Gorgeous Sunrise Beach Elopement | Oahu

Sarah reached out to me in August last year to share her and Dan’s vision for a destination minimony here on Oahu in the beginning of 2023. Initially, they planned to get married in front of 30 of their closest family and friends on a boat literally in the middle of the Pacific (a DREAM), but after chatting, decided their hearts were set on eloping privately before their catamaran celebration. Their elopement was literally the perfect way to kick off the new year – I was all in! 

As usual, we started off the planning process by hopping on the phone together. Sarah shared their story, love for cozying up with their two kitties while binge-watching shows, and spending time outdoors with their doggos. Although they weren’t sure where to elope here on Oahu, they knew that they wanted to be somewhere with their toes in the sand, and experience a ceremony that was intimate. Ultimately we landed on a sunrise elopement on the shores of the one and only Makua Beach, on the west side of Oahu. The vision was simple: we (me, the couple, and the officiant) would show up around 6 am at the beach, head over to the shore, Kahu Lawrence would perform their ceremony, they’d share their vows, and we would finish off the morning running around in the sand – it really was the most perfect morning. 

Why elope?

So many other couples like Sarah and Dan struggle between choosing an intimate elopement and a larger celebration like a minimony or wedding. Here are some tips I share with my couples to help them during the planning process:

The obvious perks

• The structure of your ceremony is however you want it to be – long, short, anything in between
• Intimacy and intentionality
• Flexibility in location – it’s just us. We can go pretty much anywhere (that is legal, lol) and you won’t have to worry about it being inconvenient for guests
• You always have the option of celebrating afterward (like this couple did! We enjoyed the intimate elopement experience, then the next day we hopped on a boat and the two celebrated with their closest friends and family.)

You should consider eloping if…

• You value an intimate experience over a large wedding/gathering
  • You’d prefer to have a day that is a reflection of your relationship (beach day, hike, coffee shop, etc.)
• You’re looking for a celebration that is budget-friendly
  • You prefer splurging on photography, flowers, or your honeymoon, rather than the whole shebang

Still not fully convinced? Maybe this stunning gallery will change your mind 😉

Let’s chat about your elopement day together! Every package comes with my elopement guide, which includes all deets to getting hitched in the most breathtaking, and stress-free way here in Hawaiʻi. Connect with me here.