Our sweet couple, Julia and Brandon, wanted a lush tropical ambiance for their Oahu venue wedding! Surrounded by the island’s raw beauty, their intimate affair was a joyful day as their friends and family joined them to celebrate their union! However, they wanted a simple, relaxed, and, most importantly, nature-focused ceremony. As you’ll see in the following photos, we are so pleased they had their dream Oahu venue wedding!

With a nature theme in mind, Julia walked down the aisle and was showered with rose petals. We absolutely love it when our brides include this floral detail in their ceremony! It felt thoroughly tropical and authentically Hawaiian with the jungly mountains in the distance! The gorgeous setting for their tropical Oahu venue wedding was The Royal Hawaiian Golf Club. This location is ideal if you love lush greenery and epic views like our delightful pair! They were so pleased to have chosen this location for their Oahu venue wedding because of the majestic landscape and cinematic scenery. As you can see in their photos, it is pure paradise!

How They Met

Julia and Brandon met at work casually until they discovered something more between them. We often hear that! Originally from Arizona, our lovely pair recently are new homeowners too! They enjoy adventuring with their furry family and cooking together in their free time.

Our tropical bride, Julia, has always been drawn to the raw beauty of the Hawaiian islands. She was delighted to share her love for the islands with Brandon since it was his first time visiting! As nature lovers, they wanted a ceremony reflecting the simplicity and tropical colors in the Oahu’s landscape. We were so honored to capture their dream Oahu venue wedding!

Sealed With A Kiss

With their closest friends and family nearby, Julia and Brandon were off to the lush forests of Oahu to capture their first moments together as husband and wife! It was about time because they had been dating for 10 years! But it was well worth the wait, as you can see! True love always is worth the wait, in our opinion…

Natural Beauty

As we went to take their private newlywed photos, we couldn’t stop looking in awe at Julia’s colorful bouquet! It is the epitome of tropical elegance with protea, ginger, anthurium, and the like! It matched her warm and charismatic personality beautifully. The birdsong and banyan trees added to the tropical ambiance that brought its own kind of magic to the day! We gushed over her flower crown and ethereal slit dress; she looked positively radiant, don’t you think?! Brandon certainly thought so – he looked at his new bride with such love and deep friendship, as you can see below!

Sending Julia and Brandon a huge mahalo from all of us a Simple Oahu Wedding! Your special day was an honor to capture, it was tropical elegance at its finest! May you have all the love and happiness together in your next chapter… until we meet again in paradise!

OAHU VENUE WEDDING – ALL THE DETAILS

Time of Day: Afternoon

Oahu Wedding Photographer: Megan from Karma Hill Photography

Wedding Florals: Custom Bouquet by Sweet Blossoms

Oahu Wedding Venue Location: The Royal Hawaiian Golf Club

Oahu Wedding Packages: Simple Oahu Wedding

When you imagine a wedding in Honolulu or anywhere in Oahu, you likely picture marrying on the beach. Endless pristine sand, scenic views, and serene water. It’s an idyllic picture, and your photos will likely embody much of that. 

After all, Oahu is a beautiful place, and it’s hard to find a bad spot to get married. But your wedding is more than photos – it’s an entire experience. 

There are two main choices for having a Honolulu wedding: marrying on the public beach or renting a dedicated venue. 

A public beach wedding is great for many laid-back couples who want a budget-friendly and no-frills event. A commercial wedding venue is a bit pricier but comes with more comfort and amenities than the beach, plus there are fewer restrictions.

Do you think a beach wedding is the best choice for you? Ahead, we’ll outline some key considerations so you can make sure you’re booking the best Honolulu wedding package for you. 

The Beach Crowds

A wedding at a public beach involves, well, the public. You don’t get exclusive access to any part of the beach, so you will be sharing your wedding site with swimmers, sunbathers, spikeball players, and day drinkers. 

