Intimate Waimea Canyon Kauai Elopement
Elise + Christian
From a Serene Morning Along Waimea Canyon to Sunset at Tunnels Beach, This is How Elise & Christian Planned Their Elopement
The morning of Elise & Christian’s elopement, we started by driving up to the Waimea Canyon area. We came across the cutest little foggy road with no foot traffic, so knew we absolutely needed to take advantage of it.
Once we arrived to the first look location, Elise and Christian each slipped into their attire and I set up their first look for them to see each other in wedding attire for the very first time. It was a super emotional moment.
Afterwards, we headed to their ceremony location along a more secluded section of the Waimea Canyon. They had the most beautiful mountain views in between the rolling fog and not another soul was seen the entire time we spent along the canyon. They shared their vows, exchanged rings, and sealed the deal with a kiss. It was such a magical ceremony among the incredible red rock mountains.
Elise and Christian opted for my ‘Split Day Coverage’ option so they could split the elopement day into two sections and not get too tired. At this point, we opted to break for them to grab some lunch and nap for a bit.
Later, we met back up at their airbnb along the north coast in Kauai where they changed into their second look of the day. They helped each other get dressed and it was the most sweet thing.
We then ventured over to the iconic Tunnels Beach for them to explore, walk the beach at sunset, and just take in all the Hawaii beauty. It was the perfect way to soak in the rest of the day.
Sally’s Tips for Planning a Kauai Elopement:
If you are planning an elopement during winter in Kauai—or really anywhere in Hawaii—here are my best tips for preparing for the day.
Choose a Date in the Shoulder Season
Hawaii is obviously a major tourist destination and can get quite crowded and expensive in the peak seasons. Choosing a time where there isn’t as much foot traffic means less crowds and cheaper prices on travel, lodging, and activities (which is a complete win if you ask me). I’d avoid peak summer months and around Christmas time when many choose to travel to the islands to escape the cold and celebrate the holidays.
Choose a Lesser-Known Location
While Kauai doesn’t see the same amount of foot traffic as other islands like Oahu, there is not ever a time I don’t recommend finding a location off-the-beaten-path. Although Elise & Christian had their ceremony along the Waimea Canyon which seems like a huge tourist destination, it was actually on a lesser-known trail that isn’t as frequented—which is how they had the entire location to themselves.
P.S. custom location suggestions—including hidden gem spots—is something I offer to every. single. couple. I work with.
Be Flexible
I always let couples know the weather on your elopement day may not always be sunny and warm and sometimes locations become inaccessible last minute. Do not let that ruin your day! It is truly all part of the adventure and your elopement day will always be special. Go into your elopement day with a ‘go with the flow’ mentality and be ready to be flexible on your plans. Sometimes we might even pivot timeline so that we are missing the worst of the weather & you can explore. Many places in Kauai and other islands in Hawaii will get stray pop up showers, but often times it leads to an incredible rainbow! Get out there and adventure—this is just part of the experience.
For more information on how to elope in Kauai, check out my full How to Elope in Kauai planning guide.
READY TO START PLANNING YOUR ELOPEMENT? REACH OUT NOW!
Hey, I’m Sally! I’m a destination adventure elopement photographer based in Washington, but traveling worldwide!
