Last Updated on January 4, 2023 by Karma Hill

If you’re having a small wedding in Oahu, you need to decide if you want to book a package on the public beach or at a dedicated Oahu wedding venue. For many couples, the choice comes down to price. But you may be surprised by the affordable wedding venues Oahu offers for small groups.

A beach wedding may seem cheaper, especially when you compare it too intricate events at upscale venues. But if you’re looking for a simple wedding in Oahu without the sand, strangers, and restrictions, you can still have an affordable event.

Today we’ll outline the price of a venue wedding and explore cost-saving measures that could have you marrying at a luxury locale without breaking the bank. So read along to discover how your dream Oahu wedding could be within reach. 

A Simple Oahu Wedding package on the beach with an hour and a half of photography is about $3300. Comparable wedding packages at Oahu venues run anywhere from $4750 to $5800, depending on the location. 

The difference in those costs comes mainly from the venue’s site fee, which buys a designated location for your ceremony. It also provides chairs, the possibility for additional guests and decor, and worry-free parking. 

So while a venue does cost more than a beach wedding, you are getting more for that price. 

It’s easy to spend over $30,000 on a small wedding in Hawaii, but you don’t have to. Even if you choose to wed at a resort or estate, you don’t have to spend a fortune. 

Venue packages are great because they are a middle ground between a really basic beach wedding and a full custom event.

If you’re looking for a simple wedding that’s still intimate and unique, you can enjoy a venue wedding while taking measures to keep costs down. Keep reading to learn more about why a venue wedding may not be the expensive endeavor you expect. 

While many venues charge thousands of dollars for a rental fee, they may offer special pricing if you book for a limited timeframe. It’s called a ceremony-only booking, but it will also include some time for portraits as well.

This works out great for couples searching for affordable wedding venues in Oahu. There will likely be restrictions that come along with the lower site fee, so here are some things to look out for: 

• You’ll want to make sure the rental time covers the time for set up, arrivals, photos, and departure. Talk to your wedding coordinator to ensure there is enough time for everything.
• The ceremony-only option may only be available on certain days of the week or certain times of the day. 
• You may only be allowed to have a certain number of guests at affordable wedding venues in Oahu. 

Even if you do face some restrictions at your wedding venue, it will still likely be more enjoyable than a public beach wedding, which involves many strict rules. 

Even if you book only a ceremony package for your wedding, you can still have a wonderful reception. Most couples plan that at a nearby restaurant or luau. The per-person cost ends up being far less than having dinner at a private venue. 

If you have a reception at a venue, you’ll need to pay the full site fee and then bring in all the rentals to have a meal there. This includes everything from chairs and tables to entertainment and staffing. You’ll even need to plan every cup and fork and provide the lighting so you can party into the night. Plus, there’s the cost of hiring someone to coordinate that for you. 

That works great if it’s within your budget. But if you’re hoping for a simple wedding, you can instead bring your guests to a restaurant, where you don’t have to worry about rentals and staffing.

A restaurant reception for 20 people would add a couple of thousand dollars to your ceremony costs, which is far less than a $20,000+ event. 

Just because you can have endless decorations at your venue wedding doesn’t mean you must. In fact, you can have a simple venue wedding with no additional decor at all. The natural scenery provides all the beauty you need. 

If you do want some decorations at your venue ceremony, then you can plan to spend $600 – $2,000+ on flower setups. 

We sometimes see couples who feel pressured to spend a lot on ceremony decor because they’re afraid the venue will look plain or ordinary without it. While flowers are always pretty, there’s no need to stretch your budget thin just because you think weddings need lots of decor. 

Embracing the beauty of simplicity can help you keep costs down for your Oahu venue wedding.

As you weigh the differences between a beach and a venue wedding, it’s tempting to look only at the cost. You may not want to trim your budget every chance you get, especially if that means sacrificing your happiness. 

While we don’t recommend anyone depletes savings or goes overboard with their wedding spending, we do encourage everyone to look beyond the price tag. Here are some things worth thinking about as you begin budgeting for your Oahu wedding:

• Your happiness in the moment
• How you’ll look back on your wedding for the rest of your life
• Peace of mind during the planning process
• Your guests’ experience

If you’ll be unhappy on a sandy beach, with your guests standing and no rain backup plan, then it may be worth saving up for an extra few months to afford an Oahu venue wedding package. 

We’ve already explored how to keep your costs down while opting for the venue ceremony, so you probably don’t have to save up as long as you feared. And it will be worth it to have a wedding day you’re truly happy with. 

If you’ve decided to have a venue wedding in Oahu, you’ll need to find the perfect location. The good news is that anywhere on Oahu is absolutely gorgeous. But if you want a place that’s beautiful, private, and off the beach, you’ll be happy to discover that there are some affordable options. 

All of our Simple Oahu Wedding packages run under $6,000 and have a maximum guest count of either 18, 30, or 50 people. 

One of our favorite spots for a ceremony is the Royal Hawaiian Golf Club. It’s a serene location with unique mountain views. You can either have a restaurant-style reception onsite at their golf club or head back to Honolulu to have a restaurant reception at your favorite spot. 

Kualoa Ranch Secret Island is our most popular venue package. It allows couples to wed with their toes in the sand without the restrictions that a public beach wedding will face. 

With so many affordable wedding venues Oahu is a great place to have a small yet beautiful ceremony. 

While we think beach weddings are beautiful in their simplicity, we’ve found many couples are happier with the security and peace of mind that a venue provides. You can keep your plans simple by sticking with the base package, or customize your experience with more florals, vendors, and photography time. 

Whether you are on a tight budget or ready to wow with your investment, an Oahu Venue Package could be the perfect option for your wedding day. 

Want to learn more about our venue packages? Get in touch with one of our coordinators today to find your dream location.