With all of Kauai’s white sand beaches, exceptional ocean views, lush tropical flowers and sultry sunsets, there’s a reason why there were nearly 11,000 weddings on Kauai in the last five years. It doesn’t take much convincing to know why photo-ready Kauai is the obvious choice when determining where to hold your destination wedding.

From beach permits to the ideal wedding venues, we have all the details to make your wedding planning smooth sailing. We interviewed Marie Foster, local wedding planning expert and owner of Legacy Events Kauai, for her insider advice to make sure your special day is perfect.

Planning a destination wedding can be intimidating for someone not familiar with Kauai, where do you begin?

Planning a destination wedding may seem daunting at first, but our job as wedding planners is to make it effortless because we know all the ins-and-outs of planning weddings on Kauai.  And trust us, there’s a lot. Then, with today’s technology and abundance of information online, such as yelp, much of the information you need is right at your fingertips.

Step One: Decide how big or small you want your wedding to be and who you plan to invite. This will help with selecting a venue, finding hotel or vacation rental accommodations for your guests and defining a budget. Together with your fiance, put together a list of all the people you absolutely must invite to the wedding and from that list, estimate how many you think will actually come considering this distance, age and financial ability.

Photo courtesy of Sea Light Studios

Is it expensive to get married on Kauai?

That’s the great thing about working with a wedding planner, we will work with you to not only make your day perfect, but also stay within your budget. Some expenses that you’ll want to consider are venue site fees, vendor costs, wedding planner costs, travel costs and wedding attire. Making sure you have a budget that matches your vision and guest count is good to know before you begin the planning process so you don’t run into issues later in the process.

What are the legal requirements for getting married on Kauai?

Since wedding coordinators know the process so well on Kauai, it is helpful to have your coordinator involved in this part of the process. It is easy to fulfill legal requirements for your destination wedding, especially because there are no state residence or U.S. citizenship requirements. The State of Hawaii’s wedding website provides a ton of information on what you need to do and you can even apply for your wedding license online for a fee of $65.  You will still need to appear together in person before a marriage license agent when you arrive on island.

The Wine Shop in Koloa is an authorized marriage license agent. The best way to kill two birds with one stone is to schedule an appointment with The Wine Shop Kauai to pick up your marriage license and stock up for the celebration with their amazing selection of fine wines and champagne.

Keep in mind that the marriage license expires within 30 days and is valid statewide.  The legal age to marry on Kauai is 18. A valid I.D. or driver’s license is accepted for anyone 19 year of age or older, 18 must present a birth certificate. You will also need to verify that your wedding officiant is licensed in the State of Hawaii. When having a wedding on a public beach, a state permit is required.

Okay, we know that you have the inside scoop on the best wedding venues on Kauai. Where are some places that the future Mr. and Mrs. must consider?

This is the kind of question that we live for! Kauai has so many great locations for all different budgets and wedding sizes. The first thing to ask yourself is what do you envision when you think of your wedding day? Do you want the structure of a well organized hotel wedding with all the amenities that you need, such as rooms for your guests, on property restaurants, swimming pools and spas for relaxation? Do you envision yourself saying “i do” in a decadent botanical garden?  Or, do you want to go simple with your toes in the sand and tropical trade winds blowing at the beach? There are many choices on island based on your preference. Some of our favorites in Poipu are The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa and Plantation Gardens Restaurant.

Oceanfront wedding venue at The Grand Hyatt Kauai.  Photo courtesy of Sea Light Studios

What about guests who want to incorporate some group activities before and after the wedding. Any ideas?

Yes! Group activities are wonderful for bonding with your guests and elevating the mood and excitement of being in a beautiful destination with all of your closest family and friends. We highly recommend attending the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa Havaiki Nui Luau for the complete Hawaii experience with food, hula and music. Depending on your budget, a sunset dinner sail on a large catamaran to the Napali Coast is great for accommodating large and small groups. You might even want to engage in a little brain teasing exercise at the Kauai Escape Room or ramble through Kauai’s back roads to a private waterfall with Kauai ATV.

Why should someone hire a wedding coordinator?

