Table of Contents:
- About Kualoa Ranch
- Why Get Married at Kualoa Ranch?
- Kualoa Ranch Wedding Packages
- Kualoa Ranch Wedding Photographer
Have you been dreaming of saying your vows beneath the palm trees of Hawaii, in front of unparalleled ocean views and surrounded by lush tropical wilderness? If so, you’re in luck—because Kualoa Ranch has everything you need to fulfill your wildest wedding dreams. I can’t wait to tell you all about one of my all-time favorite Oahu wedding venues and all the island magic it has to offer!
About Kualoa Ranch
Home to some of the most iconic and sought-after views on the entire island, Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000 acre reserve that will take your breath away from the moment you see it for the very first (or tenth) time. Located on the eastern shores of Oahu about 45 minutes from downtown Waikiki, this historic ranch makes you feel as though you’re in another world—one filled with enchanting scenery, unparalleled outdoor activities, and rich experiences deep in the rugged wilderness of Hawaii.
Kualoa Ranch is by far one of the most historically-significant places on Oahu, established all the way back in 1850 and deeply sacred to the island ever since. It used to be known as a “pu’uhonua”, or a “place of refuge,” and the ranch owners have done an incredible job of maintaining its historic significance and natural beauty even through a massive growth in tourism.
The ranch is split up into two main areas: the northern half, where you’ll find the beautiful Ka’a’awa Valley, and the southern half, which is home to the lush Hakipu’u Valley Rainforest, the historic Moli’i fishpond, and the Secret Island Hokule’a beach. This private nature reserve is every island-lover’s paradise, featuring every type of tropical landscape you could dream of—rugged mountains, palm tree-lined shores, vibrant blue waters, winding valleys. . . pretty much heaven on Earth.
With a mission to preserve Kualoa’s sacred lands and celebrate its history, I’d say this is a pretty dang incredible team of people to support—and a wildly beautiful place to tie the knot!
Why Get Married at Kualoa Ranch?
Breathtaking garden venue
I’m not sure you’ll ever find a wedding venue as beautiful as Paliku Gardens, the ceremony site offered at Kualoa Ranch. Nestled at the base of Kanehoalani mountain peak, these gardens offer heavenly views of vibrant Kane’ohe Bay, the iconic Mokoli’i Island, and the vibrant green Ko’olau mountains. The gardens offer a true tropical paradise, with towering palm trees framing the spot where you’ll say your vows, leaves blowing in the breeze as you say “I do” in front of incredibly glorious views. I’ll never get over the way the bright, turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean (and the deep blues further out in the distance) pair so perfectly with the lush green lawn. . . the owners of Kualoa knew what they were doing when they designed this space.
Paliku Gardens can accommodate up to 250 guests seated on either the Main Lawn or the Bowl Lawn, or up to 120 guests seated in the open-air covered pavilion. No matter which spot you choose to host your reception, you and your guests will be treated to dinner in front of the backdrop of dreams—one that will take everyone’s breath away whether it’s their first time on the island or they’ve lived on Oahu their whole lives.
And no need to worry about the tropical rain storms that might hit you due to Kualoa’s location on the Windward Coast—the venue has a large white top tent available for you to use at no additional cost. It’s even got traditional string lighting underneath, which lights up the main lawn beautifully in the evenings!
Remote location away from tourists
There’s nothing worse than arriving at a stunning destination, ready to retreat into nature and escape the hustle & bustle of daily life. . . only to be met by the hustle & bustle of hundreds of tourists around you. Fortunately, that will never be an issue if you get married at Kualoa Ranch—although the ranch itself gets plenty busy with its abundance of amazing attractions and activities, Paliku Gardens is extremely private and reserved only for you and your group. You’ll have the spacious lawn, manicured gardens, and drool-worthy views all to yourselves, with no tourists in sight.
