With many beautiful wedding locations on Oahu, it can be difficult to select the perfect spot. You can make it easier to narrow down the many options by considering your personality. Whether you’re a type-A personality needing as much control as possible or an easy-going pair (or somewhere in between), there’s a great Oahu wedding location just for you.  

Oahu has two basic types of wedding venues: dedicated Oahu wedding venues which are private and have a dedicated location or an Oahu beach wedding venue, which is on a public beach. A dedicated wedding venue is more exclusive and can take a great deal of uncertainty out of your wedding experience. A public beach wedding can be busy and comes with many uncertainties as nature is the one in charge. Laid-back couples may be ok with the excitement a beach wedding brings. 

But what’s best for you? We’ll highlight some key personality points that will help you decide if you’re a beach couple or a venue couple. Keep reading to see which Oahu wedding location type will give you the destination wedding of your dreams. 

Beach Weddings in Oahu

A beach wedding is a barefoot celebration for a couple ready to go with the flow. If the following traits fit you and your partner, a beach wedding could be calling your name. 

Laid-Back

Are you a laid-back pair who isn’t phased by changed plans and uncertainty? Beach ceremonies are simple but can lack a lot of structure since each day is different at the beach. 

You’ll delight in a wave washing over your feet and embrace the wind-swept look the sea will give your hair. Umbrellas look cute in photos, and dogs running behind your ceremony are welcome guests. An easygoing attitude is essential for the unique situations beach weddings bring. 

If any of that sounds horrifying to you, then an Oahu venue wedding may be best, so keep reading to learn more about both kinds of wedding sites. 

Flexible

A beach wedding requires a lot of flexibility. We cannot reserve a specific spot for the ceremony, so we may have to work with tides and crowds to choose a place for your nuptials. 

Sometimes on rainy days, we may even move the ceremony to a totally different beach just hours before the ceremony in hopes of getting a dry location. 

Not only is flexibility required on the wedding day, but also during the planning process. The state may change permitting rules at any time, causing us to change beaches, guest count, or parking plans.

But flexibility works both ways. Since we aren’t paying a site fee to rent a specific spot, it’s sometimes possible to change your location if you change your hotel or find a beach you like better. 

Happy-Go-Lucky

Do you know you’ll be happy with your wedding no matter what? The ideal beach couple keeps smiling through wind, rain, and crowds – it’s just part of their personality! It’s about marrying the love of your life, not the complete flawlessness of the day.

If the uncertainties of a beach wedding won’t get you down, you may be rewarded with a picture-perfect wedding day. 

Simple

If you want an effortless experience, a beach wedding will allow you to invest little thought and money into your ceremony. A planner like Simple Oahu Wedding can help keep things even more easy by taking care of all the logistics.

Beach wedding couples typically have no decor, no official bridal party, and no processional besides the bride’s entrance. While it’s possible to incorporate some of those elements on a beach, it goes much more smoothly at a venue. 

Budget Minded 

Oahu beach weddings cost less, so they’re great for budget-minded couples. There’s no site fee, only the cost of getting a permit from the state. Restrictions on seating and decor mean it’s impossible to go overboard with your spending. 

So if you can’t imagine spending a lot of money on a wedding, a simple beach ceremony will ensure you cut costs as much as possible. 

Outgoing

There will likely be other people around enjoying the beach as you wed. Usually, beachgoers keep a polite distance, but you still may feel eyes upon you during the ceremony.

We’ve seen outgoing couples really enjoy this, especially if people on the beach cheer as they are pronounced newlyweds. Shy couples may prefer a more private experience at a venue, though.

Venue Weddings on Oahu

Venue weddings allowed you to have a seated ceremony in a reserved space. The site fee also buys you peace of mind, a structured plan, fewer restrictions and some offer rain backup options.

If you identify with the personality types below (or think you may as wedding nerves come over you), consider venue Oahu wedding locations. 

Sophisticated

Do you have a discerning taste and an eye for detail? If you want to ensure your wedding is stylish and tasteful, then you may want to book a private venue to ensure you’re as happy as possible on your wedding day. 

