Hawaii is rated as the top spot in the world for destination weddings. On the Big Island of Hawaii there are several hotels that have wedding coordinators that can put together the wedding of your dreams, which is the most popular route, but there are also other locations and ways to have a wedding on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Resort Wedding Options
Each of the major resorts on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii have multiple luxury hotels with a wedding planning department. This is the most seamless option. Guests can all stay at the same hotel and have the wedding and reception right there on property. The Waikoloa Beach Resort probably offers the most affordable options while the Hualalai Resort probably offers the most luxurious options with the Kona Village and Four Seasons Hualalai being the trademark hotels of that resort.
The Wedding
Each hotel offers different wedding locations. Almost all offer the most popular location of a beach wedding with an ocean and sunset backdrop. If you are the one to not want to be in the sand for the wedding, there are other outdoor settings such as a garden setting or maybe a lawn setting with the ocean and sunset as the backdrop. In the event of bad weather or if you choose to be inside, most hotels have a ballroom type setting that can be set up to your liking.
The Reception
For the most part you have the same options for the reception. For those that want a more low key reception, the beach setting is very nice. In the event that you want more dancing and music the hotels typically have an outdoor garden type venue as well as ballrooms for that option.
Pros of a Resort Wedding on the Big Island of Hawaii
Convenience
Flexibility in the event of bad weather or an issue
Cons of a Resort Wedding on the Big Island of Hawaii
Cost
Non-Resort Wedding on the Big Island of Hawaii
While a resort wedding is by far the most popular, there is growing interest in doing something different for cost as well as just to have a more unique experience. Parties can rent vacation rentals such as Kolea at Waikoloa Beach Resort and all stay together with bigger accommodations that typically lead to a lower overall cost. While staying at these vacation rentals, you can also choose to use the services of a hotel and have a wedding at the hotel with the reception. You juts may not get as many perks for not staying at their hotel.
A growing trend is to have the wedding at a unique venue such as Anna’s Ranch in Waimea and then have the reception at a restaurant on the island. Almost all restaurants allow you to rent out a portion of the restaurant for a reception. Some restaurants like Merrimans at Waimea are small enough to make sense out of renting out the entire restaurant for your reception. Anna’s Ranch is one of the most popular locations for local families and the reception is normally out on a large lawn area in front with a large tent that as long as the weather is good makes for a spectacular reception. In the even the weather is not as good, they can close up the sides of the tent.
Pros of Doing a Non Resort Wedding on the Big Island of Hawaii
Flexibility in the location of your Wedding
Cost
Cons of Doing a Non-Resort Wedding on the Big Island of Hawaii
More work on wedding planning
One last thing worth noting is given that Hawaii is the top wedding destinations in the world, many of the locations book up over a year in advance so you will want to be sure to plan your wedding well in advance. Weather you choose to have a resort wedding or a non resort wedding on the Big Island of Hawaii, it is sure to be an unforgettable event.