Kona Wedding Officiant

Kona Wedding Officiant Big Island Hawaii Weddings with Aloha - Kona Wedding Officiant®
- We travel islandwide

You don’t need a $30,000 budget or a massive guest list to get married in Hawaii! Dramatic black lava coastlines, golden...
10/02/2026

You don’t need a $30,000 budget or a massive guest list to get married in Hawaii! Dramatic black lava coastlines, golden sands, and palm-framed ocean sunsets offer a naturally stunning backdrop for an intimate beach ceremony—without the stress of traditional venue planning.

A few insider wedding tips can keep your wedding low stress - and surprisingly affordable!

Bundle Your Vendors to Keep Costs Down & Stress Low
Streamlined, all-inclusive packages lock in transparent pricing and cover all your essential ceremony details in one place.

Choose Permitted Public Beaches
Many vendors include permits with their packages, which are permitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Choosing these locations keeps permit costs minimal while offering world-class oceanfront views:
• Kukio Beach: Known for soft white sand, coconut palms, and smooth lava rock paths.
• Old Kona Airport Beach: Features expansive black lava shorelines and dramatic tide pools.
• Honls Beach: Right on Aliʻi Drive—convenient, accessible, and famous for sunset views.

Embrace Minimal Setup & Décor
State DLNR rules restrict large physical setups (such as arches, chairs, or amplified sound) on public sand. Keeping your ceremony simple is both cost-effective and fully compliant. Wear local blooms, exchange traditional leis, carry a hand-tied tropical bouquet, and keep your guest list under 15 to let the natural surroundings take center stage.

Complete Your Marriage License in 3 Easy Steps
Getting legally married in Hawaii is straightforward:
• Fill out the State Department of Health application online before arriving ($65 fee).
• Meet with a local license agent on the Big Island for a quick 10-minute ID verification.
• Hand the license to your officiant on ceremony day—they handle official filing after you say "I do."

From quiet sunrise vow exchanges to classic golden-hour sunset ceremonies, keeping your wedding simple lets you focus on what actually matters.

Tap the link in our bio to explore our Kona elopement packages, browse beach location guides, or check calendar availability today!

We had such a blast getting to know a little piece of Ciera and Ed’s love story as we shared in their intimate black san...
09/30/2026

We had such a blast getting to know a little piece of Ciera and Ed’s love story as we shared in their intimate black sand beach wedding at Kiholo Bay.

This Southern couple traveled from across the U.S. to Hawaiʻi Island for their June wedding, staying in Kona Town at the Marriott and making the most of their time here—soaking up the sun, enjoying the pool, and taking in everything the Big Island had to offer.

On their wedding day, they adorned each other with beautiful purple orchid leis before sharing sweet, personal words with one another. There was something so special about watching these two slow down and really take in the moment.

From the ukulele music that set the tone for their ceremony to the photography and video that captured their day, our team was lucky enough to be part of so many pieces of their elopement. It felt less like simply showing up for a ceremony and more like getting to share in a small piece of their story.

After saying “I do,” Ciera and Ed walked hand in hand along the black sand and lava landscape of Kiholo Bay, enjoying those quiet moments together as they began their next chapter.

We absolutely loved being part of their June wedding and getting to know these two along the way. Congratulations, Ciera & Ed! We’re so glad you chose Hawaiʻi Island for such a meaningful beginning.

Fresh out of college with a degree in philosophy and religion, I was convinced my path was set: I was going to be an inn...
09/28/2026

Fresh out of college with a degree in philosophy and religion, I was convinced my path was set: I was going to be an inner-city teacher in Philadelphia. My journey started in a 4th-grade classroom at a public charter Montessori school on Island Avenue in Southwest Philly. If you know Philadelphia, you know Southwest is a tough, resilient area near the airport. The kids who attended were considered the lucky ones, having won a lottery spot to bypass the local neighborhood public schools.

Our schoolyard was surrounded by chain-link fences, and recess was held on a simple lot of pavement, a basketball court, and a few bleachers. Coming from southern New Jersey, and compared to the lush school grounds here in Hawaii, it was a stark environment. My classroom wasn't even in the main two-story building; it was a grant-funded trailer out back. The students wore matching uniforms, and while the staff poured their hearts into keeping everything afloat, resources were always tight. I spent a huge chunk of my own paychecks buying basic supplies like pencils and paper just to keep our day-to-day operations running.

Yet, that year brought unexpected blessings. While teaching, I met a woman named Sheri who also did PR for Coca-Cola. She hired me as a contractor to shoot press photography for her after school and on weekends. I found myself capturing high-profile Coke events alongside celebrities, local officials, and massive crowds, which rapidly expanded my photography skills while I continued shooting weddings on the side for a local DJ company.

