Written by our rad team member, Jessica Dastous
Intimate Kauai Wedding
Planning a Kauai wedding is truly magical, so when Laura and Josh reached out to me about having their intimate elopement on the gorgeous island of Kauai, I couldn’t have been more excited! Kauai has some of the most diverse landscapes, so visiting them all on your elopement day is an absolute must (and so is stopping for shave ice)! From canyons, to lush forest, sea cliffs, coastlines and of course waterfalls, there’s no shortage of adventures to enjoy with your new spouse. Keep reading for the most breathtaking Kauai elopement inspo to help you start dreaming of your best day ever!
Meet the couple of this intimate wedding on Kauai
Meet Laura and Josh, the couple of this intimate Kauai wedding. Laura and Josh wanted to escape the cold winters in Bozeman, Montana to get married on the island of Kauai! I met Laura and Josh a little over a year before their Kauai elopement and we immediately hit it off. They are the kindest, most easy-going couple I have ever met and of course they have a Bernese Mountain Dog and GoldenDoodle, so I knew instantly that we would be friends!
Their Kauai island wedding started off at a beautiful Airbnb, where Laura and Josh got ready. Laura and her dad took their first look photos at the Airbnb, which were really important to her because they have such a close relationship. After her photos with her dad, Laura and Josh had their first look as their family watched and there wasn’t a dry eye by the end of it! From there, we headed out to Waimea Canyon (one of my all time favorite places on all of Kauai!). On the way, we stopped at a stunning waterfall for some photos and of course to explore! Then we set out on one of my favorite hikes on all of Kauai, located in Waimea Canyon. This hike is perfect for a Kauai elopement, with jaw-dropping views and overlooks, the location is super private making it the ultimate adventure for your Kauai wedding (for more Kauai wedding inspo and Waimea Canyon photos, click here). While we were here, Laura and Josh explored the canyon and took in the incredible views, then exchanged personal letters with each other. Something important to keep in mind when visiting Waimea Canyon during your Kauai elopement is you must get a permit for this location and this is not a ceremony location, meaning you can not get married here. Lucky for you, I know a Kauai elopement photographer (hint, hint) who is well versed in Kauai wedding locations and can offer you many options depending on your vision for your best day ever! After exploring, Laura and Josh hopped back in the Jeep with me and we made our way down to JoJo’s for shave ice, a must have during your wedding on Kauai (be sure to get macadamia nut ice cream in your shave ice!)!
The adventure wasn’t over just yet, we made our way to the final location of the day, Laura and Josh’s Kauai wedding ceremony! We met their family along the coast for their sunset ceremony. We literally had the entire cliffside to ourselves and watched the most stunning sunset (for more dreamy sunset photos to get you inspired for your Kauai elopement, click here!)! After Laura and Josh’s ceremony, we went back to their Airbnb, where Chef Leo was making an incredible meal. Laura and Josh enjoyed an intimate dinner with their family after a full day of adventures! One thing that I really enjoyed about Laura and Josh’s Kauai wedding day was we packed in so many adventures, but it didn’t feel like we did too much because we had breaks throughout the day! The energy Laura, Josh, and their family had truly made this day unforgettable.
Three adventures to add to your Kauai Island Wedding
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Go on a hike
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Stop for shave ice
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Book a guided adventure
Go on a hike!
Kauai has some of the most diverse landscapes. From canyons, to lush green forests, to beaches and cliff sides, there’s truly something for everyone! I know, you must be saying how could I possibly choose one location to explore? Well, I am here to tell you that you don’t have to choose and you can visit all of these locations during your Kauai wedding day. Head to this link for all the incredible hikes you could experience on your best day ever! And check out this blog to help you get inspired for your Kauai elopement!
Stop for shave ice
Stopping for shave ice is totally essential during your wedding on Kauai, right? Heck yes it is and do I have the recommendations for you! Two of my favorite places to go for shave ice are JoJo’s Shave Ice, which is where Laura and Josh went and Wailua Shave Ice which is on a different part of the island. Pro tip: when visiting JoJo’s, add macadamia nut ice cream to your shave ice to cool down and if you are looking for more flavor combinations you’ll definitely want to check out Wailua!
