| If you're planning a Hawaii wedding, you will need to | | | | Kamehameha statue in downtown Honolulu. The |
| think about what kind of wedding you want when | | | | church is a Hawaiian heritage historical landmark. |
| choosing your wedding chapel. According to my wife, | | | | Calvary By The Sea is a wooden church. There are |
| who is a Hawaii wedding planner, there are three | | | | lots of palm trees surrounding the church. The setting is |
| types of weddings: | | | | quite peaceful. During your ceremony, your minister will |
| 1) a traditional wedding in a large church or cathedral, | | | | stand with his back to the ocean so that you will be |
| 2) a chapel wedding, something much smaller than a | | | | gazing at the blue sea when you say, "I do." This |
| church, and | | | | church is great for having a photo shoot at the beach. |
| 3) an outdoor wedding, such as a beach wedding or | | | | None of these churches are equipped with reception |
| garden wedding. | | | | facilities. You will have to plan your reception at a |
| On the island of Oahu there are four main churches. | | | | different location after your wedding ceremony. But |
| The first one is St. Andrew's Cathedral. The second is | | | | with your limousine waiting, getting to your reception |
| Central Union Sanctuary. The third one is the oldest | | | | isn't a problem. Having your Hawaii wedding at one of |
| church, Kawaiahao Church, which is made from coral | | | | these churches is dramatic and more traditional than a |
| stone. And the fourth church is Calvary By The Sea. | | | | chapel or beach wedding. |
| It's the only church where you can get a view of the | | | | There are so many chapels in Hawaii to choose from. |
| ocean. | | | | It seems that all the biggest hotels have chapels. It's |
| St. Andrew's Cathedral is the most difficult church you | | | | cheaper to get married at a chapel and more cozy |
| can book. You have to book your wedding over one | | | | and more charming. Chapels give you more time to |
| year in advance. This church is built of large grey | | | | get married too. You are allowed at least two hours |
| stones and has huge stained glass windows and a | | | | for your wedding, whereas some the big churches |
| pipe organ. If you get married around 3:00 p.m., the light | | | | schedule a wedding every hour. |
| comes straight through the windows, so the photos of | | | | One fairytale chapel that sticks out in my mind (and I |
| your wedding will be magnificent. If you're OK about | | | | live in Hawaii) is the chapel at the Hilton Hawaiian |
| booking a year in advance, this church is worth the | | | | Village. This chapel is right out of a storybook. It's |
| wait. | | | | surrounded by waterfalls and is designed to look |
| Central Union Sanctuary is quite elegant. Inside, the | | | | something like a victorian chapel or swiss chalet. It's all |
| church is pure white with a long central aisle covered in | | | | white and made of wood. Just outside the chapel is a |
| red carpet, and it has a big pipe organ. From the | | | | gazebo and the beautiful grounds of the aptly named, |
| outside, Central Union Sanctuary is a beautiful piece of | | | | Hilton Hawaiian Village. |
| colonial architecture with four pillars and a tall steeple. | | | | Another popular wedding chapel is at The Kahala |
| This church looks like something you would see in the | | | | Resort. I stayed at The Kahala for my honeymoon, |
| Eastern United States. It's truly picture perfect. | | | | and I can vouch for the romance and beauty of this |
| Kawaiahao Church was once used for royal | | | | chapel on the beach. It's great for a photoshoot, |
| weddings. 150 years ago, when there was a King and | | | | complete with little waterfalls and a gazebo too. You |
| Queen in Hawaii, members of the royal family would | | | | can also have your reception at The Kahala, so this is |
| get married here. The pipe organ has 2,500 pipes. The | | | | a lovely spot to have your ceremony, reception, and |
| Church is located next to the famous King | | | | honeymoon all in one location. |