How to Plan a Destination Wedding in Hawaii

Have clients who got engaged over the holidays? Travel Agent breaks down the latest destination weddings news out of Hawaii to share. 

Pleasant Holidays' 2017-2018 Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Guide Features 78 Hotels

Pleasant Holidays recently announced the release of its 2017-2018 Destination Weddings & Honeymoons guide for the romance travel market. 

Designed as a sales tool and valuable resource for agents assisting newly engaged couples, the 24-page brochure features 78 romantic hotels and resorts in Mexico, Hawaii, Caribbean, Tahiti and Fiji, Central America, Europe, the United States and Canada plus four cruise lines offering memorable voyages that span the globe.

Pleasant Holidays’ new Destination Weddings & Honeymoons guide includes information to help couples identify and book the destination that’s right for their special occasion, including Must See/Must Do highlights and entry documentation required for each destination. For couples planning a destination wedding, the guide includes essential information on documentation required for legal destination wedding ceremonies; wedding packages, customizable ceremonies and venue options for each featured hotel; and destination options for same-sex weddings. In addition, honeymoon couples will find a list of special amenities offered just for them.
 
Both the printed and electronic versions of Pleasant Holidays’ 2017-2018 Destination Weddings & Honeymoons guide offer a customizable text box where travel agents can include their own contact information for the wedding couple. In addition, Pleasant Holidays’ Wedding Travel Desk offers a toll-free hotline with dedicated wedding travel specialists at 800-818-9080, flexible travel options, custom wedding packages, activities and experiences, a wide range of airline options and more in one convenient location.
 
An electronic version of the brochure that agents can email to clients instantly is available online at www.pleasantholidays.com/brochures.

DoubleTree by Hilton's New Hawaii to Feature Wedding Gazebo

Following a $30-million renovation, a new Hawaiian property recently debuted on Hawaii Island in the form of the first DoubleTree by Hilton in Hawaii.

The Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton is located on 70 acres of oceanfront property, with views of Hilo Bay and the Mauna Kea Volcano. The hotel’s 320 fully-refurbished guest rooms and suites provide upscale, contemporary lodging for vacationers exploring the charms of Hilo and nearby attractions, such as stunning waterfalls, the lava flows of Kalapana and snorkeling or surfing off the beautiful bay and ocean coasts.

The longtime host to activities surrounding the annual Merrie Monarch international hula competition, The Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo – a DoubleTree by Hilton is a great venue for meetings, conferences and weddings. Its 13,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, including a wedding gazebo, can accommodate gatherings of up to 400 people.

An updated sound system and A/V equipment are also available, as is a 24-hour complimentary business center. Plus, the hotel provides the most extensive catering facility on the east side of the Island of Hawaii.

The hotel also provides a full complement of services and DoubleTree by Hilton brand amenities, including an assortment of gourmet in-room tea and coffee offerings by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and an array of the Aroma Actives Essentials natural skin and body care line.

Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Wedding Venue Reopens as the AKALA Chapel

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort recently announced that its Ocean Crystal Chapel has been refreshed and has reopened as the AKALA Chapel under the management of Watabe Wedding Corporation

A traditional Hawaiian blessing and grand opening of the AKALA Chapel was held on February 12.

The AKALA Chapel, located in the center of the vast grounds of Hilton Hawaiian Village, is bordered by a lava rock waterfall and surrounded by a garden pool, island blooms and tropical greenery. The first floor has a spacious guest lounge and a bride’s room. 

The airy second story features seating for 50 guests and floor-to-ceiling windows providing the perfect backdrop to a special day. Couples may also opt for the adjacent AKALA Gazebo for a venue at a smaller capacity of up to 25 guests. 

After the ceremony, the wedding party has easy access to photo opportunities at Duke Kahanamoku Beach, and the backdrop of world-famous Waikiki

In addition to the AKALA Chapel and Gazebo, the White Beach Chapel offers a 40-capacity venue offering views of the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon and Pacific Ocean through floor-to-ceiling glass walls. The White Beach Chapel is operated by Karissma by Best Bridal Hawaii.

A la carte pricing for ceremonies starts from $2,500 for both chapels and includes a 90-minute reservation at the facility, wedding rehearsal, ceremony coordinator, and a keepsake marriage certificate. 

The a la carte pricing for the gazebo starts from $1,000 for a 60-minute reservation of the area, coordinator and keepsake marriage certificate.
The experienced wedding teams can also assist with ceremony packages that include officiates, musicians, photographers, fresh flower lei and more.