To put it simply, a good wedding coordinator will take the guesswork out of wedding planning.  Our job is to keep you well informed when making decisions, factoring in every aspect of your wedding day. Local knowledge of weather during the time of year, traffic, driving times, sunrise and sunset times for photos and backup vendors can all come into play on your wedding day. Our services range from initial wedding advice with the DIY bride to full scale support and access to our list of the top vendors on Kauai.

And then there’s the most important part of all, your wedding day. Your wedding coordinator should provide customized timelines for the day and oversight of every single detail so that you don’t have to. We check and double check with our vendors to make sure everything is in place. We know when to make adjustments to optimize your wedding day experience because you don’t want to miss the perfect lighting for photos, serve cold food or have your event run past venue time limits.

Well, there you have it. Any closing comments for someone wanting to get married on Kauai?

At the end of the day, you want to be able to look back at your wedding day with the fondest memories and reminisce on your fabulous trip with all your closest family and friends. Having a good photographer to capture every moment is so essential. So is making sure that your guests are taken care of and enjoying themselves as much as you. Preparing to commit your life to one another can take a lot of preparation. A qualified and professional wedding coordinator exceeds expectations and eliminates disappointments, so you will never have to look back and wish you did anything differently.

If you would like to learn more about these services and planning a Kauai destination wedding, please visit www.legacyeventskauai.com and contact Marie for a free consultation.

People flock to Poipu Beach year round for its epic snorkeling, a safe keiki (children) swimming pond, mellow surf breaks, grassy park facilities and to sunbathe on its powdery white sand. People aren’t the only ones who find Poipu Beach appealing, with many different types of wildlife who also call the beach park home.

Being able to see our animals in their natural habitat is superbly exciting for both adults and children, especially if you have never seen a Hawaiian Monk Seal or green sea turtle before. While it’s tempting to want to get close for a photo op, there are rules governing how close you can get that are strictly enforced by our beach lifeguards and animal protection volunteers.

Without further ado, here are a few residents you’ll meet when you visit Poipu Beach Park!

Hawaiian Monk Seal

Hawaiian Monk Seals, with their grey coat, white belly and impossible cute face, often choose Poipu Beach as their resting spot after a good feed. However, don’t let their cute face fool you. The Hawaiian Monk Seal, especially mommies with their pups, can become very aggressive when they feel threatened by humans.  Sometimes their aggression results in a warning bark or even a bite. If you see a Hawaiian Monk Seal on the beach, do not approach it. The law requires that humans stay at least 150 feet away if they are in an unmarked area or outside of the barricades established by volunteers of the Kauai Monk Seal volunteer program. According to the National Wildlife Federation, there are only about 1,100 Hawaiian monk seals left in the wild.  Because they are one of the only mammals endemic to the Hawaiian islands and are considered endangered, they are highly protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act and Hawaii State law. Getting too close to one of these creatures could result in not only getting hurt, but a $50,000 fine and up to a year in prison.

Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (Honu)

In the Disney movie Finding Nemo, Crush the turtle said it best – running into a green sea turtle while snorkeling in Kauai is like “whoa!” Known as the honu in Hawaiian, the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle loves to frequent Poipu Beach. It is not uncommon to spot a turtle feeding on seaweed while snorkeling in Poipu’s clear waters.  Occasionally these large turtles come to shore to rest and bask in the sun. This species was almost extinct at one point due to over fishing. Today, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles are protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act and Hawaii State Law.  Because they are protected, people should admire them from at least 10 feet away and never attempt to ride, touch or feed them.

Kauai’s Reef Fish

Say it fast with us, “humu-humu-nuku-nuku-apuaa.” This colorful hawaiian fish is just one of the many underwater sea creatures that you might see while snorkeling at Poipu Beach. Other varieties of fish are the Parrot fish, Trigger fish, Butterfly fish, Flounder and the Devil Scorpion fish. Two calm protected bays with a sand tombolo between them offer choice locations at Poipu Beach for exploring the underwater coral reef habitat by snorkel.

