Hawaii weddings! At the Pono Market in Kapaa, I got my marriage license to go with my lau lau pork plate lunch. It just goes to show how easy it is to get married here, and one of the many reasons why Hawaii is a top destination for nuptuals.
Let's start with the license. During lunch, the clerk (who was also the chef), prepared our food and processed the paperwork. All we had to do was pay $60 (plus lunch), show our ID and have a 20 minute appointment. We left with a full stomach and a marriage license valid in Hawaii for thirty days. Now that's a Hawaii travel deal.
What about same-sex couples? Civil Unions start January 1, 2012 and the Department of Health plans to announce the application procedure soon.
Finding an officiant. Many resorts will help set up your meeting with their preferred marriage officiant, but if you are a DIY'er, you can call the local marriage license office for the names, addresses and phone numbers of marriage license agents near when you will be enjoying your Hawaii vacation:
- Big Island: (808) 974-6008
- Kauai: (808) 241-3498
- Maui: (808) 984-8210
- Oahu: (808) 586-4544
Here are some useful links:
If you applied for a marriage license in Hawaii be sure to share your experiences. Stay tuned for "Getting Married in Hawaii Part 2 – Beach Wedding Logistics."
Kristin is a member of the Beat of Hawaii/Techspokes Media marketing team. She relocated to Kauai from New York City last year and is a newlywed. Kristin will be sharing her experiences planning a Hawaii wedding in future posts.
You can buy a marriage license at a lunch counter — unless you are gay. When will Hawaii treat couples fairly, like Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, plus Washington, D.C. and Oregon’s Coquille and Washington state’s Suquamish Indian tribes. It could have been a leader — time now to catch up!
Aloha Kristin,
Well, I am also one of the lucky ones who got married in Hawaii, actually on a white sandy beach of the Big Island. The marriage license was easy to obtain at Mauna Lani Beach Hotel. However, we still had to drive to Hilo on the other side of the island in order to get it registered with the County of Hawaii.
Must have done something right. We are still married after 20yrs.
Aloha, Pua + Keoki
Find beautiful hand made wedding dresses just up the block from Pono Market at a.ell design and atelier! http://www.aelldesign.com