Book a guided adventure
Helicopter Tours
If you are super adventurous and looking to do something a little different for your Kauai island wedding, then I highly recommend taking a helicopter tour! Did you know over 70% of the island is inaccessible by road? Seeing Kauai from the sky is truly breathtaking and will make your Kauai elopement the most memorable day ever! There are three helicopter tours I would recommend for your best day ever:
Napali Coast Sunset Sail
There’s no better way to see the Napali coast than by a 65’ catamaran at sunset. Take in the gorgeous views of the colorful coastline, while enjoying appetizers, a dinner buffet, island juices and a selection of beer, wine and spirits. This three and a half hour cruise will truly make your Kauai wedding the best day ever! Click here to start planning your Napali Coast sunset sail and for inspo on what a sunset sail could look like, check out this blog!
Kayak Your Way Through Kauai
One of the best ways to explore the hidden gems on Kauai is by kayak. Take a trip down Wailua River for the most epic Kauai elopement adventure. Plus, kayaking leaves the least environmental impact out of all the activities I recommended, it’s a win win if you ask me! To learn more about planning your very own kayak adventure, click here!
Resources for your own Kauai Wedding
I get it, traveling to an island, finding a place to stay, knowing what to do, anddd trying to plan a wedding all at the same time can be a bit overwhelming. Below I have linked up a few resources my team and I have put together just for you!
The Vendors behind this intimate wedding on Kauai
Hair & Makeup: @miamoriguchillc
Florals: @kealohaflowers
Private Chef: chef-leo-kauai.com
Kauai Wedding Packages: What you need to know
When choosing to have a Kauai island wedding, I highly recommend two Kauai elopement packages for my couples – sunrise to sunset and the two-day elopement. Sunrise to sunset is one of my most popular elopement packages booked by my couples and there is a huge reason for this. When booking a sunrise to sunset elopement, you are going to have golden hour and blue hour at BOTH sunrise and sunset! This means you are going to get the best light on your day (twice!!), plus get to experience multiple locations throughout your Kauai elopement day. If you are looking for a diverse selection of photos from coastlines, to lush forests, cliffsides and of course stunning waterfalls, then sunrise to sunset Kauai elopement package is the perfect option for you!
The other package I recommend to my couples is the two-day elopement package. This is the package I typically recommend when couples have family and friends with them during their wedding in Kauai. The reason being is on the first day you can have your elopement and celebrate with friends and family without the distractions of timelines and taking photos! You’ll have the chance to spend the full day with your family, while I capture your day from start to finish. The next day, you and your partner will have the opportunity to go on a long hike with me. You’ll get into your wedding attire, exchange private vows and reflect in one of the most beautiful places on Earth! The two-day package allows you to spend quality time with your guests and also have an epic adventure with your partner. To learn more about my elopement packages, click here!
Meet your Kauai Wedding Photographer
I named my company Between the Pine because I am happiest when I am outside, surrounded by pine trees (or palm trees… or the ocean… or the rainforest..). Since I was little, I’ve always loved the outdoors. This led me to getting the nickname “granola girl” because I’m literally always excited to spend time outside (and even have an outfit and hiking boots + snacks! ready to go at all times).
So, really, it’s no surprise that I found my way to Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest (which have the most diverse National Parks, forests, beaches, and stunning mountains… in my very biased opinion), and to a career as an adventure elopement photographer (which is like a magical hybrid of Junior National Park Ranger, outdoor adventure hype gal, snack magician, nature lover/super nerd, and photographer).
I’ve had the honor of walking thousands of miles alongside hundreds of couples to celebrate one of their biggest life moments. And nothing lights me up like getting people outside to epic places. (And then surprising them with snacks and a dance party on their epic adventures!
Whether you’re dreaming of tying the knot at sunset on the beach, exploring the bases of waterfalls in Kauai (yep, I’m always down to chase waterfalls!) or really have no idea where to start, I’m here to help you make your Hawaii elopement your best day yet! Click here, to learn more about me, your Kauai elopement photographer!
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.
There are so many incredible destinations to choose from when eloping, with some of the best places to elope in the US just at your fingertips, which is why I compiled this list of my all time favorite locations in the United States. Keep reading to find your dream location!