As the the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel starts shining on us all, you may be planning your dream wedding, or finally able to have the wedding that you pushed off all year. Maui, Hawaii now allows visitors to enter upon receiving a negative COVID test. This means you can host your Maui, Hawaii destination wedding during COVID! We will give you some tips, tricks and information to make life easier while planning your big day.

Why have a destination wedding?

Having a destination wedding allows for all of your loved ones to be in the same place together. Not only this, but you are in an exciting destination! You have your absolute favorite people to make and share new memories with. You can even combine your honeymoon with your destination wedding! Once having your beautiful wedding in Maui, Hawaii, now you can enjoy the island or even island hop to have a romantic honeymoon getaway, Hawaiian style.

Some couples choose a certain destination because it is where they met, or their favorite place to travel to. Others choose a destination based on the beauty of the destination, their culture or where they grew up. Many destination weddings have a smaller guest list, which ends up making the reception more affordable and intimate with your closest friends and family. Plus, there is something very exciting about getting whisked away and married in paradise!

Is Maui, Hawaii the perfect location for a wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic?

YES! In our opinion, it has been a special place, this entire year. Although the pandemic has extremely impacted our economy, it was also a historical time for our local residents.
We experienced Hawaii with little to no tourists. This meant empty beaches and zero traffic! I cannot remember the last time I saw the beaches without foot prints. Now more than ever this is still a great time to have a wedding in paradise! As there is some effort involved in traveling here, many people choose to stay in the comfort of their homes and wait out the pandemic.  YOU can have a special and unforgettable destination wedding, while supporting the local economy that has been waiting to reopen for almost a year.

As many people have rescheduled their weddings and many place destinations are not allowing large weddings at this time or even entry into their region, it is important to book the venue that you have dreamed of, and the vendors that you want!

Getting tested for Covid-19 before traveling to Hawaii

Currently on Mach 31st 2021 Hawaii travel restrictions require documentation of a negative COVID-19 test (even if you have already been vaccinated) in order to avoid a quarantine. (Please check with the current requirements through the safe travels link below)

This test must be Hawaii State Approved from one of the “trusted testing and travel partners”. Hawaii only accepts the Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT). No testing is provided at the airport. You must have your results by the time you board your flight to Hawaii. Follow steps 1-4 to assist you in traveling to Hawaii.

1. Register with the Safe Travels program online
2. Take NAAT State approved test 72 hours before your flight to Hawaii.
3. Upload the PDF version of your results to your Safe Travels account. Make sure to print out your results as well for the arrival line at the airport.
4. 24 hours before your flight, take the health questionnaire in your Safe Travels account. Save the QR code assigned to you for arrival purposes.

-Travelers of all ages are subject to pre-testing

-Individuals are responsible for the costs which are minimal

-After getting tested, please practice safe measures so that you can help us keep our islands safe!

-If you do not take the test 3 days before traveling, you will be subject to a 10 day quarantine upon arrival.

-Results are not ready by the time you leave? Then upon arriving in Hawaii you must quarantine for the duration of your stay

-Make sure you closely read and follow all instructions very specifically and everything will be smooth sailing…or actually smooth flying

*We recommend doing a secondary COVID-19 test after a couple of days upon your arrival to Hawaii. This helps reduce the spread, keeping everyone safe.

Bottom line, make sure to get a COVID-19 test before traveling so that you can enjoy Hawaii!

It is time to get planning! Your dream wedding no longer needs to be put on hold! Now that you know about how to have a Hawaii destination wedding during Covid, you can be ready for some fun! Check out our article that goes more into depth about what it’s like to travel to Hawaii during a pandemic.

If you are looking for the perfect cocktail catering services for your wedding or a personal bartender for an over the top personal tiki cocktail happy hour, we have got you covered! Aloha Bars is a full service cocktail catering company. We create delicious handcrafted cocktails,tropical beverages and experiences for guests of all ages to enjoy. Check out our website or instagram to learn more and book your wedding or private event with us!

