Aloha weddings

By Nicole Alper

updated 2:20 p.m. ET Nov. 10, 2006

A destination wedding in Hawaii delivers it all: an exotic locale with jungled mountains and pristine beaches, plentiful accommodations ranging from family-friendly condos to luxurious hotel suites, cool activities like snorkeling, hiking and whale watching, and world-class infrastructure absent from most other island paradises. Whether it's the breezy eco-elegance of Kauai, activity-filled Maui, nightlife-packed Oahu or the wide-open lava fields of the Big Island, Hawaii has options galore for any bride-to-be. It's only five hours from the mainland, but you'll feel like you're in a different world.

Kauai's Celebrity Chic
Kauai is Hawaii in its most natural state, a tropical Eden encompassing the gaping chasm of Waimea (considered the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) and the towering sea cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. "Kauai boasts all extremes of natural settings for outdoor weddings," says Carolee Higashino, owner of A White Orchid Wedding, Inc. "A couple may select a sunny beach wedding on popular Poipu Beach, a private kayak ride up the Na Pali Coast to a remote sea cave, or a panoramic site along the breathtaking crescent-shaped vista overlooking the taro fields of Hanalei Bay."

Melissa A. Howard, president and co-owner of Mohala Weddings, agrees. "Kauai is old Hawaii, from the laid-back, friendly attitude of its people to its pristine, empty shorelines." This island gets more rain than its sister isles, which feeds lush greenery and brilliant tropical flowers, especially on the rugged north coast.

"Kauai's dramatic mountain range creates a beautiful backdrop for photography," says Susan O'Donnell of Aloha Wedding Planners. "Beach weddings are still popular here, but you're likely to see a waterfall in the background of your photos, as the mountains are closer to the ocean." Another plus: Kauai is the smallest of the major Hawaiian islands, drivable in a couple of hours, so you can stay on one side and still experience the other on excursions.

Many celebrities have tied the knot on the island, including Ben Stiller, Matt LeBlanc and Lost’s Josh Holloway. That’s what first drew Dana Olliges and her fiancé, Steve Arcana. “I saw tons of pictures of celebrity weddings,” explains Dana, “and Kauai looked absolutely gorgeous.” In a romantic coincidence, her parents had honeymooned there in the 1960s. On October 3, 2005, 80 people from across the country joined the couple for their elaborate I do’s.

Destination Weddings & Honeymoons The Fairmont Orchid has one of the top spas on the Big Island.

On a scouting trip with her mom, Dana discovered her perfect venue in the Grand Hyatt Kauai. “The second we got there, we fell in love with it,” she says. “I bonded with the staff instantly.” Located in the sunny south shore at Poipu, the 602-room resort sits on one of the loveliest beaches and is a macadamia-nut toss from an array of accommodations, attractions and restaurants (the area is evolving as Kauai’s “restaurant row.”) On the other side of the island, brides flock to Princeville Resort, an expansive luxury retreat with two golf courses and an incredible setting overlooking Hanalei Bay.

When it comes to décor, “many Kauai brides choose something simple, such as small bouquets of cymbidium orchids or indigenous tropical flowers,” says Casey Sparks of Martin Roberts Floral Design. Not Dana. “I wanted to go absolutely crazy with flowers,” she says. Sparks responded by flying in exotic varietals of roses and orchids from around the globe, and lining the aisle with conch shells and orchid garlands. “My heart stopped when I walked out and saw the flowers,” said Dana. “Out of everything I spent money on, that was the best thing of all.”

The day culminated in a surprise performance by pop star John Waite, who flew in for the occasion. (The couple developed a “thing” for the singer after a lengthy make-out session to one of his CDs.) Befitting the island’s laid-back vibe, Waite joined the guests at their poolside martini-bikini party the night before the wedding, where everyone bonded over a luau and fire dancers. “At one point we busted out the hula hoops,” laughs Dana. The following day, after the ceremony, guests followed a candlelit pathway to a beach for the special show. It was the perfect finish to a dream weekend. “There’s just something about Kauai that makes people feel relaxed and eager to bond and have fun,” says Dana. “It all just came together and made my wedding the best day of my life.”

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