Now that travel restrictions are over, more than ever, people are motivated to travel. Many bridal couples have had to postpone their wedding plans for up to a year and a half and are now ready to tie the knot.
According to Wedding Pro and Martha Stewart Weddings, couples are opting to travel out of their hometown to get married. With increased travel costs, couples now need to plan their destination carefully and O`ahu, Hawai`i is the perfect place!
Hawai`i was ranked in the top 3 locations for destination weddings outside of the continental United States. (Group Travel)
Why should you have your destination wedding on Oahu?
Out-of-country feel while still remaining on US soil. Traveling across the contiguous US is easily done via car, plane, bus, or train, which leaves one feeling as if they’re still “home.” Flying to O`ahu creates a different dynamic because travelers have to fly over an ocean and creates an “out-of-country” feel. It’s considered to be such a beautiful place, featuring locations in Hawaii!
No passport required to travel to one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Since Hawai`i is a state in the United States, no passport is required for US Citizens to travel to Hawai`i.
US dollar exchange rate is stronger than some top-rated destinations. For those wanting to do a destination wedding in Europe (where some of the top destination weddings were listed) or Tahiti, the US dollar is stronger.
All-in-One Wedding and Honeymoon Location. For those who want to get away to Hawai`i and were contemplating getting married, O`ahu is a great choice. One can be in the city, then bounce out to the country and not have travel more than 43 miles! This doesn’t mean you’ll get to the North Shore in 45 minutes, but you get the gist.
The North Shore of O`ahu. Home of the some of the most renown surf spots, O`ahu’s North Shore is one of the most iconic, highly recommended surfing communities in the world. Sunset Beach (Sunset), Banzai Pipeline (Pipe), and Waimea Bay are a few epic spots surfers around the world aspire to conquer. Haleiwa is the main town and boasts coffee shops, surf shops, boutiques and eateries, as well as a significant place in O`ahu’s history.
The Polynesian Cultural Center. The Polynesian Cultural Center is another iconic part of O`ahu’s Northeast side of the island. It’s rich history and small community make it a living cultural history museum through song, dance and food from the different Polynesian island cultures. Laie Point and Malaekahana Beach Parks are a couple of uncrowded beaches and lodging accommodations nearby, making it a great place to get away from the city for a night or two.
Iconic Historical landmarks. The infamous Diamond Head, Native Hawaiians call Lē‘ahi, is located at the east end of Waikiki. It’s an extinct volcano containing a trail that leads to the 560-foot summit, where a lookout was built in the early 1900s, and is open to the public today through an online reservation system. Another extinct volcano and icon, called Punchbowl or Pūowaina (“hill of sacrifice”), houses the National Cemetery of the Pacific. Becoming the home of many American soldiers in 1949, it is the resting place for a variety of soldiers serving in past wars, including the Unknown Soldier.
Pearl Harbor, famous for the surprise attack and loss of life, and advent of the United States’ entry into World War II. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis through the online reservation system and should not be missed.
The Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States. It was home to the last reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawai`i before the overthrow in 1893. Tours are available and must be booked online.
Great Food. For foodies, O`ahu is a must-go for great food. From historic Hawaiian Regional Cuisine standards of The Original Roy’s Restaurant (some say he’s the father of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine), to the no-nonsense great seafood fare at Nico’s Pier 38, to Hawaiian food flavors of Highway Inn, unique farm-to-table creations at Kapa Hale and Turkish delicacies of Istanbul Hawaii, there’s something for everyone. For upscale dining, Merriman’s, d.k. Steakhouse and more. Being in the middle of Pacific provides an array of authentic food from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and more. 😋 😋😋
Lots of shopping. If you’re interested in spending time shopping, there are several options within 1-20 miles from Waikiki. Waikiki offers a mixture of luxury boutiques and national favs, while Ala Moana Shopping Center boasts the major national luxury department stores. The Waikele Premium Outlets offers great luxury brands, as well as small, unfamiliar brands. The Aloha Stadium Flea Market will be your go-to for souvenirs (perhaps before your Pearl Harbor ferry ride?).
If you’re thinking of doing a destination wedding and wondering if you should go out-of-country or out of state, O`ahu has a lot to offer. Staying in the US, having one place for both your wedding and honeymoon, and experiencing iconic Hawai`i landmarks are some of the many great reasons to make it your go-to for your destination wedding. If you’re looking for an O`ahu wedding venue, go to our weddingestateshawaiillc.com website and contact us today!