Elope in Big Island

The Big Island is the largest of the Hawaiian islands, with more surface area than all of the other islands combined. The island is home to the Kilauea volcano, the largest and most active volcano in Hawaii, as well as many beautiful waterfalls, tropical valleys, and white, black, and green sand beaches. There is no shortage of beauty and activity with a Big Island elopement package.

Check out what happens after you book your elopement with us

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Why is Big Island awesome

1

Home to the largest and most active volcano in Hawaii, your elopement won’t experience a shortage of excitement!

2

Beautiful waterfalls and tropical valleys will shower your ceremony in warm, sultry vibes on the largest Hawaiian island.

3

White, black, and green sand beaches lie in beauty, like a glorious sunset perfect for the first kiss as newlyweds.

Places to Elope in Big Island

Pine Trees Beach

If you’re looking for a beach that has a mix of black rock, sand and trees, Pine Trees beach is the spot for you. Finding...

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Your own dream venue

We can come to you. Do you have a great venue or even an awesome backyard? We can help you find vendors for nearly anywhere in the country

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Captain Cook Bay

How romantic does this sound: have your ceremony on the little inlet of Captain Cook Bay, rent a sea kayak, get caught in a pod...

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Kiholo

If you prefer sea turtles as an audience rather than people on-lookers, we recommend Kiholo Bay. A bit of a trek to get there, but...

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Puako

North of Kona, this stretch of beach is a great spot for an intimate elopement. You won’t be bothered by onslaughts of tourists and the...

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Kukio Beach

Kukio Beach is a gorgeous strip of white sand on the West Side of the Big Island. It’s perfect for your quiet, intimate ceremony.

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Big Island Elopement Packages

Our Big Island elopement packages will help you elope easily and affordably!

Elope to Big Island

Wildflower Experience

How about a dreamy adventure elopement?

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Add-Ons

You can optionally add any of the following services to your package:

Flowers

Brighten your big day with our unique floral arrangements

Hair & Makeup

  • Starting at $650

Look your very best on the big day by hiring one of our artists!

Extra Photography

  • Starting at $700

Capture every perfect moment by adding hours of photography to your package

Engagement Shoot

  • Starting at $950

Every moment leading up to your day is special; book us for your engagement shoot!

On-Site Helper

  • Starting at $550

Hire our crew to stream or take cell phone photos/videos on your day

Relationship Coaching

Strengthen and improve your relationship with our professionals coach

Violin

  • Starting at $439

Music makes everything more memorable. Book our musician today!

Add videography to your Big Island elopement

Starting at $1,800

Our videography package comes with an edited 1 – 2 minute highlight reel (perfect for sharing on socials!), as well as a longform, minimally edited film of the full ceremony.

Simply Eloped has been seen in

Overall, the best company and the best experience all around. Thank you for helping us get married!

Rebekah and Andrew
Rebekah and Andrew

Everything was wonderful, thank you!

Sylvia and Shayan
Sylvia and Shayan

We had such an amazing ceremony—thank you thank you thank you!

Abby and Nathan
Abby and Nathan

I can’t thank Simply Eloped enough! You all made our elopement so special. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Kristi and Shane
Kristi and Shane

Thanks again for providing a great service. It was simple and easy. Our ceremony was exactly how we wanted it to be.

Sarah and Wesley
Sarah and Wesley

Thank you for such an organized and easy process. 🙂

Samantha and Jeffrey
Samantha and Jeffrey

The island of Hawaii was such a magical place to elope. The valley, our officiant, photographer, and florist were a perfect match for us. I don’t know how you guys do it! 10/10 would elope again! 😀 Many thanks!