Easily Stressed

If you can imagine yourself feeling stressed or anxious on your wedding day, the uncertainties of a beach ceremony could elevate that and make it even worse. So if you often find yourself anxious and crave perfection, choose a venue for your Oahu wedding. 

The structure, weather backup plans, and the reserved site will keep you composed as you look forward to your ceremony. That’s especially valuable for destination weddings when you want to be enjoying your vacation instead of stressing over the uncertainties beach weddings bring. 

Rigid

All weddings require some amount of flexibility. After all, you’re dealing with many moving parts and people. But a venue wedding will allow you to plan things with more certainty. 

A beach wedding will require you to give your guests general directions to the small parking lot, and then an onsite coordinator will guide you all through the moments based on the day’s unique beach conditions. A lot of plans will need to be adapted to fit the tide, conditions, crowds, and unforeseen situations. 

A venue wedding has a set place where you will plan your ceremony. They’ve reserved a time, parking spaces, a ceremony space, and seating. So you can make plans for entrances, photos, and moments that shouldn’t have to change much.

Creative

Couples who love elaborate decor and breathtaking scenery should choose a venue for their wedding. These wedding locations in Oahu will allow you to have a more creative design for your ceremony, from floral arches to bespoke seating. 

While beach weddings will force simplicity due to the strict rules, a venue wedding will give you the freedom to express yourself through beautiful decorations.

Spendy

If you don’t mind spending money for an improved experience, then a venue wedding location in Oahu is an excellent option. You’ll pay a site fee for a beautiful space and the amenities that come with it. 

A larger wedding budget can go toward decorations, which are allowed and encouraged at venues. Arches, flowers, draping, and stylish seating are great ways to use your greater wedding budget to make the day unique and beautiful. 

You can impress your guests with a world-class Oahu view as they enjoy comfortable seating and access to an exclusive location. 

While there are many budget-friendly Oahu wedding venues, they will still cost more than a basic beach wedding. 

How to Reserve Oahu Wedding Locations

Have you narrowed down the kinds of Wedding Locations in Oahu that will work for your personality? Now it’s time to select the perfect spot to say “I Do” in paradise. 

Click the link to view all of our venue and beach Oahu Wedding Packages.

It was a perfect summer day for this epically stunning styled elopement photoshoot showing off our most recently added Waimanalo Wedding Venue, Waimanalo Ranch.

This stunningly beautiful venue creates an extraordinarily picturesque wedding backdrop with the Ko’olau Mountain range jutting from sea level to 3,150 feet in the background. The tone of this location has a relaxed peaceful small-town ranch feeling, coupled with the dramatic textured green mountains, creating the perfect elopement location. Did we mention there are mini horses on the property with which you can add to your photo session? Waimanalo Ranch is a short 5-minute drive to one of the most scenic beaches on the island making it easy to complete your wedding photography collection with couples’ beach photos.

Whether you are looking for a ceremony with up to 50 guests or a quiet, private space for just the two of you, this Oahu wedding venue is worth taking a closer look at!

The above wide open shot shows large field is suitable for any kind of ceremony setup you can imagine with the mountain range as the backdrop. We love the rustic feel of the ranch and wanted our ceremony set up to feel like it fit with the surroundings. To accomplish this look went with a dark wood arch and benches, loose unstructured floral. We added the fun colorful rugs isle to give the ceremony space a feeling of whimsy and make the space feel more intimate despite the wide-open spaces surrounding it.

We love the way the colorful rugs compliment the rich hues of the floral and create a cozy sense of home while being outdoors! You could also switch out for a flower petal isle to draw your eyes toward the arch. Benches also add to the intimacy as friends and family can sit close together while they watch you exchange vows.

We worked with Aloha Artisans for the furnishings and arch to create this look. We hand chose each piece from their extensive inventory to create the perfect rustic, cozy and relaxed look. The beautiful floral design by Designs By Hemmingway was the perfect final touch to the double arch.

