GETTING MARRIED IN HAWAII IN 2022

Time really flies, doesn’t it?  Well, it didn’t fly during the pandemic, but now that we’re getting back to normal, this year sure is whizzing by.   My last article was in January, and I thought I’d better write something – so, everyone would know I’m still alive and kicking.  So, here’s a quick update on what’s been happening in Hawaii since the beginning of the year.

TOURISM IS RETURNING TO NORMAL LEVELS

Japan has opened up, somewhat, so we’re starting to see more Japanese tourists in Waikiki.  Not so much like before, but they are slowly trickling in.   We are getting tons of tourists from mainland USA, which is great.  We need tourism as that’s the way most locals, including myself, make our money.  There’s been some crap on the internet about locals not wanting tourists.  That’s all 1000% bullshit.  These memes were created by woke high schoolers, who by the way are unemployed, and then shared by idiotic anti-tourism activists, who are ironically employed by the tourism industry.  I promise you, that when you come to Hawaii, you will not experience any anti-tourism sentiment.   We are still the land of Aloha, which is our version of Southern Hospitality.

NO WEDDINGS OR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY ON WAIMANALO AND SHERWOODS BEACH

A rather large wedding company, which I will not name, but sounds like Clemmings Shove Hawaii, ruined it for all wedding companies.  Instead of performing small weddings on the beach that didn’t disturb the residents there, this greedy company decided to set up an archway with chairs, on Waimanalo Beach, every single day of the year.  They perform conveyor belt beach weddings from morning to sunset, and well that was just uncool.   Local residents didn’t like it and finally got their wish to ban weddings, after years of petitioning.  I don’t blame them.  Who would want limos clogging up their streets, and a semi-permanent archway and chairs on a public beach 24-7, right?  If this company, Schlemmings Dove Hawaii, would have just been respectful, this beach wouldn’t be closed to weddings.  Now they are trying to do the same thing at Sandy Beach, and I have a feeling beach weddings will soon be off-limits there as well.  Don’t get married at Sandy’s, by the way,  it’s just way too windy.

Don’t worry!  You can still get married at other beaches that look the same!   And to be quite honest, Sherwoods and Waimanalo were never great beaches to get married at.  It was away too windy, and way too crowded.  And the weather was “iffy.”  The only thing it had going for it was those turquoise blue waters, which as I mentioned, you can get at other beaches.

RESERVATIONS FOR RESTAURANTS AND ACTIVITIES ARE MUCH EASIER TO COME BY

I remember when we first opened, it took an act of god to get into a restaurant.  Now, not so much.  I would still reserve your restaurant on your wedding day, just to be on the safe side.  But it’s nothing like it was before.   At one time, Outback Steakhouse had a 1-month wait line.  Freaking Outback, are you kidding me!  Activities are also easier to reserve, except for Kualoa Ranch, for some reason.   And there are no longer, long lines to rent a car.  BUT, if you rent a car, I recommend doing it through TURO.  If you do go through TURO, pick your vendor wisely.  Many will drop off the car at your hotel!

COVID IS OUT THERE, BUT THE PANIC IS OVER

I actually got covid in May of 2022.  It made me fairly lazy, and the major side-effect for me was watching way too much Netflix.  I’m not sure where I got it from, possibly a wedding.   Long story short, this Omicron variant is less than a common cold.  It’s really not sending anyone to the hospital.   This variant was so contagious, that most of my friends ended up getting it, probably from me.  And most of the contractors who are working from my house got it, also probably from me.  Now that I’m thinking, writing this paragraph, I’m probably a super spreader.   Everyone who got covid, suffered massively from Netflix overload.  And, when I saw them again, all they could talk about was Stranger Things.  It was the worst.  For one week, everyone I bumped into could only talk about Eleven, Hawkins, Steve’s hair, and the Upside-Down.

No vax passes are needed anywhere here.  You don’t need to take the shots to get to Hawaii.   No mask.  It’s back to normal.

INFLATION IS A BITCH

As I write this on June 14th, 2022, gas here is $5.50 a gallon.  You can get gas at Sam’s Club 50 cents cheaper.  So, if you have Sam’s membership, use it.   Inflation is driving up the price of everything from leis, limos, to even the cost of ministry services.  I’ve had to raise the price of my bouquets, lies, and flowers.  I have yet to raise the price of my other services, but I’m going to have to, soon.  And trust me, I’m not trying to be greedy, I’m just trying to survive.  Gas may actually go up to $9 a gallon.   At that point, I swear, I may have to ride my bicycle to weddings!

