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Founder & Lead Officiant

Deanna DiMichele

Founder & Lead Officiant · Kona Wedding Officiant®

Licensed Minister · Big Island, Hawaii

" The spirit of Aloha — which above all means love — is the heart of every Hawaiian wedding."

1K+

Ceremonies

16

Years on Island

2017

Founded

Kona wedding officiant Deanna smiling in floral lei with client review

★★★★★

Deanna made our ceremony feel like she had known us for years. She is everything you want in an officiant.

Sarah & James

Kehena Black Sand Beach

400+   Five-Star Reviews

  • 1,000+   Ceremonies Since 2017

Kona wedding officiant leading oceanside ceremony for couple on Big Island
deanna 5.jpg

The Story

Licensed Minister & Big Island Wedding Officiant Since 2010

Deanna feels blessed to be part of one of the most meaningful days in her couples' lives. She believes the spirit of Aloha is the heart of every Hawaiian wedding — and she pours that belief into every ceremony she performs.

Specializing in intimate, romantic ceremonies rooted in Hawaiian tradition, Deanna welcomes all couples and all denominations for marriage and vow renewals. Whether she's officiating a sunrise elopement on a remote black sand beach in East Hawaii, or joining two brides on the white sand at Kikaua Point Park, her approach is the same: be present, be authentic, and honor the love between two people.

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Though naturally introverted, Deanna shines in her role as an officiant — and has found herself, quite literally, in tens of thousands of wedding photos with all eyes on her. To recharge from the energy she gives her couples, she retreats to quiet hours of running, biking, yoga, swimming, and surfing along the Kona coast.

"I truly believe I have the best job on Earth."

Before Hawaii, Deanna worked as a professional wedding photographer in New Jersey, helping hundreds of couples capture their big day from behind the lens. An avid adventurer at heart, she also hiked 1,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail before relocating to the islands. That love of the outdoors gave her something many island officiants don't have: a deep, hands-on understanding of Hawaii's backcountry, scenic landscapes, and hidden gems.

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It's why Deanna has paved the way for so many couples' Hawaii waterfall elopements and remote black sand beach ceremonies — she has personally helped secure permits for unique locations rarely used for weddings on the Big Island.

What Sets Deanna Apart

Why Couples Choose Deanna as Their
Big Island Wedding Officiant

Deanna collaborates with every couple to create ceremonies that feel uniquely theirs. As a licensed Hawaii minister, she offers drafts, templates, and flexibility — and weaves in Hawaiian tradition whenever it's welcomed.

01

Hawaiian Tradition

From the blowing of the pū to the lei exchange, Hawaiian ring blessing, sand blending, and hand binding, Deanna incorporates meaningful Hawaiian cultural traditions into the ceremonies she performs. Through her years teaching in the Hawaiian public school system, she learned traditions such as oli, mele, and lei making from respected Kumu and continues to honor these traditions with care and respect.

02

Personalized Ceremony Drafts

Whether you want a traditional Hawaiian ceremony, religious elements from your faith, or completely original vows you've written together, Deanna provides drafts and templates and revises until every word feels right.

03

Big Island Location Expertise

With years of experience across the Big Island of Hawaii, Deanna knows the most scenic and secluded ceremony spots — and the permitting process inside and out. She'll guide you to the location that perfectly matches your vision.

04

Welcoming All Couples & Denominations

As a licensed minister, Deanna welcomes all couples and all denominations. Whether you're religious, spiritual, secular, same-sex, multicultural, or simply unconventional, your ceremony will be honored exactly as you envision it.

05

Hawaii Marriage License & Permits Handled

Hawaii beach ceremonies require permits. Marriage licenses require coordination. Deanna handles every paperwork and permit detail — so all you have to do is show up and say "I do."

06

Photographer's Eye for Hawaii Light

As a former professional wedding photographer, Deanna understands light, timing, and composition. She knows exactly when sunrise will hit the cliffs, where to stand for the ocean backdrop, and how to make every Big Island moment camera-ready.

The Path Here

A Journey Built on
Adventure & Aloha

Deanna's path to becoming the Big Island's most trusted officiant has taken her from the East Coast trails to the Hawaiian shores — and every step shaped the way she shows up for her couples.

B.A.

Stockton University

Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Religion — the foundation for ceremonies that meaningfully honor every couple's beliefs.

New Jersey

Professional Wedding Photographer

Worked as a wedding photographer, helping hundreds of couples capture their big day from behind the lens.

1,200 Miles

Hiked the Appalachian Trail

Before relocating to the islands, Deanna spent months on the trail — building the deep love of the outdoors that now informs her location knowledge.

2010

Moved to the Big Island

Traded the East Coast for the Aloha State and never looked back. The Big Island has been home ever since — and the foundation for every ceremony she would go on to perform.

UH Mānoa

Post-Baccalaureate, English Language Arts

Earned her post-baccalaureate from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa after relocating to the islands.

Hawaii Schools

Public School Educator

Taught English, Social Studies, and Hawaiian Studies — learning lei making, chants, and songs from respected Kumu along the way.

2017

Founded Kona Wedding Officiant

Began officiating ceremonies across the Big Island — quickly becoming one of the most trusted names for Hawaii elopements.

2020

Trademark Registered

Became the proud owner of the United States Registered Trademark Kona Wedding Officiant® — a name now synonymous with Big Island ceremonies.

Today

1,000+ Ceremonies & Counting

Now leading a full team of associate officiants and photographers, while still personally officiating ceremonies that bring her the deepest joy.

Off The Aisle

When She's Not
Marrying People

Deanna lives the same Hawaii lifestyle she helps her couples celebrate. When she's not standing barefoot on a beach pronouncing two people married, you'll likely find her on the trails, in the ocean, or curled up at home with her two cats and her fiancé.

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An adventurer at heart, she still chases sunrises, hikes the island's hidden valleys, and surfs the Kona coast whenever she can. That love of Hawaii's wild places is exactly why she's so good at finding magical, off-the-map locations for her couples.

Two Cats

Kona wedding officiant team member boating in Hawaii waters
Kona wedding officiant team member at outdoor stadium event
Kona wedding officiant team member at sunset with volcanic glow

In Action

Deanna at Work

A glimpse at the ceremonies, locations, and couples Deanna has had the honor of joining together across the Big Island.

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Every ceremony is crafted with care, cultural awareness, and genuine Aloha. Your wedding should feel as unique and meaningful as your journey together.

Deanna DiMichele

Founder & Lead Officiant, Kona Wedding Officiant®

Kona wedding couple with officiant on Big Island lava rock coastline

The Full Team

Deanna Leads an
Incredible Team

While Deanna personally officiates many of the ceremonies you see in our portfolio, her team also includes seasoned officiants and an in-house associate photography team. Every member delivers the same standard of care, cultural respect, and Aloha that defines Kona Wedding Officiant®.

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Get In Touch

Connect Directly
with Deanna

Have questions before booking? Want to talk through ceremony ideas, locations, or Hawaiian traditions you'd like to incorporate? Deanna personally responds to every couple's first inquiry — usually within 24 hours.

Ready to Begin?

Let's Make Your
Big Island Day Unforgettable

Whether you've been dreaming of a remote black sand beach, a tropical waterfall, or a sunset on the Kona coast — Deanna and the team are ready to make it real.

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