Info & Ideas

Emerging from The Pandemic! March 20, 2021 16:53

You don't need us to tell you (or remind you about 2020) - It was a year that will remain in all of our memories forever. A year when the things we took for granted were taken away from us. People forced to stay home, business's forced to close (many forever) and families not able to see loved ones or even pay their final respects.

Moving Forward... A lot has changed since the beginning of the Pandemic. Just last March when the mandatory 14 day quarantines we set in place for Hawaii, we had 80+ events planned for 2020. The majority of these were postponed, but sadly some were canceled.

We would never ever have dreamed that we would be forced to cancel so many events and more so disrupt so many couples plans and lives. We were heartbroken for each and everyone of them but at the same time we had to try our hardest to protect our business, so that, when the pandemic was over we could still be there to fulfill our promises and our dreams to our clients, now and in the future.

We want to thank all of our clients who worked with us to postpone their events and make sure that we didn't loose our time and money already invested in them. This really helped us weather the worst of the storm and be there to carry on where we left off.

Although things are far from "back to normal", 2021 has certainly seen some restrictions lifted for many parts of the USA, including Hawaii, and the roll out of the vaccine across the World will hopefully provide more incentives to get things full back to normal sooner rather than later.

Since October 15th, 2020 Hawaii started to allow visitors again. They could avoid the mandatory quarantine provided they took part in the pre-flight testing program and tested negative for Covid-19. This was a fantastic moment for us, and Hawaii in general as we could finally start offering our services for very small elopements. 

We are open again. We are planning events for 2021 and further ahead. The only real restrictions that affects us (and you) right now is group sizes at events. As each island in Hawaii (Oahu, Maui, Kauai & The Big Island) mandate their own group gathering size this means that the amount of guests allowed at each event depends on which island your event is set to take place on, and, of course the current restrictions at the time of your event, which may of changed since you booked. At this time we highly recommend keeping guest size as minimal as possible.

If you would like to inquire about availability for your date please click the "Check Your Date" at the top of this page. Furthermore, if you read this post let us know and we will take 5% off the package price. 


Getting Married while on a Cruise in Hawaii October 30, 2019 20:46

We get many couples contacting us each year who are visiting Hawaii while on a Cruise! A Cruise is a great way to see all that Hawaii has to offer and not have to worry about flying from island to island, however, it might not be so easy to plan your Wedding while moving around and not knowing where to get married and what island is best.

If you are planning a cruise vacation in Hawaii but also want that dream Hawaii Beach Wedding or Elopement then look no further. We will take care of everything for you and even work out the best location to obtain your Marriage License before your event, so there are no last-minute surprises.

Your ship can act as your room to get ready (unless you decide to get a hotel for the night) and a taxi or uber can whisk you away to your Ceremony location when the time is right. The only thing that we can't do os access the ship due to security reasons, so, we cannot offer our In-Room Hair & Makeup Service. We can always recommend a local salon to visit in the morning if it's something that you want.

We are here to answer all of your questions about getting married in Hawaii while on a Cruise and can help you each step of the way. 


How to get Married on a Beach in Hawaii? October 1, 2019 23:27

It's no secret that planning a wedding is a big deal but planning a beach wedding in Hawaii away from home on an island you may never have visited can be overwhelming for some and seemingly impossible for others! We are here to change all of that. As Wedding Planners and Coordinators we make the whole process as easy as possible for you. That's our job and promise.

After years in the Hawaii wedding business, we have all the answers, we have seen it all. We know the best Florists and the most beautiful beaches, along with the best time to marry on a particular island or location. Not only that but we offer our services on all four major Hawaiian Islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai & The Big Island. So, if at the time of reading this you have no idea which island you want to visit or marry on then we can help!

OK, so enough about what we can do for you. About how much time, effort and money we can save you. Let's see what it really takes to get married on a beach in Hawaii.

Travel | First things first, you will need to get to Hawaii. Depending on where and when you are traveling from prices will vary. We always recommend shopping around and finding the best possible prices. Saving a few hundred dollars on your flight will go along way in Hawaii. Flying mid-week is often cheaper than flying during the weekend and avoiding any major holidays if possible is always a plus. We do have a Travel Center with some ideas for you to work from.

