Destination Weddings and Honeymoons

Festive I do’s at Maui’s Olowalu Plantation House.
Photo by: Shawn Starr

With astonishing natural beauty, a heavenly climate and a vibrant native culture — plus all the ease of being part of the United States — the Aloha Isles offer brides the perfect mix of easy and exotic. From finding the right island to deciding between resort vows and DIY affairs, here is everything you need to know about planning a soiree in the 50th state.

The Hawaiian Islands
This may come as a surprise, but Hawaii isn’t homogeneous. Each of its four main islands delivers a distinct version of paradise. The first step is determining which is best for you.

Oahu Home to the capital, Honolulu (a nonstop flight from 21 American cities), Oahu is the most populated and accessible isle. Cosmopolitan couples delight in its luxe mix of high-end hotels, scenester clubs, dining, shopping and legendary urban coastline, Waikiki Beach. This sandy crescent stretches to the island’s landmark Diamond Head crater (a comfortable day hike for groups) and makes a great home base for couples who want their surf with a side of enticing extras within walking distance.

But there’s more to Oahu than Waikiki. To escape the big-city buzz, head to the North Shore, known for its jagged landscapes, hippie surf towns and Old Hawaii feel. The newest resorts are at Ko Olina, on the island’s western shore, where the luxe JW Marriott will be joined by Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in fall 2011.
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Kauai Nicknamed the Garden Isle for its verdant rainforests, Kauai lures privacy-minded couples with its castaway quality. Yes, there are a handful of upscale resorts, but the main vibe is boutique and boho — think funky organic eateries and mom and pop shops selling surfwear, handmade soaps and shell leis. Yes, the vendor selection is more limited than on other isles — but with such drop-dead scenery, who will notice the centerpieces anyway?

Guests flip for day trips to Kauai’s natural wonders: The north shore is best known for the spectacular cliffs of the Napali Coast, while on the west side, the Waimea Canyon (aka the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) wows visitors with its deep, colorful gorge. For sun worship, Poipu Beach, on the south shore, is consistently rated one of the world’s finest strands.
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The Big Island The birthplace of Kamehameha I, Hawaii’s first and greatest king, the Big Island best captures the mystique of Old Hawaii. It’s larger than all the other isles combined, so the tourist areas, from the luxury resort villages of the Kohala Coast to Kona’s popular coffee estates, are spread out — a challenge if you and your guests want to see them all in a couple of days, so choose your excursions wisely. For adventurous brides, dramatic backdrops abound, including black-sand beaches, rustic paniolo ranches that recall the American West, and even the smoldering craters of Volcanoes National Park.
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Maui The Valley Isle strikes a nice balance between Oahu’s hustle and bustle and the
wilderness of Kauai and the Big Island. Its most popular beaches, Wailea and Kaanapali, offer myriad resort options with fewer crowds than Waikiki. And with some direct flights from the mainland, Maui is a happy medium when it comes to accessibility as well.

In the sheer number and diversity of attractions, Maui can’t be beat, with haunting Haleakala, the world’s largest dormant volcano; the quaint, historic port town of Lahaina; ocean-hugging turns along the Road to Hana; and brisk, lavender-scented Upcountry. Escape to the rural eastern shore for a casual, barefoot bash, or have your reception at a
gourmet restaurant in a five-star hotel.
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>>>NEXT: Choosing a Hawaii Resort