Jessica and Daniel
Jessica and Daniel

Our Team

Amber
Amber
Customer Experience Manager
Jamie
Jamie
Photographer
Samantha
Samantha
Photographer
Ana
Ana
Officiant
Tracey
Tracey
Photographer
Bea
Bea
Photographer
Tom
Tom
Officiant
Paul
Paul
Videographer
Daniel
Daniel
Ukulele
Amber
Amber
Customer Experience Manager
Jamie
Jamie
Photographer
Samantha
Samantha
Photographer
Ana
Ana
Officiant
Tracey
Tracey
Photographer
Bea
Bea
Photographer
Tom
Tom
Officiant
Paul
Paul
Videographer
Daniel
Daniel
Ukulele

How to Elope on Big Island

The Big Island, also called the island of Hawai’i, is appropriately named—it’s huge, with ample options for the perfect elopement or small wedding. For couples that love adventure, the Big Island has it all, from waterfalls to remote beaches (black sands, white sands, and even one of the only green sand beaches in the world). There are also tropical valleys for hiking and calm waters where you can snorkel alongside 18-foot Manta Rays or dolphins. Buildings taller than coconut trees are also prohibited on the island, giving everywhere you go a small-town feel.

With just about every type of scenery and weather pattern—the Big Island boasts 11 of the world’s 13 climate zones—your elopement is guaranteed to have epic photos, whether you want rainforest, beach, black volcanic rock, or even snow! Unlike Oahu or Maui, the Big Island has lots of space and few tourists, as well as Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, multiple historical sites and wildlife refuges, and one national historical trail. The Big Island also boasts five volcanoes, including the largest (Mauna Loa), tallest (Mauna Kea), and most active (Kilauea) in the world.

With so much going on though, planning a Big Island elopement can get overwhelming pretty fast. There’s little nightlife on the Big Island, especially outside of the tourist hub of Kona, so couples that are early to bed and early to rise enjoy it most. Because things are spread out, couples looking to elope on the Big Island should also maintain a road trip mentality and account for renting a car. This guide will help you choose where to get married on the Big Island, ensure your Big Island elopement is legal, and help you budget for your big day.

What are the best beaches for a small Big Island wedding?

All four of these Big Island beach locations are intimate and ideal for a small wedding or elopement. They also all require permits, something which Simply Eloped is happy to coordinate if you book one of our Big Island elopement packages.

Pine Trees Beach
This beach has a stunning mix of black rock, white sands, ocean, and trees (ironically, there are no pine trees though, just mangroves). A favorite among local surfers for its consistent waves, this beach is easy to get to from Kona and is on the west side of the island, meaning it’s ideal for a sunset ceremony. Note that although this beach has a small paved parking lot, there aren’t any restrooms on-site.

Captain Cook Bay or Kealakekua Bay
Located on the west shore of the Big Island, this is the spot for adventurous couples looking to elope. Home to a spectacular reef, this location has a ton of stuff to see below water as well as on land. We recommend having your ceremony on the little inlet of Captain Cook Bay then renting a sea kayak and getting caught in a pod of dolphins (which of course you’ll have to hop out of the kayak to swim with).

Kiholo
Despite requiring a bit of a drive from most places on the island, this north shore location is great for couples craving a secluded ceremony. If you want black sand beaches and sea turtles, this is the place! On your way to Kiholo, there’s also a scenic overlook at Mile Marker #82 on Highway 19 with a panoramic view of the coast. Note that for this location, you’ll want to make sure you have a 4×4 car and that you book your permit more than 45 days in advance.

Puako
This beach, located on the northwest shore of the Big Island, has black rocks strewn amongst the sand. Ideal for an intimate elopement, Puako doesn’t see a lot of tourists. Plus, the snorkeling here is amazing. This region, the Waikoloa, is also among the driest of all the Hawaiian Islands, receiving just 10 inches of rain a year and the most sunshine. Nearby is the Puako petroglyph field, where you can see more than 3,000 ancient rock drawings.

Can I have a waterfall elopement on the Big Island?

There are beautiful waterfalls all over the Big Island, however, the east side’s falls tend to be larger since it receives more rainfall. Although there are a handful of waterfalls that don’t require a hike in, those are the ones often crowded with tourists. Different waterfalls will also require different permits, so keep that in mind when planning your waterfall wedding. You’ll also need to secure a photographer and officiant who are willing to make the trek with you.