When thinking about what floral we wanted in this space, we took cues from nature! We opted for loose and natural over formal and structured to complement the natural surroundings of this Waimanalo Wedding Venue. With so much green around, the pop of deep color also brought the focus to the arch and our couple.

Our stunning bride Leilani’s look also complimented the loose dreamy feel of our florals and ceremony setup. Her hair and makeup by Delish Makeup was soft, unstructured and romantic. The handmade and locally designed lace dress by Miyuki Liem Bridal was the perfect complement to this styled shoot. We are so lucky to have such talent right here on our small island! Miyuki creates custom one of a kind wedding dresses for each bride. Each piece is entirely unique as they all are completely made to measure to fit perfectly!

We loved that Designs by Hemmingway incorporated bougainvillea into the arrangements, bouquet, and Lei. This is a colorful plant that grows wild all over the islands, so in addition to being beautiful, it is local and eco-friendly!

Even though this was a styled shoot to show off this new venue offering, Leilani and Richard are a real couple! In fact they are newlyweds who just celebrated 6 months of marriage. We love that we could add to their wedding collection of photos, even 6 months after the fact!

One of the reasons we love this venue so much is the breathtaking views of the Ko’olau mountains. These stunning peaks were formed by volcanos 2 million years ago and have become the jagged peaks you see today from so many years of erosion. Not all islands have mountain ranges like these, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii are much newer islands and have had less time for erosion to create such dramatic scenery.

All of the photography in this post was captured by our sister company, Karma Hill Photography A fun fact to know about our company is that it all started with Karma Hill Photography! Karma Hill, the founder started the photography business in 2007. After a few years of being in the wedding industry, she noticed there was a need in the Hawaii wedding market for small simple-to-plan weddings with high quality. At the time there were only budget beach weddings or expensive larger weddings but not a lot in between. Karma started Simple Maui Wedding first and after seeing an amazing response from couples on Maui, expanded the concept to Oahu. All the photography for our wedding brands is performed by the team at Karma Hill Photography who has highly trained and experienced photographers on Maui, Oahu and Kaua’i! Their cinematic, airy, and romantic photography style makes our weddings look as dreamy as they feel in person!

Imagine walking down this beautiful aisle! We can’t imagine many more beautiful places to say “I do”.

Richard looks dapper with a tie that perfectly matches the bougainvillea entwined in his lei and a shirt the color of the sky. The beauty of a wedding in Hawaii is the ability of the groom to dress up or down his attire to fit his comfort level. Tuxedos are not required!

A closer look at Leilani’s stunning hair and makeup! The soft upswept hair that brushes the knape of her neck is about as romantic as it gets! An updo is always a good idea in Hawaii as our state is blessed with near-constant tradewinds that keep our islands more comfortable and less humid. While this is great for everyday comfort, it’s not always ideal for wedding hair! An updo will keep your hair in place while you exchange your vows.

Besides the stunning mountain views, the mini horses are our other favorite thing about Waimanalo Ranch!! For an additional fee, you can have these cuties make an appearance at your wedding. The ranch will have them photo ready for you and assist in the handling during the photo session. Your guests can also stroll the grounds and visit them at their pasture which is near the ceremony site.

Peaches and Little Bear are the sweetest horses. They were patient and walked around with Leilani and Richard down this beautiful tree-lined road, which is near the ceremony site and available for your post-wedding photos.

The herd of horses is a fun site for your guests and for sure is a hit with everyone who meets them! One thing to consider is that Waimanalo Ranch is a working ranch, so while it is beautiful, keep in mind there are animal sounds and smells including horses, chickens, and dogs. The ceremony area is far enough away to have a minimal impact but it’s always good to keep in mind when you are imagining your wedding day.

Waimanalo Ranch is a short drive from the busy city of Honolulu and resort areas of Waikiki, but it feels worlds away. As soon as you turn onto the road that leads to the ranch, it’s like the world melts away. Birdsongs, large trees, and mountains create a peaceful feeling there that is hard to describe at Waimanalo Ranch. Once you make it to this beautiful Oahu wedding venue, you will know what we are talking about!

