━ East Side · Big Island Hawaii ━
Hilo Wedding
Locations
Searching for the best locations for Big Island Beach Weddings? You've found them. Beach Weddings on Big Island span everything from Kuki'o, Hapuna, Kapaa, and Mauna Kea to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach and the Kohala Coconut Grove — all served by Kona Wedding Officiant® since 2017.
1k+
Big Island
Ceremonies
Hilo Wedding Locations
The East Side's Most
Beautiful Ceremony Spots
The east side of the Big Island is Hawaii at its lushest — rainforest waterfalls, Japanese gardens on the bay, and quiet black sand beaches framed by Mauna Kea. If you're dreaming of a green, tropical wedding setting, Hilo wedding locations are some of the most magical in the entire state.
At Kona Wedding Officiant®, we've performed ceremonies across every corner of Hilo and the Hamakua Coast. We know each spot's permit rules, ideal timing, and how the light falls through the day — so you can choose the perfect backdrop with confidence.
Below are our favorite Hilo wedding locations, with everything you need to know about each one. Every spot here can be officiated by our licensed team, and we'll help you handle the details from permit to ceremony.
East-Side Experts
We know every Hilo location intimately
Permit Guidance
We help you navigate park & garden permits
400+ Five-Star Reviews
Across Google, The Knot & WeddingWire
Since 2017
Officiating Big Island ceremonies for years
The Locations
Where to Get Married in Hilo
From the most photographed garden on the island to a private 120-foot waterfall, here are the Hilo wedding locations our couples love most — and what makes each one special.
Hilo Bay · Iconic Garden
A 30-acre Japanese garden on the edge of Hilo Bay — the largest Edo-style garden outside of Japan. Stone bridges, koi ponds, pagodas, and arching ocean views make it the most photographed Hilo wedding location, equally stunning for an intimate elopement or a small gathering.
Best Time
Morning light
Permit
Required (county)
Best For
Garden ceremonies
Access
Easy, paved
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01
Above Hilo · Private Waterfall
A breathtaking 120-foot private waterfall tucked into the lush hills above Hilo. As one of the most stunning private venues on the Big Island, Kulaniapia delivers a truly cinematic backdrop — cascading water, tropical foliage, and complete seclusion for your ceremony and photos. View our All inclusive waterfall wedding package at this location.
Best Time
Morning Or Midday glow
Permit
Private (venue)
Best For
Dramatic & private
Access
Short walk
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02
East Hilo · Black Sand Beach
A black sand beach with calm tidepools, swaying palm trees, and views toward Hilo Bay and Mauna Kea. One of Hilo's most accessible and photogenic beach wedding locations — and a longtime favorite for barefoot, intimate ceremonies on the east side.
Best Time
Sunrise / AM
Permit
Required (state)
Best For
Beach ceremonies
Access
Easy, parking
03
East Hilo · Tropical Beach
A beloved east-side beach park with crystal-clear tide pools, swaying coconut palms, and protected swimming areas fed by cool freshwater springs. Carlsmith offers a peaceful, picture-perfect setting — calm waters, lush greenery, and views toward Mauna Kea on clear days.
Best Time
Morning
Permit
Required (county)
Best For
Tropical beach
Access
Easy, parking
04
Hilo · Waterfall
An iconic 80-foot waterfall just minutes from downtown Hilo, with rainbows often arcing across the morning mist. Easily accessible and endlessly photogenic, Rainbow Falls makes a breathtaking setting for a memorable Hilo wedding ceremony surrounded by natural beauty.
Best Time
Early morning
Permit
Required (state)
Best For
Morning ceremonies
Access
Easy, overlook
05
HILO Coast · SCENIC BAY
Located along the beautiful eastern coast of Hawaiʻi Island, Hilo Bay offers a lush tropical setting surrounded by vibrant gardens, swaying palms, and peaceful ocean views. With its calm bay waters, rich greenery, and the unmistakable beauty of Hilo, this is a wonderful setting for couples looking for a more intimate, naturally tropical Hawaii backdrop. For those drawn to the lush, romantic side of the island, Hilo Bay is a beautiful place to begin your forever.
Best Time
Morning
Permit
Varies by site
Best For
Bay Views
Access
Bayfront Parking
06
Hilo & Hamakua · Exclusive
From private estates and luxury vacation rentals to boutique venues across Hilo and the Hamakua Coast, we officiate ceremonies wherever you've chosen to celebrate. Our team brings licensed, professional service directly to your private property of choice — no permit hassle, total flexibility.