Farm-to-table dining
You can’t visit Oahu without taking advantage of the delicious range of fresh-grown, locally-sourced ingredients—and luckily, Kualoa Ranch makes that super easy for you and your guests with their in-house catering services. While you can bring your own caterer, I highly recommend reaching out to their in-house Chef Kimo Kauhane, who creates the most luxurious dishes using Kualoa-grown ingredients including, but not limited to: grass-fed beef, pork, shrimp, fish, lamb, fruits, vegetables, chocolate, and even more. It’s the most phenomenal farm-to-table dining experience you’ll ever have, and your guests will thank you for it!
Once-in-a-lifetime adventures + experiences
Now this one isn’t technically wedding related. . . but I figured it was adjacent and definitely worth mentioning! Not only is Kualoa Ranch home to one of the most remarkable wedding venues on Oahu, it’s also one of the most well-regarded tourist attractions on the island that you and your guests should absolutely take advantage of during your time in the area. Who wouldn’t want to spend as much time exploring these gorgeous open valleys, dense forests, and rolling green hills?
If you can spend a little extra time on this side of the island before or after your wedding day itself, you could enjoy a few of the MANY phenomenal outdoor adventures offered at Kualoa, such as:
- UTV Raptor Tours
- Zipline Tours
- Secret Island Beach Activities
- Horseback Riding Tours
- Jungle Expeditions
- E-Bike Tours
And that’s only just scratching the surface of all the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities Kualoa has to offer. These lush jungles are home to so many incredible memories for SO many people—make sure that you and your guests get to make some, too!
Meaningful focus on sustainability
As if there weren’t already enough to love about Kualoa Ranch, one of its guiding values is “mālama ʻāina,” meaning “to care for the land.” With a key focus on environmental stewardship, preservation, and sustainable tourism, you get the bonus of knowing that you’re getting married at a place that truly cares about the Earth, and will do everything it can to make sure your wedding supports that mission. Kualoa has actually become a leading figure in the world of sustainable agritourism in Hawaii with its community-centered approach, which includes growing organic fruits and veggies, and improving soil health, all while maintaining their core values even as they grow.
You can learn more about Kualoa’s commitment to stewardship and sustainability here.
BONUS: Great for film + TV fans
Here’s a little fun fact before we move on: Kualoa has been featured in over 170 movies and TV shows since the 1950’s. The long list includes classics like Jurassic Park, Godzilla, Hawaii Five-0, and Lost (Kualoa Ranch has even been nicknamed “Jurassic Valley”), and you can take a tour of the movie sites to see many of the film locations yourself. Such a fun activity for film buffs—why not do it if you’re already in the area, right?
Kualoa Ranch Wedding Packages
How much does it cost to get married at Kualoa ranch?
Weekend weddings at Kualoa Ranch cost $6495 + tax, while weekday weddings cost $5495 + tax. Definitely check their website for the most updated pricing at the time of your wedding, though!
Both the weekend and weekday packages include the use of Paliku Gardens from 10am-10pm, as well as various items and equipment such as:
- Round & banquet tables
- Getting ready suite with AC
- Restrooms, water, & electricity
- Free parking
- Food prep area
- 40’x60’ white top tent with string lighting
Oh, and we can’t forget about the unbeatable ocean views. . . those are worth the cost of the venue rental all on their own.
Kualoa Ranch Wedding Photographer
As a Maui-based wedding photographer, I always love any chance I can get to island-hop over to Oahu and document weddings on the breathtaking grounds of Kualoa Ranch. Whether you’re envisioning an intimate gathering in the open-air pavilion or a grand celebration out on the main lawn, your wedding at Kualoa Ranch is a memory you will never, ever forget—and your guests will be so grateful to have been a part of it + to have experienced the magic of Hawaii with you.
When you’re ready to hire a photographer to document your Kualoa Ranch wedding in a timeless, meaningful way that’ll allow you to relive the big day forever, say aloha here and I will be in touch!
Still not sure which island you want to be the backdrop for your celebration? Take a peek at some of my favorite Maui wedding + elopement locations below.
