Destination Guide: O‘ahu, Hawaii

Sponsored by: O‘ahu Visitors Bureau

O‘ahu is the ultimate destination wedding and honeymoon haven offering the romance of a tropical isle, a sexy and cool city vibe, and the enchanting Hawaiian culture. Exceptional wedding venues, planners, and services ensure you of nuptials to match your vision and your budget.

Plan and Travel with Ease

With multiple carriers flying from Australia, New Zealand and Asia daily, O‘ahu is easily accessible. English is the language used in the islands making communication easy, especially important when planning from across the Pacific. Comprehensive accommodations — hotels, resorts, condominiums, and vacation rentals – offer options to suit every style and budget, so that everyone on your wedding list can attend. Car hires, taxis, buses, and limos make on-island transportation a breeze.  With a cosmopolitan city like Honolulu on the island, the ease of finding those necessary wedding items – that are a last minute “must have at the wedding” or were forgotten back home – become easier to find due to the range of shops and malls on O‘ahu.

Expert Wedding Planning

O‘ahu gives you the freedom of choices.  Whether planning the wedding yourself or working with wedding professionals, Oahu offers a range of experts.  O‘ahu’s outstanding and highly experienced wedding consultants will help you plan and execute all aspects of your destination wedding and honeymoon: site selection, menus, caterers, officiator, photographer, videographer, music, florists, rehearsal dinner, hair and makeup, and guest activities. Email, phone, and fax facilitate constant contact as wedding planning progresses.  The time difference makes connecting with your wedding planner a cinch.  The O‘ahu Weddings Association is a great place to start if looking for experts to help you.  

Idyllic Settings

Few destinations match the diversity of O‘ahu settings.  Translation?  More choices for you to ensure your wedding dream comes true. Exchange vows on the beach and enjoy a stylish reception in the heart of Waikiki. Or opt for a resort on the island’s western end or up on the famed North Shore. Consider a private garden estate, a botanical garden, or a plantation garden. A grand Honolulu cathedral, a historic Hawaiian church, an oceanfront estate, and a picturesque seaside chapel are all available.  Best of all, no matter where you select as your wedding venue, your special day will be shared with your friends and family in paradise.

Island Experiences Like No Other

Take advantage of O‘ahu’s diverse settings to experience the incredible surroundings and Hawaiian culture. Pre-wedding festivities might include dinner at a world class restaurant or a beachside luau. Land based adventures include cycling, hiking, biking, all terrain vehicle tours, and horseback riding. Water lovers can enjoy surfing, stand up paddle, outrigger canoe surfing, sailing, snorkelling, and whale watching. Plan a private museum tour, hula lessons, a ladies’ spa day, and a golf outing for the guys. O‘ahu will energise and invigorate your senses and excite your wedding party.

Touches of Aloha

Create lifelong memories by infusing at each event – from your wedding reception to the hen party to family tours to the actual wedding day – the spirit of Aloha through uniquely Hawaiian elements.  
Before everyone arrives, have a small goodie bag of Hawaiian treats waiting for everyone upon arrival. Add to the goodie bag suggested things to see and do, an O‘ahu map and select brochures.  When everyone arrives, plan a shopping day so that the wedding party can shop for Aloha wear and accessories to wear.  At each event arrange for lei to be provided and worn by everyone.  Plan a surf lessons for the more active guests and plan tours for the whole group.  Arrange for a Hawaiian blessing to start each bridal festivities.  Have hula dancers and Hawaiian music at your wedding and plan a menu that showcases Hawaiian Regional Cuisine.  The possibilities are endless on Oahu.

Are you heading to Hawaii for your honeymoon?