FAQs 🌴 Secret Island wedding
Which venue is the best pick if we want to have the ocean, palm trees and a tropical setting?
Do to want to get married in the sand in front of the ocean or on the grass in front of the ocean? If you want a really pretty setting IN THE SAND, Secret Island is perfect. It's a fun experience for guests to ride across to the island in the catamaran boat - and the beach where the ceremony is amazing.
The other option is to get married in the grass fronting the ocean. Some brides prefer walking in the grass (easier in heels). If grass is your preference, you would be better at Paradise cove - a grassy space with ocean backdrop.
Both have palm trees and are very pretty but in my opinion, Secret Island is more of what you would imagine when you think of real Hawaii. Photos at Secret Island are spectacular.
Can you describe Secret Island in more detail?
Secret Island is a private beach surrounded by picturesque mountains. It kind of feels like a beach in Jurassic Park - it's really that beautiful. Guests would take a catamaran boat across a large fishpond to get to the ceremony which would be held in the sand. Chairs and an arch could be set up in the sand for an extra fee. We would help you coordinate everything having to so with the ceremony including hair and makeup, flowers (bouquets, etc.), leis for guests (if needed), photographer, officiant, transportation, etc. Here are some photos from a wedding at Secret Island - Wedding1 + Wedding2
If everything is paid for and Covid19 gets worse are we refunded the money or able to switch dates with a no additional cost?
If Covid19 gets worse and you decide to cancel the wedding completely (not change dates) you will lose $500 deposit to the venue and $500 Best Day Ever deposit (+ the cost of planning work done up until that point, charged on a per hr basis). If you were to cancel a wedding on a normal basis (if Covid19 wasn't an issue, there would be a larger loss / vendors and venues, in general, are being much more accommodating during this time).
If you decide to just change the date and give us enough notice on the change, there would be no charge to change dates. My goal is to help you track what is going on here with the virus and make a decision to change dates with enough time so that you will lose as little money as possible.If things get worse and virus numbers increase then we could just change dates, and push the date back, I will help you arrange all of that.
How likely is it to rain on my wedding day? What happens if it does rain?
On the morning of your wedding we check the weather report and radar and watch the rain carefully. If it is pouring all morning (this is really rare), then we'll call you and discuss options with you. 95% of the time even on a very rainy day there are patches of sunshine, especially near the ocean. Usually we wait out the passing showers and will do a ceremony in between showers. The skies usually clear beautifully and photos are magical. In Hawaii we consider rain showers to be extra blessings so don't be afraid of rain. So far we haven't had a wedding get completely rained out and even rainy days here end up being pretty. We have even had weddings go off without a hitch on hurricane/tsunami days. Please note, at Secret Island there is a covered tarp area which guests can stay if it does rain on the beach. Ceremony could also be held here but we'd prefer to wait out the rain if possible.
Are the bathrooms on Secret Island?
There are portable restrooms on Secret Island but we usually recommend guests use the nicer restrooms which are located near the dock. There will be time to use the restroom before getting on the boat to Secret Island.
Is Secret Island wheelchair accessible?
You could bring a wheelchair on the boat but we don’t recommend it. It would also be extremely difficult to push the wheelchair across the sand to the ceremony site. Secret Island is not ideal for guests who require wheelchairs. If you have an important guest who needs a wheelchair, Paradise Cove is a better pick. You can view the Paradise Cove package here.
How many days in advance do we need to be there before the wedding?
Generally a few days before the wedding (3-4 days) would be ideal. However, right now with Covid19, it is a little more difficult to say as things are constantly changing. The earlier you can arrive on island, the better however, most couples arrive the week of the wedding. Once booking with Best Day Ever, we will help you to figure the details out about when is the best time to arrive depending on the wedding date you choose.
How much is it to add in Video?
We can do a simple video for $250 - see sample HERE. Or you can get a professional videographer for between $750-$1500 depending on how much video coverage you need. The professional videos are amazing and a keepsake you will treasure forever. We will set you up with a videographer who we know and trust. A few videographers who we work with are Isle Media and Inspired Films.
