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Hawaii as a Wedding Venue

Getting married in Hawaii is relatively simple since once the required Marriage License has been issued, there is no waiting period before the marriage can take place. Marriage performers must be licensed by and in the State of Hawaii to perform the marriage ceremony. Many hotels offer wedding packages which may be used for marriage or a commitment or vow-renewal ceremony. Services provided by the hotel's wedding planner can include assistance with licence applications, sourcing an authorised minister, wedding photography, wedding flowers and bouquets, wedding reception, etc.

Same-sex marriages are not legal in Hawaii, but you can arrange a meaningful romantic service. Marriages in Hawaii are generally accepted in most nations of the world. Check with your local government office in Ireland for the legalities regarding marriage in the United States.

There are many wedding venue options in Hawaii but if you plan on getting married on a beach in Hawaii you should know that it can be difficult to find a truly secluded spot. You'll probably opt to get back into the limousine and drive to another site for your reception. The most popular time of day for weddings is sunset, so be well advised to book early to secure both a minister and a site for the sunset which is not fully visible from every beach. Ask locally for recommendations according to your expectations and the time of year - and remember the sun goes down in the West!

The main criteria to obtain a Hawaiian Marriage Licence are:

•  There are no state residence or U.S. citizenship requirements.
•  Blood tests are not required.
•  The legal age to marry is 18 years for both males and females.
•  Proof of age is required. A certified copy of a birth certificate must be presented for anyone 18 years of age or    under. A valid I.D. or driver's license may be presented for anyone 19 years of age or over.
•  If previously married, proof of original divorce decree or death certificate needs to be presented to the marriage    agent by the applicant if the divorce or death was final within 30 days of applying for a marriage license. FAXES    ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

Check the Hawaii State Department website for full details.

The main points on how to Apply for a Marriage Licence in Hawaii are:

•  The prospective bride and groom must appear together in person before a marriage license agent to apply for    a marriage license. Proxies are not allowed.
•  The prospective bride and groom should be prepared to provide all of the necessary documents which should    be obtained prior to applying for a marriage license.
•  The prospective bride and groom must prepare an official application and file the application in person with the    marriage license agent. Applications are provided by the marriage license agent or may be downloaded from    the Hawai'i State Department.
•  The marriage license costs around $60.00, payable in cash at the time the application is made.
•  The marriage license expires 30 days from and including the date of issuance, after which it automatically    becomes null and void.