Having an Outdoor Wedding Ceremony in Hawaii? 3 Things You Need to Know!

Aloha! Welcome back to the Superfresh Hawaii Wedding Podcast. My name is Nate Burgoyne, your host of the show. Thanks for joining us once again.

Today, I’m going to be talking about a topic that is super important—wedding ceremonies, specifically outdoor wedding ceremonies. I’m going to share with you three things you need to know if you’re having an outdoor wedding ceremony here in Hawaii.


Tip 1: Be Prepared for Rain

First, it might rain. That’s right. Hawaii is a paradise—it’s green, it’s lush, it’s gorgeous, and that comes from rain. So just be prepared for that. Rain could happen on your wedding day in Hawaii.

Certain sides of the island are a little drier than others. For example:

  • If you’re having your wedding ceremony on the east side of the island, there’s a lot more rain potential on that side.
  • If you’re having your wedding ceremony on the west side, it’s definitely drier and hotter.
  • Up on the North Shore, it’s hit or miss—it could rain, or it might not.
  • The South Shore is similar—it could rain, or it might not.

Hawaii is the rainbow state for a reason. In most cases, though, if it does rain, it blows over quickly.

The weather in Hawaii is unique. It might be blue skies, and then a little rain cloud comes over, cools everything down, and moves on. Just because it might rain on your wedding day doesn’t mean it will rain for your entire reception.

If it does rain, that’s OK. Some of my favorite weddings took place in the rain. Even during a downpour, the atmosphere can be super fun. It breaks the ice, and everyone feels a sense of camaraderie, like, “Hey, we’re all in this together. Let’s go!”

Contingency Plans for Rain

  • Umbrellas: Some couples provide a basket of white umbrellas for guests, especially for older attendees.
  • Wet Seats: Talk to your coordinator about what will happen if the seats get wet. Will they wipe them down, or will someone else handle it?

The best coordination teams will handle rain without complaining. They’ll get out there with towels, dry the seats, and repeat the process as often as needed.


Tip 2: Get a Coordinator

The second thing you need to know is to get a coordinator for your ceremony.

A coordinator is critical. If it rains, they’ll handle drying the seats and getting everyone lined up for the ceremony. They’ll gather all the important people walking through the ceremony and watch the weather to time everything perfectly.

Great coordinators are like weather experts—they know when it’s the right moment to start the ceremony. They’ll say, “All right, line it up. We’ve got a window of dry weather—let’s do it now.”

Coordinators Manage Key Details

  • Cueing Music: Coordinators will signal musicians or DJs when to start the processional or bride’s entrance music. This avoids awkward timing, like music starting too early or late.
  • Teamwork: For larger weddings, you may need at least two coordinators—one with the wedding party and one with the musicians or DJ.
  • Timeliness: Coordinators ensure the ceremony starts on time. This is crucial because delays can cut into cocktail hour, photography, and other planned activities.

Tip 3: Have a Great Microphone and Sound System

The third tip is to have a great microphone and sound system.

The only exception is if your ceremony has fewer than 20 guests. Otherwise, the officiant and couple need to be mic’d.

Why a Microphone is Essential

  • Ambient Noise: Hawaii has plenty of ambient sounds—wind, ocean waves, and rustling trees can make it hard for guests to hear.
  • Videography: Many videographers plug a recorder into the sound system to capture audio. If the officiant isn’t using the mic properly, the recording might not turn out well.

Discuss Mic Use with Your Officiant

Make sure your officiant knows how to use the microphone. If they turn it on and off sporadically, it could disrupt both live audio and recorded audio for the videographers.

Aesthetics and Functionality

The appearance of microphones matters to many couples. There are several ways to mic a ceremony, and your DJ or sound team can help you choose a method that looks great and works well. Have that conversation with them to ensure everything aligns with your vision.


Conclusion

That’s it for this episode of three things to consider when planning your wedding ceremony outdoors in Hawaii.

Please be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes. And of course, visit us online at superfreshpodcast.com.

Peace.