Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
It’s hard to sum a whole wedding day into a single word, but if I had to pick just one word to describe this wedding on Kauai, I would have to say FUN! Katie and Cameron had fun not just while getting ready with their loved ones, but also while exchanging vows on the beach in Kauai, and partying on the dance floor with family and friends at their celebratory meal. The couple planned a two-day Kauai wedding which doubled our chances for fun and allowed us to explore even more of the amazing landscapes Kauai has to offer! Keep scrolling to see more from this fun-filled two-day wedding on Kauai and learn our top five things to consider when planning your own Kauai wedding.
Meet Katie & Cameron: The Couple of This Two Day Wedding on Kauai
As a Kauai wedding photographer, one of the first things I do when a couple inquires is hop on the phone and learn more about them and their plans for their best day ever! From the very first moment I met with Katie and Cameron we bonded over our shared love of dogs and the outdoors. During that call I also learned that Cameron is a nurse and Katie is a police officer and as I got to know them more, I saw firsthand how their professions are more than just their careers; they also are an extension of their personality in that they both care for others and have a work hard, play hard mentality (see their reception photos below to see just what I mean!). The couple (who is also from Washington state) wanted to plan an epic two-day wedding on Kauai which also happens to be one of mine and Drew’s favorite islands in Hawaii! Needless to say we were all stoked to start planning together!
When Katie and Cameron’s two-day wedding on Kauai finally arrived, we were so excited. The couple had chosen to get married in the fall which is an amazing time to visit Hawaii (and also one of my personal favorites)! They spent the complete first day with family starting with getting ready photos at their beautiful rental house overlooking the ocean. After getting into their wedding attire, Katie and Cameron shared a private first look surrounded by Kauai’s lush greenery before heading off to their cliffside ceremony location. There, they exchanged vows in front of all their loved ones with the sound of the waves crashing against the shore beneath them. After congratulations and family photos, the three of us headed off for some quick sunset photos before heading back to their rental house for a celebratory meal under the stars complete with locally catered food, toasts, and dancing!
The afternoon of day two, Katie, Cameron and I headed out to Waimea Canyon for some Kauai wedding adventure photos. We spent the whole afternoon exploring the canyon and ended the day with the happy couple running into the ocean at sunset (the perfect way to end a Kauai wedding celebration if you ask me.)
Five Things to Consider When Having a Wedding on Kauai
Cost
If you’ve ever visited Hawaii, you know how expensive it can be. Add to that the cost of planning a wedding, and the budget can increase quickly! Things on the island cost more than they do on the mainland and these extra costs can also roll over into your wedding costs. That is why I usually recommend couples who want to get married in Hawaii plan their wedding during the shoulder season (also known as off season). Getting married during November – April will help cut down on travel costs and accommodations as well as help avoid some of the busy season crowds.
Time of Year
The thing about planning a wedding on Kauai is that there is no bad time to getting married on this beautiful island! The most popular season weather wise to visit Hawaii is between March and September, but this also happens to be Hawaii’s busiest season which means it can be quite crowded. That is why I prefer to visit between November and April. These months see fewer visitors and you’ll still get plenty of warm weather and sunshine. As long as you’re ready to embrace the island weather (Hawaii is filled with microclimates on all the islands so you never quite know what you’re going to get) you’ll still be able to have an amazing Kauai wedding experience.
Guest Count
How many guests you decide to invite to your Kauai wedding will dictate where you can have your ceremony and celebratory meal. Getting married on public land in Hawaii often requires a special permit and if you plan on having more than 15 guests it is much trickier to find a location unless it is an actual venue (or an Airbnb). Not to worry though, as your Kauai wedding photographer, I’ll be with you every step of the way to help you find the best locations for your wedding on Kauai.
Work With the Locals
Here at Between the Pine we are big advocates of supporting local and even more so when planning a wedding on Kauai! Finding and hiring seasoned wedding vendors on the island will help provide you with the best experience as they know the ins and outs of what goes into a Kauai wedding. And not to worry, we have a long list of our favorite island friends (vendors) for you to choose from.
Honor and Respect the Hawaii Culture
Honoring and respecting the Hawaii culture is one of the most important things to consider when planning a wedding on Kauai. Just as we always follow the rules of Leave No Trace, it’s equally important to recognize the history of the people of Hawaii and honor the sacred land of the people. What this means is that you’ll need to ensure you get the proper permits and only go to places that wedding photos and ceremonies are allowed. If all this sounds like a lot to consider, not to worry, your photographer should help guide you through this process (hint hint – that’s me).
For More Kauai wedding resources, check out these guides and blogs!
What You Need to Know About Packages For Your Wedding on Kauai
When choosing to have a wedding on Kauai, I highly recommend either our full day, sunrise to sunset, or multi-day elopement packages. When deciding which Kauai wedding package to choose, one of the biggest things I tell couples to consider is how much adventure you want to experience and how many different landscapes you want to go explore.
Our full-day Kauai wedding package, includes first look photos at your cabin in the early afternoon. We will then head out to two unique locations for you and your partner to explore. After, we will head to your ceremony location, where you will get married in the mountains with the most stunning backdrop at sunset!
The second Kauai wedding package we offer is our sunrise to sunset package. This is one of our most popular wedding packages booked by our couples and here’s why: 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!!) and get to experience multiple locations.
The last elopement package option is our multi-day wedding package. I recommend choosing this option especially if you plan to have friends and family at your Kauai wedding. The multi-day package can be a really good option if you want to explore a location, spend time with family and friends, have a celebratory meal with them, have your ceremony, and then go explore a completely different landscape on another day with just the two of you. Kauai is full of so many different landscapes, so by having a multi-day wedding, you’re able to explore more than just one location. Click here to learn more about our packages for your Kauai wedding.
Meet Your Kauai Wedding Photographer
Hi, it’s me, Mollie, your Kauai wedding photographer (aka island hype girl). I feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that is where I gravitate towards as your Kauai wedding photographer. Between the Pine was founded by me in 2018 and I have hiked hundreds of miles all over the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii, to capture couples during their best day ever. Since 2018, I’ve grown our team and hired three incredible photographers (Whitney, Dawn and Kass)!
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 the Pacific Northwest like the back of our hands and are dying for a reason to head back to the mountains, forest and everything in between! Click here to learn more about the Between the Pine team, your Kauai wedding photographers!
Meet the Other Incredible Vendors From This Wedding on Kauai
Wedding Planner: Lotus Events and Weddings
Hair & Makeup: Echelon Beauty
Flowers: The Pua Bar
Linens: Transcend Event Design Hawaii
Tables & Chairs: Kauai Tent
Tent: Mahi Tent & Event
Catering: Contemporary Flavors Catering
Desserts: Kauai Bakery
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