When you personalize your Hawaii elopement, it will be the best decision (besides who you are marrying) you could make for yourself and your significant other.
Much like a traditional wedding, elopements are not a one-size-fits-all kind of experience! Especially, when you’re considering a destination elopement in Hawaii! That’s why it’s important to find a photographer that will not only capture your elopement but provide you with their best tips and resources to make your day absolutely perfect.
Over the years I’ve captured everything from helicopter elopements to sweet and simple elopements on the beach. Through these experiences, I have found a handful of elements to really add a special something not only to your photos but to your experience!
SEVEN TIPS FOR PERSONALIZING YOUR HAWAII ELOPEMENT
ONE | Capture The Two of You Getting Ready
This part of the day can be overlooked when it comes to photo coverage. But it’s rare to capture a bride and groom both got ready together in the same space. It can be a really sweet, laid-back, and intimate time
A HAWAII – BASED ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CREATING A SPECIAL SPACE WHILE YOU ARE GETTING READY DURING YOUR INTIMATE HAWAII ELOPEMENT:
- PLAY MUSIC THAT REMINDS YOU OF WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED DATING
- SPEND TIME WRITING YOUR HANDWRITTEN VOWS TO EACH OTHER
- POUR SOME CHAMPAGNE (OR OTHER FAV BEVERAGE) TO ENJOY WHILE GETTING READY
- DON’T STRESS ABOUT THE MESSINESS OR CLEANLINESS
TWO | Book a Luxury Picnic on the Beach
Whether it’s just the two of you or a few of your closest family and friends joining you, a luxury picnic is such a fun way to add some uniqueness to your Hawaii elopement! Enjoy a specially curated picnic with local foods, delicious desserts, and beverages.
They take care of the setup and tear down, you just get to show up and enjoy!
HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE VENDORS:
Big Island
Maui
THREE | Incorporate Floral Arrangements into Your Ceremony to Personalize Your Hawaii Elopement
Couples will often forgo having floral arrangements for their ceremony because they assume the Hawaiian scenery will do it justice. It DOES this for sure… Don’t get me wrong! However, even simple florals added to your ceremony can add some incredible pops of color to your images.
FLORAL TIPS FROM A HAWAII-BASED ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER:
- HAWAIIAN BEACHES DON’T ALLOW FLORAL ARCHWAYS. INSTEAD, CONSIDER A HALF-CIRCLE (or FULL-CIRCLE) FLORAL ARRANGEMENT IN THE SAND THAT YOU AND YOUR PARTNER CAN STAND IN.
- SINCE YOU ARE GETTING MARRIED IN HAWAII, CONSIDER THE TRADITIONAL LEI (FOR THE BRIDE), AND MAILELE (TEA LEAF SCARF FOR THE GROOM).
- A HAKU LEI (FLOWER CROWN), IS A STUNNING ADDITION TO A BRIDE’S BEACHY LOOK! YOUR FLORAL DESIGNER CAN CUSTOMIZE THE COLORS AND FLOWERS JUST THE WAY YOU WANT THEM!
MY FAVORITE FLORAL DESIGNERS IN HAWAII:
FOUR | Hire a Local Officiant for Your Elopement
I get asked a lot from couples whether it’s considered cultural appropriation to hire a Hawaiian officiant for their elopement ceremony. The answer is NO! In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Having a Hawaiian officiate your wedding is incredibly honoring and an amazing way of experiencing the deep richness that is Hawaiian history and culture. If you’re choosing to tie the knot in Hawaii, why not incorporate some Hawaiian elements into your ceremony also?
Hawaiian wedding ceremonies almost always leave the couple (and me) in tears.
FIVE | Trash the Dress
I can’t think of a better way of ending your elopement than with a good old fashion- jump into the ocean, wedding attire, and all! It makes for a fun and beautifully unique images!
HERE ARE SOME THOUGHTS:
- WORRIED GOING INTO THE OCEAN WILL RUIN YOUR GOWN? DON’T STRESS! SIMPLY HANG YOUR DRESS ON THE SHOWER CURTAIN HANGER ROD AND USE THE FAUCET TO SPRAY OUT ALL OF THE SAND AND DEBRIS. A SIMPLE DISH SOAP CAN HELP REMOVE ANY EXCESS DIRT.
- CONSIDER BRINGING A SECOND DRESS IF YOU HAVE YOUR HEART SET ON JUMPING IN THE WATER BUT DON’T WANT TO GET YOUR ACTUAL WEDDING GOWN WET.
SIX | Write Wedding Vows to Personalize Your Hawaii Elopement
Reading each other your handwritten personal vows can be an incredibly special added element to your day. Many couples who choose to elope can be quite introverted. The thought of reading vows to one another, even in front of the officiant, can seem vulnerable or overwhelming.
So instead, I encourage couples to save their vows for another special part of the day, where they can share them with one another privately
HERE ARE SOME THOUGHTS:
- HANDWRITE YOUR VOWS! IT HAS WAY MORE OF A CHARMING AND PERSONAL FEEL VS READING VOWS OFF OF YOUR PHONE
- HAVING TROUBLE KNOWING WHAT TO WRITE? START WITH THE THREE THINGS YOU LOVE/RESPECT MOST ABOUT YOUR PARTNER AND WHY
- WRITE YOUR VOWS IN UNIQUE (NON-CHEESY) JOURNALS. MY FAVORITE? The Traveler’s Notebook
SEVEN | Book a Private Dinner “Reception”
Plan for a private dinner for you two (and your nearest and dearest), after your ceremony!
Just because you’re eloping, doesn’t mean you can’t have a lovely dinner reception to go with it. Want to keep it more private? Consider hiring a private chef to join you at your Airbnb! Or, how about dinner on the beach with you and your closest friends and family?
It’s a great way to cap off a day of celebration!
LOOKING FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER TO CAPTURE
YOUR PERSONALIZED HAWAII ELOPEMENT?
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