Best Time
Your choice
Permit
Not required
Best For
Custom settings
Access
On-site
07
Local Knowledge Matters
Explore The Beauty of
Hilo
Choosing where to marry in Hilo is the heart of planning your day. The right Hilo wedding location depends on your style, your guest count, the season, and the time of day the light is best.
With 1,000+ ceremonies performed since 2017 and 400+ five-star reviews, Kona Wedding Officiant® brings real local knowledge to every booking — from the permit rules at Liliuokalani Gardens to the morning rainbows at Rainbow Falls. Tell us your vision and we'll help you find the perfect spot.
1K+
Ceremonies Performed
400+
Five-Star Google Reviews
7+
Hilo Locations
5★
Google Rating
Quick Reference
Hilo Locations at a Glance
A side-by-side look to help you narrow down your favorite Hilo wedding location.
Location | Setting | Best For | Permit | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Liliuokalani Gardens | Japanese garden, Hilo Bay | Garden | County permit | Easy |
Kulaniapia Falls | Private 120-ft waterfall | Dramatic | Private venue | Short walk |
Richardson Beach | Black sand beach | Beach | State permit | Easy |
Carlsmith Beach | Spring-fed tide pools | Tropical | County permit | Easy |
Rainbow Falls | 80-ft waterfall | Waterfall | State permit | Easy |
Onomea Bay | Hamakua coastline | Lush | Varies | Trail walk |
Private Venues | Estates & rentals | Custom | None | On-site |
Common Questions
Hilo Wedding Locations FAQ
It depends on your vision. Liliuokalani Gardens is the most iconic spot for garden ceremonies, Richardson Beach is ideal for black sand beach weddings, and Kulaniapia Falls offers a dramatic private waterfall setting. Kona Wedding Officiant® officiates ceremonies at all of them and can help you match a location to your style.
Most public Hilo wedding locations — including state and county parks and Liliuokalani Gardens — require a permit for a ceremony. Requirements and group-size limits vary by location. Our team helps you understand and plan for the right permit at each spot. Private venues don't require a permit.
Hilo tends to be sunnier in the morning, with clouds and showers building through the afternoon. We generally recommend morning ceremonies — especially at waterfalls like Rainbow Falls, where the morning mist often catches a rainbow. We'll advise on timing for your chosen location.
Yes. Every Kona Wedding Officiant® minister is licensed by the State of Hawaii to perform legal ceremonies anywhere on the Big Island, including all Hilo wedding locations, the Hamakua Coast, and private venues across the east side.
Hilo is roughly a 1.5–2 hour drive from Kailua-Kona, depending on the route. While we're based on the west side, our team regularly travels to Hilo and the east side, and travel within Hilo is included in our packages.
Hilo is the rainiest part of the island, which is exactly why it's so lush and green. Private venues with covered options offer the most weather flexibility, and waterfalls actually look their most dramatic after rain. We always build a backup plan into your timeline.
Real Couples
What Couples Say About
Our Team
★★★★★ 400+ five-star reviews on Google, The Knot & WeddingWire
★★★★★
We eloped on the Big Island at short notice and Deanna responded fast. She suggested locations based on what we described, kept everything organized, and made the ceremony deeply personal — she felt like a friend within the hour.
P
Pia
Big Island Elopement
WeddingWire
★★★★★
For our black sand beach wedding, Deanna embodied the true spirit of aloha. Her attention to detail made us feel completely seen, and she even helped us write our vows. Our photographer Tara was fantastic.
E
Ellie
Black Sand Beach Wedding
The Knot
★★★★★
From the first contact Deanna was responsive and professional. Kahu Tom's ceremony was beautiful and meaningful, our photographer went above and beyond, and the florist delivered gorgeous florals to our hotel.
S
Sonia
Big Island, Hawaii
WeddingWire
★★★★★
Kahu Tom blended relaxed humor with the most thoughtful poem written from our story. He took the time to truly know us, and our guests kept saying afterward what an amazing officiant he was.
G
Grace
Big Island, Hawaii
The Knot
★★★★★
From the very beginning Deanna was responsive and a pleasure to work with. The flowers, beach permits, and photographer were all handled for us, so we could simply enjoy our special day.
M
Madison
Beach Wedding, Big Island
WeddingWire
★★★★★
We could not have pulled this off without them. Deanna calmed our stress of planning from the mainland, and photographer Shannon captured magical moments we'll treasure forever. Mahalo and much aloha!
S
Steven
Big Island, Hawaii
The Knot