This is where experience vs. photos really comes into play. Our photography partner, Karma Hill Photography, photoshops nearly all the people out of wedding photos. So while you will be joined by strangers on your big day, you don’t have to remember them forever in your photos. 

But how will these strangers make you feel during your wedding in Honolulu?

Couples often enjoy a quiet beach for their wedding in Honolulu and Oahu, but it’s a gamble. We try to predict the least crowded days by avoiding weekends and holidays as much as possible, avoiding peak hours during the day, and avoiding the most popular locations (sorry, that rules out a Waikiki Beach ceremony). 

So while we do our best to get each couple the most serene beach wedding experience possible, many unknowns could cause the beaches to be busier. 

The Wedding Plan

Each day is different at the best beaches in Oahu. Our team of experienced photographers and onsite coordinators are used to working in various conditions, but they have to make many calls only minutes before the ceremony.

What does that mean for your planning experience? We can plan many key elements ahead of time, but other things depend on each day’s unique circumstances. 

Here are some things we can plan for at beach weddings:

• If the couple would like not to see each other until the ceremony begins
• Timing the ceremony for the best photography lighting
• A meet-up spot for guests
• A point of contact in case you need help finding the meet-up spot
• What will your officiant say, and if you’ll share your own custom vows

Here are things that your team will decide as they show up shortly before the ceremony:

• Where on the beach we’ll have the ceremony
• Where the entrances will begin and where guests will stand
• What kind of photo backdrops are available based on beachgoers and the tide
• If parking is full, we’ll direct guests to a backup lot, which could cause one of your guests to serve as a shuttle from a distant lot to the beach.
• If the weather is turning bad, we’ll decide if we need to wed under umbrellas or if we can wait out a passing shower.

If you and your guests are ok with going with the flow and following the guidance of your trusty onsite coordinator, you could really enjoy a relaxed beach wedding. But if you get anxious over the unknown, you may be better off booking a commercial venue, where we have a set location and more certainty. 

The Risks of a Beach Ceremony

A commercial wedding venue in Honolulu or nearby will be a controlled space where we can manage seating, enjoy more privacy, and be in touch with a venue contact leading up to the ceremony. 

A beach wedding leaves more opportunities for things to go wrong. This could include rain, strangers in the background, permit enforcement checking for paperwork, wind, noise, and parking struggles. 

If you are so excited about a fun, relaxed beach wedding and hiccups like these won’t phase you, then go for it! But if you’ll be distracted on the day, or worried leading up to it, you may want to consider Oahu wedding venues instead. 

Your Guest Count Is Important

Did you know that you can only have about 25 guests at a public beach wedding in Hawaii? This includes a beach wedding in Honolulu and throughout Oahu. And that 25-count limit could decrease if you hire many vendors or if the state changes the rules at any time. 

There are no exceptions to the guest count cap, so you’ll definitely want to control your group size if you book a beach wedding. 

If there is any chance that you could have 25 or more guests, then you should book an Oahu venue, which will be more flexible with guest count and provide a more comfortable experience for your larger group. 

Based on our years of experience, we’ve actually found that guest counts of 15 or less work best at beach weddings. Most of this has to do with parking challenges at the beach and the fact that we aren’t allowed to set up seating. 

Cost Of Oahu Beach Weddings

Having your wedding on the public beach does cost less than having it at a venue. This is because we don’t need to pay a site rental fee. Instead, we just need to secure a permit to have the wedding legally on the beach. 

Budget-minded couples will likely first consider beach weddings, and that could be an excellent choice for you. But if you have concerns about some of the risks and unknowns involved with beach ceremonies, then you may need to look at your overall wedding and vacation budget to see if you can swing for a lower-cost venue. 

What about couples with a larger wedding budget who really want to marry on the beach? If you have the funds for your dream wedding, then consider that a public beach wedding is the cheapest option. A beach on private/commercial property or any commercial venue could allow you to have a more elegant wedding while still being only steps away from the ocean. 

