Oahu Destination Wedding at the Kahala Hotel and Resort

There are few places on the island of Oahu that provide a beautiful and relaxed elegance. The Kahala Hotel & Resort is the romanticized dream of a destination wedding in Hawaii. An ideal venue, the resort is nestled in-between the slopes of Koko Head and Diamond Head craters on the South-East side of the island. While the majority of Oahu Resorts are surrounded by the hustle and bustle of tour busses, throngs of vacationers, and tour guides gathering their groups on the busy sidewalks, the Kahala stands as an oasis. Set back from the city of Waikiki, the Kahala offers tranquility with a backdrop of pristine Hawaii landscapes.

Perhaps it is this feeling of intimacy that makes the Kahala one of the most desirable locations for not only brides to be, but many of Hollywood's rich and famous. The Kahala Hotel is a mixture of Hawaiiana with mid century mod, reminiscent of the days when Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra frequented the Hotel. It is one of the few hotels that have managed to maintain that luxury and impeccable service that was so inherent in hotels during the days of old Hollywood.  

As professional wedding photographers in Hawaii, the Kahala is one of our favorite locations for wedding photography. We marvel at the gorgeous open lobby with giant chandeliers of Italian fused glass. We adore the spiraling orchid staircase that showcases the dozens of rare orchid breeds in a living wall. While the inside of the resort is immaculate, we absolutely can't get enough of the 800 ft stretch of white sand beach we have all to ourselves in the late afternoon hours. While those are some of our favorite spots, the resort boasts of waterfalls, dolphins, gazebos, and hosts the largest hotel suite in Hawaii measuring in at 550 square feet! There are endless photo opportunities to capture you and your beloved ones for that magical day.

If you are looking for a picturesque location for a wedding where you can feel pampered and catered to, look no further than the Kahala Hotel & Resort. People from around the world come to celebrate their marriage here and theres no question as to why.

- Written by Julia J.

Photography: Coral Weddings || Florals: J'adore Floral Designs 

Bridal Gown: Bijou Bridal Jewelry: Tehani Aloha || Hair & Makeup: Kimberly Ulep 

Model Bride: Shaholly Ayers || Model Groom: Jason Jump

Mauka or Makai? || Tips on Choosing Your Hawaii Destination Wedding Location

       At Coral Weddings, we absolutely love the excitement that comes with each special day that we have the privilege of capturing. From the delicate details in the perfect dress, to the gorgeous floral arrangements for the center pieces at your reception, we make sure to highlight each aspect of your day that makes it special and unique.

       Hawaii is universally known for its endless white beaches, green lush palm trees, and that iconic colored sunset over the ocean's horizon. However, did you know that the Hawaiian islands are enriched with a large diversity in landscape? 

         Here on the islands, we use two common Hawaiian words called "Mauka" (mow-kah) and "Makai"(mah-kigh). Mauka translates to the term "mountain-side" and Makai means "ocean-side". So, when planning your destination wedding to one of the most beautiful locations in the world, you have the wonderful option of choosing a rustic "Mauka" wedding in the green rolling hills of the islands, or a timeless and casual "Makai" beach wedding!

      One of the advantages toward having a Mauka wedding would be a cooler climate that comes with the higher elevation in the mountains. If you’re planning on having your grooms party wear long sleeved dress shirts or a dapper suit, they won’t be struggling in the humid heat that is commonly found along the Hawaiian coastline!

      If you’re leaning more towards having that classic and traditional Hawaiian wedding, each island hosts an endless list of fantastic beaches for your ceremony. They all offer incredible scenery so you can’t necessarily go wrong in choosing one!

        So, whether you're saying "I do" in the hills of a Hawaiian valley, or reciting your tear-jerking vows while getting your toes (and maybe even that dress!) a little wet down on the sand, we have a team of passionate artists here at Coral Weddings to capture your day timelessly.

- Written by Samantha