Hitched in Hawaii

[Pushka]

Anyone can get married in the US, there are no requirements for citizenship or being there for any length of time prior.

Wow, now this is really interesting! Thanks for that. Will pass this on.

 

[blackcat20]

Sunday was the day we'd booked a snorkeling trip which turned out to be absolutely fantastic. Scheduled as a five hour trip, they took us to multiple locations where we got to snorkel with turtles and an amazing array of fish. One of the best experiences. We also were taken to a newly formed black sand beach which was pretty cool.



The colour of the water is just amazing. And right at the end we spotted dolphins which was just a fantastic end to the day.

Then it was off to dinner with family and friends who were gradually arriving. There is so much delicious ahi (tuna) in Hawaii, pretty sure I consumed my body weight in it over the course of our visit.



The coughtails at the hotel were also very good (and very cheap) and came with an amazing view across the water at sunset.

 

[TomVexille]

So excited to be arriving into Honolulu, my first time.

Also my first time to HNL

Wow. Had no idea you experienced so much stress in getting to your wedding. You’ve been to the US before?

Issue was Australian Border Force and my passports (and probably a QF agent who stuffed it all up).

Yeah. But TomCat wanted to be legally married.

I’ve been learning lots about being married in an overseas country as my son’s partner is a Brit living in Australia. Can’t get married in the UK as they don’t live there and won’t be able to spend 28 days getting the license. Can get married in Australia but her family won’t be making the trip over due to brothers young family etc. She is also a US citizen but that won’t work at all either. So looks like a civil service here - eloping in Australia - then sorting out some kind of celebration in UK and Aus and somehow appeasing everyone.

Must tell her about the change in dual citizenship laws as she has 2 passports - UK and USA and will in next 2 years get an Aussie one.

One of my English friends got married in Scotland as there isn't the 28 day requirement there

 

[blackcat20]

Despite our best intentions not to get burnt while out snorkling, we found ourselves a little toasted, particularly on the arms and forehead. Not quite the look I was going for in our photos! I had two days to get the colour down which invovled a lot of aloe vera gel and cold face washers (and one very good make up artist).

Monday was an important day; time to sort out the marriage license. But first, breakfast. We tried out one of the cafes opposite the hotel (Island Lava Java) which was very pleasant.


Then we were off up the hill to get the paperwork sorted which is a matter of the agent sighting our ID and issuing the license. Paperwork is hungry work, so next stop was Da Poke Shack, which is well known for its amazing Poke. And they were not wrong. You get a choice of rice, fish and sides.



After lunch is was time to catch up with friends and take a swim in the hotel lagoon, before drinks by the pool.



Then a pre-wedding day dinner with friends up top of the Island which afforded us some lovely sunset views of the vocanoes and the ocean.

 

[Pushka]

One of my English friends got married in Scotland as there isn't the 28 day requirement there

Really? Wow, ok, another message sent off!

 

[TomVexille]

I ate soooo much tuna on this trip

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Despite our best intentions not to get burnt while out snorkling, we found ourselves a little toasted, particularly on the arms and forehead. Not quite the look I was going for in our photos! I had two days to get the colour down which invovled a lot of aloe vera gel and cold face washers (and one very good make up artist).

Monday was an important day; time to sort out the marriage license. But first, breakfast. We tried out one of the cafes opposite the hotel (Island Lava Java) which was very pleasant.
View attachment 107571

Then we were off up the hill to get the paperwork sorted which is a matter of the agent sighting our ID and issuing the license. Paperwork is hungry work, so next stop was Da Poke Shack, which is well known for its amazing Poke. And they were not wrong. You get a choice of rice, fish and sides.

View attachment 107572

After lunch is was time to catch up with friends and take a swim in the hotel lagoon, before drinks by the pool.

View attachment 107573

Then a pre-wedding day dinner with friends up top of the Island which afforded us some lovely sunset views of the vocanoes and the ocean.
View attachment 107574

View attachment 107575

Thanks for sharing, Hawaii is my favourite place and cannot think of a better place to get married, Congratulations

 

[blackcat20]

Wedding day!

It was a little gloomy, probably the least sunny day we'd experienced so far. We ate breakfast together on the balcony (pastries, fruit and yoghurt), then TV headed out for the day to play golf with his mate. You can see the setup for the Luau below our room.

Meanwhile myself and one of the girls headed out for a morning of pampering at a local nail salon, all arranged by the wedding planner (our original one called in sick so she very quickly found a suitable replacement for us). We spent a leisurely few hours having our nails done by the wackiest nail tech I've ever met (I'm pretty sure 99% of her stories were complete BS). For me, pink toes and a classic french for my fingers.


Three hours later I was in full hangry mode, and the nearest food was the Taco Bell next door. Tres classy! They have a hideous but delicious chicken box so we stuffed ourselves silly, knowing that dinner wouldnt be till much later.



Then we rushed back to the hotel so I could get ready before hair and makeup arrived, with a quick stop downstairs to see how the set up was going. I'm one of those people that likes to know what to expect so it was good to see how it was all being set up.


Only to find that housekeeping hadnt touched my room, I had less than an hour to be ready for my beautician and still needed to shower. So my friend gave the housekeeper a hurry along, she whipped around the room and I dashed for the shower. Meanwhile the planner dropped off my bouquet and the flowers for my hair. A gorgeous bouquet given my only request was "make it fuscia".

