Oahu is known as “The Gathering Place” for its lively nightlife, craft beer and food scene, and local culture. From ocean coves to white sand beaches to lush tropical forests, an Oahu elopement has it all.
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Nestled in the heart of the Pacific, Oahu provides an unparalleled backdrop for elopements, where the convergence of natural beauty and cultural richness creates an enchanting atmosphere. Exchange vows on the pristine white sands of renowned beaches or within the intimate charm of coastal towns, as the island offers a myriad of scenic locales. With a temperate climate year-round, Oahu ensures comfortable celebrations, and its accessibility accommodates various mobility needs, ensuring that love knows no bounds.
From the iconic Diamond Head to the emerald landscapes of Waimea Valley, Oahu sets the stage for an elopement that seamlessly blends nature’s wonders with the timeless commitment of love.
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Why eloping in Oahu is awesome
Embark on your journey of love in Oahu, where the island’s enchantment serves as the perfect canvas for your elopement dreams. The breathtaking scenery and cultural richness set the stage for an unforgettable celebration. Here’s why Oahu is an awesome elopement destination:
We’re firm believers that there’s magic within each and every wedding that takes place.
You, your SO, and someone to make it official. For couples all about the essentials, the Seed package sets you up for a simply perfect day.
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Customize your PackageThe Sprout package offers a professional officiant, one hour of photography, your Personal Elopement Planner and access to our best-in-class tech platform. Your stress-free elopement starts here!
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Customize your PackageBloom couples enjoy all of the Sprout services and more—namely, a matching bouquet and boutonniere delivered to your suite or ceremony site.
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Customize your PackageWhy should big weddings have all the fun? If your dream elopement includes an exotic photo sesh, a first-look video, and a dedicated glam team, Oasis is your destination.
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Customize your PackageOffered only on the island of Oahu, set off on an adventure with our photographer to tour different spots on the island for a locals only experience! We can offer both North Shore and South Shore, each offering a completely different experience. If you’re seeking lush greenery, private ocean views and cliffside portraits, you can’t go wrong with this adventure elopement on the islands.
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Customize your PackageThe gateway to the Hawaiian Islands, Oahu is akin to Los Angeles, with a thriving food scene, happening nightlife, and plenty of culture—except you’re on an island! For those looking to elope or have a small wedding on Oahu, you should be okay with having other tourists around. Also known as “The Gathering Place,” the island is home to two-thirds of Hawai’i’s population as well as the capital, Honolulu. Oahu is the place that you’re most likely to encounter locals and despite its population of roughly one million, there are still plenty of beaches perfect for an intimate elopement.
Although there are crowds, that also means that there’s a lot to do! When mainlanders tend to think of Hawai’i, it’s often famous Oahu locations that first come to mind, including Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, and the North Shore. As such, if you choose to elope on Oahu, there’s no shortage of fabulous places to stay and eat, as well as fun activities. Known for its epic (and frequent) rainbows, as well as being the setting of the TV series “Lost,” Oahu also offers stunning scenery at every turn.
Thanks to the extensive local knowledge and insight from our team of officiants and photographers, we’ve created this guide for anyone considering eloping on Oahu. Read on to find the perfect beach for your elopement, logistics on getting a Hawaiian marriage certificate, insight on what time of year is best to elope on Oahu, and how much an eloping on Oahu might cost you.
Looking for privacy? A short drive or walk from your resort? A mix of greenery and white sand? The beauty of having a small wedding on Oahu is that your options are endless—to make things easier, we’ve picked five of our favorite beaches for your big day. For all of these beaches, a permit is required, something we help coordinate as part of our elopement packages.
Typically, beach weddings throughout Hawai’i are limited to 20 people max. Also good to note: Most of these locations will require a scenic drive, so we recommend renting a car. You can’t go wrong with a convertible!
Papa’iloa Beach
Once the set of “Lost,” this beach is decently public but there’s always some privacy to be found. Located on the North Shore, there’s a ton of easy parking and access. There’s also a great mix of greenery and beach views. Plus, the sunsets are fantastic.
Hale’iwa Beach
Also on the North Shore, near the charming small town of Hale’iwa, this beach is a bit more heavily trafficked due to its proximity to restaurants and shops, as well as its popularity with sea turtles. Although the reefs are shallow, meaning it’s not great for swimming, the wildlife sightings and views (especially at sunset) make it a lovely wedding spot.
Waialae Beach
Relatively close to Honolulu, you can Uber or Lyft to this location, drive (there’s a small parking lot), or choose to splurge on the neighboring Kahala Hotel & Resort. A stream borders this beach and there are even some small grassy areas perfect for setting up some chairs for a small wedding. Because of its location and stunning views (there’s a small island with palm trees just offshore), this beach tends to be pretty popular. Avoid the crowds by eloping at sunrise!
There’s no shortage of stunning waterfalls on Oahu, all of which would make a great backdrop for any elopement or small wedding. However, most waterfalls require some hiking, and those that don’t are often crowded with tourists. Other waterfalls, like Lulumahu Falls and La’ie Falls, require a permit to visit in addition to longer hikes. Waterfalls can also be super buggy and the trails incredibly muddy after rainstorms, so plan accordingly. If you’ve got your heart set on a waterfall elopement on Oahu, our Oahu Wildflower Package, which allows for lengthy, customized itineraries, could be a great option.
