Our Favorite Places to Elope in Kauai (From Beaches to Cliffs and Everything in Between)
Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
Imagine getting married in a place that feels like it’s straight out of a postcard (because it kind of is). If your ideal elopement backdrop includes lush green cliffs, hidden waterfalls, golden beaches, and jaw-dropping sunsets, then Kauai might just be the spot for you! In this guide, we’re sharing some of our favorite Kauai elopement locations. Whether you’re dreaming of peaceful beach ceremony or an adventure-packed day in the canyon, you’ll find a few of our favorite location and venue ideas, weather tips, and everything else you need to know before planning your best day ever in Kauai.
Table of Contents
- Our Favorite Places to Elope in Kauai (From Beaches to Cliffs and Everything in Between)
- Where Should You Elope in Kauai?
- 3 Things to Know Before Deciding Where to Get Married in Kauai Hawaii
- Best Kauai Elopement Locations: North Shore
- Best Kauai Elopement Locations: South Shore
- Best Kauai Elopement Locations: Waimea Canyon and the West Side
- What It’s Like to Work With Us for Your Kauai Elopement
- What’s Included in Our Kauai Elopement Packages
- Meet Your Kauai Elopement Photographers
- Are You Ready to Decide Where to Elope in Kauai?
Where Should You Elope in Kauai?
When it comes to choosing where to get married in Kauai Hawaii, we like to break it down into three main regions: North Shore, South Shore, and the area around Waimea Canyon. Each part of the island has its own vibe, and knowing what each has to offer makes it so much easier to decide where you’ll want to say your vows.
Here’s a brief summary of what you can expect to find in each area of the island:
- North Shore: Lush, wild, and filled with greenery. This area feels like classic Hawaii with dramatic mountains and surf-town vibes (we’ll never stop swooning over Hanalei). It does tend to be rainier in this area of Kauai, but that’s also what makes it so magical.
- South Shore: Sunny and dry, with golden beaches and easier access to Waimea Canyon and the jungle hikes on the east side of the island. This area is a bit more touristy, but it’s also more budget-friendly and easier to navigate.
- Waimea Canyon: Dry, rugged, and totally different from the rest of the island. Waimea Canyon is an amazing place to hike during the day and watch the sun set over the ocean at Polihale State Park (just be prepared for strong winds and wild waves!).
3 Things to Know Before Deciding Where to Get Married in Kauai Hawaii
1. Respect the Land
First and foremost, this is Hawaiian land, and there are many locations that are considered sacred to the people of Hawaii. That means as Kauai elopement photographers we approach every elopement with intention and respect. Some locations that look stunning online are actually sacred or off-limits (and we won’t shoot there). We’ll always be honest about what’s possible, and we only guide our couples to legal, permitted, and culturally respectful places.
When it comes to eloping in Kauai, we also encourage couples to fully immerse themselves in the island vibe. Life moves slower here (after all, you’re on island time), driving takes longer, lines are a little bit longer, and that’s all part of the experience, so embrace it. It’s the best way to experience Kauai.
2. Permits Matter (a lot)
Because of how important the land is in Hawaii, they tend to be more strict with permits. This is something we take care of for all of our couples, so you don’t have to stress about what’s needed. Just keep in mind that when looking for inspiration online, not all areas you see are legal to visit. We only go (and photograph) where it’s allowed, and we take the necessary steps to ensure we have permission ahead of time. If you see an incredible location online that’s not legal, we’ll let you know and help you find a similar (and just as stunning) location.
3. Kauai Weather is Wild (in the best way)
One thing you need to know when choosing where to elope in Kauai is that the island is filled with microclimates. This means the weather on one side of the island could be completely different from the other side of the island (and weather patterns can change quickly). However, don’t let that scare you. Kauai is truly beautiful in all weather, and even if it rains, that’s part of its magic.
Typical weather on each side of Kauai:
- North Shore: rainy and lush
- Northeast: more sunny days but with some cloud coverage
- South Shore: sunny and dry
- Waimea Canyon and the West side: dryer, hotter days
Best Kauai Elopement Locations: North Shore
Not going to lie, the North Shore is one of our absolute favorite sides of the island! We could go on and on about why we love this area so much, but here are a few of our favorite locations so you can see for yourself.
Haena State Park
Haena State Park is one of our favorite places to elope in Kauai! Here you’ll find dramatic cliffs, jungle trails, and long stretches of golden sand. One of our fave combos is starting at the beach and walking down to Tunnels Beach for sunset portraits (pure magic, every time).
Common Ground
This farm-to-table micro wedding venue is chef’s kiss. We’ve shot multiple celebrations here, from 15-person elopements to 30+ person micro weddings. We’ve come to fall in love with this venue, and every wedding we’ve photographed here has felt intimate and meaningful. The venue is surrounded by lush greenery, giving it a modern tropical vibe. Plus, there is so much heart behind the space, which you can feel from the moment you set foot on the property. Oh, and of course, we can’t forget about the food. Everything served here is farm-to-table and locally sourced in Hawaii, which we absolutely love! Want to see a real micro wedding at this gorgeous venue? Check out Carson and Gabbie’s 3-day wedding at Common Ground below!
