The Complete Guide to Hawaii Adventure Elopement Packages

INTRODUCTION

Adventure elopement packages in Hawaii can mean very different things depending on who you book with. For some, adventure means a short, outdoor elopement ceremony on the beach. 

If you are someone who knows they want to elope in Hawaii, and are only having a photographer for your ceremony so you have something to show your friends, this probably isn’t the guide for you. 

And that’s okay. There are plenty of incredible photographers in Hawaii who specialize in that type of wedding.

However! If you’re the type of couple who values being present in the moment, are reverent towards nature, appreciate and celebrate indigenous cultures and people then this is probably the guide for you.

Aloha friend, I’m Bri! A Hawaii based elopement photographer and videographer specializing in adventurous, multiday elopements that feel less performative and more like a celebration of your love in a gorgeous location.

In this guide, I’ll share with you everything you need to consider as you start searching for adventure elopement packages in Hawaii.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What “Hawaii Elopement Packages” Actually Include
• Why Elope on the Big Island?
• Best Places for a Big Island Elopement
• Legalities of Getting Married in Hawaii
• Best Time of Year to Elope in Hawaii
• What to Pack
• Unique Experiences to Add to Your Elopement
• Who This Is (and Isn’t) For
• Hawaii Elopement Photographer & Packages
• Sample Adventure Elopement Timeline
• Ready to Plan Yours?

What Do “Kona Elopement Packages” Actually Include?

Again, every Kona elopement package offers something unique to the person who is offering the package. And I’m going to break down what some of these offers look like in real life. There is no judgement in how I describe each of these packages. I truly believe every couple should have the wedding/elopement ceremony that feels right for them, even if that is something I don’t offer.

1. Ceremony-Only Packages (Common Search Result)

The most common type of hawaii elopement package I see is one that includes:

• Officiant
• Bouquet
• 1 hour photography
• Public beach permit
• Some planning support

Simple. Focused on just your ceremony. Affordable.

This type of package is perfect if you are someone who doesn’t want a big fuss over your elopement ceremony, but do want some sort of structure to the experience. And these types of packages generally have one or two points of contact here on the island who help to connect you with an officiant, a photographer, and coordinate your flowers and public beach permit.

This ceremony-only type of package is also great if you have a tight budget for the actual wedding ceremony. Maybe you’ve decided to spend more on the trip to Hawaii or are saving for a down payment on a house. This type of package may make more sense for you.

One limitation for this type of package is that it doesn’t offer a ton of flexibility or personalization. For instance, you won’t feel as deep of a connection with your Hawaii elopement vendors because they are spending less time with you and your partner in general. Although, some of these packages will allow for upgrades and/or the addition of more services. 

2. All-Inclusive Micro Wedding Packages

Another common elopement package I see is a micro wedding package that includes (all or most of) the following:

• Officiant
• Bouquet
• Hair & makeup for 1
• 2 basic orchid leis
• Champagne toast
• 1 hour photography
• 1 hour videography
• Public beach permit or private venue access
• Full planning support
• Limits number of guests
• Limousine services

The focus of packages like this is completely on the ceremony and a few portraits after the ceremony. There won’t be any photo or video coverage of you getting ready or of your reception and generally does not include reception planning.
Again, depending on your wants, needs & budget this could be the perfect option for you.

3. Adventure Elopement Packages 

A less common type of Hawaii elopement package (but let’s be honest – my favorite) is the full day or multi-day adventure elopement package.

• Full-day or multi-day coverage
• Photo & video coverage
• Custom location scouting
• Custom Timeline creation
• Permit navigation
• Experience design (from packing lists to BnB recommendations) 
• Highlight film option
• Local vendor referrals

This type of package emphasizes spending a full day or even multiple days focused on your elopement celebration while immersing yourself in the beauty of Hawaii. It’s a completely customized experience that is different for every couple based on their desires, boundaries, and love for nature.

If you’re searching for Hawaii elopement packages for two because you want something simple but meaningful – keep reading.

Why Elope on the Big Island of Hawaii?

The Big Island of Hawaii, or just Hawaii Island, is the largest and easternmost island in the Hawaiian Island Chain. Because of its unique landscape, Hawaii is home to most climate types with the exception of frozen tundras (although it does snow on Mauna Kea!). It’s also home to two active volcanoes – Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Hawaii Island has a landscape for every type of couple – from deserts & old lava fields to lush rain forests & waterfalls. It’s the perfect island for couples to plan their Hawaii elopement, especially if you don’t want to choose just one type of landscape. You can have the best of both worlds. ((If you sang that last sentence, let’s be friends)). 

The Big Island is also less crowded than Maui or Oahu, making it perfect for couples who value privacy and avoiding a tourist-y feeling experience in their elopement experience. 

What I love about planning Hawaii adventure elopement packages for couples is that it is so easy to build a custom, unique experience for every couple. You tell me what you love, what you’re envisioning, and what you know you don’t want and then we’ll work together to create an experience that feels like you and your partner.

