WEDDINGS BY HAUOLI · FREE STARTER GUIDE

Your Hawaiʻi Wedding Planning Guide

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Aloha! Start with the decisions that shape your celebration, then work through one step at a time. This guide is a practical starting point for planning an Oʻahu destination wedding.

1. Choose your priorities together

Write down your three most important wishes: time with family, an unforgettable setting, meaningful food, beautiful photographs, or a relaxed weekend. Use these priorities when deciding where to spend.

2. Build your guest list and full budget

Estimate your guest count before comparing venues. Include planning, venue, catering, rentals, photography, flowers, entertainment, transportation, attire, travel, taxes and service charges. Keep a reserve for changes and unexpected costs.

3. Compare venues with a checklist

  • Is your date available, and what is the comfortable guest capacity?
  • What is included in the rental price?
  • What is the rain plan, and does it cost extra?
  • How do guests access the venue, park, and move between ceremony and reception?
  • What are the setup, music, vendor, and cleanup requirements?

4. Confirm your planning support

Decide whether you need full planning, help with remaining decisions, or wedding management. Confirm the scope, communication process, payment schedule, and responsibilities in writing before booking.

5. Book your key vendors

Once your date and venue are confirmed, coordinate photography, catering, entertainment, flowers, rentals, and other priorities. Compare complete proposals and portfolios. Keep contracts, payment dates, and contact details in one shared folder.

6. Make travel simple for guests

Share the confirmed location, travel suggestions, lodging options, dress guidance, transportation plan, and RSVP deadline on your wedding website. Allow room for guests to rest after travel.

7. Give the weekend breathing room

Consider an optional welcome gathering, your ceremony and reception, and a farewell brunch. Confirm each venue’s availability and menu before sharing plans with guests. You do not need to host every hour of the trip.

8. Design around the setting

Choose a few focal points, then plan flowers, lighting, and table details around them. Ask vendors what can safely be repurposed between ceremony and reception. Consider sun, wind, rain, guest comfort, and accessibility.

9. Prepare the wedding-day timeline

Include vendor access, getting ready, travel, photographs, guest arrival, ceremony, dinner, speeches, dancing, and cleanup. Share the final version with the people responsible for each part.

10. Finish with a final check

  • Confirm guest count, dietary requests, seating, and transportation.
  • Review vendor balances and final arrival times.
  • Check current marriage-license and venue requirements directly with the relevant authorities.
  • Assign a wedding-day contact so you can enjoy your celebration.

Your next three steps

  1. Agree on your priorities and budget.
  2. Shortlist venues that suit your guest count.
  3. Choose the planning support you need.

Book a $100 One-on-One Planning Call

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With aloha,
Hauʻoli · Weddings By Hauoli
weddingsbyhauoli.coordinator@gmail.com