We finished the shoot with a super wide shot of the mountains as dusk was starting to set in. For this shoot, we wanted to focus on the ranch, but the beach is a short drive away and you could also use some of your couples photography time to include beach photos as well. Depending on your guest count, this may require additional photography time to be added to the wedding package.

The ranch also has a guest suite with a large open living and kitchen area that is beautiful and can be added on and booked directly with the ranch if you wanted to host a casual get-together before or after your wedding. For more details on this wedding package visit our Oahu wedding venues page. Please reach out to our planning team for more information or to check availability!

Thanks again to all our talented vendors for contributing their time and talents to this shoot!

Oahu Wedding Photography: Karma Hill Photography

Venue: Waimanalo Ranch

Floral Design: DB Hemmingway

Hair and Makeup: Delish

Wedding Dress: Miyuki Liem Bridal

Event Rentals: Aloha Artisans

See another recently styled wedding shoot at Paradise Cove Luau on the blog here.

Ribekah and Wyatt’s Oahu Venue Wedding was the perfect balance of elegant and tropical! The Royal Hawaiian Golf Club was the location, and this spot created a stunning backdrop. During the ceremony, David Asing played soothing melodies on his ukulele — enhancing the enchanting ambiance! Next, our delightful duo’s guests were their closest family and friends. Most importantly, Ribekah and Wyatt looked gorgeous! Keep scrolling to experience this occasion for yourself.

Surrounding Ribekah and Wyatt’s ceremony was breathtaking landscapes! The Royal Hawaiian Golf Club is on the east side of Oahu. This part of the island is full of dramatic mountain outlooks and lush greenery — thankfully, our charming couple’s wedding was full of these exquisite views! Then the weather at this location effortlessly enhanced the fairytale-like feel of this event. The morning sun was bright in the sky; however, the fluffy clouds were resting on the cliffs. It was such a dreamy scene. Most of all, it was the perfect place for this lovely pair to tie the knot!

Why They Had An Oahu Venue Wedding

Ribekah and Wyatt decided to get married in Oahu because they have family here! Although Ribekah has visited Hawaii before, Wyatt has not. This getaway was notable for our passionate pair because they had new experiences together! Not only were they tying the knot, but they were also exploring this island together for the first time! Above all, they’ll be able to relive all these great memories with the portraits captured by Karma Hill Photography. 

Our Couple’s Story

Ribekah and Wyatt’s story began when they met on a dating app. Then they had their first date at a lantern festival in Baltimore. When the time was right, they got engaged on Christmas. During this holiday, their families were having a celebration together. Currently, our charming couple has two dogs! If they’re not teaching students, you can find them eating wings and binge-watching TV shows!

Congratulations, Ribekah and Wyatt! Thank you for sharing your beautiful day with us. We wish you a future full of delicious food and fascinating TV shows!

Oahu Venue Wedding – Session Details

Time of Day: Morning

Oahu Venue Location: Royal Hawaiian Golf Club

Oahu Wedding Photographer: Megan from Karma Hill Photography

Wedding Venues in Oahu: Simple Oahu Wedding

Onsite Coordinator: Mai from Simple Oahu Wedding

Oahu Officiant: Ellsworth Simeona

Wedding Florals: Rustic Hawaiian Bouquet by Sweet Blossoms Hawaii

Musician: David Asing

Videographer: Dream FX Media

Check out another wedding in Oahu here!

Chelsea and Jacob needed a stress-free and smooth way to plan their destination wedding in Oahu. Since they live in North Dakota, they needed to find a local team they could count on! When they came across Simple Oahu Wedding, they knew we were the people for the job. They adored our inclusive packages and knew we’d make sure their day was effortlessly perfect! Continue scrolling to experience this event for yourself.

Simple, classic, and intimate are a few words we’d use to describe Chelsea and Jacob’s special day. The Royal Hawaiian Golf Club was the location for this event, and this spot created a breathtaking scene! You can see how the dramatic mountains and lush greenery are an epic background. Then Kahu Dennis Chong-Imamura was the officiant, and his sermon was heartwarming. Lastly, Mike from Karma Hill Photography beautifully captured every meaningful moment!

