With the state’s authorization of same-sex marriages — not commitment ceremonies, not civil unions — the already-booming Hawaii tourism economy ($14 billion last year) is poised to expand even more. Then again, it’s old-hat for Kevin Rebelo.
The South African-born Maui transplant has been in the wedding biz for more than 20 years — in fact, his company, HawaiiWedding.com, was the first wedding-planning service with a website anywhere in the world. So while Rebelo was serving the gay community, hetero-couples from all over have sought out his services.
Planning a big event like a wedding ceremony from 3,700 miles away can be stressful and taxing, which is where local professionals like Rebelo can remove some of the worries. They can arrange for (or help you coordinate) photographers, licenses, officiants, space rentals, accommodation reservations and more — a one-stop-shopping service that can allow you to concentrate on the vows and the honeymoon and leave the details to someone else.
Of course, Hawaii’s hoteliers have embraced the LGBT community as well, and most major accommodations have in-house wedding planners happy to assist gay lovebirds in tying the knot on their properties.
The Sheraton Ka’anapali Resort has a variety of packages available, ranging from a reservation in the lush presidential suite (where a small service of up to 22 guests can even be performed on the penthouse balcony) to garden spectaculars for up to 70 guests, as well as facilities for cocktail party and catering. (Contact the wedding manager at 808-662-8032.)
The Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa is equally prepared to assist same-sex couples, and actually limits the number of ceremonies they permit each day so as to make each ceremony and reception special. To make each event intimate, there are numerous outdoor (and indoor, if you like that kind of thing) locales to plan your event, from a small ceremony near a quaint foot-bridge, pictured above, to more extravagant parties. (Contact the wedding coordinator at 808-667-4430.)
Even the remote Travaasa Hana Hotel wants to help you plan your reception. With adults-only cottages (and some mixed garden suites) they can keep everything relaxed for your ceremony. And there’s no tipping except in the restaurants, giving “full service, all-inclusive” a new meaning. (Contact Hubert at 855-721-8236.)
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition January 24, 2014.