Let’s go, Brandon!  That’s all I have to say about that.

LAST THOUGHTS

All joking aside, Covid is over, but it seems as though hyper-inflation may throw another curveball into your wedding plans.   Many of my wedding clients are saying, “F*ck it, let’s do this!”  Life still has to go on right?  We can’t let this idiotic President control our lives with fear and stupid decisions.  If you still want to get married in Hawaii, contact me, I’ll make it happen.

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Steve Young

THE BIG MAN at Dream Weddings Hawaii

I pretty much do everything around here, from photography and video production, to the organization of all of my weddings. As you can see, I'm also the head writer too! If for some reason you can't reach me at my direct line, or my toll free number, feel free to hit me up on my company cell at (808) 479-0685. Call anytime...well, almost anytime. Don't call on Super Bowl Sunday or when the Philadelphia Eagles are playing!

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IT’S OFFICIALLY BOOKING SEASON!

2022 is finally here, and it’s time to move forward.  2020 sucked, and 2021 didn’t suck as much, but it still sucked because you really didn’t know, if our government was going to shut us down, or not.   Now, 2022 is here, and it looks as though Hawaii is finally open for good!  Just for the record, though, our Governor never really did shut down tourism for a second time, he just asked if tourists could stay home, when we went through our Delta surge.

So, let’s talk 2022, and what’s new…

PRICES AND INFLATION

As of now, I’m not raising prices for photography, video, minister, travel charges, or the wedding singer.  I did bump up the price of leis.  The Maile Lei went from $50 to $75…and the Bridal Lei from $35 to $60.   Yup, that’s how crazy it’s been.   If lei prices come down, I promise, I’ll drop the prices.   Just to let you know, gas prices here in Hawaii are hovering just below $5 for the cheap stuff.   A gallon of milk is $7 to $8!!!   Brisket is $5.99 a pound (usually $2.49).  What does this mean for you?   Well, everything will just be more expensive, especially if you’re planning a reception.   A healthy market, low cost of living, and competition, will always drive prices down.  I honestly want prices to go down as much as you!  Living in Hawaii is expensive!

OMICRON?  LOCKDOWN?  COVID RULES?  VAX CARDS?

As I write this, Omicron is spreading through the United States quickly.  It hit our islands hard right before Christmas, but numbers are leveling off.  After record cases of 4500 a day, we are now seeing a dramatic decline to 2600. Omicron hits hard, then disappears as quickly as it arrived.  But very few were hospitalized because of COVID, most were hospitalized with COVID.  The great thing is that in a study from South Africa, the antibodies produced by Omicron neutralized all other variants.  That’s pretty good news.  It could actually mean that COVID is coming to an end, and governments can stop ruining our lives in the name of “safety.”  I’m an optimist.  In 2022, I expect no lockdowns, no Covid rules, after the Omicron variant cases begin to take a nosedive.

Now, cases are going up.  Yet when I went to the movies yesterday, the entire theater was packed to 100%, there was no social distancing whatsoever!  And there is no threat from our government to install any more restrictions.

So, let’s talk weddings, covid, and travel:

• IN ORDER TO GET MARRIED IN HAWAII, YOU NEED TO BE VACCINATED – Isn’t that a stupid rule.  But, if you want to have a bbq on the beach, with the same people, no one needs to be vaccinated.  Does this make any sense?  Will I enforce this mandate, which is not a law?  Hmmmm.
• IF YOU’RE INDOORS YOU NEED TO BE MASKED – I’m a rebel.  It’s a rule that I rarely follow.
• IF YOU WANT TO DINE AT A RESTAURANT, GO TO THE MOVIES, OR HAVE FUN INDOORS, YOU NEED TO BE VAXED OR HAVE A NEGATIVE COVID TEST ON HAND – If you’re vaccinated, you just need to show a picture on your phone of your vax card, plus your ID, and you’re good to go
• IF YOU WANT TO FLY TO HAWAII, YOU NEED TO BE VAXED, OR PRODUCE A NEGATIVE COVID TEST – If you don’t have either, you will be required to quarantine for five days (down from ten)
• RIGHT NOW, I’M ONLY DOING WEDDINGS ON OAHU – The other islands just have too many crazy regulations.

INTERESTED IN A  HAWAII WEDDING?

