How much does a Big Island elopement cost?

Big Island Elopement packages start at $1,950 and go up to $4,950. All packages include photography, officiant, florals, planning, and full coordination. Everything is taken care of so you just show up and say yes.

What is included in a Big Island elopement package?

Our packages include elopement planning and coordination, wedding photography by Kris, a licensed officiant, floral arrangements, location scouting, and permit handling. Hair and makeup can be added on.

Who is the best elopement planner on the Big Island of Hawaii?

Big Island Elopement, run by Sandra and Kris, is a husband and wife team based in Waikoloa with over a decade of experience planning and photographing elopements across the Big Island of Hawaii.

Do you need a permit to elope on the Big Island?

Some beaches and state parks on the Big Island require permits for ceremonies and commercial photography. Big Island Elopement handles all permit applications for you as part of every package.

Can you plan a last minute elopement in Hawaii?

Yes. Big Island Elopement has planned elopements in as little as 7 days. If you have a date in mind, reach out immediately and we will do everything we can to make it happen.

Do you travel to other Hawaiian islands?

Yes. While we are based on the Big Island we regularly travel to Maui, Oahu, and Kauai for elopements and intimate weddings. Travel fees apply.

The Ultimate Guide to a Hawaii Micro Wedding: Everything You Need to Succeed with 25 Guests or Less

The air on the Big Island is different. It’s heavy with the scent of salt spray and damp earth, moving softly through the palm fronds like a secret.

You’re standing on a ledge of black volcanic rock. The Pacific is churning below, unapologetically blue, rhythmic, and vast. There are no crowds. No echoing ballrooms. No seating charts that make your head spin.

Just you. Your partner. And the twenty or thirty people who actually know the core of your soul.

This is the micro wedding. It’s not just a smaller version of a big wedding, it’s an entirely different beast. It’s intentional. It’s honest. And, if you do it right, it’s completely effortless.

I’m Sandra, your elopement planner and coordinator. My husband Kris is the eye behind the lens at Couple Cups. Together, we’ve spent years tucked away on this island, finding the spots that aren't on the maps and the vendors who treat every bouquet like a piece of art.

We’ve built this guide to help you navigate the wild, beautiful process of planning a micro wedding on the Big Island.

Let’s get into it.

Why 25 Guests is the Magic Number

There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you keep your guest list to 25.

At 100 guests, you’re a host. You’re managing logistics. You’re making sure Aunt Sue finds her vegan entrée.

At 25 guests, you’re a participant.

You actually get to look into the eyes of every single person there. You can share a toast without a microphone. You can feel the weight of the moment because you aren't being pulled in a dozen different directions.

On the Big Island, the total practical limit for many of our most stunning "off-the-beaten-path" locations is 30 people—and that count includes the couple plus essential vendors like the photographer and officiant. That’s why we recommend keeping your guest list to 25. Once you go beyond that total, the logistics of transport, permitting, and impact on the land shift dramatically. Keeping it intimate keeps it simple.

The Logistics: The "Not-So-Romantic" Essentials

Let’s be blunt for a moment. You cannot just show up to a beach in Hawaii with 25 people and start a ceremony.
The state is protective of its land, as it should be. To have a micro wedding here, you need to understand two key things: the Marriage License and the ROE Permit.

1. The Marriage License

You must apply for your Hawaii marriage license at least 30 days before you plan to say "I do."

The Cost: $65.
The Catch: It is only valid for 30 days once issued.
The Process: You apply online, but you must meet with a license agent in person once you arrive on the island to verify your IDs. Don't leave this until the last minute.

2. Hawaii Wiki Permit / Right-of-Entry (ROE) Permit

If you want your toes in the sand, you need a Hawaii Wiki Permit for beach weddings on public state land. This is the permit used for commercial activity—and yes, that includes weddings with vendors like your photographer and officiant.

The Capacity: The maximum is 30 people total, including the couple, all guests, and vendors. That’s exactly why we recommend keeping your guest list to 25. It leaves room for the required pros without pushing the total over the limit.
The Cost: The permit is $20.
The Time Window: It covers a 2-hour window.
The Fine Print: Some locations are even stricter and may allow only 10 or 25 people total, so your dream beach may have a lower cap than the general state maximum.
The Warning: These permits are strict, and many public beaches also have restrictions on "accessories." This means no chairs (unless for the elderly), no arches, and no amplified music. We embrace the "bare feet and natural beauty" vibe for a reason—it’s often the cleanest, easiest way to stay within the rules.

For more on these specifics, check out our top 10 questions for Hawaii eloping couples.

Finding Your "Where"

The Big Island is a continent in miniature. You can go from frozen tundra on the peaks to lush tropical jungles and stark, sun-drenched lava fields in a single afternoon.

When we scout locations for our couples, we aren't just looking for "pretty." We’re looking for the feeling.

The Kona Coast: Perfect for those white sand dreams and consistent golden hour glows.
Punalu’u: For the adventurous souls who want the drama of black sand and sea turtles. (See our Punalu’u elopement guide for the details).
The Cliffs: For the ones who want to feel small against the power of the ocean.

We handle the location scouting because we know which beaches get crowded at 4:00 PM and which ones stay quiet until sunset. We know the secret paths that lead to coves most tourists drive right past.

The "Effortless" Experience: How We Work

Planning a wedding from 2,500 miles away is stressful. Our goal is to take that weight off your shoulders.

As your planner and day-of coordinator, I (Sandra) handle the heavy lifting. I coordinate the local talent, the officiants who speak from the heart, the florists who know exactly which tropical blooms will withstand the island heat, and the stylists who can make hair stay put in a sea breeze.

You don't need to hunt for a hair and makeup artist or wonder if your flowers will show up. You just show up.

We offer curated elopement packages that cover the essentials so you can focus on the person standing in front of you.

Capturing the Honest Moments

While I’m managing the timeline and the vendors, Kris is capturing the soul of the day.

Kris doesn’t do "stiff." He doesn't do "over-posed." His style is documentary, candid, warm, and deeply connected to the environment.

He wants to catch the way the light hits the salt on your skin. The way your partner looks at you when they think no one is watching. These aren't just wedding photos; they are a record of an experience.

When you look back at your gallery, we want you to remember exactly how the air felt and the sound of the waves hitting the rocks.

Timing is Everything

If you’re planning a micro wedding on the Big Island, timing is your best friend.
**Sunrise:** For the quietest, most private experience. The light is soft, blue, and ethereal.
**Sunset:** For the drama. The sky turns to fire, and the shadows get long and romantic.
**Seasonality:** April through October offers the best weather window, but honestly? This island is beautiful year-round. Just be prepared for a rogue tropical shower, it’s considered a blessing here.

A Note on Stewardship

We love this island. It is our home.

When we plan a micro wedding, we follow "Leave No Trace" principles. We respect the land (the ’aina) and the local culture. We encourage our couples to incorporate local traditions, like the exchange of leis, which adds a layer of depth and respect to the ceremony.

Authenticity isn't just about the photos. It’s about how you treat the place where you’re starting your new life together.

Your Next Steps

Planning a Hawaii micro wedding doesn’t have to be a puzzle.

It should feel like a conversation. A slow exhale.

If you’re ready to stop scrolling through endless Pinterest boards and start actually planning your day, we’re here. We’ll find the spot. We’ll handle the permits. We’ll make sure the flowers are perfect and the photos are timeless.

All you have to do is show up and say yes.

Are you ready to start your Big Island adventure?Let's chat. We can't wait to meet you.