It’s no surprise that a Kauai elopement might be at the top of your destination wedding bucket list. From rugged cliffs over stunning shores to Grand Canyon of the tropics to the lush, laid-back jungle, Kauai offers views that will sweep you off of your feet. But for a non-local, it can be tough to plan an elopement on this stunning island in the Pacific. That’s why I’m sharing my own experience with photographing a Kauai elopement and revealing some helpful tips I learned along the way!

an elopement couple embraces on the path of Pu’u O Kila Lookout overlooking the napali coast in Kokeʻe State Park in Kauai

DISCLAIMER: I am not a Kauai elopement expert. I am not a local, nor an expert on policies and permits. This information, to the best of knowledge, was correct at the time of the elopement as it was sourced from local experts and official websites. Policies change regularly, so please do your research and make sure you are following all protocols in place by the state of Hawaii! Also if you know that something has changed or have additional advice, please let me know! I’d love to add it to this blog.

Okay now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive in, shall we?

Let’s break down how to plan a Kauai elopement from the logistics like permits to the fun stuff like ceremony locations. When planning this elopement, it was not easy to find information, so I’ve compiled all of the useful tips and tricks right here just for you.

the sun sets over the waves crashing onto polihale beach in kauai

Fair Warnings

It’s only fair to start this information off with a few warnings. If you are just starting to plan your Kauai elopement, here are some things you must consider before you are ready to go all-in.

Cost - Kauai is NOT cheap. You’ll likely be spending more money getting married on the island than many other places in the world. Permits, venues, and accommodations all add up quickly. That being said, there are options for many budgets depending on your dreams for the day.

Accessibility - It was very difficult to gather information on how to elope in Kauai legally. It’s no secret, there are a lot of regulations and confusing rules. But again, that’s why I put this blog together for you! Hopefully, it will make the process more smooth and enjoyable.

Weather - If rain causes you stress, then this is for you! The weather forecast will more likely than not tell you that it will rain the day of your wedding. That’s because it really does rain almost every day on the island. Rains normally don’t last long, but do some research into the season and the likeness of heavy precipitation before deciding to go all in on a date!

Is it worth it though? 100% yes, in my opinion. Kauai is SO beautiful. A chance to marry your love in a place like that is worth jumping through a few hoops.

A couple gets married on shipwreck beach in kauai

Parts of the Island

If you’ve only just started planning your Kauai elopement, choosing a part of the island is a good place to begin. While it may seem that the island is a bit small, it can take some time to move from locations if they are in completely different parts of Kauai. So choosing your location based on your interests and your plan is important. Here’s a quick summary of the vibes of each section of the island!

North Side - This area gives you all of the slow, surf town vibes. The roads are small and windy with tons of vegetation all around. You can find insanely beautiful beaches and great hiking, though it is more remote than other options.

South - With access to the road into the middle of the island, this region is a bit drier. But it’s where you will find most of the incredible state parks, with a tropical Grand Canyon and overlooks on the Nepali Coast. Those iconic, quintessentially Kauai views? This is where you find them.

East - If you want a central location close to everything, the east side is for you. It’s the area with the airport, most of the resorts, and all of the shopping you’ll need. Pro tip: go to Costco for the cheapest groceries! Kauai is expensive and food is no exception.

West - In the west, you’ll find Polihale State Park. It’s personally my favourite beach on the island. This side of the island is remote and more rugged. You’ll need a 4x4 car to make it there. It may be more convenient to stay elsewhere. Absolutely worth a visit though!

an elopement couple embraces on the path of Pu’u O Kila Lookout overlooking the napali coast in Kokeʻe State Park in Kauai - a beautiful kauai elopement location

Permits + Legalities

This is where it gets tricky. There is no single resource listing where you can or cannot have a ceremony. And with an island as beautiful and diverse as Kauai, there are many tempting areas that may be off-limits. Additionally, there are different rules for actual ceremony sites and photo session locations, which I’ve noted below.

Please double-check my research and even do a bit more of your own. While difficult, these rules are in place for a reason. Make sure you are respecting the land and the efforts to preserve it!

Leave No Trace Principles - While this may seem obvious, it’s important to note that you should always abide by the LNT principles when eloping in nature. It’s not hard not to be a jerk, yeah?