In a lot of ways, the state of Hawai’i makes it super simple to make your Oahu elopement legal. In order to apply for your marriage license, you’ll need an ID—state-issued or a passport works (you don’t have to be a US citizen to elope in Hawai’i)—and a copy of a divorce decree if either you or your partner have previously been married. Typically, you’d begin the process of obtaining a Hawaiian marriage license online but would still need to make an appointment to obtain a physical copy of your marriage license in-person. Due to Covid-19, however, this entire process has been made virtual.
Luckily, the state of Hawai’i does not require a waiting period nor a witness (so if you’re planning to elope on Oahu alone, you don’t have to worry about finding a kind stranger to witness your big day). All you need is a marriage license and a registered marriage performer. The total application fee for a Hawaiian marriage license is $65 and it’s crucial that you receive your marriage license prior to your ceremony—your officiant signing it is what makes the whole thing legal! If you book one of our Oahu elopement packages, we’ll provide an experienced officiant well-versed in all things Oahu.
The average temperature year-round on Hawai’i is 80 degrees, so you really can’t go wrong choosing to elope on Oahu any time of year. However, mid-December to mid-April, plus June to September is tourist season, meaning prices are higher and everything is more crowded. The off-season on Oahu is just as lovely! No matter the time of year, however, expect it to be raining at some time on some part of the island (hence the incredible rainbows).
As for the time of day, we recommend avoiding the glare and crowds that come with midday ceremonies and opting instead to elope around the softer light of sunrise or sunset. Once you’ve decided on where in Oahu you’re going to elope, your photographer will be your best resource when it comes to nailing the specific time of day for your chosen location.
Everything costs more on the Hawaiian Islands, including Oahu, so definitely make sure that whoever you end up inviting knows that beforehand. When you account for food, accommodations, and travel expenses, even the cost of an elopement can add up fast. Luckily, eloping on Oahu is basically a wedding and honeymoon rolled into one! On average, one week on Oahu usually costs around $1,864 per person.
For a custom quote, visit our quote builder for your perfect Oahu elopement package!
If you’re trying to be cost-conscious but still want to experience Oahu, forgo the resorts in favor of an Airbnb or VRBO. The good news is that flights to Oahu tend to be the cheapest and there are always good deals on dining and accommodations to be found. When budgeting, you’ll also want to account for your rental car, the $65 marriage license fee, and tips for your vendors.
1. We don't believe a wedding has to be stressful. There is far less to coordinate (and we take on most of that planning anyhow), and your realm of responsibility consists of making a few decisions and getting your marriage license. It's hard to beat a wedding that is actually...wait for it...relaxing!
2. Cost-conscious: Let's be honest, there is so much uncertainty right now! Economic recession? Inflation? Rising cost of living? Save your money for a honeymoon or buying a house and still have a ceremony you'll remember for the rest of your lives.
3. A Ceremony should be About YOU and YOUR LOVE: When did a wedding turn into a party for everyone else? We personalize every aspect of your experience – from the vendors to the vows. We'll even cry real tears with you. We're here to celebrate the core of what makes a wedding ceremony special: you making a lifetime commitment to the one you love. That's a big deal – and we treat it as such.
1. Flowers by Palette We have arrangements based on a color palette, which means the types of flowers may not be exactly as pictured, but the colors and arrangement style will match. You can explore our options for Flowers by Palette here (excluding Hawaii).
2. Hawaiian Arrangements Hawaii is a unique destination, and we have our stunning tropical arrangements for ceremonies taking place in Hawaii. You can view these arrangements here. Please note that these arrangements are only available in Hawaii.
As soon as you book our services, we get to work! We'll immediately introduce you to your Personal Elopement Planner, who is kind of like your best friend between the date you book and the day you elope! Your Pep will be ensuring every step of the process is smooth and delightful. They will introduce you to your team, answer any questions you have, put your schedule and invoice together, and much more!
We'll also begin the process of personalizing. You'll work with your officiant to ensure your ceremony matches what you envision and dream of. Your photographer will ensure they understand the kind of shots or photos you're hoping for. Your hair & makeup artist will inquire about the style you're going for with your hair and makeup. Your dashboard is also customized to meet your needs.
We offer many tools to help you feel at ease about your decision to book Simply Eloped, including your personalized Elopement Checklist, your marriage license guide, your Wedding Page, and more! You can even make installment payments on your invoice at 0% APR. Weeks prior to your ceremony, we'll send your itinerary with all the details you and your guests need. Your team will meet at your ceremony site, and the rest, as they say, is history.
First off, know that every moment of your elopement day, we are available to you for whatever you need! We're very prompt on timing with floral delivery, hair & makeup, etc.
Your team will always meet at your venue prior to your ceremony time to ensure everyone is collected, introduced, and ready for a gorgeous ceremony right on time. Your officiant will kick off your ceremony and ensure that all of your requests are beautifully exhibited in your personalized ceremony. It's important to note that your dedicated Personal Elopement Planner will not be present at the ceremony, but will definitely be accessible by phone or text for your day-of needs.
Ceremonies generally last 15-20 minutes, which will then kick off into your portrait session with your photographer (if you booked one with us). The main task you need to be mindful of on your big day is bringing your marriage license, and we do the rest! 🌼👰🤵
We wish we could control the weather, but alas, there are some things quite simply out of our realm of power.
In our experience, most weather passes quickly, and we can be flexible about timing. However, we do have recommendations or options for indoor venues, and if worst comes to worst, we can move your ceremony to another day. We'll work with you individually in the case of poor weather.
Pro tip: Though weather can be daunting or scary, some of our FAVORITE ceremonies happen in thunder, rain, or snow storms. Being open-minded about ""undesirable"" weather can create an extremely memorable ceremony. Sometimes it's all about perspective.