If you are a lover of adventure, it’s hard to beat a Hawaii elopement. And there is no island I’d recommend more than Kauai. Lush rainforests, unique geographic features, endless waterfalls, and excellent hiking trails make it an epic spot for any occasion. But don’t just take it from me! Keep reading to hear about an adventure-filled elopement day exploring Kauai!

A couple walking hand in hand along pollihale beach in Kauai, HI

Getting married in Kauai:

While there are plenty of incredible choices for a Hawaii elopement, Kauai should be high on your list. The northernmost island of Hawaii has some of the most insane views I’ve ever had the privilege to see in real life. It’s known as the “Garden Island”, and for good reason, as its lush greenery makes for a truly a tropical paradise everywhere you turn. Its rugged cliff landscape, pristine beaches, and endless amount of waterfalls make it an outdoor-lover’s dream.

So when Starlight and Bruno asked me if I’d like to photograph their Hawaii elopement on the island of Kauai, “heck yeah!” was the only sane response.

There is so much that went into planning their day that I decided to dedicate this blog to share about their adventures as a rough itinerary of what your elopement could look like. Of course, you can use their day as inspiration for your own Hawaii elopement, but if you are looking for specifics on how to elope in Kauai, keep an eye out for a separate, more in-depth blog!

But for now, I’ll tell the story of Starlight and Bruno’s adventure elopement! The day started off sweet and intimate with a first look at their Airbnb. Remember how I said Kauai was the Garden Isle, well I wasn’t kidding! Every piece of outdoor space is so perfectly manicured that it looks like a botanical garden. Their Airbnb grounds were no different!

After first looks, off we went to explore the island. We drove a lot. I’d absolutely recommend renting a 4x4 vehicle if you plan on exploring some of the more remote areas of Kauai. These two lovebirds had a Jeep and it was the best option for their day! So where all did we explore? I’ve been dying to tell you!!

Shipwreck Beach - A stunning beach with cliffs along its shoreline made for an absolutely incredible spot for an elopement ceremony. The photos speak for themselves. We continued to the bluffs attached to the beach: this spot is exactly what you think when you envision the rocky shores of Hawaii with big ocean waves crashing, spraying mist all around. It was almost mystical with huge white sea birds floating around the skies. Not a bad first stop on an elopement adventure yeah?

Waimea Canyon - The grand canyon of the Pacific was an extremely unique feature and a must-stop on our elopement day tour. You know the places that make you feel the good kind of queasy? This is one of them. Peek over the side of the canyon if you dare. It’ll remind you just how small we are on this big, beautiful earth!

Kokee State Park - Not far from Waimea Canyon, this area has so much to explore. Giving you much different views than down on the beaches below, you can get killer views with the rugged coastline and cliffs in view.

Jojo’s Shaved Ice - Who needs a reception when you’ve got shaved ice? Jojo’s was a refreshing stop along our Hawaii elopement extravaganza. For a day like this one, packing a lunch or bringing snacks would have been ideal because we were go, go, going. Planning a stop like Jojo’s was a perfect treat for everyone to take a break and chill for a moment.

Polihale State Park - Holy cow, this one is probably my favourite. We hadn’t planned on going to this spot originally, but they had visited it earlier in their trip and wanted to return. It is the longest beach on Kauai and potentially the best beach I’ve ever visited. The views were breathtaking! We whipped out a speaker and right there in the sand, Starlight and Bruno had their first dance as a married couple. One of the most beautiful all-around moments I’ve had the pleasure of capturing. I mean, just look at the photos!!!

There was truly SO much packed into this elopement day in Kauai. It easily could have been broken into multiple days! So if you’re thinking Hawaii elopement weekend, then count me in! Kauai was truly one of the most magical places for a couple who craves a little adventure and loves the outdoors. The possibilities to personalize your elopement with fun and unique experiences are endless! Have I convinced you to elope in Kauai, yet?!

And if you are wondering, well Candice, how do I elope in Kauai? I’ve got you covered! Stay tuned for all of my insider tips and tricks for planning your Kauai elopement coming very soon to the blog! Until then, take a second to scroll through photos of our epic adventure. Which view is your favourite? Let me know in the comments!