Whether you had your dream wedding thirty years ago or eloped in a small ceremony two years ago, Hawaii is the perfect place to renew your wedding vows. If you are planning a romantic vacation to Hawaii, why not use the backdrop of the beautiful sunsets and sandy beaches to renew your vows?
Why do a vow renewal?
A vow renewal is a great way to honor and celebrate your marriage and your commitment to each other. It could be a way to celebrate a milestone, such as one year, five years, ten years, etc. Or it could be a way to honor your commitment to each other after a rough patch. Or maybe your children are finally off to college, and you want to re-focus on each other. Honestly, though, you don’t need a reason to renew your vows – all you need is a desire!
Personally, I think that Hawaii is the perfect place to have a vow renewal. If you are planning a trip to Hawaii and are thinking about having a vow renewal, read on, because I have a ton of ideas for you to get you started.
How does a vow renewal work?
During a vow renewal ceremony, you will say the vows you said on your wedding day again, with an officiant to perform the ceremony. A vow renewal ceremony isn’t a legal ceremony, and it doesn’t change your marriage. It is just a nice way to reaffirm your commitment to each other. Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded of those vows you made on your wedding day when life gets busy and we don’t have time to focus on our spouse.
Anyone can perform the ceremony. It could be a friend or relative, or we here at Hawaii Aloha Travel could help you coordinate an officiant.
You can invite friends and family. Or, since it’s not a legal ceremony and you don’t technically need witnesses, you could keep the ceremony intimate, just the two of you.
Or maybe you don’t need an officiant. Head to a beach together, read your vows, and look into each other’s eyes.
You can get dressed up, or you could wear casual beach wear.
What it comes down to is – this is about you, and your spouse, so do what it works for you. Here are a few of my favorite options to get you started.
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Turtle Bay Resort
The North Shore of Oahu is a great place for vow renewals because there are so many beautiful beaches. Turtle Bay is the only resort on the north shore, so that would be my first pick. This is where you will get amazing sunsets and fewer people than the other parts of the island. I have stayed there a few times with my husband and, to me, it’s the most romantic resort on Oahu. Because it’s smaller and a bit tucked away from the crowds, it feels more intimate. Plus, there are a variety of restaurants to choose from. Roy’s gives you a beautiful view of the ocean, and Paakai offers island-fresh food in a romantic and intimate setting.
Turtle Bay has a “secret beach” where you just might be the only people around. That’s what I call romantic. Stay in one of their rooms overlooking the water to make it feel even more special.
Known for romance, Turtle Bay is known for catering to weddings, honeymoons, and vowrenewalss, so you know you will be in good hands.
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Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is located on the north shore of the island. By car, it is about 10 minutes from Turtle Bay and a little over an hour from Waikiki.
As its name implies, Sunset Beach has some of the best sunsets on the entire island. Choose to have your vow renewal here if you want a simple sunset ceremony. There are no resorts here, just a beautiful beach. And even if you choose not to do a vow renewal here, it’s a great place to stop and watch the sunset. During the winter months, surfers flock here for the large waves that are unlike anything else you have ever seen before. It’s truly an incredible sight to see.
There are many beautiful beaches on the North Shore where you could have a beautiful vow renewal, but I highly recommend Sunset Beach because it’s just so beautiful.
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Ko’Olina
People come to Ko’Olina on the west side of the island because it’s a bit off the beaten path. Although it’s far from the city of Honolulu, there is plenty to do here, from swimming in the beautiful lagoons to shopping and restaurants. Ko’Olina also have many upscale resorts and amenities.
The beautiful, calm water and beach coves at Ko’Olina are also known to be less crowded than in Waikiki. Disney lovers can’t get enough of Aulani, Disney’s resort on Oahu. The most discerning travelers find everything they are looking for at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko’Olina.
If your budget allows for it, a getaway at one of the resorts in Ko’Olina might be the best place for you to renew your vows.
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Mount Tantalus
If you want a different view than the beach for your vow renewal, I have a great suggestion for you. Mount Tantalus is a tall mountain in Honolulu that you can drive up. Take the drive and have a vow renewal ceremony while overlooking panoramic views of Diamond Head and the beautiful city of Honolulu. And of course, in the distance, you will see the beautiful crystal clear water.
This beautiful lookout point is rarely crowded, so you can have the intimacy you crave. Enjoy the beauty of the city from above.
There are also picnic areas for you to enjoy some quiet time together after your ceremony.
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Sailing Trip
Do you love the ocean? Why not renew your vows on the open water, with the island of Oahu in the background? Many different boating companies will offer vow renewal options. Take a sunset dinner cruise and renew your vows as you watch the sun dip into the ocean. In the winter months, you could look for whales, too. Afterwards, walk along the beach and grab a drink overlooking the water.
I’m all about thinking outside of the box, and while a sailing trip or boat ride wouldn’t be as private as a beach ceremony or a ceremony on Tantalus, it could be a lot of fun!
We have lots of tour companies that we know and trust to help you make this happen.
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Your Hotel
Many hotels offer vow renewal ceremonies to their guests for a reasonable price, or even for free. For example, if you are staying at The Outrigger, you can take part in their vow renewal ceremony for free. The only drawback is that this ceremony is done for many different couples at once, all renewing their vows together. If you are on a budget, though, this could be a great option for you!
The theme for the vow renewal ceremony at The Outrigger is “Ho’i hou ke aloha,” which translates to “fall in love all over again.”
Vow renewal ceremonies are held on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:45 am. Ho‘ao Pa‘a was the ancient custom by which a couple was bound in lasting union, and many of these elements are used in the Outrigger’s vow renewal ceremony. Registration is required, click here to register and for more information.
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Kailua and Lanikai Beaches
Are you an early riser? I believe that Kailua and Lanai beach have the most beautiful sunrises on the entire island. Get up early, drive to the beach, and begin your day with the rising sun and the sound of the waves.
Although these beaches have become very popular over the years, they are often much quieter in the early morning.
Kailua is a great beach town with lots of great coffee shops, restaurants, farmers markets, and shopping. There are also lots of places to rent kayaks and snorkel gear, and bikes to get around town. So, make a day out of it and enjoy Kailua town. Then go back to the beach and enjoy the water sports that the waters in Kailua are just perfect for.
Book a Vow Renewal and Romantic Vacation with Hawaii Aloha Travel
If you are interested in having a vow renewal while in Hawaii, give our travel agents a call. We will work with you to find out what ceremony will work best for you, and we will make it happen. Whether you want to renew your vows on a sailboat or the beach, we will work with you to plan a ceremony that you will never forget.
To make your time in Hawaii even more special, talk to us about booking one of our romantic packages. Of course, our local travel agents can easily customize any aspect of your trip.
Our Hawaii All Inclusive Romance/Honeymoon Package includes five nights at a top four-star hotel, all breakfasts and dinners, daily excursions and private tours, private airport transfers, VIP hotline service, and our signature Hawaii Aloha Travel Welcome pack. We will take you on a 5-star dinner cruise, a spa day, and private Romance Tour.
And we know that dining experiences are all part of the romance. So, we will make sure you have a romantic breakfast in bed and a private picnic on a beautiful, quiet beach, and dinner at one of Hawaii’s top restaurants specializing in Asian Hawaiian cuisine.
