How to Choose Your Hawaii Wedding Vendor in 2026

Getting married in Hawaii is just as beautiful as it seems in all the pictures.  The beautiful scenery and weather lend to a breathtaking wedding experience.  You are not alone in that thought.  Hawaii is the #1 wedding destination in the US with over 20,000 weddings each year.

Whether you are planning your wedding from across the Pacific or lucky to call Hawaii your home this guide will help you pick the best wedding professionals to make your wedding a reality.

Setting Your Wedding Vendor Budget

Setting a budget needs to be the first step when planning your wedding.  You can easily be distracted by all the new wedding decor and pretty favors – and all those are great – but if your budget doesn’t allow it then don’t waste your time.  

Getting married in Hawaii will more than likely be more expensive than getting married in your home town.  One, because our wedding professionals are in high demand and are so great that they can charge the prices they do, and two, because everything is more expensive in Hawaii.  PERIOD

So talk with your partner and decide the order of importance for each wedding vendor.  Is photography more important or maybe the flowers.  When you know what is most important you can decide what you want to cut if the costs get too high.

Hiring a Wedding Officiant

Well, without an officiant there really can’t be a wedding.  Officiants must be licensed with the Department of Health to make the wedding in Hawaii legal.  There are SO many officiants to choose from but if you would like to have your ceremony performed by a friend or family member they can register with the Department of Health. There are 60 days licenses that your loved one can apply for (make sure you provide enough time for the application to go through).

Hiring a Wedding Planner

Hawaii offers Wedding Planners that provide Full Service or Day-of coordinations.   Work with your planner to see how much hand-holding you will need during the process.  Some may offer a combination of Day-of with additional help in specific areas.  Work with them to see what works best for the both of you.

Some venues in Hawaii will require a Day-of planner to get married at their location.  Make sure I find out if it is required and factor that into your budget.

Hiring a Wedding Photographer & Videographer

It may seem that it is impossible to get a bad picture in Hawaii with our beautiful scenery.  But getting a BEAUTIFUL picture requires a professional.  There are all types of photographers and videographers here in Hawaii: Traditional, Photo Journalist, etc.  Most will offer an hourly rate and some will offer packages to best suit what you are looking for.  

A couple of things to keep in mind, there are special permits and restrictions when taking photos or videos.  Make sure that your photographer and videographer are aware of them.  Also, depending on the location of your wedding there may be a travel fee.  You may be wondering what locations would require a travel fee.  On Oahu, any location outside of Waikiki or the Downtown area may require a travel fee.

Hiring a Wedding Caterer

If you get married at a hotel this may be a moot point.  But if your location allows you to bring a caterer there are SO many options specially with all the different cultures and food types here.  It is hard to go wrong.  There are caterers that can feed a small dinner or party or army.

Hiring a Wedding Florist

Hawaii has beautiful flowers and greenery and it is beautiful if you can incorporate local florals in your wedding but we can also fly in any other kinds of flowers for your special day.  The number of wedding florists is more limited, compared to photographers, but there are great ones!  

Many florists can help with the floral designs for your wedding.  With all their experience they know what will work best for each location and couple.  Definitely lean on them for ideas.

And like most Hawaii professionals there may be a travel fee if you are getting it delivered remotely. 

Hiring Wedding Entertainment

Wedding Entertainment has a broad spectrum from an ukulele player at your ceremony, a famous DJ at your reception, and even a magician (to each their own).

Any wedding entertainment you hire will need to know the requirements, permits, and restrictions for each location. 

Hiring a Hair and Makeup Artists

Hair and Makeup artists in Hawaii understand that you makeup and hair will need to be able to withstand the Hawaii elements.  Again, with all of Hawaii’s different cultural and ethnicity the makeup artists here have A LOT of experience with all different skin colors and hair textures.

Vetting and Researching Hawaii Wedding Vendors

Your research will start with Google and that is understandable.  Take a look at their website, ask to see their portfolios and to talk to past clients.  

You will know if you have a professional if they understand what permits are needed, if there are any restrictions or requirements for what you are looking for.

And most importantly make sure that they fit your budget and you get a contract!

Conclusion

Having your dream wedding in Hawaii is possible.  And there are GREAT wedding professionals that can help you.

So start early and let Your 2026 Guide on How to Choose Hawaii Wedding Vendors help!

Aloha 🌺