Hanalei River Cottages
Brand new and tucked in the heart of Hanalei (our favorite town in Kauai), the Hanalei River Cottages can be rented all together for a dreamy elopement or micro wedding. Not only are the cabins stunning, but they also allow ceremonies, which means we are obsessed with them (and know you will be too).
Other Kauai Beaches (aka Our Secret Spots)
We keep a handful of other North Shore beaches tucked in our back pocket. These locations are stunning and are more remote than some of the other well-known beaches in Kauai, meaning you can elope with a beautiful view and not worry about the crowds.
Best Kauai Elopement Locations: South Shore
Eloping on the South Shore means we are a bit more limited with where we can go, but we still have a few Kauai elopement locations on this side of the island that are simply incredible!
South Shore Cliffs and Beach
This spot is one of our favorite South Shore places to elope in Kauai! Here you get the best of both worlds, elevated cliff views and easy beach access. It’s a favorite for golden-hour portraits and is less crowded than some of the more popular beaches nearby. Kara and Nathan exchanged their vows at these cliffs during their South Shore elopement. Click the button below to read all about it!
South Shore Ridge Trail
Technically in Kapaa (on the East side of the island), this ridge trail pairs perfectly with a South Shore elopement. We love starting the day with a sunrise hike here and ending at the cliffs for a sunset ceremony.
Best Kauai Elopement Locations: Waimea Canyon and the West Side
Various trails and overlooks
Waimea Canyon is full of magic! Seriously, you could spend most of the day in this park. The canyon has some of the most unreal views on the island (it’s kind of like the Grand Canyon of Hawaii), and there are trails for all adventure levels. Want to see more magic from Waimea Canyon? Check out some of our past weddings and elopements at this beautiful location!
Polihale State Park
Okay, full transparency, Polihale can be intense. This area is often windy, the waves are huge, and the road to get there is rough. But if you’re up for an adventure, it’s a sunset you’ll never forget.
What It’s Like to Work With Us for Your Kauai Elopement
Once you’ve narrowed down your favorite Kauai elopement locations, you might be wondering, what happens next? Here’s a quick look at what it’s like to work with us (aka your VIP island insiders):
- Reach Out & Inquire: We’ll hop on a call to hear all about your vision. We’ve been exploring Kauai since 2016 and have deep connections with local vendors, guides, and hidden gem locations across the island.
- Lock in Your Date: Once your contract is signed and your date is saved, we’re officially ready to start planning your best day ever!
- Get Access to Your Personal Planning Guide (aka us): From the best places to stay, eat, hike, and explore to sample timelines and packing lists, we are your go-to resource for everything you need to know about your Kauai elopement.
- Build Your Dream Timeline: Whether you’re eloping at sunrise, chasing waterfalls midday, or soaking in golden hour at Tunnels Beach, we’ll work together to create a timeline that fits all your priorities and allows time to soak in Kauai’s magic.
- Document the Best Day Ever: From quiet morning vows to sunset portraits, we’ll be there with cameras in hand (and snacks in our backpacks) to capture it all.
Want a full look at what it takes to plan your experience on the island? Check out our complete Kauai elopement guide below for all the logistics, weather tips, and vendor insights you’ll need!
What’s Included in Our Kauai Elopement Packages
When you book with us, you’re getting way more than just photos. You’re getting a photographer who knows Kauai inside and out (think of us as your island insider). Even though we’re not full-time locals, we’ve been coming to the island since 2016 and have strong relationships with the community here.
Here’s what working with us looks like:
- Personalized planning assistance
- Location scouting and permits
- Timeline creation
- Coverage from half-day to multi-day
We offer three main Kauai elopement packages:
- Half-Day: Perfect for a sunrise or sunset ceremony at a stunning Kauai elopement location
- Full-Day: Includes a first look at your cabin, two Kauai elopement locations, and ceremony coverage.
- Sunrise-to-Sunset: The best of both worlds (truly!). Golden light in the morning and blue hour in the evening, plus time to slow down and explore multiple locations throughout the day.
Click here to learn more about our Kauai elopement packages
Meet Your Kauai Elopement Photographers
We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that is where we gravitate towards as your Kauai elopement photographers. Between the Pine was founded by Mollie in 2018, and she has hiked hundreds of miles all over the Pacific Northwest and Kauai, to capture couples during their best day ever. Since 2018, we’ve grown our team and continue to hire even more incredible photographers!
Our team at Between the Pine is passionate about our jobs and adventuring to the most beautiful locations to document your best day ever. We know Kauai like the back of our hands and are dying for a reason to head back to the beaches, waterfalls, and everything in between! Click here to learn more about the Between the Pine team, your Kauai elopement photographers!
Are You Ready to Decide Where to Elope in Kauai?
Wherever you choose to elope, we’re here to help you plan your best day ever with the most stunning backdrop. Contact us if you have questions about where to elope in Kauai. We’d love to help you choose the perfect elopement destination that represents you.
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