It’s not just the island’s physical attributes that attract lovers to Hawaii’s lush tropical paradise of Kauai (you’ll bump into at least one honeymooning couple or about-to-be-married couple every day). It’s also the spirit of the place. The 63,000 Kauai locals are proud of their heritage and can easily recite ancient myths, including the story of Anuenue, the rainbow goddess. A small child named Ua, which means rain, fell off a cliff, Anuenue used her rainbow to break the child’s fall and save her life. Ua grew up to marry Kulu-'i-ua, the chief’s son of a rival tribe: their marriage created peace on Kauai.
This connection to the past creates a spiritual vibe on this island idyll that emerges not only in their wedding vows, but in the care and attention they pay to every detail of a wedding. If you haven’t chosen your place to say, “I do,” Kauai may be the locale for you. Here are some places to get started.
- Gaylord’s Restaurant (Lihue, 808-245-9593, gaylordskauai.com), once the great house of Kilohana, a 19th century sugar plantation estate, is an elegant historic home and property, highly experienced at hosting nuptials on their gorgeous grounds, including on the covered lanai (patio).
- Hanalei Colony Resort (Hanalei, 1-800-628-3004, hcr.com) is a small, intimate beachfront property, with sweeping views of Hanalei Bay or lush tropical mountains, describing itself as unspoiled and unplugged. The on-site wedding planner can guide you through their wedding packages, reception sites and optional amenities.
- Get info on the most romantic wedding sites and lots of other destination information from the Kauai Visitors Bureau (Lihue, 1-808-245-3971, kauaivisitorsbureau.com). Couples have gotten hitched on the site where Elvis wed in the film Blue Hawaii, gurgled vows underwater wearing scuba gear, promised “forever” in Hanalei’s little Hawaiian church, rode to their ceremony site on ATVs, arrived by outrigger canoe to say “I do” at a luau and married high in a helicopter over Waimea Canyon, among many, many other options.
- Hit the Kauai Wedding Professionals Association (kauaiwedpro.com) for a directory of caterers, wedding planners, florists, hairstylists and makeup artists, officiants, musicians, photographers and all sorts of other services to help you make your special day a dream come true.
- Na’Aina Kai Botanical Gardens (Kilauea, 808-828-0525, (naainakai.com) features arbours, topiary, statuary, gazebos, waterfalls, a maze and a lagoon spread over 97 hectares, including exotic fruit trees, tropical hardwood forests and a gorgeous beach. There are many, many beautiful backdrop sites for your exotic ceremony and reception.
- Committed to making wedding experiences magical, the stellar staff at the Princeville Resort (Princeville, 1-808-826-9644, princeville.com) handles your wedding plans, preparation and details of your W-day with five-star style. Their wedding specialists co-ordinate your day, there are several indoor and outdoor sites, and wedding packages include special Hawaiian touches. A most romantic way to start your new life together!
- Imagine your weddingmoon week with every detail handled by the experts at Pure Kauai (Princeville, 1-866-457-PURE, purekauai.com), who create customized spa, adventure and luxury experiences with unparalleled pampering for guests, with a personal host who arranges transportation, daily activities and sightseeing. Accommodations range from petite bungalows and resorts to grand luxury villas and estates.
CELEBRITY COUPLES MARRIED ON KAUAI Lost star Josh Holloway & bride Yessica Kumula, Friends actor Matt LeBlanc & Melissa McKnight, funnyman Ben Stiller & Christine Taylor.