A great option for a waterfall elopement on the Big Island is The Falls at Reed’s Island, located a mile from downtown Hilo. A private, upscale vacation rental, this three-bedroom house is surrounded by rainforest and situated adjacent to one of Hawaii’s most beautiful waterfalls. While there is no additional cost for weddings, there is a minimum stay of four nights required (it books up fast). Folding chairs, round tables, and linens are available for guest use, which is limited to 25 people (12 or less if you want to hold a reception on the property).

What makes a Big Island elopement legal?

For a legal elopement on the Big Island, you’ll need a permit for your beach ceremony site, a Hawaiian marriage license, and a registered officiant, reverend, or celebrant to conduct the ceremony. To obtain a marriage license, you’ll need an ID—state-issued or a passport works (you don’t have to be a US citizen to elope in Hawai’i)—and a copy of a divorce decree if either you or your partner have previously been married. Typically, you’d begin the process of obtaining a Hawaiian marriage license online but would still need to make an appointment to obtain a physical copy in-person. Due to Covid-19, however, this entire process has been made virtual.

The total application fee for a Hawaiian marriage license is $65 and it’s crucial that you receive your marriage license prior to your ceremony—your officiant signing it is what makes the whole thing legal! If you book one of our Big Island elopement packages we have a team who can help answer any questions. The state of Hawai’i doesn’t require witnesses, making it an ideal location for your two-person elopement.

For more advice, check out our comprehensive guide to eloping in Hawaii.

What time of year is best for a Big Island elopement?

The best time to visit Hawaii’s Big Island is between September and November, as that’s when room rates tend to be at their lowest. Throughout the year, temperatures remain in the high 70s or low 80s, so there’s not really a bad time to visit. If you like to surf, however, you may want to visit during the busy season, from December to March, as that’s when the waves are best. The sunniest skies and the best beach weather can be found on the west side of the island along the Kohala Coast, while the east side of the island, where Hilo is located, is known as the “wet side.”

What does it cost to get married on the Big Island?

You can save money depending on when you decide to elope on the Big Island, as well as what flight deals you can get. Accommodation is likely to be your biggest expense, so we recommend forgoing hotels and resorts in favor of an Airbnb or VRBO. When budgeting, don’t forget to include miscellaneous items like your marriage license fee, permit fee, rental car, and any other travel fees your officiant or photographer might require. On average, one week on the Big Island usually costs around $1,443 per person.

Our Big Island elopement packages are priced affordably from $500 for a basic ceremony, which includes an officiant and help coordinating logistics, to $3,525 for our top-end package. We also offer a range of options in between with a la carte add-ons like additional photography, videography, or flowers (our standard Hawaiian arrangements typically run from $40 for the boutonniere to $200 for a Haku, or a thick Hawaiian-style flower crown). If you have a location in mind already, we can always provide an officiant and photographer.

Want to know more about what there is to do on Big Island, including some of our favorite guiding outfits and restaurants? Check out our guide to the Hawaiian Islands.

Kiran Herbert

Article written by

Kiran Herbert

Kiran Herbert is an elopement officiant and writer who takes pride in making all of her ceremonies magical. Kiran grew up around the world but having spent a year living in national parks, she’s convinced that the U.S. is the most beautiful.

Reading corner

Read the real stories of couples that eloped in Big Island!

Rather than having a traditional wedding, Amanda and Marc wanted to elope privately – and they did so in a big way. Wanting to have an adventure in a dream location, these two lovebirds chose to tie the knot on Big Island’s Kiholo Bay, Hawaii on February 22, 2020, and their wedding photos make it clear they got what they wanted! Scroll through to see their intimate beach elopement, followed by the dreamiest sunset you’ll ever see. Read all about their love story – and their experience with Simply Eloped – below!

HOW DID YOU MEET? WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF ONE ANOTHER?

Amanda: We met in college through a mutual friend of ours. We saw each other several times and always found new things in common with each other when we talked. I thought Marc was hilarious and fun to be around.