Guests or no guests? | This is a great question and one most couple decide on early on in the planning stage (and can often change when Aunt Betty finds out!). Are you looking for a Wedding with guests, or, are you more attracted to the thought of jumping on a plane and eloping on a tropical island? Either way works great but make sure you're friends and family know your plans. If you want them to be there, let them know, give them lots of time to plan (and save), to book time off work or find someone to watch the kids... If you are looking to Elope then let your friends and family know in advance to save any shocks or upset family (unless you are planning on a completely secret event, in which case lets keep it hush, hush!) 

If you do have guests attending your event then it may change where you may choose to stay in Hawaii or maybe even the island(s) you plan to visit, for example, if you have a lot of guests then making sure they are all occupied with something to do will be worth considering, the city of Honolulu on Oahu never fails in this but will that quiet romantic B&B work with guests?

Once you have all of that sorted out and you land in Hawaii one of the first things you will need to do is visit a Hawaii State Marriage License Agent to collect your Hawaii Marriage License. Obtaining your Hawaii Marriage License is a fairly easy two-step process and we send you all the details when you book with us. You first will apply online and then when you arrive in Hawaii you will need to collect it in person. All you need are your valid ID or Passports. Usually, it takes no longer than 15 minutes!

Once your marriage license is in hand you're good to go. Ideally, there would be two days between arriving and getting married so you have time to adjust to the timezone change, weather, excitement, etc. This also allows a little buffer room just in case a flight was delayed or baggage misplaced. Speaking of misplaced luggage, always make sure you keep your important documents, wedding bands, vows etc in your carry on luggage. You can always find something in Hawaii to wear if the worst happened but those other items are harder to replace in a hurry!

We will have already sent you your detailed Event Schedule and Timeline for the day, so, by this point, you will know exactly what is happening and when. When the big day arrives everything should go to plan and run smoothly and following the schedule will be a breeze. Depending on the services you added you may have Hair & Makeup, all this is timed into your Event Schedule. 

When the time is ready you will make your way to the ceremony location. On most islands, there is travel needed from your hotel to the ceremony location. How will you travel to your ceremony location? Maybe a Rental Car, Taxi, Uber? It's all worth thinking about how to save time and stress later.

We purchase all the beach permits that are needed for your event, so, all you have to do is show up at the time listed on your timeline. Our team will meet you when you arrive and, well, the rest is yet to be written. 💕


Book Your Hawaii Beach Wedding or Elopement September 22, 2019 19:02

If you found this page then the chances are you considering a Wedding in Hawaii. Getting married on a beach in Hawaii is the dream for many and making it a reality isn't as hard as you think.

Sure, it's going to take some time and planning on your part like first deciding if you want to Elope and it be just the two of you or have a more traditional wedding in Hawaii with friends, family, and guests. You may even plan a small reception on the island for those who can be with you.

Over the years we have developed a process that allows you to book an event with us and not have to worry about anything else ceremony related. We really designed it to make getting married in Hawaii as easy as possible for everyone.

Where to start?

The first major decision to make is the date. For some, this is the most important aspect of the Wedding and for others, the date is flexible, however, until you have a date or date range in mind it's hard to really price things out like flights and hotel, etc. 

At the same time as deciding on the date, choosing an island to marry is another big decision. We offer our services on all four major Hawaiian Islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai & The Big Island. Every island is truly unique in its own way and each one has something different to offer. We recommend researching the islands to see if one will suit you better than another. You can visit our "About The Hawaiian Islands" page for more information.

You can either contact us before your date and island are decided or after, it's up to you. Many couples check the date with us and then start to put everything else together. You can use our Check Your Date Form. 

From this point on we will direct you and assist you until the big day making sure you have and that we have everything we need to create a completely stress-free wedding experience.


Last Minute Weddings in Hawaii! June 6, 2017 09:00 1 Comment

Some of the best things in life are spontaneous or last minute! Weddings are no different. Sometimes you just need something to happen now! We provide full last-minute Wedding Planning and Coordination on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Big Island, Hawaii.

We require at least 72 hours notice and full payment and we can make your last-minute Pop Up Wedding dreams come true... All with zero stress!


A Few Tips on Planning a Destination Wedding December 1, 2016 23:45

Let's be honest, a Destination Wedding is a dream for many couples looking to tie the knot, but often for one reason or the other, many drop this idea. Why? Well, one of the biggest reasons is the expense.

