Thinking of getting married at one of the botanical gardens on Oahu? Be sure to plan ahead! While the general rules are the same for all the gardens, I’ll speak more so on my experience with working at the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens. Some key things to know when planning your botanical garden wedding/elopement:
Apply for a Permit
Weddings/Elopements require a wedding AND photography permit. I always take care of the photography permit, but couples need to apply for their own permit to get married at the gardens. Be sure to apply at least 3 weeks MINIMUM before your date, but I recommend doing it sooner as it may take time. I also recommend hand delivering your application to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Space for your ceremony is on a first come, first serve basis.
Limit Your Guest Count
Each garden has its limit on guests (Ho’omaluhia is 50 guests) and parking is limited. Ask your guests to consider car pooling. Side note that Ho’omaluhia will not allow bus/shuttle services for your guests to enter.
Keep to Your Timeline
Weddings/Elopements have a 2-hour timeframe and must adhere to garden hours. If planning on your ceremony/photos for later in the day, you must end your time 30 minutes before closing to allow time to exit in time.
Have a Simple Ceremony
Keep it simple. Music, sound amplification, and physical amenities (tables, chairs, tents) are prohibited unless authorized by the permit.
Follow Botanical Garden Rules
This may be common sense, but the couple, guests and vendors must adhere to the garden rules. This includes taking pictures on the road. I know, we all love that iconic road shot at Ho’omaluhia 🥲.
Whew! That was a lot, but the botanical gardens are beautiful and so worth it. Did this help and are you ready to book your wedding at the gardens? Contact me today and I can share more about the process!
In the meantime, check out a few more shots from these epic elopements.
Kristen Iwalani of Iwalani Photography is a couples, elopement, and wedding photographer based on the island of Oahu. She’s ready to document your love on the biggest day of your lives. Kristen loves capturing the real, raw, and messy moments of your story. Contact her today to start planning your timeless wedding.
Be the first to comment