The perfect place for tying the knot away from home.
By: Donna Heiderstadt
Photo courtesy of St. Regis Princeville Resort
If Hawaii tops your list of wedding locales, you may need some help in narrowing down your resort options—these five beautiful islands offer an array of gorgeous accommodations. We’ve chosen three to feature here, with dreamy backdrops that include a scenic beach, a flowering garden and a dramatic black lava coastline.
The St. Regis Princeville Resort
Hawaii’s newest luxury resort, a 252-room property on lush and scenic Kauai, offers some of the most amazing views in the islands. Perched above Hanalei Bay, with sweeping panoramas of the emerald-green No Molokama Mountains, the St. Regis can accommodate everything from intimate sunset weddings on golden Hanalei Beach to full-scale receptions for up to 400 in its grand Astor Ballroom. Other celebration sites include the Bay Terrace, a large indoor/outdoor venue that can hold up to 200 for a ceremony and reception and offers ocean and mountain views, as well as the 1,000-square-foot cliff-side Hanalei Terrace and Suite, ideal for smaller events (wedding dinners start at $120 per person for four courses, exclusive of alcohol; stregisprinceville.com).
Photo courtesy of St. Regis Princeville Resort
Four Seasons Resort Lanai, The Lodge at Koele
For something truly unique in Hawaii, consider a non-beach wedding at this atmospheric 102-room upcountry manor house resort. Set amidst flowering gardens and soaring Cook Islands pines on the tranquil island of Lanai in Maui county, the property offers distinctive ceremony sites that include a lacy, white gazebo and an authentic Chinese pagoda, both located near serene reflecting pools. Receptions may be held on one of three lush green lawns or on the stone terrace by the Pineapple Fountain. The Library, an elegant indoor venue that seats 70, has classic country manor decor and a fireplace. Guests can enjoy ocean activities at the sister property, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay, located a shuttle hop away (wedding packages start at $175 per person and include three courses with wine service; fourseasons.com).
Photo Credit: Peter Vitale
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa
If you crave a bit of only-in-Hawaii drama, check out this 521-room contemporary resort, perched atop black lava cliffs on the Big Island. The sprawling 22-acre property features the charming colonial-style Bayside Wedding Chapel, which overlooks the sparkling blue waters of Keauhou Bay. Smaller ceremonies can be held at the adjacent Gazebo (capacity: 10), the seaside Overlook (capacity: 22) and the Sunset Cliffs (capacity: 12). For larger affairs, you can wed on the Bayside Wedding Lawn and then dance the night away right there, or on the enormous terrace at Crystal Blue Point (wedding packages start at $750 and include an on-site wedding coordinator, an officiant, the location site fee, a solo musician for the ceremony and specialty leis for the bride and groom; sheratonkeauhou.com).
Photo courtesy of Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa
