If you’re getting married in Hawaii, you’ll find tons of beautiful locations to choose from besides the typical beach wedding.  Hawaii is the perfect place for tropical gardens and Polynesian architecture.  I’ve included a few of our favorites complete with photos!  And you can find them all at the Hawaii Bridal Expo this July 29th-31st at the Blaisdell in Honolulu…..

Haiku Gardens….

At Haiku Gardens, they offer 3 different places you have your ceremony….in their amazing botanical gardens, in the open aired Tahitian chapel or under the gazebo over the ponds.  All this with the backdrop of the Ko’olau mountains.  Receptions are held at their restaurant, Haleiwa Joe’s Seafood Grill…. you won’t be disappointed!  Check out their website at www.haikugardens.com

JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa…….

We’ve blogged about the Ihilani before and for good reason, the resort is AMAZING!  There are many spaces in the resort to choose from.  They have several ballrooms if you’ve got a more formal wedding planned or check out their breathtaking coy ponds complete with manta rays!  They can also feed your desire of a beautiful beach wedding if you’d like because they are right on one of the Ko’olina lagoons.  See their website for more gorgeous photos of the resort! 

Sunset Ranch……..

Sunset ranch located in beautiful Haleiwa has some different options to choose from!  Choose to have your ceremony in the meadow overlooking the coastline then follow with your reception in their stables for a more rustic setting.  You must also see their fern gardens.  You’ll want to take a peek at their site for sure!

Remember, you can meet the staff of these wedding venues and many more at the Hawaii Bridal Expo this July 29-31 at the Blaisdell in Honolulu.  See www.bridesclub.com for coupons, details and a full list of wedding venues in Hawaii!

Here’s what you have to do……

Hawaii Beach Weddings - Requires Beach Permit

Unencumbered Land, State Public Beaches
General Terms and Conditions for Commercial Activity

1.       The set-up, event, and restoration of the right-of-entry area or premises shall be limited to the date(s) and time(s) provided by the Applicant in the application, which in no event shall exceed two hours.

2.       The right-of-entry permit is subject to the payment of a non-refundable fee based on 10¢ per square foot per event per day, and further subject to a minimum fee of $20.00 per event.

3.       Applicant shall procure at Applicant’s own expense, and maintain during the entire period of the right-of-entry permit, from an insurance company or companies licensed to do business in the State of Hawaii, a policy or policies of comprehensive public liability insurance in an amount of at least $300,000 per incident and $500,000 aggregate insuring the State of Hawaii against all claims for personal injury, death, and property damage; that said policy shall cover the entire right-of-entry area or premises, including all improvements and grounds and all roadways or sidewalks on or adjacent to the said right-of-entry area or premises in the control or use by Applicant. Applicant shall furnish the Department of Land and Natural Resources (the “Department”) with a certificate(s) showing the policy(s) to be initially in force and naming the State of Hawaii as additional insured and keep said certificate(s) on deposit during the entire period. The procuring of this policy shall not release or relieve Applicant of its responsibility under this right-of-entry permit as set forth herein or limit the amount of its liability under this right-of-entry.

4.       Applicant shall indemnify, defend, and hold the State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources harmless from and against any claim or demand for loss, liability, or damage, including claims for bodily injury, wrongful death, or property damage, arising out of or resulting from: (a) any act or omission on the part of Applicant relating to Applicant’s use, occupancy, maintenance, or enjoyment of the right-of-entry area or premises; (b) any failure on the part of Applicant to maintain the right-of-entry area or premises and areas adjacent thereto in Applicant’s use and control, and including any accident, fire or nuisance growing out of or caused by any failure on the part of Applicant to maintain the area or premises in a safe condition; and (c) from and against all actions, suits, damages, and claims by whomsoever brought or made by reason of Applicant’s non-observance or non-performance of any of the terms, covenants, and conditions of this right-of-entry or the rules, regulations, ordinances, and laws of the federal, state, municipal or county governments.

5.       At all times herein, Applicant shall keep the right-of-entry area or premises in a strictly clean, sanitary and orderly condition.

6.       Applicant shall be responsible for cleaning and restoring the right-of-entry area or premises to its original condition or a condition satisfactory to the Department upon completion of each day’s event or activity. All trash shall be removed from the right-of-entry area or premises. If the Department finds that the Applicant has failed to clean and restore the right-of-entry area or premises to the Department’s satisfaction, Applicant agrees to and shall reimburse the Department for all costs and expenses associated with cleaning and restoring the area or premises to its original condition.

7.       Applicant shall comply with all of the requirements of all federal, state, and municipal, authorities and observe all federal, state, and municipal laws applicable to the right-of-entry area or premises now in force or which may be in force.

8.       NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES SHALL BE SERVED OR PERMITTED IN THE RIGHT-OF-ENTRY AREA OR PREMISES.

9.       Applicant shall not permit commercial solicitation including the sale of any item or advertising of commercial products to be conducted in conjunction with the permitted activity (no banners, handouts, flyers, posters, etc.).

10.    Applicant shall be responsible for providing any security deemed necessary or appropriate for the right-of-entry area or premises during the requested event or activity.

11.    Applicant shall supply to Land Division a name and local telephone number of a contact person who will be available at all times during the scheduled event.

12.    No person shall drive a motor vehicle on the right-of-entry area or premises.

13.    Applicant in the exercise of the right-of-entry permit shall use appropriate precautions and measures to minimize inconveniences to surrounding residents, landowners, and the public in general. Applicant shall not engage in any activity that may obstruct, impede, or interfere with the public use of the surrounding area or any public access to the area.