Marc: We met at NC State University because one of my closest friends was her R.A. I thought she was extremely cute and smart.

 

WHEN DID YOU FIRST FALL IN LOVE? HOW DID YOU KNOW?

We fell in love in the spring after we had been dating for a couple of months. We just had so much fun together and I felt comfortable being myself around him. I had butterflies every time we were together and I knew I was in love. M: A couple of months after we started dating I told her I loved her because I knew there was no one I’d rather be with.

 

HOW DID YOU PROPOSE OR ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL?

There was not an official proposal because we were always sure that we were going to elope somewhere. We did not want a huge traditional wedding so we waited until we had the time to go on a dream vacation instead. Marc proposed the idea of a Hawaiian elopement and I was immediately on board!

 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR PARTNER?

Amanda: Marc is an adventurous person and he is always willing to try new things with me. I feel completely myself around him and he is always encouraging me to succeed. I love that we are both close to our families. We grew a lot together in the seven years before we got married.

Marc: I love that Amanda is smart, caring, compassionate, and fun to be around. She challenges me to better myself every day.

 

WHAT IS THE GREATEST STRENGTH OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP?

Amanda: Marc and I have a lot in common but we both push each other outside our comfort zones in a good way! I know that life with him will always be fun and interesting. We have built a lot of trust with each other.

Marc: I always have a partner that I can turn to for anything.

Why did you decide to elope? 

We decided to elope for the adventure of it! Instead of a traditional wedding, we wanted our wedding to be a dream vacation for the two of us. Our elopement was private and beautiful, and a big advantage was that there was absolutely no stress that came from planning or organizing an event.

 

HOW DID YOU FIND SIMPLY ELOPED?

We looked at a large number of elopement packages online in the months before we wanted to get married. Simply Eloped looked like the most professional company while still being at an affordable price.

 

HOW DID YOU KNOW SIMPLY ELOPED WAS THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU?

I reached out to customer service and they were able to specifically answer all of my questions before I chose Simply Eloped. The reviews and pictures on their website sealed the deal for me!

 

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE VENUE YOU ELOPED AT? 

We eloped at Kiholo Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii. First, the scenery stood out to us. Kiholo Bay is a secluded black sand beach where Hawaiian wildlife is often found. As we were being married, whales swam in towards the bay and it was one of the most beautiful things we have ever seen.

 

WHAT ACTIVITIES DID YOU DO BEFORE THE WEDDING? HOW DID YOU PREPARE? HOW DID YOU FEEL LEADING UP TO THE MOMENTS OF YOUR ELOPEMENT? 

We got married on the second day of our trip to Hawaii! However, before the wedding we were able to squeeze in some activities. We went snorkeling at Two Step beach where we saw sea turtles and tropical fish, and we hiked around Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park. We got married in the evening as the sun set so we had time to dress at the hotel before we left for Kiholo Bay. Before the elopement we were both very excited but it felt peaceful. This was exactly how we wanted to start our marriage.

 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH SIMPLY ELOPED LEADING UP TO AND ON YOUR BIG DAY!

Simply Eloped had everything planned out perfectly. We didn’t have to worry about anything and everyone was super friendly. Our Officiant, Tom Fernandez, gave a beautiful speech and explained the history of the beach we got married on. Our photographer Lei Conradt was both professional and friendly. She helped coach us through our first time being professionally photographed and she gave us memories that will last forever.

 

HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE AFTER?

After the wedding we watched the sunset and ate a Hawaiian seafood meal by the beach. We had two weeks left on the Big Island and explored a new section every day, from Volcanoes National Park, to Waipi’o Valley.

 

WHAT WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT DO YOU HAVE FOR THOSE CONSIDERING ELOPING?

Marc: Go for it! We are planning a family celebration eventually.

Amanda: I recommend eloping to almost everyone. This was the perfect way to start our marriage and I wouldn’t have changed a thing about our elopement!

