Aloha weddings

Hawaii’s Natural Grace
From the plane, Hawaii's Big Island looks lunar. A vast expanse of black lava coats the ground, flanked by a sparkling sea and lush green mountains and punctuated by bursts of orange, red, white and pink bougainvillea. It's an island of wide-open spaces and low-key lifestyles. On September 10, 2005, Dorena Chan and husband-to-be Michael Chin landed in Kona for their 70-person event, with some guests hailing from as far as Boston and Miami.

"We didn't want to have our actual ceremony at a hotel," explains Dorena. "So we researched on the Web and found some locations that were unique." The couple chose the intimacy of Honualai, a private estate, for the ceremony and cocktails. The ceremony was followed by dinner and dancing at The Fairmont Orchid hotel. "The estate was a beautiful setting for the wedding," recalls Dorena, "right on the water."

Located on the Kohala Coast, the six-bedroom estate comes complete with formal dining room, private pool and expansive lanai that can accommodate wedding groups up to 100. Fairmont took care of all of the arrangements, including catering the cocktail hour and hiring minibuses to transport guests between venues. “They were with us all day,” says Dorena, “assisting with anything we needed. I was able to concentrate on the wedding itself and enjoy the day.”

Another great Big Island resort is the 62-acre Hilton Waikoloa Village. Situated along the sunny Kohala Coast, it’s a carnival in a resort’s body, where mahogany boats meander through waterways surrounding the property and Lagoon. For sheer luxury, the Four Seasons Hanalei is unbeatable with its striking décor, sexy outdoor showers and prime beachfront locale. Adults and kids alike love snorkeling in King’s Pond, a manmade pool stocked with hundreds of brilliant fish and rays.

Destination Weddings & Honeymoons The mood at the Halekulani on Oahu is both elegant and serene.

Unlike Holly, Sean and their 17-page itinerary, Dorena and Michael made no plans beyond a golf tournament at neighboring Mauna Lani and a hotel brunch the day after the wedding. Beyond that, guests explored the Big Island at their leisure. It’s that kind of place – you can slip on some sturdy shoes and visit Kilauea volcano at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, go horseback riding at Parker Ranch (a favorite trip includes a picnic lunch by a stunning waterfall) or drive above the cloud line to stargaze with Mauna Kea Summit Adventures.

Whichever island you choose, don’t be afraid to think outside the box for group events. One of Higashino’s favorite ideas is surf lessons and lunch from a fish-taco cart. “We pick up the guests in a trolley and bring them to a popular surf spot. Along with instruction, guests receive beach bags filled with sunscreen, snacks and monogrammed beach towels. You can also incorporate shaved-ice cocktails, ukulele lessons and lei stringing.”

For Dorena, the joy was in the simple things. “My favorite memory is of the view as I walked down the aisle,” she says. “I could see Michael waiting for me, but I could also see my closest friends and family, all together in such a beautiful setting. A destination wedding is really more like a great vacation in which all of your favorite people are with you.”

Destination Weddings & Honeymoons is your ultimate resource for planning a destination wedding or honeymoon. Discover amazing places throughout the world to tie the knot as well as the perfect spot for your honeymoon. In every issue, you get coverage of real-life lovebirds and their nuptials, expert advice for planning your big day, and the hottest styles in wedding attire to take you from wedding to honeymoon.

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