Do we need to have a Rehearsal?
With the simpler beach weddings (including the Secret Island weddings) we generally do not do a rehearsal. On the day of the wedding I will be there to put everyone in place and line you up, cue the music and guide you through everything. It will feel very natural and seamless.
Do I get to pick the flowers and colors?
Of course! Start a Pinterest board and start saving photos of bouquets you like, we will be asking you about flowers as we get further into planning. The cost of bouquets, flower arch, leis, etc. are not included but we work with a wonderful florist who gives us amazing pricing and does beautiful work. I will pick up the flowers for you that day and bring all the flowers to you on the day of the wedding. If you aren’t sure on colors or types of bouquets we have samples from which you can choose your favorites.
Any recommendations on beautiful resorts near Secret Island or places to stay?
Turtle Bay is a fun resort, its on the North Shore of O'ahu. It is a beachy surf town with cute little shops and lots of beautiful beaches. It is likely that you’ll see dolphins, whales, and sea turtles here. Turtle Bay is about a 33m drive from Secret Island - MAP.
OR Waikiki is the other option - here there are lots of hotels, shopping, restaurants, and beaches. There is a lot more to do in Waikiki but it can also be more crowded. Here there are options for everyone and everything is in close walking distance. In Waikiki, guests can all book their own hotels and you guys can meet up during the day. Lots to do, very fun. Waikiki is about a 39m drive to Secret Island - MAP. Check TravelZoo.com or Hotels.com for hotel deals. Expect to pay $250/night for a nice room near the ocean. Ocean-front rooms generally cost more. One of my favorite hotels in Waikiki that is inexpensive and oceanfront is the Kaimana Beach Hotel. It is at the end of Waikiki (more quiet) and has amazing ocean-front rooms at a fraction of the price.
Any suggests for a super fun, tropical, unique place to stay for the honeymoon part?
One of the most amazing hotels here on O’ahu - one with a totally different feel is The Four Seasons in Ko’olina. It is on a different side of the island (west side) and is quiet and breathtakingly beautiful. It has a extremely luxury and chic feel. The Kardashians stay here when they come to Hawaii, so expect ultra posh. I think this would be an amazing place to stay for your honeymoon. I personally try to stay here once a year for my anniversary because of the overall experience.
The hotel is a 5-star hotel and you'll feel like royalty when you get here. You’ll get a cold towel, drink and hand-made flower lei - plus a glass of champagne upon arrival. Tell them it's your honeymoon for extra special treatment. Bask in the sun at the private beach coves here, rent a paddle board or go snorkeling in the tide pools or just relax with a tropical drink in hand at the infinity pools. Super nice and relaxing. The perfect place for a night or two away and a romantic honeymoon.
Or you could take a flight out for a few days to Kaua‘i, a different island and about a 20m flight from O’ahu. Kaua‘i is quieter than O'ahu, and very scenic with picturesque mountains and waterfalls everywhere. It’s a beautiful island to escape to after a busy wedding week. The Princeville on Kaua‘i has that same chic feel that the Four Seasons has here on O’ahu.
I want to add in Hair and Makeup services. How does that work and how much does it cost?
We will set you up with a hair and makeup artist who will come to your hotel on the morning of the wedding to get you ready. We only work with the best hair and makeup artists on the island and she will make you look beautiful, all of our hair and makeup artists have 5 star ratings and are really amazing. Generally the cost for hair and makeup for brides is $180 (and $150 for bridesmaids/mothers). We’ll set everything up for you but you will pay the hair and makeup artist directly. It is helpful to have a photo of the hairstyle and makeup style you’re going for so that she has an idea of what you want before starting.
We don't like your photographer and want to hire someone else can we do this?
We really think you'll be quite pleased with our photographers but if you're sure that you would like to bring in another photographer then we can credit you $200. Our main concern is that you are happy with how your wedding day turns out.