Even with those incredible opportunities, one year in the concrete jungle made me realize that classroom teaching in that setting wasn't my long-term calling. Needing an escape, I began taking weekend trips into what I soon discovered was Appalachian country.

One weekend, deep in the Pennsylvania wilderness, I crossed paths with a long-distance backpacker. I was stunned to learn he had walked all the way from Georgia. I couldn't wrap my head around it at first—the sheer scale of walking through whole states on foot. Looking into that hiker's face, something inside me shifted completely. I knew right then and there that I was going to do it, too.

When the school year ended, I made the choice not to return. Instead, I packed a bag and set off to hike from Georgia to Maine. I may not have completed every single mile to Katahdin, but that single encounter in the woods changed the trajectory of my life forever, pointing me down the trail that eventually led me all the way to the Big Island.

Photo 1&2 Appalachian Trail
Photo 3 Deanna & Kona Joe HVNP
Photo 4 Hawaii Beach Wedding!

"What happens if it rains on our wedding day?"It’s the single most common question couples ask us—from the very first in...
09/25/2026

"What happens if it rains on our wedding day?"

It’s the single most common question couples ask us—from the very first inquiry, to a month out, right down to the days leading up to the big moment.

If you’ve been watching the weather forecast 7 to 30 days before your ceremony, take a deep breath. Island forecasts weeks in advance fluctuate constantly, so we don't stress over predictions far in advance. Real, accurate weather calls only happen 1 to 3 days out.

When rain or beach closures pop up, you won't have to navigate it alone. Because our team lives and works right here on island, we have maximum flexibility to handle day-of and morning-of changes. We factor in your schedule, beach permits, and beach locations to keep things seamless.

When rain hits the forecast, we work with you directly to figure out the best plan forward: adjusting your ceremony time, moving locations, rescheduling for another day during your stay, or popping open clear umbrellas and embracing the moment!

No matter what nature brings, we’re here to make sure your wedding day is a memory you’ll love forever.

This group can jump! Wow, what an energetic and beautiful family! Chad and Kassandra renewed their wedding vows at Kukiʻ...
09/23/2026

This group can jump! Wow, what an energetic and beautiful family!

Chad and Kassandra renewed their wedding vows at Kukiʻo Beach surrounded by their children, and the energy they brought was unforgettable. Even with high surf rolling in along the shoreline, the entire group embraced every moment—from the traditional blowing of the conch shell to a celebratory mid-air jump as the golden Hawaii sunset lit up the sky.

Renewing vows with your children by your side creates a dynamic kind of magic. It’s a moment to honor the foundation you've built while celebrating the vibrant family you’ve grown together.

Congratulations to Chad, Kassandra, and their wonderful family! Thank you for letting the Kona Wedding Officiant® team be part of such a fun, love-filled evening.

Growing up on the Jersey Shore, wedding season had a rhythm all its own. From early spring to late fall, the coast came ...
09/21/2026

Growing up on the Jersey Shore, wedding season had a rhythm all its own. From early spring to late fall, the coast came alive—white sandy beaches, pristine golf clubs, and endless oceanfront homes filled with music and celebration. Then winter would roll in, freezing the coastline, quieting the tourism, and putting the whole industry on pause until the warm air returned.

It was during those high-season months that I landed one of my first "real" jobs, working as a photographer for an event company run by a local DJ. They offered full-service, all-in-one packages, handling everything from the officiant to the music and photography.

Stepping into that world was a crash course in the magic, pressure, and pure allure of a wedding day. I was young, capturing raw emotion and high-energy moments without having to worry about the mountain of backend editing. I got to witness the anticipation of couples on the biggest day of their lives, learning how to navigate the fast-paced stress while soaking in how genuinely fun it all was.

Looking back, that job taught me two things that shaped my entire life:

First, it showed me that spending 8 to 10 continuous hours at a massive, full-scale event wasn't where my heart belonged in the long run.

Second—and most importantly—it handed me a foundation I couldn't have built anywhere else. I didn't know it back then while running around the Jersey Shore with a camera, but that experience was quietly setting the stage for a path I was always meant to take.

Sometimes the early chapters don't reveal their purpose right away, but looking back, every single moment was building toward something bigger.

After 1,000+ ceremonies, a few truths emerge! Swipe through to see the top 3 lessons learned from officiating weddings o...
09/18/2026

After 1,000+ ceremonies, a few truths emerge! Swipe through to see the top 3 lessons learned from officiating weddings on the Big Island.

Planning your Hawaii elopement or wedding? Tap the link in our bio to connect with our team!

