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Beach
Ceremonies
Black Sand Beach Hawaii Elopements
Elope on Hawaii's Most
Iconic Black Sand Beaches
Black Sand Beach Hawaii Elopements are unlike anything else in the world. Formed by lava flowing into the ocean and shattering on contact with the water, these beaches are made entirely of tiny volcanic glass particles — jet-black, glittering, and impossibly dramatic against the turquoise Pacific.
The Big Island is home to some of Hawaii's most celebrated black sand beaches — from the secluded crescent of Kehena tucked below lava cliffs in Puna, to the sea turtle haven of Punalu'u in Ka'u, to the remote freshwater pools of Kiholo on the Kohala coast, to the lava-framed shores of Kaimu in lower Puna.
We've performed hundreds of Black Sand Beach Hawaii Elopement ceremonies since 2017. We know the tides, the light, the best time of morning, and how to make your ceremony feel as intimate and extraordinary as the landscape around you.
Black Sand Beach Hawaii Elopement Packages
Black Sand Beach Hawaii Elopement Packages
Celebrate your love in Hawaii's most breathtaking settings with licensed officiants and professional photography — Black Sand Beach Hawaii Elopement packages starting at just $850. We handle the details so you can relax, enjoy the moment, and say "I do" surrounded by paradise.
Every Photography Package Includes
Black Sand Beach Hawaii Elopements starting at $850
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Licensed Officiant
Kona Wedding Officiant® Minister & personalized ceremony
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Professional Photography
75–100 high-resolution edited images (additional à la carte)
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Hawaiian Wedding Leis
Traditional Hawaiian leis included in every package
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Beach Permit & License
State beach permit & marriage license filing handled for you
Free consultation for all planning couples - schedule yours today →
Most Popular · No Guests
Black Sand Beach Elopement Package
Say "I do" on one of the Big Island's most beautiful and unique black sand beaches. Ask us about more remote locations for an extra-special experience.
Popular Locations: Kiholo Bay · Mahai`ula Bay · Mackenzie Park · Pohoiki Beach · Punalu'u · Kaimu · Kehena
Big Island Package Includes
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Licensed Kona Wedding Officiant®
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Personalized ceremony
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Professional elopement photographer
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90 minutes of photography
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75 retouched high-res images
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Hawaii State beach permit
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Premium Hawaiian leis
Upgrade · With Florals
Black Sand Beach Lehua Elopement Package for 2
Add a touch of island elegance to your intimate Big Island ceremony. Includes everything in our standard Big Island elopement package plus beautiful Big Island Hawaii florals sourced fresh on the island.
Big Island Package Includes
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Licensed Kona Wedding Officiant®
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Personalized Big Island ceremony
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Professional Big Island elopement photographer
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75 minutes of photography
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75 retouched high-res digital images
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Hawaii State beach permit
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Bridal bouquet & boutonniere
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Two premium fresh flower leis
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Haku head crown or hairpiece
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Additional images available à la carte
Premium · Photo + Video
Black Sand Beach Nani Photo & Video Package
Capture every moment of your intimate Big Island Hawaii elopement in stunning detail. Includes 4K ceremony video and a highlight film alongside our full Big Island elopement package.
Big Island Package Includes
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Licensed Kona Wedding Officiant®
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Personalized Big Island ceremony
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Professional Big Island elopement photographer
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75 minutes of photography
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75 retouched high-res digital images
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Hawaii State beach permit
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Fresh flower leis
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Full 4K ceremony video
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Highlight film
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Additional images available à la carte
Groups 3–25
Black Sand Beach Group Photography Package
Celebrate on one of the Big Island's stunning black sand beaches with your family and friends. Create unforgettable memories in a breathtaking natural setting with your closest loved ones.
Big Island Package Includes
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Licensed Kona Wedding Officiant®
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Personalized ceremony
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Professional wedding photographer
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120 minutes of photography
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100 retouched high-res images
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Hawaii State beach permit
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Premium Hawaiian leis
all inclusive waterfall
Hawaii Intimate Waterfall Wedding
Celebrate your love beside Hawaii's magnificent 120-foot private waterfall, surrounded by lush tropical scenery for an unforgettable Big Island wedding experience.
Big Island Package Includes
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Licensed Kona Wedding Officiant®
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Personalized ceremony
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Professional wedding photographer
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120 minutes of professional photography
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100 retouched high-resolution images with print release
(additional images available à la carte) -
Premium Hawaiian leis
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Venue fee & insurance
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Package is priced for couples * (additional guests at the rate of $75pp up to 6 guests permitted)
Officiant Only
Black Sand Beach / Waterfall — No Photographer
A simple, heartfelt way to say "I do" surrounded by Hawaii's stunning natural beauty. Choose a black sand beach or a waterfall — your ceremony, your setting.
Popular Locations: Kiholo Bay · Mackenzie Park · Pohoiki Beach · Punalu'u · Kaimu
Big Island Package Includes
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Licensed Kona Wedding Officiant®
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Choice of black sand beach or waterfall
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Traditional Kukui nut leis
Black Sand Beach Locations
The Big Island's Most
Stunning Black Sand Beaches
Each black sand beach on the Big Island has its own character, access level, and mood. Here's what makes each one special.
Puna Coast · Most Popular
A stunning crescent of jet-black sand set below towering lava cliffs in lower Puna — accessible by a short trail and beloved for its dramatic, secluded atmosphere. Sunrise light on Kehena is extraordinary, painting the black sand in shades of gold and amber.
Best for: Sunrise & Morning
Ka'u Coast · Sea Turtles
One of Hawaii's most famous black sand beaches — wide, accessible, and home to Hawaiian green sea turtles that rest on the shore. The contrast of jet-black sand, clear blue water, and coconut palms makes for breathtaking ceremony photographs.
