Kauai Elopement Guide

Are you considering a romantic Kauai elopement? Planning a destination elopement can seem overwhelming, but eloping on Kauai can be a simple process!

Why you should elope on Kauai

Kauai is one of the most amazing places on earth with lush landscapes and adventure at every turn! Your elopement day (or week!) on Kauai can be filled with experiences like kayaking on the Wailua River, hiking Waimea Canyon, taking a boat tour along the Napali Coast, or even soaring on a helicopter ride! Your elopement photographer can help you plan your day and document every thrilling moment!

Eloping couple share their first kiss as husband and wife on a cliff at Shipwreck Beach on Kauai.

Apply for a Hawaii marriage license

To make your marriage legal, you’ll need a marriage license. Your first step is to find a performer (officiant). I highly recommend Julie Wirtz who my couple Kellye and Chris chose as their wedding officiant (keep scrolling to see their stunning elopement)! Once you find a performer, you can apply for the marriage license on the Hawaii.gov website, indicating the island you will elope on. The current cost is $60 plus a $5 portal admin fee.

Next, you will need to see an agent in person to receive your license. Your ceremony must be within 30 days of when the license is issued and there is no waiting period. Be prepared to show your government-issued photo ID. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to elope on Kauai. Check out this video on the Hawaii.gov website to get more details on what happens after the ceremony.

Choose a Kauai elopement location

There are so many breathtaking locations to say “I do” on Kauai! Choose a location that represents you as a couple. With that said, you can’t go wrong with a sunset elopement on the beach! Some locations, like Shipwreck Beach where Kellye and Chris chose to elope, have a beach AND a cliff. Shipwreck Beach was the perfect choice for their ceremony on a cliff overlooking the ocean and portraits afterwards on the beach. Other ideas are Tunnels Beach, Anini Beach, Poipu Beach, and Hanalei Bay. Some areas have more restrictions than others, but your Kauai elopement photographer and officiant can guide you!

Bride and groom on a cliff at Shipwreck Beach on Kauai.

Obtain a permit for your Kauai wedding ceremony

It is really important to have a permit for your elopement location, and to leave no trace. Your wedding professionals can help, but here’s the link to apply for the permit. The permit is valid for 2 hours including setup and breakdown. The fee depends on the size of the area you’ll be using ($0.10 per square foot), but there is a minimum of $20. This document has all of the information you need to know regarding the permit. Whether one of your vendors or you apply, it needs to be submitted at least a week or two in advance and insurance is required (officiants/photographers usually have the necessary insurance). Keep in mind that the average amount of people is 10 and there are different requirements for more than 25 guests.

Plan your travel

Consider what time of year you want to travel, and book early. September through November is part of Kauai’s off-season, so that can be a good time to avoid crowds for your elopement and find more affordable flights. Lihu’e is Kauai’s main airport. I recommend staying at the incredible Koloa Landing Resort. It has beautiful gardens for photos and lagoon pools that were voted Best in America several years in a row! My whole experience staying there was a dream. Don’t miss Kellye and Chris’ first look photos at Koloa Landing (shown at the end of the guide)!

Hire a Kauai elopement photographer

Hire an experienced photographer who is ready to help you plan every aspect of your Kauai elopement. Usually elopement photographers offer several different packages to meet your needs. Make sure you choose a photographer that you’ll feel comfortable spending a lot of time with. The right photographer will guide you throughout the entire process and make it stress free AND fun!

Looking for a photographer for your Kauai elopement? Click here to contact me and let’s chat about your dreamy elopement and how we’ll create images that will give you butterflies!

Photographer Lyndsey Kaye takes photos of a Kauai elopement on a cliff at Shipwreck Beach.

Real Kauai Elopement – Kellye and Chris

I loved every second working with Kellye and Chris to bring their elopement vision to life! They got married in the month of October on a cliff at Shipwreck Beach in front of their closest family and friends. It was full of emotion and breathtaking views.

From the bride, Kellye: “Lyndsey was actually the one who found our ceremony location for our destination! Neither of us had been there, but she did a bunch of research into the area and sent me four awesome locations. She was easy to work with, and went with the flow of things. I am obsessed with how my photos have turned out. Working with Lyndsey and her second shooter and husband, Pierre, made our day that much sweeter.”