How to Plan a Dream Elopement on the Big Island

Ever wonder what it takes to plan the perfect elopement in Hawaii? In this blog post, we’ll talk all things planning to help you create your dream big island elopement!

Planning Your Big Island Elopement

When you start your Big Island elopement planning, there are a few factors you want to consider:

1. What kind of location feels right for you and your partner?
2. What time of year, time of the week, and time of day make sense for your elopement?
3. What permits and licenses are required to make your dream big island elopement a reality?
4. What vendors should you choose for your big day?

Choosing the Perfect Location

The first thing you’ll want to consider when you start your Big Island elopement planning is what kind of backdrop you want to have for your day. The best thing about the big island is how ecologically diverse the island is. We have every micro climate here except a tundra! You could potentially say your vows on the snow-capped Mauna Kea and pop a bottle of champagne on the warm beach in the same day!

Do you and your partner want a chill day with gorgeous beach views, an epic hike near volcanoes, or a combination of both? You really can have the best of both worlds on the Big Island of Hawai’i!

Once you have an idea of the kind of location or locations that feel just right for you and your partner, you’ll want to consider timing; the time of year, time of the week, and time of day. Peak tourist times on the Big Island are during March, June-August after Thanksgiving-New Year. This means the island will be most crowded and lodging, airfare, rental cars, etc. are going to be the most expensive during those times.

_{Source: Hawai’i Tourism Authority}

If none of those factors are important to you and your partner, you might choose the summer months because it tends to be warmer. But maybe you would like to see snow on the peak of Mauna Kea during your visit. If so, January and February may be the best time for your nuptials. Or maybe you’re going to choose a month that makes the most sense based on your lifestyle and work schedule. Whatever time of year you decide to visit, you can’t go wrong.

The next thing to consider is time of the week and time of the day for your nuptials. Much of this depends on the type of visual backdrop you are most drawn to for your Big Island elopement, but in general, the middle of the week tends to be the least crowded for beaches and parks. Again, the visual backdrop you are after will help you to determine the best time of day to say “I Do”.

Working with local vendor(s) to help you in your Big Island elopement planning process will be key in making decisions about your ideal time and location(s).

Essential Permits and Licenses

One of the best things about Hawaii is that the beaches are all public! With that, your Hawaii elopement photographer will apply for a permit for the beach that you have chosen to get married at. The flip side of public beaches is that we are technically not supposed to ask the public to move for your elopement. Most people have the aloha spirit and move away if they see a wedding taking place or a couple taking wedding photos.

Each couple getting married will need a marriage license through the Hawaii Department of Health. The cost of the marriage license is $65 and is valid for a period of 30 days. Once you apply for your your marriage license, you and your spouse will need to meet in person with an agent with photo IDs.

A few things to note about getting a Hawaii marriage license:

1. There is no waiting period – as soon as you have your license you can get married!
2. There is no self-solemnization in Hawaii (like in Colorado), so you’ll need to find a wedding officiant who is registered with the state of Hawaii.
3. You must be 18 years old to get married and there is no blood test required for a marriage license.

Vendor Recommendations

One of the things many people are eager to avoid when they decide to elope is hiring vendors like a caterer, DJ, wedding planner, bartender, etc. However, there are a few vendors you definitely want to consider while planning.

1. Officiant – You must have a registered performer officiate your elopement ceremony. This person can be religious, non-religious, or a judge but they must be registered with the State of Hawaii. If you have someone in mind that you want to officiate your wedding, they can apply for a 60-day license. Be sure they apply at least two weeks prior to your wedding day. You can find out more about Hawaii Wedding Performers here.
2. Photographer – If you’re eloping on the Big Island, it’s probably because you value the natural beauty here. Your photos from your elopement day are the one thing that will last and that you can share with family and friends to help them feel a part of your day. I strongly urge you to consider hiring someone who lives on the Big Island when you are looking for your Hawaii elopement photographer. Living on the island means the photographer will know many locations for your elopement and other vendors who can help make your Big Island elopement planning a breeze.
3. Videographer – Video and photo go hand in hand. Having video from your elopement day is a special way to relive the best day of your lives.
4. Florist – Having a bouquet, leis, flower crown, or boutonniere on your wedding day is so special! Working with a local florist can help you to choose flowers that are local to the island, safe to bring to whatever beach or park you plan on eloping in, and will look beautiful in photos. Plus, you’ll be supporting local people.
5. Private Chef – When you and your partners are total foodies, it can be a lot of fun to hire a private chef to come to your Air BnB to prepare a special meal just for the two of you after your elopement ceremony. This is definitely a luxury, but a desirable luxury for food lovers.
6. Hair/MakeUp Artist – If you’re a girly who loves to be pampered, you might consider hiring a local hair dresser or make up artist to help you get ready for your elopement. Again, this is vendor that is totally up to your preferences.

Ready to begin your Big Island Elopement Planning? Let’s connect! I help couples plan and photograph their dreamy Big Island Elopements.