Hi everyone,
We are planning a wedding in Oahu some time between May - June of 2014 (dates are def. flexible as of right now) We are planning on moving to Hawaii at the end of April so it doesn't leave us a whole lot of time to scope out the area in person. Do you guys have any suggestions for a good fun, casual and quaint venues? Since we are not local, it would be awesome if I could get some suggestions on good catering and decoration rentals services if these venues don't already provide them.
We are planning on having a very small, intimate wedding with 30-40 guests and definitely does not want the event to be lavish or anything. I am just so confused by all the frustrating rules and regulations, hidden fees and extra charges that bounce out of nowhere it seems. (Like I was recently informed that weddings performed on any beach in Hawaii are not allowed to have chairs or decorations, if they are caught, there might be a hefty fines...( Not sure how true that is) WHAT?!? Whatever happened to the beautiful bamboo arches and chair decorations in beach wedding pictures?!?)
Anyway, any help and suggestion would be much much appreciated. Thank you all! :-)
~ Ev
Re: Oahu, HI Wedding venue ideas
Lanikuhonua is a beautiful venue that you can do arch overlooking ocean.
Hi Ev,
We got married here in July 2013 at Kualoa Ranch. My friend at work also recently got married out here. My wedding had about 70 people, and hers about 40 (I attended hers too). We had both recently (within one or two years) moved to Oahu. They have three locations to choose from at Kualoa Ranch:
1) on the actual ranch, overlooking the ocean, with the mountains behind you and the horses below you
2) at a small pavilion with a bar area and a lawn
3) at a rustic pavilion with a huge lawn and some of the set from various movies and tv shows on a "lake front"/enormous fish pond
The last two are near a dock; you can take a boat to a "Secret Island" peninsula on a beach and then take the boat back to the lawns for an outdoor reception. We got married on the Secret Island beach--the boat and docks are pretty awesome and photogenic, the beach is private, and the walk through mangroves is beautiful--and then had our reception by the fishpond.
We also had friends get married at Loulu Estate, on the North Shore, which was gorgeous and has a large lawn for the reception, but is on the beach as well. The sunset on their wedding was actually so beautiful that the wedding planner had to yell at us to go back to the tents.
I did not use a tent at Kualoa Ranch, and neither did my work friend. We had an older contract which was $3000, including the boat ride and the private beach and the reception lawn (there are some facilities, like bathrooms and a refrigerator). We rented chairs and tables. The coordinator at Kualoa Ranch also acts as a day-of coordinator/wedding planner for about $400.00 (at the time of my contract).
I thought the Plantation Estate was very quaint but Tania, the property manager, has been mostly unprofessional (not returning my calls, disinterested when I came to visit the place (as if it didn't matter if I rented or not bc someone else would), over charging my stay in the invoice then ignoring my emails to remedy the situation). The on-site care taker is related to the owner and she was so very pleasant and helpful.
Lmk if you find similar venues that have onside overnight accommodations for guests. Preferably out of town areas. Happy Researching!