Planning: Simply Eloped
Officiation: Tom Fernandez
Photographer: Lei Conradt

 

Kat and Dan are the kind of couple that felt eloping just made sense to them. Not wanting to sort through all the little details of a traditional wedding, the pair wanted the focus to be solely on their love and knew that eloping was the perfect option. They have a huge passion for traveling and wanted to experience something extra-special for their big day – and what could be more special than a dreamy sunset elopement in Hawaii? Their first trip as a couple was to Hawaii – but they both had never traveled to Big Island, so they instantly knew that’s where they wanted to celebrate their wedding day! On March 8, 2020, Kat and Dan were married at Pine Trees Beach and had the ceremony of their dreams. Read all about their love story and their Hawaiian elopement experience below!

How did you meet? What was your first impression of one another?

Kat: We met on OKCupid. Our first date consisted of meeting up at Starbucks in the freezing cold one random day in March. Dan ended up getting an iced coffee, and I thought he was insane! Somehow, Dan roped me into seeing a movie with him, whereas the date was only supposed to consist of a coffee date! I thought he had a great toothy grin, and loved to talk about things that were important to him. I was just glad I wasn’t the only one who had to speak! After the movie ended, we went our separate ways. I declined dinner (the date was already extended as is!) and called my mother. I never called my mother after dates, but this felt different. Dan thought I was cute, and loved that we had very similar interests. Our personalities based on our conversations seemed to balance each other out, but also brought out the best in one another.

Dan:We meet with the help from a dating app and her taking the first step. From the first date, I knew she had a strong drive and she knew how to get what she wanted. On our first date, she didn’t judge me for my iced coffee on a cold winter day. We just clicked.

 

When did you first fall in love? How did you know?

Kat: I believe I started falling in love when we started going up to Dan’s family country house in Massachusetts. We would go hiking, cook together, and explore the surrounding area. The fact that we went on our first overnight away trip 5 weeks into the relationship seemed to be a good sign! I also saw how selfless he was (i.e. stopping in the middle of the road to move a tree branch so no other car would need to stop, or going to hang out with his elderly neighbor for a drink to make sure that he wasn’t lonely after his wife passed away). Most importantly, it was the little things. He made sure I was laughing. I think I realized I was in love with him coming back from a bar one night and walking along the beach. He’d always reach for my hand and would constantly be making me giggle.

Dan: I first started to fall in love with Kat after our first trip to a family house in a rural area. We went on a hike and had an amazing time, and we just clicked. Our conversation was unique and we acted like we’ve been together for a long time.

 

How did you propose or accept the proposal?

Kat: I had no idea the proposal was coming that night! I had an inkling it would happen that weekend as we’d barely get away on weekends due to our jobs. We had gone out to dinner earlier, and we had to stop by a store to get ace bandages because I had ended up fracturing my foot. He bandaged up my foot in the parking lot and we drove home. He asked me to stay in the car as he went to turn on the deck lights for halloween. He then carried me out of the car, (almost dropped me), and set me down. He asked me to take a photo of the deck, and as I went to take the photo, he got down on one knee! I was in shock! We talked about it, but I didn’t know it was going to happen that night! I started crying and asking him if he was sure. While we were both laughing and crying, I definitely said yes.

Dan: Hilarious story. Kat loves Halloween and I had just bought some inflatable dragons and set them up on the deck! Her real ring didn’t come in yet because of a delay while customizing it, so I ordered a costume ring that looked close to the real one. When the [costume] ring arrived, we went out for dinner. I had the ring in my pocket the entire dinner. Kat couldn’t walk because of an ankle injury, so when we got home, I carried her across the lawn laughing. I gave her my phone to take the picture of the Halloween decorations as I bent down to propose. The picture didn’t come out, but she started to cry from happiness. She said yes, I put the stand-in ring on, and told her there was a catch: the real ring isn’t here yet!  It was so “us” because we are very spontaneous, in-the-moment people and we don’t get hung up on material things. We just enjoyed the moment!

 

What do you love about your partner?

