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Love Hawaiian Style

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The word “Aloha” means far more than the commonly known “hello” and “goodbye.” In the Hawaiian culture it’s a symbol of a people who value unity, patience, kindness, humility and, above all, love.

With such a powerful message, it’s no wonder Hawaii draws so many couples in search of the perfect destination wedding. And after exploring the natural wonders and breathtaking vistas of this archipelago’s eight islands, it’s even easier to see why: From the live volcano, arid deserts and rainforests of the Big Island of Hawaii to Maui’s nightlife, Hawaii offers something for every couple and their wedding guests.

Whichever island you choose, the surrounding splendor plays a crucial role. It’s not unusual to marry with a waterfall as a dramatic backdrop, exchange vows on a boat surrounded by dolphins or get married on the edge of a volcano. “This is a place that’s definitely all about the beauty and ambiance,” says Denise Black, a wedding planner with The Four Seasons Maui at Wailea.

With a location settled on, choices still abound: from a traditional Hawaiian wedding, replete with sand ceremonies and a processional with four men carrying the bride on a dais to the inclusion of Hawaiian-style touches, such as blowing a conch shell and exchanging traditional Hawaiian wedding lei. “We can do the whole Hawaiian processional, but usually the lei is the most popular Hawaiian touch to a destination wedding, because it is so precious,” says Black, explaining that a lei greeter welcomes every guest.

And wedding receptions here aren’t just time-honored lu’aus anymore. More often, couples hold a lu’au for a welcome or rehearsal dinner and create a specialized wedding reception, whether it involves a nine-course tasting menu or hiring a sushi chef for made-to-order rolls.

In short, whether in front of a bamboo arbor with your toes in the sand or a traditional wedding with a broad range of local touches, Hawaii will allow you to have the wedding of your dreams: The options are as varied and as breathtaking as the scenery.

THE BIG ISLAND

If you’re seeking a varied wedding experience, consider the Big Island of Hawaii. This island has 11 climate zones and offers experiences from lounging at a spa by the beach to flying down zip lines in a rain forest to visiting the active Kilauea volcano. The posh resorts are often located on the island’s northwestern edge, on the coast between Kona and Kohala, where the sand is white, gray and black and the forest is lush. On the northern coast, you’ll find Puukohola Heiau, a restored ancient Hawaiian temple that’s the largest on all of the islands.

Kona Village Resort

Want to go back in time and forget modern troubles? Slip into Kona Village Resort on Hawaii’s Kona-Kohala coast. Eighty-two acres of sandy shoreline is the setting for 125 Hawaiian-style bungalows (called hale)—all free of telephones, televisions, radios and clocks. But there’s no need to entirely forgo modern amenities: The resort includes a spa, fitness center and yoga and pilates classes, along with fine dining at a French Polynesian restaurant.

For the whirlpool spas on private lanais (balconies), stay in a royal hale styled with thatched roofs and traditional architectural styles. Or, wedding guests can opt for a hale overlooking tranquil lagoons or one located on the site of an ancient lava flow.

Have a wedding on a resort beach with your choice of white, gray or black sand. Or, consider the South Point Tiki site, with uninterrupted sea views and amazing sunsets. The resort can also plan an exotic-locale wedding, such as a ceremony on Kahuwai Bay, where dolphins are known to frolic. Another option is to take a helicopter to a volcano and exchange vows there. End your ceremony with the release of Monarch butterflies. 808.325.4372, konavillage.com.

Mauna Lani Resort at Kalahuipua’a

This lush resort on the Kohala coast features 3,400 acres of grounds, including two 18-hole golf courses, an outdoor spa and three miles of secluded beach. For guests, organize a sand volleyball tournament, treat everyone to a day on the links or take fish- or turtle-feeding tours.
At this locale, stay in your very own Hawaiian home—one of the resort’s 4,000-square-foot bungalows that have two master-bedroom suites, palatial living and dining rooms and a private swimming pool, surrounded by saltwater ponds filled with tropical fish. Wedding guests can opt for a bungalow or a posh suite or guestroom with private lanais and marble bathrooms.

Choose a wedding setting that includes ancient royal fishponds, panoramic ocean views or tropical gardens. Ask for a floral trellis or white lattice archway besotted with fresh flowers to frame your nuptials. 808.885.6622, maunalani.com.

The Fairmont Orchid

This resort features 540 rooms nestled on 32 beachfront acres on the Kohala Coast. Before and after the festivities, relax on the resort’s secluded beach, at its pool or among its waterfall gardens. And, enjoy one of the Fairmont Orchid’s nine restaurants and lounges, a modern Hawaiian spa and some natural visitors: Every afternoon, wild Hawaiian green sea turtles sunbathe with visitors on the beach.

Set yourself up in the South Tower Presidential Suite, a two-bedroom suite with a panoramic ocean view and heightened Gold Floor-service—which includes private check-in, a private lounge and lanai and complimentary shoe shining. Then, treat wedding guests to a round of golf on the hotel’s championship 36-hole course.

Wedding venues range from opulent banquet halls to an outside ceremony with a backdrop of waterfalls, coconut groves or the great Pacific Ocean. 808.885.2000, fairmont.com/orchid.

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