When you picture an elopement in Hawaii, the first image that comes to mind is probably a couple on a romantic beach at sunset exchanging their vows. While this definitely is a reality, and an all around amazing experience for an elopement, there are actually a ton of different ways to celebrate your elopement here! Let’s take a look at 4 fun ways to elope in Hawaii that don’t revolve around the beach, as well as some general elopement tips to help with the planning process!

Go on a Hike Together

Hiking is the first option on my list, and it takes us practically as far away from the beach that you physically can get! The mountainous landscapes of the islands of Hawaii are some of the most scenic to hike, making them perfect for more adventurous couples that are still looking to elope in this tropical paradise. Wide open vistas, breathtaking views of the ocean, lush green forests abound, and less crowds than you’d typically find at the beaches, the hiking trails of Hawaii make for phenomenal elopement experiences. Be sure to pack along some quality shoes or hiking boots (your feet will thank you), and plan to pack a bit of water and even some snacks as well to keep yourselves fueled throughout your adventure.

Celebrate with a Scenic Picnic

One of my favorite ways couples choose to celebrate when they elope in Hawaii is to have a romantic picnic together! This is something that we’ve included the prep and setup for in our full service elopement packages in the past, and there are SO many spots in Hawaii that are amazing for picnics. Whether you add in a romantic picnic onto your hike, head out to the nearest scenic park, set up atop one of the oceanside cliffs, or even on the beach, a picnic with your elopement is always a phenomenal experience!

Enjoy the City Vibes of Honolulu

A truly underrated side of Oahu is the city life of Honolulu. Endless restaurants, shops, and entertainment make this one of the best areas to stay on the island. More than that though, the capital city of Hawaii is an excellent place to elope. There are a ton of scenic parks to enjoy scattered throughout the city, iconic locations like the Hawaii Theatre, and plenty of charming neighborhoods like Waikiki that offer incredible city vibes to enjoy! I highly recommend snagging some ice cream for a late night treat as well!

Head Out to Sea

Another fantastic elopement experience you can have in Hawaii without the beach is to elope at sea! Cait and Will made this a part of their elopement, and it was such an amazing experience. This style of elopement gives you a completely unique setting to enjoy as well as a different view of the gorgeous islands that you may not have seen yet. There are plenty of boat rental companies throughout the islands to choose from, so as long as you don’t get easily sea-sick I recommend considering this option!

Deciding How YOU Want to Elope in Hawaii

As you can see, there are many different ways that you can elope while in Hawaii, so how do you decide what to do? The great thing about elopements is that they are YOUR experience to make. Elopements typically have few or no guests present, so you don’t really have to worry about what others want for your day. You can choose the experience that speaks to you, and you should! Whether you choose an option from above, or a ceremony on the beach, making your elopement true to you is one of the most important parts of the whole experience!

Choosing Which Island to Elope On

Another challenging part of planning an elopement in Hawaii is choosing the island you’ll elope on! The reason this is challenging is because every island has something to offer. Islands like Maui and Oahu have more options when it comes to resorts and other amenities, while the islands of Lanai and Molokai are considerably more adventurous. There’s really no wrong answer here, again it mostly comes down to the experience you are hoping to have. For a more in depth dive into choosing the island of Hawaii that’s best fit for your elopement experience check out this guide of where to elope in Hawaii!

Deciding Where to Stay

There are an abundance of options when it comes to deciding where to stay during your vacation to Hawaii, many of my favorites being the fantastic resorts found throughout the islands. Since you’re traveling to Hawaii to elope, you may as well book your stay for one of these resorts to make your elopement vacation an unforgettable experience. For a look at just some of the amazing options throughout the islands, check out my 12 favorite resorts for couples here!

Those are 4 unique ways to elope in Hawaii, as well as some planning tips to get you started! As you might have guessed though, there’s still a TON more planning that goes into creating the dream elopement experience in Hawaii. For more tips on how to plan your Hawaii elopement check out this planning guide, and if you’d like help deciding which elopement package fits you best check out this article. Finally, for anyone looking to book us to document their elopement head to our contact page today!