Sea Urchins

In addition to the many varieties of fish at Poipu Beach, the spiny Hawaiian sea urchin, or wana (pronounced “vah-na”), is a beauty to look at and admire. These spiny creatures are often found in tidepools, reef flats and shallow reef slopes. Their spines are their defense mechanism and accidentally stepping on one could result in many painful spikes inside of your foot. Some types of wana carry a poisonous venom. If you do accidentally step on a sea urchin while at Poipu Beach, see the lifeguards for assistance and in many cases, you may want to go to the hospital to have the spines removed. The spines are very brittle and using tweezers or your fingers to pull out the spines will likely result in them breaking further. At home remedies for removing wana spines include soaking your foot in vinegar, which breaks down the calcium-carbonate spines.

Moray Eels

Kauai doesn’t have any snakes, but Moray Eels bear a similar resemblance with long bodies that can grow up to 3 ½ feet long and slither underwater. Moray Eels, called puhi in Hawaiian, live in Hawaii’s coral reefs and love to hide in holes. While snorkeling, you may be lucky enough to see an eel peeping its head out of a hole or moving from one hole to another. Do not stick your hands in holes or crevices when snorkeling because you never know when it could be the home of a Moray Eel.  They are timid creatures, but have been known to bite when they feel threatened.

Sea Cucumbers

Kauai Sea Cucumbers are harmless creatures that attach themselves to reefs and inside of tidepools. They are speckled brown and white to camouflage themselves with the reef and love to feed on little crustaceans. It is ok to pet them gently underwater and feel their slimy skin, but they should remain in the water at all time.

Kauai’s Feral Chickens

You may be a little confused at the idea of chickens on the beach, but in Poipu it is quite common to find chickens throughout the beach park. Kauai’s feral chicken population increased greatly after Hurricane Iniki when many chicken coops were blown away by the wind. There was no way to identify whose chicken belonged to whom and with no natural predator, their numbers grow exponentially. Most visitors find the chickens to be an endearing part of the beach culture at Poipu and you can even take a Kauai Chicken home with you. We would warn you that they can be quite fearless when food is left out in the open and will have no problem inviting themselves to your picnic.

When in doubt, always check with County lifeguards for advice on the rules of approaching our beach and ocean marine wildlife. Many of the rules were created for the animals protection and the beachgoer. Next time you are at Poipu Beach, have fun exploring the tidepools and underwater snorkeling. You never know what you will find or who you’ll meet!

Will you be spending the 4th of July on Kauai? In addition to traditional family cookouts and fireworks, Kauai has much more to offer for the Independence Day weekend. After your BBQ goes out come enjoy these great events, or save the trouble and eat on site. Don’t just fill your belly, but feast your eyes and ears as well; options abound for food, music and pyrotechnics. Celebrate America in style!

Independence Day Freedom Celebration at PMRF – Tuesday, July 3

Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands is hosting its Freedom Fest Celebration from 5-10pm on Tuesday, July 3rd. The general public is welcome to this complimentary, family-friendly event on the grounds of Shenanigans restaurant. Live music followed by a heart-pounding fireworks display is on the menu. Food, games and craft booths are available throughout the evening. Guests can enter the base through the Kokole Point gate (adjacent to the county landfill) on Kaumualii Highway beginning at 5 p.m. where free parking is available on base. Watch for signs on the highway for directions. All vehicles and backpacks are subject to search: This is a drug-free event and no outside food or beverages, coolers, tents, pets, weapons (including knives of all types) or personal fireworks are allowed. Beach umbrellas can be used. For more information, please call (808) 335-4446.

2018 Kauai Hospice 29th Annual Concert in the Sky

Vidinha Stadium is the site of the largest 1-day event on Kauai. The Annual Kauai Hospice Concert in the Sky is from 3-9:30pm and features 3D fireworks at 8:30pm choreographed to a 20-minute soundtrack especially created by Hospice just for Kauai. The one and only Maoli is headlining the event.  Everyone is invited to come early for Keiki Games, water slides, bounce houses and more. Amazing food options are available at affordable family prices, plus a silent auction, crafts and a keiki novelty tent. Admission tickets are available now at all Kauai Times/Big Save Markets, as well as the Kauai Hospice Office. Advanced Ticket Prices are $10 for Adults and $5 for Keiki (6-12) with Keiki 5 and younger being free. At the Gate it will be $15 for Adults and $7 for Keiki (6-12) while Keiki 5 and younger are still free.

As you can see, Kauai has an array of options to celebrate Independence Day with local flavor. The hard part is just choosing one! Happy 4th of July!