Best for: Morning & Midday
Puna Coast · Remote
Formed in 1990 when lava from Kilauea flowed into the ocean, Kaimu is one of the newest beaches on earth. A young coconut grove planted after the lava flow now frames the black shoreline — a hauntingly beautiful and deeply symbolic location for a ceremony.
Best for: Morning Ceremonies
North Kona · Remote & Wild
A remote and wildlife-rich bay on the North Kona coast fed by freshwater springs — with stretches of black lava shoreline, brackish tide pools, and resident green sea turtles. A quiet, intimate, and completely unique elopement setting that few tourists ever find.
Best for: Morning Ceremonies
Puna Coast · Lava Cliffs
A dramatic stretch of lava-rock coastline lined with towering ironwood trees in lower Puna. Mackenzie offers cinematic ocean cliffs, crashing surf, and a quiet, otherworldly atmosphere — perfect for couples drawn to raw, untamed beauty over traditional sandy beaches.
Best for: Sunrise & Morning
Ka'u Coast · Easy Access
A hidden gem on the Ka'u coast just south of Punalu'u, with black lava shorelines, historic ruins of an old sugar pier, and crystalline tide pools. Less crowded than its famous neighbor, Whittington offers privacy and a quietly beautiful backdrop for your ceremony.
Best for: Morning Ceremonies
Puna Coast · Newest Beach
One of the youngest beaches on earth — created in 2018 when lava from Kilauea reshaped the Puna coastline. Pohoiki's jet-black sand is fresh, glittering, and framed by warm geothermal pools. A profoundly symbolic location for new beginnings.
Best for: Morning Ceremonies
Why Black Sand
Why Couples Choose
Black Sand Beach Hawaii Elopements
Black Sand Beach Hawaii Elopements produce some of the most dramatic wedding photographs in the world. The contrast between the obsidian shoreline, the turquoise ocean, and the warm tones of Hawaiian sunrise light is unlike any other beach setting — anywhere.
These aren't just beautiful locations. They're places that feel significant — shaped by volcanic forces over thousands of years, constantly changing, and deeply tied to Hawaii's natural and cultural history.
Extraordinary Photography
Black sand and golden sunrise light create photos unlike any other beach setting in the world.
Intimate & Private
Most black sand beaches are accessible by trail and naturally private — no crowds, no distractions.
We Know Every Beach
We've performed hundreds of ceremonies at every black sand beach on the island. We know the tides, the light, and the timing.
Permits Handled
Beach permits for most state black sand beaches are included in your package — we handle everything.
Common Questions
Black Sand Beach Hawaii Elopement FAQ
Each beach has its own character. Kehena is the most dramatic and intimate — tucked below lava cliffs in Puna, best at sunrise. Punalu'u is the most accessible and famous, with green sea turtles and wide open views. Kaimu has a haunting, symbolic beauty as one of the world's newest beaches. Kiholo is the most remote and wildlife-rich. We'll help you choose based on your vision, timing, and what matters most to you.
Sunrise and early morning produce the most extraordinary light on black sand beaches. The contrast between the dark volcanic sand and the warm golden light is something truly special — and you'll have the beaches almost entirely to yourselves. We time every ceremony to make the most of the light.
Most Hawaii State black sand beaches require a permit for wedding ceremonies. Our packages include the beach permit for most eligible locations — we handle the application and coordination so you don't have to worry about it.
Black Sand Beach Hawaii Elopement packages range from $850 to $3,715. Tiers include $850 for officiant-only ceremonies, $1,895 for standard elopements with photography, $2,450 for group ceremonies up to 25 guests, $2,595 for elopements with fresh Hawaiian florals, and $3,715 for our premium Nani photo + 4K video package. Every package includes a licensed officiant, Hawaiian leis, beach permits, and marriage license filing.
Kehena is accessed via a short but steep lava rock trail. It requires a bit of agility and comfortable footwear — no flip flops. We'll give you full access and preparation instructions after booking, and your officiant will arrive ahead of you to ensure everything is set up perfectly.
Quite possibly! Both Punalu'u and Kiholo Bay are known for Hawaiian green sea turtles — honu — that rest on the shoreline. They are protected wildlife and we always maintain a respectful distance, but having a turtle present during your ceremony is a meaningful and unforgettable blessing in Hawaiian culture.
Real Couples
Why Couples Choose
Kona Wedding Officiant®
★★★★★ 197+ five-star Google reviews · 117 on The Knot · 88+ on WeddingWire
★★★★★
Our black sand beach wedding with Deanna was magical from start to finish. She fully embodied the spirit of aloha, took time to understand our vision, and was instrumental in helping us write our vows. Tara, our photographer, was equally wonderful — kind, confident, and brilliant at capturing every moment.
E
Ellie
Black Sand Beach Wedding · 2025
WeddingWire
★★★★★
We eloped on the Big Island on short notice and Deanna made it effortless. She offered thoughtful location suggestions, kept everything organized, and delivered a personal, beautiful ceremony. By the end she felt like a friend — even though we'd only known her an hour. Five star quality.
P
Pia
Big Island Elopement · 2026
WeddingWire
★★★★★
We found Kona Wedding Officiant® on Google and watched their video of Kahu Tom — we were sold. The whole process flowed seamlessly and we didn't worry about a single thing. Kahu Tom genuinely cared, and our photographer spent over an hour with us afterward. Beyond happy.
R
Robyn
Florida → Big Island · 2025
WeddingWire
★★★★★
From the very first contact, Deanna was incredibly responsive and professional. The ceremony with Kahu Tom was beautiful and meaningful. Our photographer went above and beyond capturing personalized photos, and the florist delivered to our hotel with care instructions. A flawless experience.
S
Sonia
Big Island Wedding · 2026
WeddingWire