How to Plan a Wedding in Kauai

Kauai offers many secluded and serene places to take your vows.

Called the Garden Isle for its lush tropical landscape, the Hawaiian island of Kauai is a romantic a beautiful to place to be married. Even if you do not live in Hawaii you can still plan a wedding in paradise without the extra expense of hiring a wedding planner. Whether your plan is just for the two of you or your entire family, use these simple tips to plan the ultimate destination wedding.

Instructions

1. 

   Get married on the beach. If a beach wedding is right for you it is probably the easiest place to be married in Kauai. The upside to a Kauai beach wedding is that all beaches in Hawaii are public, so you don't have to make any reservations or pay a site fee. The downside is that strangers will most likely be on the beach during your ceremony and it is frowned upon to ask sunbathers to move if they are lounging in a spot you want. Also, special-use permits are required to hold a wedding on a Hawaiian beach even if it is simply you, your spouse-to-be and the officiant. These permits can be obtained through the state district office in Kauai at 3060 Elwa Street by calling 808-274-3444. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. All special-use permits must be requested at least 45 days prior to the event.

2. Get a marriage license. You must obtain a marriage license in Hawaii before you take your vows. The license is valid for 30 days, so it should be the first thing you obtain when you land in Kauai. There are no residency or citizenship requirements and no blood tests are required. The bride and groom need simply to bring $60 in cash and a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license or birth certificate. To locate a marriage licensee, contact the Hawaii State Department of Health in Kauai by calling 808-241-3498.

3. Hire an officiant. Depending of where you get married you may have to hire an independent officiant to conduct the wedding ceremony. Make sure the officiant is licensed by the Hawaii Department of Health and be sure to ask what he charges for his service. Religious officiants, typically used in a church, will ask for a donation that ranges between $100 and $150. Judges, court clerks and justices of the peace usually have their own set price that can go upward of $300. Some popular officiants in Kauai are Rev. Caroline Carr at 808-826-0044, Janet Oliver at 808-742-6115 and Larry Lasota at 808-826-0044.

4. 

   Avoid holidays and be aware of Hawaiian holidays. It may seem like a good idea to come to Hawaii during a holiday, but be aware that many businesses are closed on these occasions. Also, there are Hawaiian-specific holidays that other states do not celebrate. If you can, avoid getting married on Kauai on these days: New Years Day, January 1; Prince Kuhio Day, March 26; Easter Sunday; King Kamehameha Day, June 11; Admissions Day, the third Friday in August; Veterans' Day, November 11, and Christmas on Dec. 25.

5. 

   Let someone else plan your reception. If you don't want to hassle with venues and caterers for your wedding reception, a really simple and extremely popular option on Kauai is to attend a Hawaiian luau. Just about every major resort on the island conducts several luaus a week and is always happy to accommodate a small or large wedding party. All you have to do is reserve your seats, buy the tickets and simply show up for a night of all-you-can-drink cocktails, Hawaiian dinner buffet and a show that includes hula dancers and fire eaters. The most popular luaus on Kauai are the Sheraton, Luau Kalamaku, Grand Hyatt luau and Kauai Coconut Beach luau.

Tips & Warnings

• *There is a rainy season in Kauai from November to February.