My friend is going to officiate, is that ok?
Yes, most definitely! You just need to make sure that your friend is ordained and that he or she is registered with the State of Hawaii to do the wedding. This must be done a few weeks prior to your wedding. Click here for more information. There are no pkg. discounts if you decide to bring your own officiant.
Can you please clarify what is included and the costs of extra items?
Included in Best Day Ever's fee is help with planning, securing all vendors needed including photographer, officiant, hair and makeup, help with finding a place to eat afterward, help with transport, music, florals, etc. The officiant and photographer is included in this total package cost. Also included in the package total cost are the bride and groom specialty leis, rose petals for tossing after you say I do, wooden ceremony signage, greenery for the aisle, and a personal Best Day Ever planner on the day of the wedding who will set up and organize everything. Chairs, arch, a live musician, flowers, leis, hair and makeup, video are all not included and will be an added cost.
Sample costs -
Chairs - $5/chair
Wooden Arch with Flowers - $350+ (cost will vary depending on how elaborate you want this
Hair and Makeup - $150-$200 per service
Video - $250 (simple Best Day Ever Video) or $800-$1500 (Professional Video Team)
Musician - $250 (live musician to play songs of choice)
Leis - $10-$40 each
Any tips on how to make our wedding more personalized?
Adding a wooden arch with florals, matching bouquet, aisle flowers and a boutonniere, is an easy way to make a simple beach wedding feel a lot more special. Florals are personalized to your liking and look amazing in beach wedding photos. Also, little touches like pretty fans, parasols or sunscreen for guests and bright bouquets / boutonnieres for the bridal party can go a long way. Colored parasols look great in photos and provide good shade for guests too.
I love the idea of honoring everyone who flew all the way down for your wedding with a lei. You can present everyone with an orchid lei at the end of the ceremony, it's a nice touch and doesn't cost too much money. You could also honor parents with a parent lei ceremony (where you'll present your mom and dad with a lei honoring and thanking them for all they've done for you).
Lastly, if theres someone you've lost that is very close to you like a parent or dear friend (one whom you wish could be there), you could honor them after the ceremony by throwing a lei out to sea as you say a blessing or prayer at the same time. Kahu's (a Hawaiian officiant/priest) can assist with this as well. Lastly, adding in the arch with fabric and florals, is really very pretty and can create a gorgeous backdrop to your ceremony. Adding chairs for guests is also a nice touch that guests seem to appreciate.
What is the address / directions to Secret Island?
We will send you a map with directions and details on the exact location after you book. There is parking on-site near the doc for you and your guests. If you decide to add in transportation for yourselves and your guests we will get the transportation company detailed directions before the ceremony.
When should we send out our invites?
Destination weddings involve a lot of travel planning and often taking vacation time. We suggest sending out a Save the Date as soon as you have your date set. You can send out an official invite 4-6 months prior.
Can we do a Champagne Toast and wedding cake at the beach?
A champagne or sparking cider toast can be arranged. Check with us after booking for details. We don't recommend doing a cake cutting at the beach because that would also involve a table, utensils, plates, trash can, water and cups, etc. We can arrange for a cake to be delivered to your dinner location, this ensures that it stays fresh and is served properly.
Additionally, wedding photography happens right after the ceremony, and your photographer will need this time to coordinate family and group photos. He/she also needs time to do couple photos on the beach. Guests are usually happy hanging around for a little while and checking out the beach while photos are being taken. If we add in a champagne toast and cake cutting this cuts into your photo time which most couples don’t want to do.
We suggest instead that you consider hiring transportation and set it up so that you have drinks on ice waiting for you after the ceremony. Guests can relax, toast, drink, and have fun on the bus before heading to dinner.
Got more questions? send us a message 😊
Once booking you will be set-up with your own personal Best Day Ever wedding planner who will be available to you 24/7 by email to answer any wedding related questions you may have.