| There's much to do when you're planning a | | | | cheapest and most stress-free choice. If you |
| wedding in Hawaii. But as with any destination | | | | have more wiggle room, a good wedding planner |
| wedding, a special wrinkle is that you'll need to | | | | will help you make the most of your money.4) |
| take care of many details from far away. And | | | | Another important item on your checklist is the |
| perhaps you've never been to Hawaii before. All | | | | marriage license. Fortunately, Hawaii makes this |
| this can pile some frustration onto your planning, | | | | easy. You'll only need to arrive a few days in |
| but in the end, there are few places in the world | | | | advance, and the only major requirement is that |
| that can compare to the Garden Isle of Kauai, | | | | both the bride and groom appear in person. Hawaii |
| Magic Island off Waikiki, or Oahu's Paradise Cove, | | | | doesn't have a waiting period or require a blood |
| just to name a few of Hawaii's many | | | | test, but you'll need enough time to apply in |
| jewels.Here's a quick checklist of things to do and | | | | person on a weekday before the wedding.5) You'll |
| remember when planning a wedding in Hawaii:1) | | | | also need to research lodging and airfare for your |
| First, find a location. This is the fun part. Pour over | | | | entire party. That means you'll need to manage a |
| coffee table travel books at the bookstore -- try | | | | pleasant location that offers a fair price for not |
| the "From the Skies of Paradise" series, for | | | | only for the bridal couple, but for guests as well. |
| example. Eventually you'll settle on an island.2) | | | | Be sure that your planner or other former brides |
| Next, you have a second decision to make: should | | | | give the thumbs-up to your lodging before you |
| you go with a resort, a wedding planner, or do it | | | | book it.Airline tickets are another major cost, |
| all yourself? For most brides, the best bet is to | | | | especially if you're footing the bill for friends and |
| choose a resort package, or book a local wedding | | | | family. You can buy tickets up to 11 months in |
| planner that specializes in destination weddings.An | | | | advance, and the sooner you buy them, the |
| on-site planner should help you pull together every | | | | cheaper they are. With airfare on this scale, try to |
| aspect of your wedding. They'll recommend | | | | take advantage of other money-saving tactics |
| vendors, let you know whether that hotel really | | | | such as flying in on a weekday and staying over |
| looks as beautiful as it does in the brochure, and | | | | on a Saturday night.6) Finally, don't forget that the |
| help you work out murky but important details, | | | | whole charm of a destination wedding lies in not |
| such as how to seat your guests at the beach, or | | | | having to obsess over details. Be sure to research |
| how transport your guests from the hotel to the | | | | a great wedding planner, but after that, be willing |
| ceremony site. An experienced local planner can | | | | to roll with the punches and take what comes. |
| make a huge difference, but you'll want to | | | | With a destination wedding, you can often actually |
| research her carefully before choosing one. The | | | | relax enough to enjoy and remember your day, |
| last thing you want is to hire someone who "goes | | | | which isn't always true with more elaborate |
| dark" on you.It's impossible to tell from a web site | | | | productions.From choosing your favorite Hawaiian |
| or a photo whether a planner is responsive and | | | | island to picking out foot jewelry or beach-style |
| professional. The best way to find a great one is | | | | invitations, there's plenty to do when it comes to |
| to visit destination wedding boards and ask | | | | planning a wedding in Hawaii. While a destination |
| newlyweds for their recommendations.3) Next, | | | | wedding is much like any other, they tend to feel |
| you'll want to consider your budget. Can you pay | | | | more complex simply because of the huge |
| for close family and friends to attend your | | | | distance involved. The good news is that you can |
| destination wedding, or will they need to pay their | | | | easily get it all done, especially when you choose a |
| own way? If the budget's tight, one option is to | | | | resort package, or hire an experienced local |
| have a very small wedding on the island and | | | | wedding planner who can be your eyes and ears |
| throw a larger reception later, at home.You'll also | | | | and guide you through the requirements and |
| need to look at the other aspects of the budget, | | | | on-site issues.Blake Kritzberg is editor of |
| and consider the fundamental costs of things like | | | | FavorIdeas. Stop by for continually-updated |
| ceremony locale, reception locale, lodging, catering, | | | | celebrity |
| your cake and flowers, and any other services | | | | wedding news, remarkable beach wedding |
| involved in your wedding. For very constrained | | | | favors, exclusive hairstyling articles and gorgeous |
| budgets, a small resort package might be both | | | | and unique wedding favors. |