The Big Island Is Right for You If…

• You care about beautiful landscapes

• You want variety in your elopement experience

• You prefer natural beauty over luxury resort backdrops

The Big Island Isn’t Right If…

• You want nightlife

• You want luxury hotel wedding vibes

• You don’t care where you elope as long as it’s cheap

Best Places to Elope on the Big Island

1. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Closest airport: Hilo

Permit required

Epic + dramatic

Best for adventurous couples

Literally, the crown jewel of the Big Island. Lol. If you know me, you know my obsession with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It’s beautiful and gorgeous and home to not one, but TWO active volcanoes – Kilauea & Mauna Loa. This national park is one of the lesser visited parks because of how remote Hawaii is. However, it is such an incredible location for spending time on your elopement day. Whether you actually elope in the park or just spend some time there taking portraits, I know you’ll be as obsessed with this place as me if you just give it a shot!

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is just a 40 minute drive from the Hilo Airport and about 2 ½ hours from the Kona airport. It is in a more remote area of the island, so if you are planning on visiting the park at all, I’d recommend staying closer to the park for a few nights. To read more about how to plan an elopement in Volcanoes National Park, check out this blog post: How to Elope in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

2. Kailua-Kona Coast

Closest Airport: Kona

Accessible

Sunset cliffs + beaches

Kailua Kona is the city most visited on the Big Island of Hawaii. It’s a coastal town on the west side of the island, notorious for incredible snorkeling, world-class Kona coffee, and a deep history with Hawaiian royalty. Being on the west side of the island, it is quite dry at sea level, but can be much rainier as you increase your elevation. And that is especially true in the winter months. However, most of the rain comes in short bursts and doesn’t last for days on end. 

There is a major airport in Kona, Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, that is an easy, less than 30 minute drive from the major attractions and accommodations in Kona. The airport is quite small, but has a great variety of options for flights in and out. 

3. Hilo Side

Closest Airport: Hilo

Lush rainforest

Waterfalls

Moodier vibe

On the east side of the island is the cute & historic town of Hilo. Being on the east side of the island, it gets a ton of rain which feeds the lush rainforests and abundant waterfalls. The Hilo International Airport is located conveniently close to the town and an easy drive from waterfalls and rainforests.

Legalities of Getting Married in Hawaii

The process of applying for and obtaining a marriage license in the state of Hawaii is not terribly complicated. However, you are required to meet with a licensing agent in person to obtain the license. There are very few licensing agents on the Big Island, so it’s extremely important that you schedule an appointment with an agent as soon as you have applied for your license and know the date of your travel and elopement. Read more about how to legally get married in Hawaii here: How to Legally Get Married in Hawaii

Best Time of Year to Elope in Hawaii

If we are anything alike (and I’m assuming we are since you are here lol), you don’t love a crowd. You want everyone to be able to enjoy the park – that’s why the national park system was created, of course – but you also want to take in the natural beauty of national parks without feeling like you are in a theme park. I get that.

When to Elope on the Big Island of Hawaii

When you’re planning your elopement in Hawai’i, you’ll want to avoid the peak tourist seasons. Luckily, the temperature is quite consistent year round in Hawai’i with only moderate fluctuations to daily temperatures.

Peak Months:	Slow Months:
March, June, July, August, December	February, May, September, October

*https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/13190/2023-annual-report-final.pdf

Seasons

Winter (Dec–Feb): 

The winter on the big island means humpback whales close enough to see from shore and more rain & wind, even in the drier areas. Flexibility is key when planning a Hawaii adventure elopement because the weather can be more volatile. Although it’s still much more pleasant than the midwest of the US in those months. lol

Spring (Mar-May):

Spring is gorgeous on Big Island! Although March tends to bring spring break crowds, April & May are great months where the weather is more consistently dry and the crowds are smaller.

Summer (June-Aug):

Avoid this time of year like the plague. It’s crowded (with school children on break), expensive and hot. If you do truly want to get married in the summer months, I recommend weekday elopements and leaning into sunrise or sunset for busier areas like beaches and Volcanoes National Park.

Fall (Sep-Nov):

This time of year is truly the underrated sweet spot. It’s far less crowded, the weather is mild, comfortable & predictable and there’s a lot more availability for BnBs, rental cars and even good seats on the flights!

What to Pack for Your Hawaii Elopement

Include:

• Vow books
• Ring box
• Permit copies
• Wedding Clothes
• Hiking shoes
• Backup shoes
• Hair ties/pins
• Wind/rain gear
• Marriage license docs

Unique Experiences to Add to Your Elopement

The Big Island of Hawaii has so many options for unique experiences you can include in your elopement. And one of the biggest misconceptions I see when couples start searching for Hawaii elopement packages for two is that the day has to revolve around a single ceremony location. 

