Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Elopement at Sunrise: Rosemary & Ed

Rosemary and Ed met in college while playing Pokémon Go. They started dating in January 2019, and in May 2025, Ed proposed. A year later, they were getting married on the black sand of Punaluʻu Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Their wedding day started early. Really early!

We scheduled their ceremony for just before sunrise. Kahu Tom was their officiant, Couple Cups was photographing, and I was there to coordinate everything.

I'm Sandra, and together with my husband Kris of Couple Cups Photography, we plan and photograph intimate weddings here on the Big Island.

I wanted to share a little of Rosemary and Ed's morning, along with a few things I recommend considering if you're thinking about a sunrise elopement in Hawaii.

A Quick Note About Punaluʻu Beach Access

Updated October 2026: Rosemary and Ed were married here in May 2026, but access to Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park has changed since then.

Hawaiʻi County's lease for the park ended on August 29, 2026. In October, the County announced a tentative agreement to purchase the property, but the park remains closed while the process moves forward, unless a temporary lease agreement is reached.

You can read more in the official Hawaiʻi County announcement and the October 2026 purchase update.

Rosemary and Ed's Sunrise Wedding

One thing I always explain to couples considering sunrise weddings is that the ceremony may be short, but the morning takes some planning.

After exchanging their vows with Kahu Tom, they completed their marriage paperwork on the beach and spent the remaining photography time together. I like sunrise ceremonies for couples who want something simple and a quieter beach experience. The light is usually softer, and there are often fewer visitors around compared with later in the day.

Of course, sunrise also means getting ready in the dark!

Everything needs to be planned backward from the ceremony time, including hair and makeup, getting dressed, and the drive to the location.

And if you're staying in Kona and planning a ceremony on the Kaʻū coast, don't underestimate that drive.

That's one of the reasons I always recommend discussing the full morning timeline before choosing a sunrise ceremony.

Their Hawaiian Wedding Ceremony with Kahu Tom

He is one of the local officiants we work with for Big Island weddings, and I was happy to have him there for their morning.

The photographs show Kahu Tom with a pū (conch shell), one of the traditional elements associated with Hawaiian ceremonies.

If you're considering including Hawaiian traditions in your ceremony, I recommend talking with your officiant about what each element represents and what would be appropriate for your wedding.

Every officiant has their own approach, and it's worth having that conversation during planning.

A Simple White Lily Bouquet

Rosemary chose a white lily bouquet created by Lisa Salazar of Mauka Floral Co. I love how the white flowers look with her lace dress and the black sand. For small beach elopements, you don't necessarily need large floral arrangements. A beautiful bouquet can be enough, especially when the location already has so much natural scenery.

Of course, it depends on what you love and how you want your ceremony to look.

A Few Things to Know Before Planning a Sunrise Beach Elopement

After planning weddings on the Big Island, there are a few practical details I always encourage couples to think about.

Your wedding dress and the sand

Rosemary's lace gown had a beautiful long train, which looked lovely in the photographs.

But if you're getting married on a beach, expect your dress to touch the sand.

Having someone help with your train between photographs can make things easier. And if you're planning to wear heels, you might want to reconsider them for a beach ceremony!

Bathrooms and facilities

On the morning of Rosemary and Ed's wedding, the bathrooms at Punaluʻu weren't available.

That is something we had to account for when planning the timeline.

Facilities are different at every location, and availability can change. It's always worth checking before your wedding day.

Respecting the honu

Punaluʻu is known for its Hawaiian green sea turtles, or honu.

If you see them resting on the beach, give them plenty of space. NOAA recommends staying at least 10 feet away and never touching, chasing, or feeding them.

You can find more information in the NOAA Hawaii wildlife viewing guidelines.

Permits and location access

Not every public beach allows wedding ceremonies, and some locations have restrictions on guest counts, equipment, or professional photography.

I always recommend confirming the permissions for your specific ceremony before making final plans.

That's something we help our couples navigate, so they don't have to figure it all out on their own.

Would You Choose a Sunrise Elopement?

Sunrise weddings aren't for everyone. You have to be comfortable waking up very early, getting ready before daylight, and sometimes driving quite a distance.

But for couples who like the idea of a small ceremony and some quiet time together afterward, I think they're worth considering.

Rosemary and Ed chose a simple morning with their ceremony, a beautiful bouquet, and one hour of photography.

Thank you both for letting us be part of your wedding day!

Planning Your Own Big Island Elopement?

If you're thinking about getting married on the Big Island, I'd love to hear what you have in mind.

Whether you're planning a sunrise beach ceremony, a sunset elopement, or a small wedding with your family, we can help you find a location, plan the timeline, and coordinate the details.

My husband Kris from Couple Cups Photography can also photograph your day, so you have both planning and photography covered.

You can take a look at our Big Island elopement packages, or send me a message here.

I'd be happy to help!

Wedding Vendors

• Wedding planning and coordination: Big Island Elopement — Sandra

• Wedding photography: Couple Cups Photography — Kris

• Officiant: Kahu Tom Fernandez

• Wedding bouquet: Mauka Floral Co.

• Wedding location: Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, Big Island, Hawaii

• Wedding date: May 21, 2026

More Big Island Elopement Inspiration

If you're still exploring locations, take a look at these real weddings:

• A Sunrise Elopement at Puako

• Kona Black Sand Beach Elopement