Adventurous Hawaii Elopement on Kauai

Buckle up, because the story behind this adventurous Hawaii elopement on Kauai is wild! But, before I jump in, I have to give you some context. My hunk of a husband, Drew, and I celebrated over two years of marriage by heading back to where our adventure began. We traveled to Kauai, Hawaii on our honeymoon, and we could not have been more excited for the opportunity to go back (shoutout to Alaska Airlines for those frequent-flyer miles, am I right?)

While in Kauai, we were soaking in as much Vitamin-D our little Pacific Northwest bodies could handle, drinking the best cocktails you could imagine, and swimming with sea turtles. Naturally, I was sharing the fun on social media, and, boy, am I glad I did!

As I was losing my mind over the sea turtles, Emily and Chris were driving around Kauai in a camper van preparing for the most epic and intimate Hawaii elopement. Only three people on planet Earth knew about Chris and Emily’s Hawaii elopement, and one of those three people happened to be a future client of Between the Pine. I don’t know if it was the magical sea turtles, but COME ON. How epic is that? So, the day before their ceremony, Emily and Chris booked an Adventure Session with me to celebrate their freshly tied knot. 

After we booked their Adventure Session, I began searching Google for the most epic locations on Kauai. Emily and Chris said they chose to elope on Kauai because it was the perfect blend of the Pacific Northwest and Tahiti-vibes, and I wanted to honor that. So, that meant mountains, fog, and the beach. No problem! 

As we made our way around Kauai, Emily and Chris parked their camper van in front of a foggy mountain backdrop (it doesn’t get much more PNW than that). We ended our Adventure Session along the beach where Emily had dreamed of eloping, but unfortunately couldn’t because of flooding. Ending their Hawaii elopement day there provided a quiet, intimate setting. With the ocean keeping the tempo, I played their first dance song on my little bluetooth speaker and they danced like they were the only ones on the entire island. What an honor it was to be a part of their adventurous Hawaii elopement. 

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Honoring Hawaiian Culture During Your Kauai Elopement

In Hawaii, it’s incredibly important to honor the locals when scouting a location for an elopement. The Kauai land is sacred to the natives, so I had to be sure to receive permission before taking Emily and Chris to these beautiful Hawaii mountain backdrop locations. We stopped at a farmer’s market along the road, and met the owner Tim. He not only gave us permission to take photos on the land, he also gave a blessing to Emily and Chris. He shared with us how the Hawaiian people believe their souls enter into the Earth through the mountains we were taking pictures in front of. It was so powerful to gain the local perspective, and it made the photos of their Hawaii elopement even more beautiful.

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Travel Tips for Your Hawaii Elopement on Kauai

I’ve learned quite a few things along the way traveling for Between the Pine! I was once a gal who resorted to opening a bottle of wine with a paperclip because I forgot the bottle opener (yes, it can be done!), and now I’m reserving my Alaska Airlines cheese platter before I even arrive at the airport. Here are some of my travel tips for your Hawaii elopement on Kauai:

• Travel to Kauai on Alaska Airlines

Y’all know I love Alaska Airlines, so it should be no surprise that their credit card is my go-to! The mileage plan and customer service is the best you can find! And, you get 20% the cheese platter when you use the Alaska credit card in-flight, so really what more could you want? Alaska Airlines is also known for their famous Companion Fare, which basically allows you to buy a ticket for your favorite adventure pal for just $99 (plus taxes), no matter where the destination is! You can click here to find out more information about the Alaska Visa Signature card.

• Rent a Jeep to explore the island

This is something Drew and I love to do when we’re in Kauai! Renting a Jeep (or a camper van like Emily and Chris!) allows you to explore the rugged roads that lead to hidden beaches.

• Find the local flavor

I think I can give some pretty great recommendations when it comes to food, but, let’s be real, no one knows the best spots on Kauai like the locals! So, I highly recommend making friends with locals to be able to find the best restaurants on the island.

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Inspired by this Hawaii Elopement? What You Need to Know About Eloping on Kauai

I’ve created a complete Kauai elopement and travel guide that will include everything you need to know, including a checklist for planning your Kauai elopement, links to the best places to stay and eat, and my top recommendations for the best hikes and beaches on Kauai. So, explore through the link below, because this resource will be all you’ll need to begin planning your own Hawaiian adventure! When you’re ready to start planning, reach out to me and let’s make your tropical adventure happen!

 

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Ready to explore more elopements, weddings and adventures? Wander away below!

Between the Pine is an adventure elopement and wedding photography brand created by Mollie Adams. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Mollie travels with her camera in hand to document “I dos” in epic landscapes including Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii.