Papa Kona Wedding Guide: Everything You Need to Know from a Hawaii Wedding Photographer
Introduction
Located in the heart of Kailua-Kona and with incredible ocean-front views, Papa Kona Events is a beautiful location for an ocean front wedding on the big island of Hawaii. In this post, I’ll share with you everything you need to know about planning your Papa Kona Wedding.
Table of Contents
Planning Your Papa Kona Wedding
Hiring Your Papa Kona Wedding Photographer/Videographer
About Papa Kona
If you want an ocean front wedding venue in the heart of Kailua Kona, then Papa Kona is the perfect venue for you and your partner. In this section we’ll talk all about venue logistics and things you need to know before booking at Papa Kona.
Where is Papa Kona?
What I absolutely love about Papa Kona is the view! Papa Kona is located in the heart of Kailua-Kona, overlooking Oneo Bay and has the best sunset views in the area. Getting to Papa Kona is an easy, short drive from the Kona Airport and there are many hotels within walking distance of the venue.
Closest Major Cities/Towns:
Linked below are driving times and directions from Waimea, Hilo and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to Papa Kona.
- Driving Time From Waimea: About an hour
- Driving Time From Hilo: About and hour and 40 minutes
- Driving Time From Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: About 2 hours
How to Get to Papa Kona
Closest Major Airports:
Include the closest major (and minor, if you want) airports + their distances to the venue so couples know their options if they’re flying.
- From Kona International Airport: Less than 20 minutes
- From Hilo International Airport: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Why Have Your Wedding at Papa Kona?
Having a Papa Kona wedding makes sense if you’re a couple coming from the mainland and you have guests joining you. The venue offers a variety of different packages that make planning super simple and easy. From sound & lighting, to a DJ, and even delicious, in-house catering, the team at Papa Kona makes your planning a dream! And did I mention the incredible, ocean-front views?!
In addition to the amazing views and the ease of planning a Papa Kona wedding, I want to highlight how incredible the staff at Papa Kona are. Everyone is so warm, friendly, and helpful. They are genuinely invested in making sure you have the best time at your Papa Kona wedding!
FAQ’s About Papa Kona Weddings
How much does a wedding at Papa Kona cost?
Renting the event space at Papa Kona ranges from $4000-$9200 at the time of writing this blog post (summer 2026), depending on day of the week, amount of hours, number of guests, and if you want a DIY sound system or a professional DJ/emcee.
What is included in the cost of Papa Kona wedding packages?
Most packages include: ceremony & reception space, venue/day of coordination, one hour rehearsal the day before your wedding, ceremony & reception sound system, staff for dinner service/bartending, tables, chairs, linens, plates, utensils, etc. The more costly packages include things like a professional DJ and capacity for larger guest counts.
How many parking spaces are available to the wedding party?
There is a parking garage beneath Papa Kona that guests can use with plenty of spaces. Currently, the cost for parking in that garage is $3.50 per vehicle for two hours of parking.
How many guests can we have at Papa Kona?
Up to 110 guests can be accommodated at Papa Kona, although I recommend 80 or fewer.
Is food/beverage included in that pricing?
Food and beverages are not included in Papa Kona’s wedding packages, but on site catering is available. The food at Papa Kona is so delicious, the menus are thoughtfully curated, and the portions are plentiful. Nobody goes hungry at a Papa Kona wedding! Be sure to talk to your coordinator about menu options – I love the taco bar and late night snack options!
How late can we have our reception at Papa Kona?
Most packages are until 10:00pm. However, Papa Kona is the only venue from Kohala to Kona that can host events until 1:00am.
What happens if it rains?
The private event space is largely uncovered to maintain unobstructed sunset views. However, in the unlikely event of rain, your wedding can be moved inside or pop up tents can be used to cover the lanai.
How much time do I need my photographer for?
I typically recommend full day coverage for weddings with more than 10 guests. When you have guests invited, having time and space for photography coverage allows an easier, smoother day. This includes getting ready photos wherever you plan to get ready, ceremony, sunset portraits and photos of first dances, speeches, and cake cutting.
Planning Your Papa Kona Wedding
As mentioned previously, what I love about planning a Papa Kona wedding is how easy the coordinators make it to plan your wedding there! Everything you need is included in the venue rental. But of course, if you want to make things a little bit extra, you can totally add on decor and more personalized elements, too!
Top Venue Features
Below are some of my favorite features of Papa Kona weddings:
- Incredible water front ceremony space overlooking Oneo Bay
- 2nd floor lanai for cocktail hour and reception
- Delicious, in house catering
- Friendly and helpful coordinators and staff
- Within walking distance of several hotels in Kona
- Reasonably priced packages
- Tables, chairs, linens, plates, utensils, etc. included in your rental
The Best Time of Year to Get Married at Papa Kona
Honestly, the weather in Kona is so consistent that there really isn’t a best or worse time of year to get married at Papa Kona. A few things to consider when deciding on your date, though:
- The busiest times of year in Hawaii are summer and around the winter holidays. That means less availability for hotels, rental cars, etc.
- In the winter time, we tend to have strong swells on the ocean which can mean big waves on the lawn/ceremony space at Papa Kona. This makes for epic photos, but can be a nuisance during your ceremony.
Where to Stay Near Papa Kona
There are so many wonderful options for places to stay near Papa Kona for your wedding weekend. Below I have organized a few of them by how far they are from Papa Kona. I love when families and couples are able to walk from their hotel to Papa Kona – it makes for such a fun little adventure for your guests and removes the need to worry about people driving after your wedding or coordinating transportation. Plus, it’s so fun to be able to see your hotel from the Lanai at Papa Kona when you stay at the Royal Kona Resort!
Within Walking Distance
King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort by Marriott
A Short Drive Away
Papa Kona Wedding Packages
Papa Kona offers a range of wedding packages that suit the needs of couples celebrating with a small group all the way to bigger weddings with a max of 110 guests. In the next section, I’ll highlight the main things included in the packages.
How Much Does it Cost to Get Married at Papa Kona?
**The prices in this blog post are current at the time of writing in June 2026 and subject to change.
Intimate Papa Kona Wedding Package starts at $4000
- Available 4:00pm-8:00pm Monday-Thursday for up to 20 guests
- 1 hour rehearsal with coordinator the day before your ceremony
- Waterfront ceremony on Oneo Bay
- Ceremony Sound System
- Reception with ocean/sunset view
- Venue & Day of Coordination
- Complimentary water station
- Ceremony & Reception Support
- Party rentals & Service
- DIY reception sound system
- Bistro lighting
- Complimentary weather back up space
Classic Papa Kona Wedding Package starts at $5000
- Available 4:00pm-10:00pm
- 1 hour rehearsal with coordinator the day before your ceremony
- Waterfront ceremony on Oneo Bay
- Ceremony Sound System
- Reception with ocean/sunset view
- Venue & Day of Coordination
- Complimentary water station
- Ceremony & Reception Support
- Party rentals & Service
- DIY reception sound system
- Bistro lighting
- Complimentary weather back up space
- Thirty party favors (Kona coffee)
Kona Wedding Package starts at $7200
- Available 4:00pm-10:00pm
- 1 hour rehearsal with coordinator the day before your ceremony
- Waterfront ceremony on Oneo Bay
- Ceremony Sound System
- Reception with ocean/sunset view
- Venue & Day of Coordination
- Complimentary water station
- Ceremony & Reception Support
- Party rentals & Service
- Professional DJ/emcee
- Dance floor & uplighting
- Complimentary weather back up space
- Thirty party favors (Kona coffee)
Magic Til Midnight Papa Kona Wedding Package starts at $9200
- Available 4:00pm-12:00am
- 1 hour rehearsal with coordinator the day before your ceremony
- Waterfront ceremony on Oneo Bay
- Ceremony Sound System
- Reception with ocean/sunset view
- Venue & Day of Coordination
- Complimentary water station
- Ceremony & Reception Support
- Party rentals & Service
- Professional DJ/emcee
- Dance floor & uplighting
- Complimentary weather back up space
- Late Night Snack
- Sparkler Exit
- Thirty party favors (Kona coffee)
Papa Kona Wedding Vendors
Below are some of my favorite Hawaii vendors to work with. However, this list is not comprehensive. There are so many incredible wedding vendors who work here on the island.
Planners/Coordinators
- Naupaka Events | https://www.naupakaevents.com/
- Ally B Inspired Events | https://allybinspired.com/
Rental Companies
- Kea and Loa | https://keaandloa.com/
- Hawaii Island Events | https://www.hawaiiislandevents.com/
Hair/Makeup
- Icicles Hair Salon |https://www.instagram.com/icicleshairsalon/
- Indigo Grace Artistry | https://www.indigograceartistry.com/
- Big Island Hawaii Makeup | https://www.bigislandhawaiimakeup.com/
Florists
- Lalamilo Flower Girl | https://lalamiloflowergirl.com/
- Inspired by the Sun Florals | https://www.instagram.com/inspiredbythesunflorals/
- Maria’s Floral Design | https://www.instagram.com/mariasfloraldesign/
DJ’s
- Hawaii Sound & Vision | https://www.hawaiisav.com/entertainment/
- Aloha Event DJ | https://www.alohaeventdj.com/
Videographers (full service)
- Jon Bodhi | https://jonbodhi.com/
- Kahena Cinema | https://www.kahenacinema.com/
Hiring Your Papa Kona Wedding Photographer and Videographer
I love love.
As a Hawaiʻi based wedding photographer and videographer, I help couples document their most important days through photo and video. Documenting couples on the day they commit their lives to one another is truly the honor of my life. I often have “pinch me” moments while I’m working with couples because I get to help them plan & document their most important day in my absolute favorite place in the world.
I specialize in working with couples who have prioritized choosing what feels right for their wedding celebration, even if that means bucking tradition. Whether you’re planning an intimate celebration with just a few guests or a big Papa Kona wedding with the whole family and friend group, I’m here to make sure you don’t have to worry about a thing when it comes to your photos and video.
My couples often tell me they are “awkward in front of the camera”. My approach to photographing Papa Kona weddings is rooted in documenting genuine connection while helping couples feel comfortable and fully present throughout the day. Of course, we’ll capture some really epic photos, but I’ll also prioritize documenting you, your partner and your people enjoying the moments of your wedding day.
I’m still relatively new to living on the big island. However, I am captivated by this island – the people, the culture, the land – all of it. I’ll share with you everything I know about the island and when there is something I don’t know, we’ll Google it together.
Ready to book me for your Papa Kona wedding?
Use this link to fill out a contact form and I’ll get back to you within 48 hours!