But if you’re choosing a Hawaii adventure elopement, especially here on the Big Island, you have access to wildly different landscapes within a reasonable drive — black sandy beaches, cloud rainforests, dramatic ocean side cliffs, secluded beaches. Your elopement can unfold slowly. Sunrise vows in an epic, quiet spot. Midday exploring or relaxing back at your Airbnb. Sunset portraits somewhere that feels completely different from where you started. When you give yourselves time, your day starts to feel less like an event and more like an experience.

For couples booking my Big Island elopement packages, I always encourage them to think beyond the ceremony. What would feel meaningful to you? Maybe that’s starting the morning at a local coffee farm before heading to your ceremony location. Or packing a picnic and champagne for a private cliffside toast. Maybe it’s a quiet morning spent at a black sand beach followed by snorkeling, hiking across an old lava flow, or ending the night stargazing on the summit of Mauna Kea. These are the moments that make your day (and gallery) feel layered and alive.

Unique Experiences:

• Helicopter tour of the island
• Sunrise + sunset coverage
• Private picnic
• Coffee farm visit
• Snorkeling
• Stargazing
• Volcano exploration
• Two-day elopement itinerary

Who These Hawaii Elopement Packages Are For

Who This IS For

• You value art over trends.
• You care about respecting the land & culture.
• You want guidance.
• You want your entire story documented – not just the ceremony.

Who This Is NOT For

• You’re looking for the cheapest option.
• You only want 1 hour of photos.
• You don’t care where you elope as long as it’s tropical.
• You want an elaborate production.

Hawaii Adventure Elopement Photographer

I love love.

Documenting couples on the day they commit their lives to one another is truly the honor of my life. Honestly, how incredible is it that I can call this my business and my work. 

I specialize in working with couples who have prioritized choosing what feels right for their wedding celebration, even if that means bucking tradition. I know what that feels like. I’m the eldest daughter in a big Italian family who left her career in education and moved halfway across the world. That was not a popular choice in my family, but it felt right to me.

My couples are also self proclaimed as “awkward in front of the camera”. My style of photography and videography is based on connection with you and your partner and the guests you choose to include on your elopement 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 elopement day.

And though I’m still relatively new to living on the Big Island, 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.

Hawaii Elopement Packages & Pricing

At this point, you probably realize that the way I approach elopements is a little different than the quick “ceremony-only” packages you’ll find elsewhere. And that also means I am not the most affordable option. And that’s intentional. Couples who book with me are looking for a day that is completely customized to their desires and guidance in the creation of their experience. And that requires more than just pressing a shutter button.

Here’s a look at how I structure my packages:

The Weekender

• Up to 20 hours of photo/video coverage split over 2-3 days
• Digital photos (selected & edited by me) delivered within 8 weeks
• Sneak Peek photos within 24 hours
• 2-5 minute highlight film from the entire experience delivered within 12 weeks
• Permit assistance
• Consultation Calls & Communication to plan the experience, timeline, etc. and squash any worries or fears

The Full Day

• Up to 10 hours of photo/video coverage on one day
• Digital photos (selected & edited by me) delivered within 8 weeks
• Sneak Peek photos within 24 hours
• 30-60 second highlight film delivered within 12 weeks
• Permit assistance
• Consultation Calls & Communication to plan the experience, timeline, etc. and squash any worries or fears

The Half Day 

• Up to 5 hours of photo/video coverage on one day
• Digital photos (selected & edited by me) delivered within 8 weeks
• Sneak Peek photos within 24 hours
• 30-60 second highlight film delivered within 12 weeks
• Permit assistance
• Consultation Calls & Communication to plan the experience, timeline, etc. and squash any worries or fears

These packages are fully customizable, but I find that these packages are the perfect place to start for my couples. Investments for these packages start at $4,000 and most couples invest $7,000-$10,000. 

For full pricing details and availability, inquire here:

BONUS

Sample Big Island Adventure Elopement Timeline

This timeline is the perfect balance of a more traditional wedding paired with adventure experiences

• Day 1 – Welcome & exploring Kona
  • 12:00pm – Coffee Farm Tour
  • 3:00pm – Rehearsal/Rehearsal Dinner
  • 6:30pm – Sunset photos on the beach
• Day 2 – Wedding Day
  • 10:00am – Getting Ready photos
  • 2:00pm – First look/portraits with guests
  • 4:00pm – Wedding!
  • 5:00pm – Cocktail hour/a few couples photos
  • 7:00pm – Reception
• Day 3 – Spouse adventure day
  • 10:00am – helicopter tour of the island with a waterfall landing
  • 2:00pm – cloud forest hike/photos

Ready to Plan Your Hawaii Adventure Elopement?

If this feels aligned to what you and your partner are wanting for your Hawaii adventure elopement, I’d love to hear from you.

When you inquire, I’ll send you my full pricing guide and a link to book a consultation call. During this call you tell me all the things you have in mind for your elopement and I make suggestions on how we make that happen. You can “pick my brain” with any questions or concerns you have about your Hawaii adventure elopement package.