How To Elope Blissfully in Hawaii in 2023 (4 Unique Timelines Included)
when you decide “I want to elope in Hawaii!” it is thrilling and fun! it gets a little harder when you have to figure out exactly what your elopement should look like and where to start. so for those of you googling, “how to elope in Hawaii” I’ve got just the cure for you. here are four ways that you can say “I do” in Hawai’i.
table of contents:
how to start planning your ideal hawaii elopement
what should our elopement day look like?
sample timelines of elopements in hawaii
how to start planning your ideal Hawai'i elopement
first, I always tell my couples to figure out one thing:
what do you want to experience together?
your elopement is ALL about you + your lover. so talk through the essentials together! grab a pen and paper, some coffee or cocktails, and settle in to connect with each other:
what are our favourite things to do together?
(make a list of 5-10)
where are we collectively on the scale from chill to adventure?
(0 - we go outside 1-2 hours a week to 10 - I’m pretty sure we’re climbing mt Everest as we speak)
how would you describe your day’s ideal vibe and energy?
(let this word be your foundation. choose something you both would strongly agree on and fight for.
e.g., intimate, connection, relax, adventure, passion, exciting, real, honest.
you can use it then to consider and assess the other choices you must make regarding vendors, hotels, plans, etc: “does this feel _____?” or “does this promote _____?”)
what events, activities, and spaces feel most authentic or nourishing to our relationship?
(if you know you’re scared of water, don’t try to do a boating elopement. likewise, if you hate hiking, don’t be pressured to do a mountain adventure elopement)
awesome! well done! now that the foundation is set, the rest of the planning and decision-making becomes so much easier! let’s move on to the inspiration portion of this resource.
what should our elopement day look like?
elopements are classically thought of as quick, secret affairs. no longer! the importance of your elopement is that it truly reflects who you are as a couple and what you love.
you’ll be surprised at how quickly time passes when you’re just being present, alive and in the moment, having fun.
it’s best to schedule everything with buffer time so you can really relax and go with the flow. perhaps not every moment of your elopement needs to be photographed, but man. it’s so amazing to be able to live inside of your story. these photos tell the story of you, from the unpolished, raw moments to the transcendently beautiful.
whether you only want a piece of the story or all of it, the most important thing is that you are listening to each other and what’s within.
so let’s talk about what you can do on your elopement day. honestly, there are ennnndless ways to celebrate!
and with so many things you could do to say yes to each other, it can be overwhelming. (this is why deciding beforehand what is important to you and how you want to experience this day together is such a necessary step.)
in case you just want to hear ideas and figure it out along the way, here are a few winning combinations you could try on for size:
ceremony in the mountain + pizza on the beach + pop the champagne and kiss as the sun sets
sunset catamaran + champagne and sparklers + steamy shower session + late-night burgers
picnic in the park + vows on the beach + sandy dance party
sleep in + room service! + get ready together + say “I do” at a lookout + make out + explore a few stops along the way + dinner
sunrise hike + vows overlooking the ocean + lunch at a foodtruck + jump in the ocean
dance in the rain + hike in the mud + vows at a waterfall + streaking
camp in the wilderness + dress each other + find natural tidepools to dip into + toast your fav whisky
so you see, whether you are chill or a chronic adventurer, there is an elopement that sounds right for you!
sample timelines for your hawai'i elopement
chill elopement
chill sunrise elopement
5:30a - hike to a lookout
6:15a - get ready together
6:30a - sunrise first look + ceremony + say ”I do”
7:30a-8:30a - golden hour exploration + frolic
9a - facetime family + read letters from friends
9:30a - get smoothies and acai bowls!
chill sunset elopement
4:30p - picnic on the beach—eat dinner and enjoy the scene
5:30p - ceremony
6p - pop the champagne and cut the cake/pie/eat the dessert!
6:30-7:30p - walk on the beach as the last rays sink into the horizon. sunset portraits and intimate moments together
8P - head to a local chic bar for a nightcap, portraits, dancing and cocktails
thrilling elopement
1:30p - get ready in your cabin on the beach
2p - first look + read letters to each other
3-5P - horseback ride on the beach! stop at a pretty spot to say your vows, eat some food, and pop the champagne—ya married!
5:30p - go up to a lookout for sunset portraits and eat your cupcakes
6:30p - head to the beach for a celebratory dip in the water
7:30p - first dance by the fire
7:45p - bbq + smores
8:30p - eat dinner and hang out while the sun dips down. watch the stars and listen to the music of the ocean.
relaxed elopement
4P - get ready + first look in the forest
4:30P - ceremony + say I do
5P - champagne and cake~
5:15P-6:45P - head to the water for sunset portraits
7P - afterparty! go to a cocktail lounge with your closest friends
7:15P - dance, have fun & do flash portraits at the bar
7:45P - do a "first dance" on the dance floor
9p - sparklers on the street to end the night!
so, you see, there are SO many ways to make your elopement day full of your own personality. the thing that matters is that it matters TO YOU! whether that means a traditional elopement or something completely different, let’s honour your intuition and what makes you and your love happy 😘
check out these other articles and resources that I’ve put together below for more ideas—
as always, you can reach out to me at marmizunaka@gmail.com if you have any questions. can’t wait to hear from you!
love,
mar
