Getting married in Hawaii

With weddings becoming increasingly extravagant and expensive affairs, many people are now opting to avoid the traditional 'big day' in favour of a more intimate ceremony abroad. A wedding in the sun can help to melt away the stress and strain of everyday life and what better destination than romantic, laid-back Hawaii, famous for its sunny climes and even sunnier smiles?

Nestled like a jewel in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is a paradise location in which to make all your dreams come true. With tropical breezes blowing and calm azure waters lapping gently upon golden beaches, it is certainly the ideal place for a relaxed wedding in stunning surroundings.

Before you eagerly head of to your beautiful destination though, it`s important to make sure you have all the practicalities in place to make your wedding as magical as possible. Passports need to be valid and renewed in advance if necessary and any guests attending also need to have theirs up to date to avoid any disappointments! It`s also essential to take out good holiday insurance to protect your dream wedding from any little difficulties which may or may not arise along the way.

Every bride wants to look her best in her dream dress, but remember that many of the intricate designs seen in bridal shops are simply not suitable for the hot, humid climate in Hawaii. It makes for a much more comfortable and enjoyable day if the dress or outfit chosen is elegant and simple and most importantly lightweight. This goes for the groom too, who may well be very uncomfortable kitted out in a full suit, when a simple shirt and trouser combination would be much more fitting. If you choose a more traditional gown it may be worth considering an evening or indoor ceremony when temperatures are much cooler.

There are also legalities which must not be overlooked, despite it being very easy to lose yourself in the magic and romance Hawaii has to offer! Ensure your venue is licensed to hold weddings and that you have the necessary permits or licenses 30-days before the wedding itself. If you are planning your wedding through a specific organiser, they will be able to advise on any legal issues and if you are organising the wedding yourself then the Embassy can help.

For those wishing to make the wedding even more special, Las Vegas makes the perfect stopover to enjoy the experience in its entirety. It's even possible to make your wedding a two-centre one by combining a road trip via car rental Las Vegas with the relaxing and intoxicating island wedding of your dreams. There really are no end to the possibilities and many couples choose to live in up in Las Vegas before unwinding on a balmy beach. Aloha Hawaii!