Choosing a Beach Wedding in Honolulu and Oahu

If you’ve considered these key factors and still think a beach wedding is perfect for your laid-back and scenic vision, then we are excited to plan that for you! Check out our Honolulu wedding packages here. 

If you think these elements could affect how you enjoy your wedding, from the planning to the day of to the memories of it, then let’s talk more! Contact our Honolulu wedding coordinators to see what options are available and how we can help create a simple yet beautiful wedding for you. 

There are so many ways to have a beautiful Hawaii wedding. You just need to narrow down the best option for you. Want more advice about choosing between the different wedding options? Check out our blog post to learn more about picking your perfect Oahu wedding location. 

Clare & Christopher’s venue wedding in Oahu was straight out of a fairytale! The exquisite landscapes at Kualoa Secret Island surrounded our delightful duo as they exchanged vows. Then the heavy clouds and soft sunlight created a romantic mood. Most importantly, this ceremony was the definition of intimate! Our beautiful pair had only two guests in attendance — their two children! Keep scrolling to see this gorgeous event for yourself.

Secret, relaxed, and intimate are a few words our charming couple used to describe their sunset occasion! Kualoa Secret Island was the perfect place for Clare and Christopher’s special day. This private spot has an endless amount of breathtaking views! First, we set up the wedding on the shoreline. The cerulean waves, beige sand, and lofty palm trees were an impeccable background for this tranquil event. After the ceremony, Karma Hill Photography captured flawless portraits of our radiant newlyweds with epic mountains and an ancient fish pond!

Why They Had a Venue Wedding in Oahu

Clare and Christopher wanted to keep their wedding simple and stress-free. They made the right choice by teaming up with us! We covered the basics of planning their day, then ensured their ceremony would look stunning. Above all, we’re glad to hear our passionate pair loves their day! 

This romantic getaway wasn’t our radiant newlyweds’ first time on the island! Thirteen years ago, Clare and Christopher visited Oahu and Lana’i. Since it was one of their most unforgettable holidays — they knew they had to return with their daughters!

Our lovely couple met when they were nineteen years old. Then in 2011, they got engaged in Sardinia, Italy! Christopher is a property developer, while Clare works in Investment Banking. They have two daughters, who are eleven and eight years old. As a family, this bunch loves being active! You can find them hiking, boating, and skiing in their spare time. Lastly, Clare and Christopher have been a couple for twenty years. However, they decided it was time to get married since they were both turning forty. Their Oahu venue wedding was the perfect way to celebrate their strong connection!

Congratulations, Clare and Christopher! Thank you for sharing your special day with us. We wish you a future filled with adventure and great memories!

Venue Wedding in Oahu – Session Details

Time of Day: Sunset

Oahu Venue Location: ​​Kualoa Secret Island

Oahu Wedding Photographer: Megan from Karma Hill Photography

Wedding Planners in Oahu: Simple Oahu Wedding

Onsite Coordinator: Oli from Simple Oahu Wedding

Oahu Officiant: Kahu Kawena Mechler

Wedding Florals: Rustic Hawaiian Bouquet by Sweet Blossoms Hawaii

Musician: Rodney Bejer

Check out another wedding in Oahu here!

Last week, Brooke and Tyler tied the knot on Kualoa Secret Island! Their Oahu venue wedding was full of exquisite floral arrangements and loving moments. Most importantly, you can tell our beautiful pair savored every minute of this unforgettable day! Brooke and Tyler had gorgeous smiles on their faces throughout this sunset affair. Thankfully, Karma Hill Photography captured every meaningful moment! Keep scrolling to experience this event for yourself.

This day began with Megan from Karma Hill Photography capturing getting-ready footage of Brooke, Tyler, and the bridal party! Then, our groom and the guests headed to the venue. As you ride the boat to this private island, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a tropical fairytale! Next, our beautiful bride and her bridesmaids headed to the Kualoa Secret Island.