The Elegant Destination Wedding in Oahu

Chelsea and Jacob met twelve years ago at a mutual friend’s party! Then they got engaged during a family photo session. Our charming couple was getting their pictures taken to announce they were pregnant with baby number three! Jacob found the perfect moment to get down on one knee and pop the question to Chelsea! Of course, she said yes!

Currently, Chelsea is a nurse at a clinic, while Jacob orders medical supplies at a warehouse. They have three sons; their oldest is nine, the middle is seven, and the youngest is sixteen months. In their spare time, you can find them traveling! Since Chelsea and Jacob are an adventurous duo, we knew they’d love an Oahu destination wedding. Our delightful pair also enjoys attending concerts and festivals!

Congratulations, Chelsea and Jacob! Thank you for sharing this beautiful day with us. We wish you a future full of love, happiness, and adventures!

Destination Wedding in Oahu – Session Details

Time of Day: Sunset

Oahu Venue Location: ​​Royal Hawaiian Golf Club

Oahu Wedding Photographer: Mike from Karma Hill Photography

Wedding Planners in Oahu: Simple Oahu Wedding

Onsite Coordinator: Oli from Simple Oahu Wedding

Oahu Officiant: Kahu Dennis Chong-Imamura

Wedding Florals: Rustic Hawaiian Bouquet by Sweet Blossoms Hawaii

Check out another wedding in Oahu here!

Jenna and Scott wanted a simple celebration when they tied the knot. After searching online for planners, they came across our team! Immediately, they fell in love with our packages, locations, and photography. Our gorgeous couple was excited we would be helping them plan their Oahu venue wedding! Based on the portraits captured by Karma Hill Photography, you can tell this sunset affair was sensational! Keep scrolling to see their moments for yourself.

The day before Jenna and Scott tied the knot was their trash the dress photo session! Kualoa Beach Park was the background for these pictures, and this East Oahu spot created a beautiful scene. The striking mountains, lush greenery, and heavy cloud coverage look enchanting in every shot. However, our favorite thing about these portraits is how they’re lighthearted and romantic! Our lovely couple was smiling radiantly and didn’t hesitate to interact with the environment around them.

Why We Love Their Oahu Venue Wedding

Bohemian, relaxing, and fun are a few words we’d use to describe this venue wedding! Kualoa Secret Island created a dreamy but intimate setting for this event. Then David Asing enhanced the tranquil ambiance by playing soothing melodies on his ukulele. When it was time to begin the ceremony, Kahu Kelehua Kawai delivered an impeccable sermon. Above all, one moment we loved was seeing Jenna and Scott’s son included in the vow exchange! It was such a heartwarming twist to this tradition.

About Our Couple

Jenna and Scott’s story began when they met in college. They were both enrolled in the Zoo and Aquarium Program at their university. Then Scott graduated in the Aquarium Science course, while Jenna completed the Zoo Science program. Currently, Jenna is a zookeeper at the Duke Lemur Center. Scott installs aquariums and takes care of fish! Lastly, our charming couple has a fourteen-year-old son who just started high school! 

Congratulations, Jenna and Scott! Thank you for sharing this special day with us. We wish you a future full of paddleboarding and hiking!

Oahu Venue Wedding – Session Details

Time of Day: Sunset

Oahu Wedding 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 Kelehua Kawai

Wedding Florals: Custom Bouquet by Sweet Blossoms Hawaii

Musician: David Asing

Hair & Makeup: Reveal Hair & Makeup

Trash The Dress – Session Details

Time of Day: Sunset

Oahu Portrait Location: Kualoa Regional Park

Oahu Photographer: Megan from Karma Hill Photography

Check out another wedding in Oahu here!