People assume that a Destination Weddings are only for people with lots of money but that's not always the case. It can be very affordable, depending on how well you plan for it.

So, if you want to be the next couple getting married in Hawaii then we have some tips for you.

  1. Plan early

    For executing any job successfully, proper planning is crucial. If you don’t plan properly then you might end up paying a lot more than you bargained for. One of the factors that you should consider is time. Before fixing the wedding date, do a bit of research and learn when would be the best time for a wedding. It again depends on airfare, availability of guests, the weather in your desired destination, and other costs. Chalk out your plan and decide on a timeline. Work as per the timeline and don’t delay things.

    It's always good to avoid making plans during festivals or other public events. If the dates clash with your wedding, it may cause some inconvenience.

  2. Keep things within budget

    Destination Weddings can get expensive if you don’t keep a check on your bank balance. Everything from the flight tickets to booking the destination can cost you a lot of money. Make a budget and promise yourselves that you won’t exceed the budget limit. Make a list of all the things you need and all the people you need to invite and work accordingly.

  3. Learn about your Island

    Before you pack your bags and leave in a hurry, search for hotels, know the prices and learn about the island you're visiting. Remember that we plan everything for your Wedding so it gives you time for some adventure sports or any other activities for that matter in the surrounding areas.

We're here to make the whole process easy and stress-free. We plan everything so "All you have to do is show up".


    One of our Weddings featured on Popular Website - Borrowed & Blue July 10, 2016 19:48

    We're super excited that our Wedding of Veronica and Dave has been chosen to be featured on the Wedding Website Borrowed & Blue.

    They saw our featured Blog Post earlier this year of Veronica and Dave say "I Do" on the beautiful Ke'e Beach on Kauai's lush North Shore.

    Click the Borrowed and Blue logo below to view the pictures on their site...

     

     

     

     


    Australians love coming to Hawaii to get Hitched! July 6, 2016 23:47

    We obviously see a lot of American's visiting Hawaii for the big day, I mean why wouldn't you? A perfect paradise year-round and in our own country, it's also just a 5 or 6-hour flight away from many mainland USA locations!

    Something that has become more and more popular over the years and we have seen a huge increase is Australian lovebirds traveling to Hawaii to get hitched in beautiful elopement, pop-up style Weddings on the beaches.

    Of course, Hawaii has always and will continue to attract couples from all over the globe to say "I Do" on the golden sand beaches while the turquoise blue water slaps against the shore. The idea of being able to marry and honeymoon all in one is really attractive and offers many options.

    A common thing for our couples to do is marry on one island and then fly to another after the Wedding. Some opt for a smaller, "Just the two of us" Elopement while others go for a more traditional family gathering and then get-a-way afterward, either way or any way, you really can't go wrong.

    We have also seen a big increase in couples from England and the rest of Europe. We can assist you in getting a marriage license. 

    If you are in considering getting Married in Hawaii then contact us today so we can show you how easy and stress-free we make the whole planning process. All you have to do is show up!


    Social Media & Your Hawaiian Wedding: The Do's and Don't! June 7, 2016 22:36

    It's hard to get away for the feeds, updates, notifications and alerts but if there is ever a day to put down the smartphone then your Wedding Day is one of them.

    We see it all to often in this day and age, people holding phones up, taking pictures and videos and somewhat detached from the main event.

    Our "Social Media & Your Wedding" infographic offers some useful Do's and Don't for managing your Social Media during your big event.

    Infographic Courtesy of: The Sheraton Athlone Hotel

    Destination Hawaii... Planning your Hawaii Beach Wedding! May 6, 2016 11:31

    Planning a Wedding or Vow Renewal in Hawaii? When planning a Destination Wedding these are our 10 Steps to making the whole process easier and a little less stressful!

    1. Decide on your Date. This is important as everything revolves around your actual date. The sooner you can secure your date the better. Your guests will need time to book time off work, your coordinators will need time to book the very best vendors possible. As you can imagine, Hawaii can get very busy during "Wedding Season" so availability may be an issue the closer you get to your date

    2. Which Island Do We Choose? Many of our couples considering Hawaii for there Wedding Celebration have never visited the Islands and therefore are unaware of what each one has to offer, each Island that we offer service on are all so different. We have put together a page all About the Hawaiian Islands which includes some videos to help give you an idea about what to expect. 