Kat: I love how Dan is always trying to make me laugh and to make sure that we are both having a great time. He goes out of his way to do the little things … He helps anyone he can, even if it gets him home later at night. But most of all, I love how when he touches my hand or we snuggle up, I forget all my stressors in the world.

Dan: Kat’s lovely smile when she sees cute little animals and her little squeaks when she sees the smallest of insects. She has a strong will and has the ability to reel me in when my ego gets the best of me when I do something amazing at work. Our debates about our professional lives bring some interesting stares from our waiters and I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world. At the end of the day, she is my snuggle bunny.

What is the greatest strength of your relationship?

Kat: Dan and I are very similar in what our values are and our interests, but we are also very different. We are both supportive of what each other does, but at the end of the day, we make sure that we make ourselves the priority. We have been told that we flow so well that people assume we’ve been together for forever.

 

Why did you decide to elope?

Kat: I did not want to pay for a big wedding and still have someone [at the wedding] be upset. I also did not want to choose silly details such as napkin colors, etc. We wanted a small affair that was about us and who we were, instead of focusing on what everyone else thought should happen. We also loved traveling, so we wanted to incorporate that into our wedding.

 

How did you find Simply Eloped?

Gotta love Google!

 

How did you know Simply Eloped was the right fit for you?

We knew Simply Eloped was the right fit for us because it had everything we were looking for. Flowers, hair, make up, officiant – all the work was done for us! I’d email asking crazy questions where to get married, or which location was better, and they helped me through it all. The price also allowed us to put the money away where it really mattered: a home for our future.

 

What attracted you to the venue you eloped at?

Dan and I have always loved adventures and travel, and we really LOVED Hawaii. Our first trip as a couple was to Hawaii by coincidence. We had never been to Big Island before (it was the last island on our Hawaiian to-do list!) and we decided, why not! Let’s do it! It was thrilling to plan something knowing there were going to be surprises (although sometimes stressful), but chatting with Simply Eloped helped! We wanted a wedding that was about us, but not a beach or a traditional wedding. Pine Trees Beach gave me a lava aisle to have my father walk me down, and the photographs were beyond amazing.

 

What activities did you do before the wedding? How did you prepare? How did you feel leading up to the moments of your elopement?

We did the typical snorkeling with Manta Rays, eating everything and anything to our hearts content, as well as traveling all over the island to soak in the views. The day of the wedding, we all went out for breakfast overlooking the ocean. After breakfast, we drove down to the beach and just enjoyed the views. We had considered spending the night apart, but we realized that yes, while it was tradition, nothing about us was traditional. We began house hunting before we even became engaged! Once we got back to our rental, Dan went to get ready with his brother and mom, while I stayed with my parents and got my hair and make up done. The make up artist did a phenomenal job! She made sure I knew what was going on, and that it was part of my vision (lets be honest, i just asked for flowers in my hair!). She gave me the most amazing updo, and the make up I still wish I could recreate to this day!

 

Tell us about your experience with Simply Eloped leading up to and on your big day!

Simply Eloped was great at having everything all in one place. Hair? Check. Flowers? Check. Make up? Check. Paperwork? Check. They were fabulous at responding to emails, and are great at choosing an “Instagram photo-worthy” location.

 

How did you celebrate after?

After taking fabulous and adventurous photos with our photographer Lei, we drove up the Island to Merriman’s, one of Hawaii’s best restaurants, to celebrate with the few people that attended our wedding: my parents, his mom and his brother. We had ordered a wedding cake from a fabulous baker, and had it delivered to the restaurant. While it wasn’t the typical traditional wedding, it was perfect for us.

 

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Getting married is about you and your partner. We wanted to honor our families in our engagement, so we had an engagement dinner that was a fraction of the cost, but also a fraction of the stress! Remember, it’s about you. Make sure that the both of you are happy, as it’s your life. We found out who really cared for us and how supportive they were when they let us do “us.”

Officiant: Tom Fernandez
Photographer: Lei Conradt
Big Island Hair & Makeup

Flowers: Nicco Designs

Updated: November 6th, 2023

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