The Romantic Oahu Venue Wedding

Our delightful duo had their ceremony at Kualoa Secret Island. This private venue is one-of-a-kind! It’s the perfect place for couples who want an intimate and elegant event on the seaside. We adore this spot because it has everything from sandy beaches to dramatic mountain views. In addition, you can decorate the shoreline with an arch and chairs! Above all, we adore this destination because it’s spacious. Brooke and Tyler had plenty of space for their twenty-five guests to sit comfortably and view the ceremony!

When the ceremony began, the ambiance was perfect! Jeremy Hirokawa effortlessly played the ukulele and enhanced the tranquil mood. Then Kahu Dennis Chong-Imamura delivered a heartwarming sermon! More than anything, we love how Brooke and Tyler decorated the shoreline. Their two transparent pillars with the bright pink bougainvillea are breathtaking custom arches!

After exchanging vows and leis in front of family and friends, Brooke and Tyler ended the night with dinner at Dukes Waikiki! We can’t think of a better way to close the day after having such a stunning Oahu venue wedding!

Congratulations, Brooke and Tyler! Thank you for sharing this special day with us. We wish you a future full of love, happiness, and abundance!

Oahu Venue Wedding – Session Details

Time of Day: Sunset

Oahu Venue Location: ​​Kualoa Secret Island

Oahu Wedding Photographers: Megan from Karma Hill Photography

Wedding Venues in Oahu: Simple Oahu Wedding

Onsite Coordinator: Oli from Simple Oahu Wedding

Oahu Officiant: Kahu Dennis Chong-Imamura

Wedding Florals: Custom Bouquet by Designs by Hemingway

Musician: Jeremy Hirokawa

Hair & Makeup: Reveal Hair & Makeup

Check out another wedding in Oahu here!

Shauna and Jack’s Oahu venue wedding was a delightful event! The Royal Hawaiian Golf Club was the location for this sunset affair — this spot created the perfect scene. Then our charming couple had radiant smiles on their faces during their ceremony. Most importantly, you could see Shauna and Jack’s newlywed bliss in every portrait captured by Karma Hill Photography! Keep scrolling to experience this occasion for yourself.

This getaway was Shauna and Jack’s first time in Hawaii! Before their special day, they shared with us how excited they were to experience this destination. Our adventurous pair was looking forward to traveling around and seeing the different parts of the island! In addition, we know their time on Oahu was unforgettable because they got married. If anything, their wedding must’ve been the highlight of their trip!

Why They Had An Oahu Venue Wedding

Shauna and Jack’s original plan was to honeymoon in Hawaii. However, Jack brought up the idea of tying the knot on the island. Our stunning pair talked about it and began researching until they came across the perfect venue; the Royal Hawaiian Golf Club! Then they paired with our team at Simple Oahu Wedding because they wanted an easy and stress-free planning process. Above all, Shauna and Jack’s special day was simple, sweet, and fun — perfect for them! We’re glad we could be part of making their dream wedding a reality.

Our Couple’s Story

Our passionate pair’s story began when they met in middle school! Then, during their sophomore year of high school, Shauna and Jack started dating. Our blissful newlyweds have been together for almost a decade; they’re high school sweethearts and best friends! Currently, Shauna and Jack both work in IT. They have the sweetest one-year-old son — who they love spending their days outside with!

Congratulations, Shauna and Jack! Thank you for sharing your special day with us. We wish you a future full of new travels, long walks, and scenic car rides!

Oahu Venue Wedding – Session Details

Time of Day: Sunset

Oahu Venue Location: Royal Hawaiian Golf Club

Oahu Wedding Photographer: Mike from Karma Hill Photography

Weddings in Oahu: Simple Oahu Wedding

Onsite Coordinator: Kalinda from Simple Oahu Wedding

Oahu Officiant: Kahu Kawena Mechler

Wedding Florals: Boho Dream Bouquet by Sweet Blossoms Hawaii

Hair & Makeup: Reveal Hair & Makeup

Check out another wedding in Oahu here!