Yeah, so getting married in Hawaii, let alone vacationing in Hawaii, comes with some rules thanks to our rather liberal and stupid government.  I’m sorry, I can’t do anything about most rules, but I can make your wedding as normal as possible.  In other words, I won’t be a mask nazi.

To get started, fill out my little form, so we can start a very candid dialogue:

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Steve Young

THE BIG MAN at Dream Weddings Hawaii

I pretty much do everything around here, from photography and video production, to the organization of all of my weddings. As you can see, I'm also the head writer too! If for some reason you can't reach me at my direct line, or my toll free number, feel free to hit me up on my company cell at (808) 479-0685. Call anytime...well, almost anytime. Don't call on Super Bowl Sunday or when the Philadelphia Eagles are playing!

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SHOULD YOU GET MARRIED IN HAWAII RIGHT NOW? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

On March 17, 2020 Today, our governor is:

• Directing all bars and clubs to close. Restaurants should go to take-out only, Ige said, and tour companies should limit or shut down operations immediately.
• Asking tourists to stay away for at least 30 days.
• Bolstering screening of cruise ship passengers, with temperature checks and questions about symptoms and recent travel. Airports would also be bolstering their procedures.
• Stopping all non-essential state travel, including inter-island travel. Those who do have to travel will have to go into self-isolation for 14 days.
• Directing all movie theaters, visitor attractions and places of worship to close.
• Closing all state libraries, parks, events at the State Capitol building, Aloha Stadium and Hawaii Convention Center.

This does suck but it’s what has to be done.

So, for the next month or so, at the minimum, Dream Weddings Hawaii will not be performing any weddings.   I will though, still be open, working from home, fixing photos, editing videos from past weddings, answering calls and emails.  If you have any questions, please feel free to get in contact with me.  We can still plan for your future Hawaii wedding because this will not last forever.

Be safe everyone!

Author information

Steve Young

THE BIG MAN at Dream Weddings Hawaii

I pretty much do everything around here, from photography and video production, to the organization of all of my weddings. As you can see, I'm also the head writer too! If for some reason you can't reach me at my direct line, or my toll free number, feel free to hit me up on my company cell at (808) 479-0685. Call anytime...well, almost anytime. Don't call on Super Bowl Sunday or when the Philadelphia Eagles are playing!

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Do not think for a second, everyone will enjoy your Hawaii Wedding

KIDS AND HAWAII WEDDINGS

Put a kid in a sandbox three miles wide, add a swimming pool that stretches to the horizon, and then tell him they can’t play in it.  Yes, getting kids to enjoy your wedding, let alone, behave at your wedding, is always a challenge, but not impossible.  The great thing about kids at weddings, almost anything they do make for great photos.  Here’s a few photos my last few months make for great memories.

No matter what their age, kids tend to never enjoy seeing their parents make-out.   I also say that as a grown adult….haha

So the flower girl on the very far left didn’t want to cooperate for her aunt’s wedding photo.   Not a big deal.  The photo still came out great.  She did cooperate with the pose for the next shot, but honestly, it wasn’t as fun.

This photo is not a picture of a child misbehaving, but actually of a child being able to take art direction really well.  Yes, this is 100% staged. 

This couple was well prepared to deal with their baby while they got married.  They brought all of her toys, and food.  She was right at home while her parents got married.

Watch as father and mother juggle their baby, from one to another, during their wedding ceremony.

If you’re looking for a singular remedy on how to deal with your baby during your ceremony, I have to  apologize, because I have none.  There really is no right or wrong answer to this.  You know your child better than others.  Maybe you bring toys, maybe you incorporate them into the ceremony.  Perhaps, you don’t even bring them to your wedding (I know that is a real popular option).

One thing I do find fascinating these days is that the “norm” these days for a couple is to have their baby first, buy a house, live a little, and then finally, to sit down and get married.   Almost all of my couples are very apologetic for what they say is the “nontraditional route.”  Non-traditional?   If anything, at the current moment, it’s the tradition to do everything backwards.

Author information

Steve Young

THE BIG MAN at Dream Weddings Hawaii

I pretty much do everything around here, from photography and video production, to the organization of all of my weddings. As you can see, I'm also the head writer too! If for some reason you can't reach me at my direct line, or my toll free number, feel free to hit me up on my company cell at (808) 479-0685. Call anytime...well, almost anytime. Don't call on Super Bowl Sunday or when the Philadelphia Eagles are playing!

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