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On the Hawaiian island of Kauai, couples have married high in a helicopter over Waimea, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. They've gurgled their vows underwater weighed down by scuba gear, wed on horseback beside a whispering waterfall and they've promised to be together forever in a little Hawaiian church in Hanalei. They've worn tuxes and gowns, malo (the Polynesian masculine skirt) and fetching sarong, and even swim trunks and bikinis. They've had flowers in their hair, mist in their eyes and love on their lips. They can't help it - Kauai is an extremely romantic place. A Destination Wedding at a Resort Several hotels have wedding planners on staff, or they work with
trusted local planners. They can arrange a Hawaiian minister,
musicians, hula dancers, appropriate leis, flower petal carpet and even
an archway of orchids. Brides have been known to even arrive by
outrigger canoe while conch shells are being blown. The wedding supper
can be a simple candle-lit dinner for two under the stars beside the
ocean, or it can be an elaborate reception with all the frills
including a towering cake.
While some couples plan their wedding two to three years in advance, others come on holiday and are so swept away by the natural beauty and romance of the islands that they get married on the spot. Amid Tropical Gardens The most romantic sites for weddings can be found in the many private
botanical areas on the island, such as the five-acre Kilauea Lakeside
Estate featuring fairytale swans that glide across its lakes and
streams. The Na 'Aina Kai Botanical Gardens allows couples to wed on
the beach, on an isle in the middle of a lily-strewn lake, in a
Japanese teahouse or beside a waterfall. The famous Fern Grotto next to
the Wailua River is where hundreds of couples come each week to
exchange or renew their vows.
Traditional Church Weddings For those who prefer a traditional church wedding, consider the gracious old Waioli Huiia Church in Hanalei. Built in 1912, the green church blends into the landscape while the stained glass windows shine like the waterfalls tumbling from the mountains around it. The grounds are well manicured, the old pews are made of rich wood and the acoustics are wonderful for organ, piano, classical guitar or violin. And then there's the famous Elvis wedding. Ceremonies take place on the same lagoon-laced grounds surrounded by coconut palms where Elvis was wed in 1961 in the movie "Blue Hawaii." Second-time brides and grooms who have already had the traditional wedding often opt for the more unusual. Whatever they desire, they are likely to find a vehicle to express their personal style on Kauai, where the island's natural resources meet the sky creating a cathedral of romance.
Photo Courtesy: Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, Hawaiian sunset photo by Kirk Lee Aeder
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