 

[love_the_life]

And while you had all this worry and rushing TV was having a fine time with the boys? Hardly seems fair.

 

[blackcat20]

And while you had all this worry and rushing TV was having a fine time with the boys? Hardly seems fair.

Haha yes, he was down at the bar drinking beers

 

[blackcat20]

All the important things you need to get ready...









Then my gal pal ran off to get the boys organised, and my bestie and mum turned up to help drink champagne and get dressed.
I've never really had my hair and make up done before so that was interesting. Especially when she finished my hair and I had a bit of a "oh I dont like it" moment. Fortunately she was happy to fix the bit I wasnt keen on and it looked good after that.


This was about the time the photographer arrived, barefoot and ready to roll. I immediately felt completely comfortable with her and realised I'd made a very good choice. She did some lovely prep photos, then went off to photograph TV before coming back to get the shots of me getting into my dress. Which was a very interesting experience as she wanted me standing in front of the window in full view of people on the adjacent balcony and the luau below....

I love the detail on the back of my dress, though I'm not sure my mum appreciated the tiny buttons and hooks....

 

[TomVexille]

And while you had all this worry and rushing TV was having a fine time with the boys? Hardly seems fair.

Sure was




Had a nice morning out on the Waikoloa Beach - Kings Course.

We stopped at Costco on the way back into town for a slice of pizza and hot dog for lunch.

 

[love_the_life]

All the important things you need to get ready...

View attachment 107589


View attachment 107590


View attachment 107591

Then my gal pal ran off to get the boys organised, and my bestie and mum turned up to help drink champagne and get dressed.
I've never really had my hair and make up done before so that was interesting. Especially when she finished my hair and I had a bit of a "oh I dont like it" moment. Fortunately she was happy to fix the bit I wasnt keen on and it looked good after that.
View attachment 107592

This was about the time the photographer arrived, barefoot and ready to roll. I immediately felt completely comfortable with her and realised I'd made a very good choice. She did some lovely prep photos, then went off to photograph TV before coming back to get the shots of me getting into my dress. Which was a very interesting experience as she wanted me standing in front of the window in full view of people on the adjacent balcony and the luau below....

I love the detail on the back of my dress, though I'm not sure my mum appreciated the tiny buttons and hooks....
View attachment 107595

Those buttons are gorgeous and I love the beaded lace. It looks amazing. Did you have the dress made or buy it in Australia?

 

[blackcat20]

Those buttons are gorgeous and I love the beaded lace. It looks amazing. Did you have the dress made or buy it in Australia?

I bought it from Ferrari Formal, but the actual dress is from Madison James. They order it in specifically for you, so its essentially made to order. Took just over four months to get it in. It was the perfect dress for the beach, especially considering how humid it got during the evening.

 

[Major]

A great view from that room

 

[TomVexille]

A great view from that room

It was acceptable

 

[RooFlyer]

One of my English friends got married in Scotland as there isn't the 28 day requirement there

Really? Wow, ok, another message sent off!

You haven't heard of the Gretna Green 'quickie' weddings? Not only no waiting, no delay but after making a declaration, almost anyone there can marry you!

I just realised that I stayed at the Royal Kona some years ago when I was there; it looks as though there's been a bit of renovation since then.

 

[Pushka]

You haven't heard of the Gretna Green 'quickie' weddings? Not only no waiting, no delay but after making a declaration, almost anyone there can marry you!

I just realised that I stayed at the Royal Kona some years ago when I was there; it looks as though there's been a bit of renovation since then.

Way before my time! The US thing I should have clicked because of Las Vegas. I did check on the Scottish wedding and it seems to have changed.

 

[blackcat20]

Then the doors were opened and off I went; the celebrant was waiting to lead me down the aisle while chanting which was awesome. I'm smiling but all I'm thinking is "dont trip over your dress". The downside of taking your shoes off when your dress is the correct length for shoes.




We chose an amazing celebrant who did a traditional Hawaiian ceremony. It was just perfect for us and neither of us is religious. The ceremony involved a lei exchange, a salt exchange and a sand ceremony.



The ceremony was quite long, around 20 minutes, but it was so well done.

 

[dk4]

I stayed at the same hotel a few years back. Your post brought back memories of watching/listening the luau for free one night, sitting on the room's balcony while sipping Blue Hawaiian (just-add-ice) drinks from the ubiquitous ABC store, and enjoying the sunset.

Issue was Australian Border Force and my passports (and probably a QF agent who stuffed it all up).

Most likely the check in agent entering passport details into the wrong sections. The other month, when leaving Australia, I did the same thing - only showing the passport of the country I was planning to use on arrival (at my destination) as my documentation for check in (planning, as usual, to keep my Australian passport in the bag until I got to Immigration). However, I was advised that due to the new automated exit-gate procedures, I now had to also show my Australian passport at check in (so the Egate would be expecting me). No big deal for me that day, as the agent obviously put all the correct details into the right places. (Egate worked fine with Aussie passport for departure, and other passport worked fine for arrival at the other end.)

So note to dual/multi nationals, who are use to doing check in with the "other" passport when leaving Australia, you now need to show both at check in (and obviously hope the agent knows what they are doing).