You’ve dreamt of your Oahu destination wedding for as long as you can remember, and now it’s finally here! All you should be worried about is celebrating with your loved ones and saying ‘I do’ with your toes in the sand. However, we understand getting to this point can be a daunting task. To ensure you can savor every minute of this occasion, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about planning a long-distance event. We asked the lead coordinator at Simple Oahu Wedding, Aysha, to spill the secrets on how to make your dream destination wedding in Hawaii a reality. Bon voyage!

Where Should Your Oahu Wedding Planning Start?

You’ve just decided you want to have a destination wedding in Oahu, Hawaii! Now, what are the first steps you need to take?

Start With Guest Count

Aysha said the first and most important step is to determine how many guests you expect to attend your wedding. This number will help you decide between a venue or a beach wedding — especially since there are guest limits for beach weddings.

Select Your Perfect Venue Location

Next, you need to choose the location for your special day: do you want a public beach ceremony or a private venue event? Beach ceremonies are relaxed, no chairs or arches are allowed and they have a twenty-five guest limit due to state permitting restrictions. Therefore, you should consider the number of people you expect to come and if you want more flexibility with arches and seating. If you have more than 25 guests, but still want a beach wedding, we are lucky on Oahu to have several private beach ceremony options so you can have the best of both worlds. The Paradise Cove Luau venue, pictured in this post, and the Kualoa Secret Island Package are examples of private beach ceremonies. When we say private, it doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t see another human as water and beaches are publicly accessible, we mean the portion of the beach you are getting married on is private and therefore does not have to comply with the public beach wedding permit rules. You also have exclusive use of the area your ceremony will be in, but you may see other people on the beach further down.

Your guest count will help you determine if you are eligible for a beach wedding venue. A question you must ask yourself when deciding on a beach or venue wedding is what is the feel you want for your ceremony. A beach wedding needs a “go with the flow” attitude as there are many things beyond our control. Beach conditions, weather, other weddings happening on the same beach, crowded beaches, and music from other beachgoers can and will happen. With a beach wedding, you have no reserved spot, ceremony locations on the beach are on a first-come basis. Our team does its best to find the perfect spot for you away from other people or weddings but we have to work with what the conditions are on the beach that day. The pros of a beach wedding are affordability and being able to have your toes in the sand as you say, “I do” surrounded by beautiful nature. A venue wedding is more costly but offers more control over the variables. Many of our venues offer a rain backup location and you are guaranteed a specific area for your group. You can also add more customizations and have more facilities for your guests such as parking, shade, and restrooms. So whether it will be just the two of you or a wedding with guests, keep in mind the feel you want for your wedding and how much you want to share your wedding space!

Once you have decided on a beach or venue wedding, you can move to the next step in the process, booking your amazing wedding day!

What’s The Easiest Way To Plan a Destination Wedding in Hawaii?

We believe the least stressful way to plan a destination wedding is to work with a local coordinating company! They will be able to get the permits for a beach wedding or book the top venue for you and your guests. In addition, they’re also in contact with the best vendors, and their knowledge of the area is priceless! We understand how complicated it can be to remotely plan an event in Hawaii when you’re unfamiliar with the island. As a result, our Simple Oahu Wedding team is passionate about taking care of every big and small detail for your special day!

How To Choose The Perfect Location

When it comes to your ceremony location, there are endless options! Thankfully, Aysha has excellent advice for couples struggling to pick the perfect place. First things first, think about how you want your wedding to look! After this, find spaces that best match this vision and go from there. Second, keep your budget and guest count in mind.

In this post, we have featured the Paradise Cove Luau venue because it’s a beautiful ocean-front venue. We adore planning weddings here because it’s full of breathtaking scenery! Most importantly, we wanted to show off this site and all the exquisite options this spot has to offer. At this venue, you get the lovely benefits of a beach wedding but still can have chairs and decorations.

Not to mention, Paradise Cove Luau has sweeping ocean views and more privacy — making it perfect for intimate ceremonies! Lastly, it has the best luau on Oahu. This event is an impeccable option for your reception since it has food, drinks, and entertainment in one place!

