Planning a Hawaii Destination Wedding with 10–25 Guests: A Big Island Guide
Once your Hawaii destination wedding guest list grows beyond a handful of people, the planning changes a little. You’re no longer just thinking about the ceremony itself. You also need to consider where everyone will stay, how they’ll get around the island, what time of day to schedule the ceremony, where everyone can eat afterward, and which ceremony location will work comfortably for your group.
A Hawaii destination wedding with 10 to 25 guests is a wonderful size for couples who want to celebrate with their closest family and friends while still keeping the day personal and relaxed.
If you’re planning a Big Island wedding with a group, here are some of the things I recommend considering.
One of the first decisions is choosing a ceremony location that works well for your group size.
Some beaches are beautiful but may not be practical for a group of 10 to 25 people because of limited parking, difficult access, uneven terrain, or limited space. You also need to make sure your ceremony follows Hawaii's requirements for the location and group size.
Some locations along the Kona and Kohala coast that couples may want to consider include:
Old Kona Airport Beach is a popular option near Kailua-Kona. The area offers open space and beautiful ocean views, making it a practical location for couples celebrating with family and friends.
Kukiʻo Beach, located near the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, offers beautiful coastal scenery and is a popular choice for weddings. Access and ceremony requirements should be confirmed in advance, particularly for larger groups.
Kikaua Point Park offers beautiful coastal scenery and lava-rock surroundings. Because conditions and access at individual locations can change, couples should confirm current availability and any applicable requirements before planning their ceremony here.
Coconut Grove in Kailua-Kona offers a different setting from an open beach and can be a convenient option for couples who want to remain close to town.
When choosing your location, consider more than just how the beach looks in photographs. Think about parking, walking distance, accessibility for older relatives, young children, available shade, and where everyone will stand during the ceremony.
Where Should Your Guests Stay?
For a destination wedding with 10 to 25 guests, having everyone stay relatively close to the wedding location can make the entire trip easier.
Some accommodations along the Kona and Kohala Coast that couples and their guests may want to consider include:
You don't necessarily have to have everyone stay at the same hotel. Some guests may prefer a resort, while others may want a vacation rental or condo.
Another option that can work particularly well for a group of 10 to 25 is renting a large vacation home where everyone can stay together. Having the entire group under one roof can make it easier to spend time together before and after the wedding and gives everyone a common place to gather.
When choosing accommodations, consider how far everyone will need to travel to the ceremony and reception, especially if your group includes guests who aren't comfortable driving on the island.
Don't Forget Transportation
Transportation is one of the biggest things to think about when you're bringing a group to Hawaii.
The Big Island is large, and public transportation isn't generally the easiest option for a wedding group. Depending on your guest list, you may want to have everyone rent cars, arrange individual transportation, or hire transportation for the group.
Some transportation companies to look into include:
If you're arranging transportation for your guests, don't wait until the last minute. Ask about vehicle sizes, availability, pickup locations, and how many passengers they can accommodate.
It's also helpful to give guests clear information about where they need to meet, what time they should be ready, and how long they should allow for travel.
What Time Should You Have Your Ceremony?
Timing is especially important for a Big Island beach wedding.
For morning ceremonies, I generally recommend looking at 8:00–10:00 AM. Morning temperatures are typically more comfortable, and the lighting can be beautiful for photography.
For couples who prefer a sunset ceremony, I generally recommend looking at the 4:00–7:00 PM timeframe.
The exact sunset time changes throughout the year, so your ceremony time should be selected based on the actual sunset for your wedding date rather than assuming the same time will work year-round.
Remember that sunset isn't the same time every day. Your photographer and wedding team can help you determine the best ceremony start time based on the date, location, lighting, and photography you want.
For a group wedding, also give everyone enough time to arrive, park, walk to the ceremony location, and get settled. A few extra minutes of buffer can make a big difference.
Plan for the Big Island Weather
Hawaii is beautiful, but your guests should still be prepared for an outdoor ceremony.
Encourage everyone to bring:
Water
Sunscreen
Comfortable shoes
Sunglasses
Clothing appropriate for warm weather
A light layer if they'll be out later in the evening
If elderly family members or guests with mobility concerns are attending, pay particular attention to the walking distance from parking to the ceremony location and the type of terrain they'll encounter.
Group and Family Photos
With 10 to 25 guests, your photographer will have more combinations to capture than they would with an elopement.
Before the wedding, make a simple list of the group photographs you definitely want.
For example:
Everyone together
Couple with parents
Couple with siblings
Couple with grandparents
Couple with children
Individual family groupings
Couple portraits
Taking the large group photograph immediately after the ceremony is often helpful because everyone is already together. After that, you can move through the smaller combinations before transitioning into photographs of just the couple.
Where Should Everyone Eat After the Wedding?
One of the best parts of having a destination wedding with family and friends is getting everyone together for a meal afterward.
For a group of 10 to 25, I recommend making restaurant reservations well in advance rather than assuming you can walk in with a large group.
Some Big Island restaurants to consider include:
These are just a few options to research. Your ideal restaurant will depend on where your guests are staying, your budget, the type of meal you're looking for, and whether you want a more casual dinner or a special occasion experience.
When contacting a restaurant, tell them the exact number of guests and that you're celebrating a wedding. Ask about large-party reservations, private or semi-private dining, group menus, deposits, and cancellation policies.
Build Your Guest Information Before Everyone Arrives
Your guests are traveling a long way to celebrate with you, so make their trip as easy as possible.
I recommend giving your guests a simple information sheet that includes:
Wedding date and ceremony time
Ceremony location
Where to park
How far they will need to walk
What shoes to wear
Suggested hotels
Transportation information
Restaurant recommendations
Weather and what to pack
Contact information for the wedding team
This is especially helpful for guests who have never been to the Big Island.
A Practical Big Island Destination Wedding Checklist
If you're planning a wedding with 10 to 25 guests, work through these items early:
Confirm your guest count
Choose a ceremony location appropriate for your group
Confirm the location's current requirements and restrictions
Book accommodations
Consider whether renting a large vacation home for the entire group makes sense
Decide whether guests will rent cars or use group transportation
Research transportation companies and reserve transportation if needed
Choose your ceremony time based on the actual sunset or preferred morning timing
Create a photography shot list
Make a restaurant reservation for your group
Give guests information about parking, walking, timing, and what to wear
Share hotel and transportation recommendations with your guests
Make the Day About the People You Love
A destination wedding with 10 to 25 guests doesn't have to feel complicated. The key is taking care of the logistical details ahead of time so your family and friends know where to go, where to stay, how to get there, and what to expect.
With thoughtful planning, you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying the people who traveled to Hawaii to celebrate with you.
The Big Island gives you the opportunity to create a wedding day that feels personal, beautiful, and relaxed — whether you're exchanging vows in the morning, watching the sun set over the Pacific, or gathering around a table afterward for dinner with the people closest to you.
Ready to Start Planning Your Big Island Wedding?
Contact Deanna DiMichele owner of Kona Wedding Officiant, to start planning now.
We offer all-inclusive wedding packages designed to make planning your Hawaii wedding simple, from the ceremony and officiant to photography and other wedding-day details.
You can also book a free consultation
to discuss your wedding plans, guest count, ceremony location, timing, and what you're looking for on your special day.
Kona Wedding Officiant has been helping couples create beautiful Big Island weddings since 2017.
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