As the world begins to flourish once more, your possibilities for a blissful and intimate wedding are endless. Now more than ever, couples are seeking romantic rejuvenation and paradise adventure, making for the perfect time to elope in Hawaii.
Before booking your destination elopement, take some time to dream, explore, and plan. If you’re looking to create a small, cost-effective wedding experience without compromising your unique style, you have landed in the right place! As the Elopement Coordinator at Holualoa Inn on the Big Island, I would like to share our team’s top seven tips for planning to elope in Hawaii.
Dream Up the Perfect Elopement Venue
Selecting the right venue is the most important—and fun—aspect of planning your Hawaiian elopement! The perfect location for your ceremony should have an aesthetic and energy that align with your unique wedding vision.
Look for venues with incredible views, oceanfront options, unique landscapes, and beautiful architecture. Our couples’ favorites include our Blue Jade Garden, featuring majestic blue jade vines adorning a tropical archway, and our Great Lawn, which offers a backdrop of the Pacific Coastline and vivid Kona sunsets.
Elope in Hawaii – And Honeymoon, Too!
Finding top-notch accommodations is a must when planning a destination elopement in Hawaii. The most low-stress and cost-effective way to create a magical experience is to book your elopement and honeymoon as part of a single stay in a small, safe, and romantic location.
Explore elopement packages that include both romantic accommodations and special add-ons for honeymooning couples. Personally, I love helping couples plan a complete honeymoon experience with their choice of activities and indulgences.
Aim for a One-Stop Shop Elopement Package
A simple planning experience shouldn’t mean settling for a bare-bones elopement. A one-stop shopping packageguarantees ease of planning without cutting corners. If you’re looking to elope in Hawaii, seek an elopement package that includes an array of services, such as photography, acoustic music, and in-room salon services.
Select a Customizable Package
A one-stop shopping experience will make the planning process simple. However, it’s neither cost effective nor personalized if a package includes more than you need. That’s why it’s important to select an elopement package that is highly customizable. Our packages allow you to choose the services and enhancements that are important to you and leave out the ones you don’t.
When it comes to services like music, photography, and beauty, it’s important that you select a professional whose work you love. Ask your elopement coordinator if their elopement packages allow couples to select the vendors of their choosing, or if they have a preferred vendor list of trusted wedding professionals from which to choose.
Get Inspired
Some brides have been planning their dream wedding for years. Others aren’t sure where to start. If you’re not sure what you have in mind, we suggest exploring websites like Pinterest or checking out our Wedding Gallery for a little wedding inspo before scheduling vendors and add-ons.
Get to Know Your Coordinator
As Elopement Coordinator, I like getting to know my couples! Wedding coordinators love weddings, but our real passion lies in connecting with people to create joyous and memorable experiences. Establishing a genuine connection with your coordinator is the best way to ensure your experience is exciting and comfortable.
Add Personal Touches
An intimate ceremony in a gorgeous location creates the foundation for the perfect elopement, but the personal touches complete the experience. The best place to elope in Hawaii is one that allows you to add unique services and experiences to your elopement package.
To perfect the wedding itself, design a wedding bouquet, create a playlist, select the right officiant, and even special-order a wedding cake. Select a venue with additional experiences and indulgences to complete the rest of your stay. At Holualoa Inn, you can surprise your loved one with our signature Love Affair package—complimentary champagne, locally made chocolates, and silk rose petals across your bed—or treat yourself to a couple’s massage. For adventurous pairs, I recommend a sunset helicopter tour, nighttime manta ray snorkel, or a guided stargazing trip to Mauna Kea. You can view full lists of our enhancements and activities on our website.