    3. Choosing Your Beach Location!? Once we know what Island you are planning on visiting and where you are thinking of staying we can suggest the best beach locations for you and your wedding party. 

    4. Asking for Help! Many couples decide to try to plan a destination Wedding ceremony themselves, this is great and we totally admire everyone for wanting to create their own dreams. We also know how stressful and overwhelming it can all become. Aside from the actual Wedding Day you have so much to plan and think about that it all could become to much. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Not only from your friends, family but also consider hiring professionals to take the stress away!

    5. Morning, Afternoon or Sunset!? What time do you want to get Married? After deciding on your island and date you will need to think about times for the ceremony. There are many factors to consider. If you are looking for a Sunset Ceremony then this will all depend on the time of year, Sunset in Winter months is around 5:30 and in the Summer around 7:00/7:30pm. Many couples opt for a Wedding a few hours prior to Sunset when the lighting is still bright and they have time to get to a Lu'au or reception for Sunset. Others plan to Marry as the Sun is setting. Morning Weddings are also a popular option!

    6. Inviting Guests... Let's face it. Traveling to Hawaii can be expensive. After flights, hotels, car rental it can be a big investment for not only you but your guests. An average Hawaii Wedding consists of about 20 guests. It's important for you to know exactly how many people can actually attend. Many would love to but a lot won't be able to. This helps you plan much easier.

    7. Get your Marriage License!!!! It's the one thing our Brides and Grooms tend to panic about but relax... We have you covered. When you book with us we send you all the information on what you need to do to obtain your license. It's a much easier process than many expect. 

    8. Double Check Everything... While everything may have been booked and then forgotten about it's worth taking a few minutes to double check all your plans. Flights, Times, Hotels, Rentals etc. 

    9. Allow Time!!! Flying to a different timezone with different climates can be a strain for anyone, esspecially when you are getting married! We always suggest leaving a good few days (if possible) from arriving in Hawaii to getting married. You need to settle in, adjust to the time difference, make sure all your guests arrive on-time and then get your marriage license. It's just a good idea to allow a few extra days.

    10. Have Fun... In the Sun! Remember most importantly this will be one of the most exciting trips of your life so remember to relax and have fun. Nobody is going to enjoy themselves if you are stressing out :) If your happy, your guests will be happy to. Oh and don't forget your swimsuit!!!


    The Best Beach in America for 2015 is Waimanalo Bay Beach Park in Hawaii! May 22, 2015 01:12 1 Comment

    Yes! That's right, one of our most popular and requested beach locations, Waimanalo Bay Beach Park on the beautiful Hawaiian Island of Oahu has won the top spot in The Best U.S. Beach of 2015! 

    The criteria for the best beach included water quality, safety, available activities, and other environmental factors.

    Waimanalo has been one of our favorite locations on Oahu for years. Located between Oahu's South and East Shores and is famed for its beautiful, long white sandy beach which is perfect for ceremonies of all sizes. The turquoise waters make the most romantic backdrop!

    You can view the Yahoo! News article HERE


    Getting Married in Hawaii? It's Easy With Us! April 1, 2015 16:04 2 Comments

    Getting Married in Hawaii is full of excitement, adventure, romance and of course many fantastic memories to be made.

    However, when couples start the process to get married on either Oahu, Maui, Kauai or Big Island their paradise turns to panic. With a never-ending amount of companies, locations, islands, hotels to choose from it can all be, let's say... a little overwhelming.

    That's where we step in to ease the planning and de-stress the situation. We are different from the hundreds of other Wedding and Vow Renewal companies out there because we deal with not just one Island but all four main Islands. This means we can advise you which Island would be best for you depending on you and your guest's needs and desires etc. 

    One email to us can solve all your problems. We can take care of all your ceremony requirements. Once you have decided on which Hawaiian Island to Marry on we can then select a package that includes the services or items you want or you can add items from our Extra Services and Flowers sections. 

    At Married with Aloha, it's all about you. It's not out Wedding Day it's yours and we understand that more than anything. We are blessed and honored to provide our services to anyone who needs help Getting Married in Hawaii!

    Please Contact Us today to create your dream Hawaii Wedding!