A few years ago, Ava and Arthur spent a week on the island for Arthur’s birthday. Our gorgeous pair loved exploring this destination! They did a new hike every day and tried skydiving for the first time. When it was time to plan their special day, they knew a Oahu wedding would be ideal for them. Our delightful duo could tie the knot with Hawaii’s beauty surrounding them and have new adventures during their getaway. All in all, it was the perfect plan! Keep scrolling to experience this event for yourself.

Kualoa Secret Island was the location for this ceremony! This venue is not just a breathtaking spot — it’s an unforgettable experience. When you arrive at this private beach, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a tropical dream!

In addition, we adore how our charming couple customized the shoreline. The Geometric Arch by Oahu Wedding Altars complements the delicate shades in the two arrangements decorating it! The elegant pink, blush, and white hues contrast exquisitely with the tropical greenery in the florals. Above all, we love how the light clouds in the sky and soft afternoon sun created an impeccable mood!

Why They Had A Oahu Wedding

Ava and Arthur have always wanted to have a destination wedding. From the beginning, they knew Oahu was one of their top choices! The time they spent on the island during their last getaway was remarkable — they knew they’d make more unforgettable memories this trip. Most importantly, none of Ava and Arthur’s guests live in Oahu! They wanted this tropical getaway to feel like a group vacation for everyone attending their sunset affair!

Our Couple’s Story

Our passionate pair has been together for a total of six years. However, Ava and Arthur were engaged for almost three years! They met through one of Ava’s best friends, who is dating Arthur’s cousin. Then when the time was right, Arthur popped the question! Arthur proposed to Ava at Big Lagoon in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, before the pandemic.

Congratulations, Ava and Arthur! Thank you for trusting us with your special day. We wish you a future full of traveling, hiking, and new adventures!

Oahu Wedding – Session Details

Time of Day: Sunset

Oahu Venue Location: ​​Kualoa Secret Island

Oahu Wedding Photographer: Megan from Karma Hill Photography

Wedding in Oahu: Simple Oahu Wedding

Onsite Coordinator: Oli from Simple Oahu Wedding

Oahu Officiant: Ellsworth Simeona

Wedding Florals: Custom Bouquet by Sweet Blossoms Hawaii

Videographer: Dream FX Media

Musician: Jeremy Hirokawa

Wedding Arch: Travis Kimura from Oahu Wedding Altars

Arch Flowers: Hillary Broad

Check out another wedding in Oahu here!

There’s something about Oahu venue weddings we love; they always make our hearts melt. The breathtaking scenery at the Royal Hawaiian Golf Club is bound to make any morning affair unforgettable. You can see how utterly magical the soft sunlight, enchanting clouds, and dramatic mountain views are. Above all, we were so thrilled to help Aubry and Harrison tie the knot! Our stunning duo exchanged vows with their closest family and friends supporting them. Keep scrolling to experience this event for yourself.

Aubry and Harrison had a blissful day filled with love from family, friends, and each other when they tied the knot! Our delightful duo started their day by having a few minutes to themselves. As always, we adore it when couples see one another in private before tying the knot! It’s heartwarming catching their reactions, especially since we know they’re excited about this occasion. In addition, this moment set the tone for their ceremony! Aubry and Harrison’s wedding was intimate and romantic — just as their first looks were.

What We Love About Their Oahu Venue Wedding

The Royal Hawaii Golf Club on East Oahu was the location for the ceremony, and this setting was absolutely dreamy! The island’s natural landscapes created a dreamy backdrop, while the weather made everything look captivating. Then, the white arch decorated with floral arrangements from Sweet Blossoms Hawaii added a touch of elegance. However, we like how effortlessly David Asing played his guitar and enhanced the peaceful ambiance. Not to mention, since this was a morning event, our passionate pair had the whole day to celebrate their love with their guests!