It’s All About The Right Timing

Choosing the perfect day is one of the many hurdles couples will face when planning their destination wedding. Luckily, if you get married in Hawaii, you can never go wrong! In Aysha’s professional opinion, she says any time of the year is the best time to tie the knot in this tropical paradise. Whether you choose Oahu or another island — every location has beautiful weather year-round! On the other hand, if you want to research the perfect date, look at you and your guests’ schedules.

Working With People You Can Count On

One of the most important parts of planning a destination wedding is finding vendors and a coordinator you can trust! When researching coordinators and vendors, Aysha says to ensure they are within your budget and offer services that fit your wants and needs.

For example, our team worked with Designs by Hemmingway for florals at this styled shoot. She is one of the best on the island because she makes any flower inspiration a reality! We love her dreamy, unique, and outside-of-the-box designs. For this reason, she is a bit pricier than other florists on Oahu. Yet, we used the arch provided by Paradise Cove Luau instead of renting one, so we could use our extra budget to get Debbie Hemmingway’s floral magic!

Keeping Your Destination Wedding In Hawaii Budget Friendly

Luckily, this isn’t the only way to save money when having a destination wedding! There are a few things Aysha says you can do to keep your celebration cost-efficient. First, you could contact a room block specialist and get hotel rooms at a discounted rate. Instead of a big reception, you could have dinner at a nearby restaurant after your ceremony with us. 

Above all, the main advice Aysha would give to couples trying to stay within a budget is to prioritize! Figure out the most important details you want at your wedding. For example, if flowers are most important, then you might opt out of having a musician or get a family member to perform.

Making Your Day More “You”

The day you tie the knot should reflect you, your significant other, and your relationship beautifully. Whether you have a beach or venue wedding, styling is an essential aspect of it! Aysha says the secret to having a creative and cohesive design is sticking with a color scheme. Do you want something soft with pastel tones or bright and tropical? Once you determine a palette, choosing an arch and florals will be a breeze! Although the great thing about Hawaii is the breathtaking backdrop — any decoration you choose will enhance the natural beauty!

If you need a little inspiration, use this styled shoot and our past weddings on our blog! Aysha loves the “Old Hawaii” look of Paradise Cove and the feel of the luau. For this session, she wanted to stay true to this aesthetic! The flowers chosen are local Hawaiian blooms; the florists even cut the bougainvillea the same day. Then Aysha wanted bright shades to contrast with the ivory sand and late morning lighting. This styling is modern and tropical — it effortlessly shows off this stunning venue!

If you’re still not sure whether you want to plan an Oahu destination wedding or not — this is your sign to do it! There are endless possibilities when it comes to having weddings in paradise. Most importantly, our team at Simple Oahu Wedding will make sure your day is flawless from start to finish. Not only will you be able to savor a new experience, but you can also enjoy your time with your loved ones. Lastly, we hope you found these tips helpful; remember planning your special day should be fun!

Oahu Destination Wedding Styled-Shoot – Session Details

Time of Day: Midday

Oahu Wedding Photographer: Megan from Karma Hill Photography

Oahu Venue Wedding Packages: Simple Oahu Wedding

Onsite Coordinator: Oli from Simple Oahu Wedding

Wedding Florals: Designs by Hemmingway

Arch & Chairs: Provided By Venue

Check out another wedding at Paradise Cove Luau here! Looking for family portraits in Hawaii, click the link to find Big Island family photographers for your special time in Kona, Hawaii.

In 2016, Nicole and Ruobin first visited Hawaii! Although they were here for a Nursing Conference, they immediately fell in love with the island. This trip was when our charming duo decided to have an Oahu destination wedding! Their sunset occasion was full of personality and elegance — perfect for our passionate pair. Keep scrolling to see their special day for yourself.

Kualoa Secret Island was the location for Nicole and Ruobin’s wedding — this venue created a breathtaking scene! We adore this private spot because it’s tranquil, picturesque, and dreamy. Dramatic mountains, lush greenery, and cerulean water created an enchanting background! Then the heavy cloud coverage and soft blue sky enhanced the romantic and intimate ambiance. Above all, you can see how this occasion looks like a tropical fairytale in every shot!

