are super reasonable.
Inn at Mama's, Maui
Tourists love the string of large resorts at Wailea and Kaanapali, but for something more low-key, head to lesser-known Paia, on Maui's North Shore. Home to Owen Wilson and famous Ho'okipa Beach, Maui's most consistent surf break, Paia was recently ranked #4 in Surfer magazine's "Ten Best Surf Towns in America." Couples are drawn to the Inn at Mama's for its private cottages and retro Polynesian vibe. Whether lounging on your lanai or on the small, secluded beach out front, it's the perfect oasis for peace and tranquility. Stay in one of the new Junior Suites, with kitchenette and private courtyard, or splurge on the two-bedroom oceanfront cottage, whose spacious open-air lanai makes a perfect sunset gathering place.
The wedding: The Inn doesn't offer any formal Hawaiian wedding packages per se, but general manager Tami Joslin will gladly reserve its oceanfront wedding site and even set up a gazebo for ceremonies with $200 site fee. Want something more elaborate? She'll recommend local vendors to cut down on your leg-work. Whatever your ceremony style, there's no doubt your reception menu will wow. Since the 1950's, Mama's Fish House has been a favorite destination for in-the-know diners in search of fresh seafood. (Their menus even tell you what fisherman brought in the catch.) The restaurant can accommodate receptions for up to 50, and site fees are waived for hotel or restaurant guests.
KÄ?'anapali Beach Hotel, Maui
Couples come to Maui's drier Western side for reliable beach weather, emerald green golf courses and meticulously planned resorts. A number of them line the white-sand stretch of Kaanapali, called best beach in America by Dr. Beach in 2003. KBH sits in the middle of it all, bringing warm Hawaiian hospitality and ambiance at a better price than its brand-name neighbors. Complimentary cultural activities, including nightly hula performances and sunset cliff-diving shows at nearby Black Rock, are perfect for families. Guests will love the proximity to Lahaina for shopping, history (it was once Hawaii's major whaling port) and nightlife; Maui Brewing Co. offers live swing, salsa and reggae on Saturday nights.
The wedding: Four wedding packages makes planning easy, but the onsite coordinator can also create a custom experience if you prefer. The hotel prides itself on its cultural authenticity, so accent your Hawaiian wedding ceremony with floral leis, a ukulele band, even custom-made wedding sarongs. The hotel's lush oceanfront garden is a favorite combo ceremony/reception site; it doesn't need much in the way of decoration -- a petal path, some pretty linen-clad seats and a beaming bride should suffice.
Photo courtesy of Wally G on Flickr
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