Chocolatini Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

How to make it:

Blueberry Mint Cocktail

Ingredients:

How to make it:

Saint Patricks Day started as a religious celebration in the 17th Century to commemorate the life of Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. This “feast day” always took place on the anniversary of the death of Saint Patrick, which was believed to be March 17th. Now a days, this holiday is known for gathering with your friends, wearing green if you don’t want to get pinched, and celebrating by having a drink… or 5! There are many different types of special Saint Paddy’s day drinks. People all across the U.S. will be looking for the perfect beverage to enjoy, so read here to see the five most popular Saint Patricks day cocktail drinks.

Irish Coffee:

Now, coffee cocktails are a direct jolt of caffeine and booze. This makes it a perfect drink to start or end the night! Irish coffee is a classic coffee mixed drink. With the combination of sweetened coffee, Irish Whiskey, and whipped cream, this delicious yet cozy drink is very easy to make!

Step 1: Warm Your mugs. Let hot water sit in your glass mugs, and then pour it out.

Step 2: Dissolve brown sugar in hot coffee and then add the whiskey. Granulated sugar is ok too, but the caramel and molasses from the brown sugar will pair well with the whiskey.

Step 3: Add your whipped cream! Home made whipped cream will make for the best texture. Pour into your drink and it is ready to be served!

Baileys Irish Floats

These make for a killer combination that doubles as a dessert and cocktail. Definitely do not hold back on the chocolate syrup with these drinks!

Ingredients:
6 Scoops Vanilla Ice cream
1 cups Guinness Beer
1/2 cup Baileys Irish cream
1/4 cup Chocolate syrup

Start by scooping 3 scoops of ice cream each into two tall glasses. Pour 1 cup Guinness beer and 1/4 cup Baileys over each serving. Drizzle with chocolate syrup and serve right away! Yummy!

Shamrock Sour Cocktail

This drink is so delicious that it might actually become your Saint Patricks day beverage!

Ingredients:
-2 tablespoons lime juice
-1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
-1/4 cup simple syrup
-2 ounces Irish whiskey
-1 tiny drop of green food coloring
-lime wedges for garnish

Once you gather all of the ingredients, combine them and shake well, then strain over ice. Now garnish with a lime wedge and cute shamrock stirrer and they are ready to drink!

Green Apple Sangria

A perfectly refreshing beverage! If sangria is one of your favorite things to drink, then you will want to try this recipe.

Ingredients:
-White wine
-Ginger ale, sparkling water or club soda (for the bubbles)
-Granny Smith apples

Now, slice the apples into pieces and stick them at the bottom of your pitcher. Next, pour in the whole bottle of wine. Then pour in a bottle of ginger ale. Mix and chill for a couple of hours before serving. Cheers!

Irish Mint Mojito

A mojito is a Cuban cocktail that is usually made with rum, sugar, or simple syrup, mint, and soda water. Although there are hundreds of different ways to make a mojito, we are actually going to use Irish Whiskey in this recipe!

Ingredients:
-Granulated sugar
-Water
-Fresh Mint leaves
-Limes
-Irish Whiskey
-Crushed ice
-Tonic water or ginger ale
-Lime slices for garnish

Step 1: Prepare a simple syrup by combining sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil until it dissolves and thickens. Remove from heat and let cool

Step 2: Place mint leaves in a cocktail shaker along with lime wedges and syrup. Muddle the leaves with a wooden spoon. Add Irish whiskey and fill the shaker with ice. Shake for 30 seconds and pour into prepared glasses.

Step 3: Top each cocktail with a splash of tonic water or ginger ale. Serve with additional lime wedges if desired. Enjoy!

Now that you know the five most popular Saint Patricks day cocktail drinks, you will be prepared to make one this coming holiday!
Test one of these recipes out with your friends or family. Let us know how you like them in the comments below, or tag us on instagram.