14.    No accessories, structures, devices, amplified instruments, appliances, apparatus or equipment of any type whatsoever shall be placed on or within the right-of-entry area or premises, including but not limited to the following:

·         arches;

·         bowers;

·         alters;

·         tables;

·         chairs;

·         kahilis;

·         tents and or tarps;

·         event signage of any type including banners, sandwich boards;

·         kiosks or carts;

·         stanchions, posts, ropes or similar equipment for the purpose of demarcation of the right-of-entry area; and

·         surfboards, windsurf boards, kayaks or other ocean recreation equipment;

with the exception of the following:

o        loose flowers, leis, bouquets, corsages or boutonnieres;

o        unamplified musical instruments, including a conch shell;

o        doves or butterflies for releases;

o        a limited number of chairs as strictly necessary for the support of elderly, infirm, or disabled persons attending the event(s);

o        cameras and camera equipment;

o        other non-obtrusive hand-carried wedding accessories;

o        small podium or cake stand, not to exceed three feet square in size; and

o        ocean vessels/equipment used exclusively for the purpose of scattering ashes during authorized funeral services.

                        In the event any historic properties or burial sites, as defined in section 6E-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, are found on the right-of-entry area or premises, Applicant shall immediately stop all premises utilization or work or both and contact the State Historic Preservation Division in Kapolei at (808) 692-8015 in compliance with Chapter 6E, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

                        Best management practices shall be employed to avoid having silt or dirt enter the ocean.

                        All disputes or questions arising under this right-of-entry shall be referred to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources for a determination and resolution of the dispute or question. The Chairperson’s decision shall be final and binding on the parties herein.

                        The right-of-entry permit is revocable and terminable at anytime for any reason in the sole and absolute discretion of the Chairperson. As long as the revocation or termination is not as a result of any fault of, or default by Applicant of any provision of this right-of-entry permit, then Applicant may apply for a refund of any advanced rental payment made based upon the percentage of use denied by the revocation or termination.

                        The right-of-entry permit is subject to Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 13, Sub-title 10, Chapter 221, Unencumbered Public Lands, as amended. Rules are available for review at http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/land/administrative-rules. Applicant is required to familiarize himself with these rules. Applicant acknowledges that he has read, understands, and agrees to abide by these rules.

                        The right-of-entry permit or any rights hereunder shall not be sold, assigned, conveyed, leased, let, mortgaged or otherwise transferred or disposed.

                        The Department of Land and Natural Resources reserves the right to impose additional, terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate while the right-of-entry is in force.

                        All representatives of any commercial operator or service provider at the site must carry a copy of this permit with them and make it available for inspection at all times during the event(s). Failure of any operator or provider to carry this permit and make it available for inspection upon request by any DLNR official or enforcement officer shall constitute a violation under this permit.

                        The applicant as the responsible party shall ensure that all terms and conditions of the permit are adhered to and met. In most cases, the applicant will be a wedding coordinator or professional. All other professionals that may be associated with the event, such as a videographer, photographer, a minister, etc., shall be required to and by possessing a copy of this document do hereby agree to also abide by the terms and conditions of this permit and shall carry a copy of this permit on their person at all times during the event.

                        Violations of one or more permit conditions may result in administrative action, imposition of fine(s), and the rejection of future right-of-entry applications.

                        Applicant shall comply with other written conditions, which may be imposed by the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

This last week I had the pleasure of staying at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa in Ko’olina Hawaii and boy was it a real treat!  From the beautiful sunrises you can admire from your lanai

to the amazing fish pond where you can watch the manta rays swim for hours, you’re sure to enjoy your stay here!  And whether you are planning to just get away for a while or are planning to have you wedding here, you won’t be disappointed! 

The rooms are great!  They are very spacious, clean of course, and have some nice little perks like being able to control the room temperature and lights from the phone by the bed!

If you’re planning on getting married in Hawaii, you should take the Ihilani into serious consideration!  They have beautiful ballrooms, meeting rooms and outdoor spaces where you can exchange your vows and impress your guests with a breathtaking reception.

And the perfect beach wedding photos are just steps away at the Ko’olina Lagoons.  The lagoons have the perfect mix of sand, palm trees and of course bright blue ocean to make your wedding album one you’ll be proud of.

So whether you’re getting married or just looking to get away, check out the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa on Oahu.  www.ihilani.com You can also come find them at the Hawaii Bridal Expo this July 29th -31st at the Neal Blaisdell Center.  www.bridesclub.com for coupons!

Are you just starting to plan your wedding and deciding where in Hawaii to get married?  Not sure where to start?  Come to the Hawaii Bridal Expo this January 21st-23rd at the Blaisdell…..get discounted tickets on BridesClub.com and check out these amazing locations!

JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa (sooo beautiful!) - www.ihilani.com

Haiku Gardens - www.haikugardens.com

Hawaii Prince Hotel - www.hawaiiprincehotel.com

Honolulu Country Club - www.honolulucountryclub.com

Ko’olau Ballrooms - www.koolauballrooms.com

Paradise Cove - www.paradisecove.com

Turtle Bay Resort - www.turtlebayresort.com

These are just a few of the many that will be at the Hawaii Bridal Expo.  Check out their websites and stop by the show to see them in person!  You won’t be disappointed!