Why We Love Oahu Destination Wedding

Ever since Nicole and Ruobin first visited Oahu, they knew it’d be the perfect place to get married! We adore how this sunset occasion was bohemian, carefree, and fun. The shoreline has beautiful decorations! Standing at the front of the ceremony was a two-post wooden arch from O’ahu Wedding Altars. Then our bride and her bridesmaid’s bouquets are whimsical and elegant — they pair flawlessly with the flower arrangements on the archway!

Our Couple’s Story

Nicole and Ruobin’s story began when they first met at the movies. At the time, they attended different schools but had mutual friends. Ruobin asked Nicole to be his girlfriend after they watched Pearl Harbor on May 27, 2001. Then on New Year’s Day in 2021, Ruobin popped the question! Our groom had a plan with Nicole’s sister and friends for this significant moment. Unfortunately, Nicole hurt her back, so his proposal got derailed!

Congratulations, Nicole and Ruobin! Thank you for sharing your Oahu destination wedding with us! We wish you a future full of love, abundance, and happiness!

Oahu Destination Wedding – Session Details

Time of Day: Sunset

Wedding Venue in Oahu: ​​Kualoa Secret Island

Oahu Wedding Photographers: Megan from Karma Hill Photography

Onsite Coordinator: Oli from Simple Oahu Wedding

Oahu Minister: Kahu Kelehua Kawai

Wedding Florals: Rustic Hawaiian Bouquet by Sweet Blossoms Hawaii

Videographer: NA Films

Wedding Arch: O’ahu Wedding Altars

Hair & Makeup: Faith & Beauty Hawaii

Bridesmaids Dresses – Birdy Grey

Groomsmen Attire: J. Crew

Check out another wedding in Oahu here!

Paul and Estelle enjoy visiting Hawaii because they get to escape their busy Bay Area lives. Since they first got together, they’ve vacationed in this tropical destination annually. When it was time to tie the knot, Paul and Estelle knew their special place would be the perfect spot to celebrate their love. Their Oahu venue wedding was elegant, intimate, and warm. Continue scrolling to experience this event for yourself.

Paul and the forty-eight guests were the first to get to the lawn area. Then, once Estelle arrived, it was time for the ceremony to begin! The entrances started with our groom and his parents walking down the lush grass. Paul looks handsome in his barong, a traditional Filipino dress shirt for special events, and khakis. Above all, we like how sharp and sophisticated his attire is!

Next, the bridal party, flower girls, and ring bearer made their way down the aisle. Last, our bride made her grand entrance! Estelle walked down the lawn with her parents and 8-month-old daughter by her side. She looks breathtaking in her cream-colored lace gown — it’s sleek and elegant!

The Spiritual Oahu Venue Wedding

Paradise Cove Luau was the location for this ceremony, and this spot is perfect for this event! The lush lawn and lofty palm trees created an enchanting scene. Then the sweeping ocean views and clear weather effortlessly enhanced the romantic ambiance! 

Our Couple’s Story

Paul and Estelle have been friends since 2008. Then, on May 12, 2017, they became a couple. A few days after Valentine’s Day in 2021, Paul popped the question in the middle of a forest in the botanical gardens! Then, eight months ago, our stunning duo became parents to a precious little girl!

Congratulations, Paul and Estelle! Thank you for sharing your special day with us. We wish you a future full of new adventures and delicious cuisine!

Oahu Venue Wedding – Session Details

Time of Day: Morning

Oahu Venue Location: ​​Paradise Cove Luau

Oahu Wedding Photographer: Megan from Karma Hill Photography

Wedding Venues in Oahu: Simple Oahu Wedding

Onsite Coordinator: Oli from Simple Oahu Wedding

Oahu Officiant: Kahu Kawena Mechler

Wedding Florals: Boho Dream Bouquet by Sweet Blossoms Hawaii

Hair & Makeup: Perfectly Made Hawaii

Check out another wedding in Oahu here!