Ceremony Locations Permits - Unless you are getting married on private land (such as resort or other private locations), you’ll need a permit for the ceremony location. Click here for the Kauai elopement ceremony permit application! Here you’ll find an interactive map with the only ceremony locations available to use. These are mostly beaches, as you can not get married in any of the state parks and many other locations. Keep reading for my top spots to get married in Kauai!

Photo Session Permits - Aka any photo session without a ceremony! You’ll also need a permit for each location you choose to use for portrait sessions. There are two options for photo session permits in Kauai: open & accessible and standard permits.

Open and Accessible Permits: Here you can find all of the open and accessible permit options. While there are not many listed for Kauai, this option is the least expensive and easiest. However, most of the locations weren’t at the top of our list, so we went with…

Standard Permits: While this option opens up many incredible locations, unfortunately, it can get a bit expensive. These permits are around $100 per location, and you’ll need one for each location. In an average portrait session after an elopement, we go to about 2-3 locations, so make sure to budget for that.

Though there is no comprehensive list of standard permit location options. So instead, let me give you a list of places that are for sure not-permissible.

Kalalau trail and beach

Queens Bath

Wailua Falls

Ho'opi Falls

Dry and Wet caves

Honopu Beach

Lawai Bay

Kalepa Ridge

The Taro fields in Hanalei

Also Honopu ridge trail

In contrast, these were the locations I was able to secure a permit for photo sessions.

Iliau Nature Loop

Puu O Kila Lookout

Shipwreck Beach

Ready to secure your permits? You can do that here.

Additionally, here is the email for applying for permit: DBEDT.film.info@hawaii.gov

a bride and a groom walk down a path of red dirt in Waimea Canyon State Park in kauai - a beautiful elopement location in kauai

Ceremony Locations

This is absolutely not an exhaustive list of ceremony sites, but rather ones I would personally recommend based on my experience and research! Aka these are Candice approved.

Tunnels Beach

This large beach is on the North side of the island and is a go-to public beach. So while, yes, that does mean it’s heavily visited, this area is huge making it easy to find some privacy. There are houses on the shoreline, so that’s something to keep in mind. But there is an exquisite beach with caves and jungle nearby if you’d like to explore the area.

McBryde Gardens

Hands down one of the most beautiful places located on the South side of the island. You can get married in front of a waterfall or this huge, gorgeous tree! It is pricey though, at around $750 USD for just the ceremony. But since it is a private area, no other permits are required!

Wailele O Kalihiwai

Tucked in the North side of the island, back a little road is a clearing that opens up next to the most stunning waterfall. And yes, it can be your ceremony spot! It’s also considered private land and is booked through a wedding planning company. It’s a little tricky to get to, so they plan the whole thing!

Photo Locations

Polihale Park

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again! Polihale is simply the most beautiful beach on all of Kauai! The Nepali Coast is in the background, the beach feels endless, and it’s perfect for sunset. The only con is that it is a bit far away from everything and you’ll need a 4x4 to get there!

a bride and a groom stand knee deep in the waves along polihale beach with the cliffs of the napali coast in the background - a perfect location for an elopement in kauai

Puu O Kila Lookout

As far as you can go into the Nepali Coast, you’ll find this mystical lookout point. With very low effort you get a great reward, as these stunning views require no hiking at all. Watch the weather if you plan to come here, as clouds are frequent and it’s possible for the area to become socked in.

Tunnels Beach

A gorgeous spot for sunrise! It’s easy to avoid crowds at that hour, though we visited at other times during the day and were fine. Try to go on a week day and you are likely to find a spot all to yourself!

Waiopili Heiau

This is a bluff located right beside Shipwrecks Beach! It is a spot by the cliffs with powerful ocean spray and mountains in the background. It’s beautiful, easily accessible, and not too populated for a portrait session which is a major plus!

Iliau Nature Loop

This trail gives you stunning views of Waimea Canyon. So if you’re looking for something different, but indicative of Kauai, this is the place!

Fun additions to your day

Because you’re going to be getting married in KAUAI! Here are a few fun things every trip to the island should include. So if you’re looking for fun experiences to add to your Kauai elopement day or just want to make a vacation out of it, these should definitely be on your list!

Shaved Ice - It’s yummy, it’s refreshing, it’s a must-do!

Tacos - Some of the best tacos I’ve eaten are on the island. You will thank me later!

Boat tour to view the Nepali Coast - It’s pretty from land, but nothing compares to the views from the ocean!

Hiking - There are unlimited hikes with a variety of views all over the island. Pick one or a few and enjoy the scenery!