Casual Same Sex Hawaii Wedding On A Boat

This couple pulled off a Hawaii wedding on a boat with rather a small budget

This couple pulled off a Hawaii wedding on a boat with rather a small budget

Kaitlyn and JoAnna knew a few things while planning their wedding: they wanted the wedding to be lovely but causal, and they wanted to celebrate their love with kisses and cocktails alongside their closest friends and family. When tasked with planning such an event, they easily settled on a location: a boat in the Pacific Ocean. Because when you live in Hawaii… why not?

With a planned budget of $10,000 (and an actual budget of approximately $15,000), the pair planned their wedding down to the teeth—while simultaneously planning a three-week honeymoon in New Zealand. One money-saving trick? Use what you have. Kaitlyn and JoAnna used their resources (a boat that barely needed any decor) and Kate’s DIY know-how (she made small mason jar centerpieces and wooden signage for the after party). The boat was spruced up with a few strings of faux flowers.

The brides chose different gowns for the wedding: one was rocking a strapless mermaid wedding dress with a ruffled skirt, and the second prefered a thick strap wedding dress with a keyhole back. They both wore relaxed accessories of different shades to highlight that it’s a casual affair.

Choosing to keep the guest list small by not inviting second cousins and great aunts was a key detail in saving money and only having the people closest to the couple at the ceremony. There was no wedding planner, when it was time to decorate the boat, set up the after party, and bake cookies (and so on), willing members of the guest list helped with the details.

At the end of the day, the wedding was exactly what they wanted: a close time with family and friends, and hours of celebrating the two of them.

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One bride was rocking a thick strap lace wedding gown, various boho accessories and showed off her tattoos

One bride was rocking a thick strap lace wedding gown, various boho accessories and showed off her tattoos

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Her keyhole back was accentuated with a back necklace for a chic look

Her keyhole back was accentuated with a back necklace for a chic look

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The decond bride prefered a strapless wedding dress with a ruffled skirt

The decond bride prefered a strapless wedding dress with a ruffled skirt

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All the guests were invited to a boat to have fun together

All the guests were invited to a boat to have fun together

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The ceremony also took place on a boat decorated with faux flowers

The ceremony also took place on a boat decorated with faux flowers

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These wedding photos look stunning and adorable, they are very romantic

These wedding photos look stunning and adorable, they are very romantic

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The guests made a part of the cookies and treats to help the couple save the money

The guests made a part of the cookies and treats to help the couple save the money

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Tropical flowers in hair and necklaces completed the bridal looks the best way possible

Tropical flowers in hair and necklaces completed the bridal looks the best way possible

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The couple also planned a three-week honeymoon in New Zealand and saved the budget for this honey moon

The couple also planned a three-week honeymoon in New Zealand and saved the budget for this honey moon