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