Aubry and Harrison are a beautiful couple — they looked stunning at their Oahu venue wedding too! Aubry is a gorgeous bride! Her gown is airy and ethereal, while her styling by Perfectly Made is soft but glamorous. Then Harrison looks handsome in his sophisticated and sharp attire! We like how his white flower boutonniere adds a delicate touch to his outfit.

Congratulations, Aubry and Harrison! Thank you for sharing your special day with us. We wish you a future full of love, abundance, and happiness!

Oahu Venue Wedding – Session Details

Time of Day: Morning

Oahu Venue Location: ​​Royal Hawaiian Golf Club

Oahu Wedding Photographer: Megan from Karma Hill Photography

Assistant Photographer: Melanie 

Venue Weddings in Oahu: Simple Oahu Wedding

Onsite Coordinator: Oli from Simple Oahu Wedding

Assistant Coordinator: Vy 

Wedding Florals: Boho Dream Bouquet by Sweet Blossoms Hawaii

Musician: David Asing

Hair & Makeup: Perfectly Made

Check out another wedding in Oahu here!

Jessica & Andrew’s Oahu Destination Wedding embodied everything we love about small ceremonies. They were relaxed and happy, and we loved getting to know their entire group. With the stunning Ko’olau mountains behind them and a lifetime of love ahead of them, these two sweethearts shared unforgettable vows.

We are so grateful we got to be a part of this gorgeous Destination Wedding in Oahu! Keep scrolling to see some of our favorite moments.

Visions of Hawaii

Jessica & Andrew traveled from Vancouver, Canada, for their Oahu Destination Wedding. Covid had put any vacation plans on hold, and they were waiting to visit Hawaii as soon as possible. Once they got engaged last October, they knew that combining a much-needed vacation and a small wedding would be perfect for them.

They booked our Royal Hawaiian Golf Club Package, which includes everything needed for a small and scenic wedding. We loved working with Jessica & Andrew, from the moment they reached out until we sent them off as newlyweds.

Now our excitement grows as we share some of their stunning Oahu wedding photography!

A Dreamy Wedding Day

We love how Jessica & Andrew were so sweet and in love. They’ve been together for over eight years but still seem like fresh love birds. We know they’ll be able to carry that joy and discovery into their marriage, which will lead to a lifetime of happiness!

Jessica & Andrew decided to say their own vows to each other as part of the ceremony, and it had us all in tears. Thanks to the small group and personalized touches, we really got to know this couple and feel like we were a special part of their day. We can’t stop gushing over how much we love this incredible Oahu Destination wedding.

They had a stunning ceremony and amazing photography, but there was one thing missing: their snuggly fur baby Theodore. He was definitely happy when Jessica & Andrew got home, even if they could have stayed in Hawaii for a few more days!

Enjoying their Oahu Destination Wedding Venue

Any of our weddings at Royal Hawaiian Golf Club include the opportunity to capture photos around the gorgeous property. They have a lush jungle setting, an unbelievable mountain backdrop, and a vast stretch of grass with stunning lighting.

Karma Hill Photography captured all these stunning images, which will surely be framed all over Jessica & Andrew’s house soon!

Congratulations, Jessica & Andrew. We’re so glad we got to be a part of your wedding and can’t wait to welcome you to Hawaii again. Aloha and A Hui Hou!

Oahu Destination Wedding – Session Details

Time of Day: Afternoon

Oahu Venue Location: Royal Hawaiian Golf Club

Oahu Wedding Photographer: Megan from Karma Hill Photography

Onsite Coordinator: Kalinda from Simple Oahu Wedding

Oahu Officiant: Kahu Kelehua

Wedding Florals: Boho Dream Bouquet by Sweet Blossoms Hawaii

Check out another recent Royal Hawaiian Golf Club Wedding here.