The Complete Guide to Big Island Elopement Packages: Pricing, Permits & Locations

If you have never planned a destination elopement before, the idea of organizing a wedding ceremony on an island thousands of miles from home can feel like a lot. The good news is that eloping in Hawaii is one of the simplest ways to get married, especially on the Big Island, where local wedding teams handle nearly everything for you. This guide walks through the key things mainland couples should know before booking.

Start With the Marriage License

Hawaii doesn’t require a waiting period or a blood test for a marriage license. You and your partner need to complete the online application through the Hawaii State Department of Health, pay a small application fee, and schedule an appointment with a licensed marriage agent. You will need a valid government-issued photo ID, and if either of you was previously married, proof of divorce or a death certificate may be required if the prior marriage ended within 30 days of applying.

The appointment must be completed in person, with both partners present. After signing, your wedding team will handle the filing of the completed license after the ceremony, so you do not need to worry about mailing anything yourself.

Understand What Elopement Packages Include

Not all Hawaii elopement packages are the same. Some include only an officiant. Others bundle photography, leis, permits, and marriage license filing into one price. Before you compare costs, line up what each package actually includes.

At a minimum, look for these essentials:

• A licensed wedding officiant

• Professional photography with a stated number of edited images

• Hawaiian leis for the couple

• A Hawaii state beach permit

• Marriage license filing after the ceremony

• A free planning consultation before the wedding

If a package doesn't include one of these items, factor in the additional cost. A package starting at $500 with no photography is not the same value as one starting at $995 with 45 minutes of coverage and 20 retouched images.

Learn How Beach Permits Work

Most public beaches in Hawaii require a permit for a wedding ceremony. A reputable local team will handle this for you in most cases. For Big Island weddings, the team at Kona Wedding Officiant can obtain about 95% of all beach permits on behalf of the couple. However, certain state-managed locations require couples to apply for the permit separately. Ask your team early which category your preferred beach falls into so you are not caught off guard.

Permits are location-specific and date-specific, so once you have your heart set on a beach, your team will secure the permit as part of the booking process.

Choosing Your Location

This is one of our favorite conversations to have with couples because the Big Island gives you more variety than any other Hawaiian island. Our team performs ceremonies at over 20 locations, and we know each one intimately.

Golden sand beaches like Kuki'o Beach, Kikaua Point Park, Hapuna Beach, and Mahaiula Bay are classic choices with turquoise water, palm trees, and soft afternoon light. Old Kona Airport Beach and Holualoa Beach are easy to access and close to town. Waikoloa Beach sits along the resort corridor and works well for couples staying nearby.

For something more dramatic, black sand beaches like Kiholo Bay, Kaimu Beach, and Kehena Beach put you on a volcanic shoreline were dark sand contrasts with white waves and green vegetation. And our waterfall ceremonies at the private 120-ft Kulaniapia Falls on the Hilo side create an atmosphere that is completely different from any beach, surrounded by lush tropical greenery and the sound of rushing water.

We help couples match the location to the mood they want in their photos and the feeling they want during their ceremony. A relaxed sunset on golden sand feels very different from a dramatic exchange of vows on black lava rock, and we love helping you find the right fit.

The Marriage License Process

You do not need to be a Hawaii resident to get married there. To get started, you and your partner complete the online application through the Hawaii State Department of Health, pay a small fee. Then you schedule an in-person appointment with a licensed marriage agent, where both partners must be present with a valid government-issued photo ID. . Once the agent issues your license, there is no waiting period, so your ceremony can happen that same day or any time within 30 days.

We recommend completing this appointment a day or two after arriving on the island, before your ceremony date. We guarantee your marriage license will be ready on time for your ceremony, and we handle the filing of the signed license afterward.

What "All-Inclusive" Really Means

We know the term all inclusive elopement in Hawaii gets used loosely across the industry. Some companies use it to describe a package with just an officiant and photographer. We use it to mean that everything you need for a stress-free ceremony is included and clearly listed.

When you book with us, every item in your package is spelled out. If it is not listed, it is available as an add-on through our Wedding Shop. We believe in transparent pricing because couples planning from thousands of miles away deserve to know exactly what they are getting. Our all inclusive elopement in Hawaii packages are designed so you can pick your package, book online, and let us handle the rest.

Tips for Mainland Couples

Most of our couples fly into Kona International Airport (KOA) on the west side of the island. We recommend arriving at least two days before your ceremony to handle the marriage license appointment and adjust to the time change. Early evening ceremonies, about 45 to 90 minutes before sunset, give you the best light and most comfortable temperatures.

And please take advantage of our free consultations. A quick phone, email, or Zoom call with our team before booking will answer more questions in 20 minutes than hours of online research. We walk you through packages, beach options, permits, and timing so you feel confident before you commit.

Kona Wedding Officiant is the Big Island's top-rated wedding team and one of the most trusted providers of Hawaii elopement packages and Big Island elopement packages, with in-house photographers, licensed officiants, and packages starting at just $995.