When it came to planning their Big Island wedding, Alex and Jamie chose simplicity over stress. They envisioned an intim...
09/16/2026

When it came to planning their Big Island wedding, Alex and Jamie chose simplicity over stress. They envisioned an intimate, easygoing evening on the beach with family, keeping the focus entirely on the moment itself. With their toes in the sand at Kukiʻo Beach, Alex and Jamie stood together as the late-afternoon sun dipped low over the ocean. Joined by Alex’s parents and their adorable toddler, the ceremony was short, sweet, and deeply personal. Their little one added an extra layer of sweetness to the evening, wandering the shore, laughing in his parents' arms, and reminding everyone what family is all about.

They chose our Officiant plus À La Carte Photography package, which is designed precisely for couples who want a seamless, meaningful ceremony paired with gorgeous professional photos without losing the laid-back magic of the day.

After exchanging vows, performing the hand binding ceremony, and capturing a few joyful portraits along the water’s edge, the group enjoyed a family dinner to celebrate. Alex and Jamie were then off to celebrate their honeymoon.

Sometimes the most unforgettable weddings aren’t the biggest ones—they’re the ones that keep the focus entirely on love, family, and the beauty of a quiet Hawaii sunset.

When I first started Kona Wedding Officiant, it wasn’t called Kona Wedding Officiant. It was called Hawaii Adventure Wed...
09/14/2026

When I first started Kona Wedding Officiant, it wasn’t called Kona Wedding Officiant. It was called Hawaii Adventure Wedding.

Before I moved to Hawaii, I hiked half of the Appalachian Trail — about 1,200 miles. I slept outside in freezing snow & extreme heat, carried everything I needed on my back, climbed over mountains, and spent long stretches completely alone in the wilderness.

Sometimes I would wonder if another hiker would show up that night. Sometimes I had no idea where I would sleep or who I would meet along the way. So when I moved to Hawaii, I naturally fell in love with exploring the island.

I spent days trekking through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's backcountry. Years later, when I started my wedding business, I had this dream of taking couples on wild, multi-mile wedding adventures into the most remote corners of the Big Island. I imagined couples hiking for miles with me, heading deep into the wilderness, & getting married at the literal ends of the earth.

It sounded incredible to me.

There was just one problem…

Very few people actually wanted to do that. 😂

As it turns out, the dream wedding for most couples wasn’t hiking several miles through the wilderness & then changing into their wedding clothes, trying to keep their hair and makeup intact. They wanted something beautiful, peaceful, & easy.

A gorgeous location along the Kona Coast, close to parking, maybe a 5 minute walk, minimal sweating &— most importantly — hair and makeup still intact when they said, “I do.”

And that’s how Kona Wedding Officiant was born. What started as a completely different vision somehow turned into something I never could have imagined. The business took off & before I knew it, I was able to leave teaching and focus on beach wedding planning full time.

But every once in a while, an adventurous couple finds their way to me. And those are the days I get to go back to my roots.

I get to grab my Tevas, head out along the Puna Coast & lead two people into a remote corner of the island for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime adventure and love story.

I still love every minute of it! Here's a few photos of some of my earliest adventuring couples!

Saying "I do" on a Big Island black sand beach is completely unforgettable, but this unique volcanic coastline comes wit...
09/11/2026

Saying "I do" on a Big Island black sand beach is completely unforgettable, but this unique volcanic coastline comes with a few specific ground rules you'll want on your radar! 🌋✨

Here is a quick rundown of what to keep in mind when planning your ceremony on the sand:

State Permits & Equipment Rules: Hawaii state law requires a valid DLNR Right-of-Entry permit for any commercial ceremony on public beaches. To protect the natural landscape, state rules prohibit arches, altars, carpet runners, heavy structures, and setup chairs on the sand.

Cultural Sensitivity: Black sand shorelines often border sacred heiau (temples) and historical sites. Always stay outside of marked kapu areas, never stack or move lava stones, and refrain from taking sand home as a souvenir.

Local Wildlife Guidelines: You'll frequently share the beach with native wildlife like honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles). Keep a respectful distance—at least 10 feet (or 3 meters)—at all times.

Timing & Ocean Safety: Dark basalt sand absorbs intense solar heat and can scorch bare feet by mid-day, so morning or sunset timings work best. Keep an eye on local tide charts and wave advisories, as black sand shores are prone to sudden high tides and heavy shorebreaks.

Swipe through the slides for a quick look at each tip, and feel free to drop any questions about Big Island permit details or beach logistics in the comments below!

Address

77-6563 Ali‘i Drive
Kailua-Kona, HI
96740

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+18082096275

Website

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