Wedding Season In Hawai'i Runs 365 Days A Year.

Written By Wedding Hawai'i Magazine Staff.

Photography By Ashley Valera Photography.

So you’ve popped the big question, now what? Whether you were the one doing the asking, or the one doing the answering – either way, it took some planning. Proposals usually require a moderate amount of preparation from one party. So, say you popped the question while having dinner at your favorite restaurant, staged an elaborately choreographed proposal with friends and family, or just shared a private moment with the most important people in the world – you’re now engaged to be married. You may be tempted to say, “Phew, glad the hard part is over.” Well, if you’ve chosen Hawaii as your wedding location, you’re on the right track.

Photography By Ashley Valera Photography

While planning a wedding doesn’t necessarily need to be difficult, it’s certainly time-consuming, and picking the location is just one of the challenges. Today, weddings have become personal statements of style – putting on display the unique love you and your partner share. Also on display are your opinions on what marriage means to you, what a ceremony should look like, and lastly – how you celebrate after a big moment in your life. Yes, I know, lots to think about. With that said, choosing Hawaii as your venue comes with a lot of advantages, namely the fact that it’s Hawaii – a place that exudes natural beauty at every turn. In Hawaii, wedding season is 365 days a year. Want a country wedding – Hawaii’s got that, try Kualoa Ranch on Oahu. Want a traditional wedding in a 170-year church – Hawaii’s got that too, try St. Raphael’s in Kauai. Want a beach wedding – Hawaii has over 750 miles of coastline facing every direction. You really can’t go wrong in Hawaii.

Now, remember what I said about 365 days a year? Keep in mind that while Hawaii doesn’t have the same variations in seasons as the east coast of the United States – the weather does change. Like the rest of the country, Hawaii gets warmer in the summertime, providing longer days, more sunshine, and a wider array of activities for you and your guests. Then there is always winter, but not a snowy, chilly, “I have to salt the driveway” winter. Instead, winter in Hawaii is a cooler time of the year, with temperatures holding steady in the low to mid 70’s, a great option for people who’d prefer less humidity and gentler temperatures. But remember, winter also means more rain. Now before you discount winter, hear me out. Rain is a normal part of living and being in Hawaii. Ask any local. Unless there’s a reported storm moving through, rain usually falls every day and only lasts a few minutes and then the sun comes back out. It’s just part of being in the tropics. Oh, and you can get good deals during this slower time of year. But now, back to the seasons. Springtime in Hawaii is hands down the most beautiful time of year. Everything is in bloom, and I mean everything. One needs only to do a quick internet search to see that Hawaii has the richest, most diverse flora out of any state in the union. So, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and consider local flowers and fruits for your ceremony. Yes, fruit. Many people incorporate pineapples, lilikoi, papaya, and other beautiful fruit into their decorations. They also make great gifts to send guests home with too!

PHOTO BY ASHLEY VALERA PHOTOGRAPHY

Along with the flora, Hawaii is also full of breathtaking landscapes. Rolling pastures, ancient canyons, powder-white beaches, and crystal clear water make Hawaii the choice location for many couples. But not every island is the same. Some are more arid than others, lusher than others, some are older than others (more on that in a sec), and some are even more crowded than others.

Kauai, the “Garden Island”, is the least populated, oldest, and most lush of all the major islands. So why does age matter? Well, the older the island, the longer the water has been eroding the rock. More erosion equals more sand, which is why out of all the major islands Kauai has the most beaches, despite not being the largest island.

Oahu, known as “the Gathering Place”, has a lot of classic architecture due to its rich history as a hub for all the neighboring islands. Oahu was the longtime home to the Hawaiian Royal Family – the Ali’i. When the Ali’i ruled the islands – they chose Oahu to be the center of commerce, government, religion, and culture – with many of those aspects continuing today. Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, has all the fixtures of any modern city, but among those busy streets you can still catch glimpses of the Hawaii of yesterday, before western powers established their influence.

Maui, the valley isle, has dramatic mountains, like Haleakala, endless shorelines, and scenic drives that seem to go on forever. Home of Pe’ahi (Jaws surf break), Maui also experiences some of the best surf in the world. Maui strikes a harmonious balance between the old and the new, the natural and the manufactured. Known for its rich history as a fishing and whaling port, Maui has a lot to offer couples in terms of beauty and modernity.

And finally, the Big Island. The island of Hawaii is the youngest of all the major islands, clocking in at about 450,000 years old. It’s also the largest of the islands, measuring practically the size of the state of Connecticut. It is also home to the tallest mountain on earth (measuring from the ocean floor), Mauna Kea. The Big Island also has a vast ecological system and is home to 5 different climate zones, meaning that you can ski, surf, and watch the lava flow on the same day. Probably the most rural of the major islands, the Big Island likes keeping the country, “country”.

Every Hawaiian Island is a gem of the pacific, you just have to choose the one that best suits your own style. Choosing Hawaii as your wedding destination is the easy part. Picking which island, season, and location to get married – I leave that to you. The good news is, no matter where you choose, you’ll win every time.