Getting Married on the Big Island: Kona and Kohala Wedding Guide

Big Island, Hawaii for a destination wedding: what to know

The Big Island is the sleeper pick of Hawaiian weddings. It has the state's most reliable ceremony weather, the Kohala Coast on the leeward side sees barely ten inches of rain a year, and a landscape nowhere else can match: jet-black lava fields running into white sand and turquoise water, with snow-capped Mauna Kea floating on the horizon in winter. Couples who have already done Maui and Oahu as travelers often choose the Big Island to get married precisely because it feels different.

Almost all wedding activity concentrates on the 30-mile Kona-Kohala strip. The Kohala Coast resorts, the island's luxury row, own the best ceremony lawns and beaches, with on-site coordinators and the infrastructure for 100-plus-guest weddings. Kailua-Kona town, further south, suits smaller budgets and more casual groups, with oceanfront restaurants and small venues that handle 20 to 40 people well. The lush Hilo side and Volcanoes National Park make unforgettable photo excursions but are a 90-plus-minute drive, plan them as a day trip, not the ceremony site.

The legal mechanics are Hawaii-standard and genuinely easy: $65 license, both partners in person with ID, no waiting period, no residency requirement, valid for 30 days. Kona International Airport has nonstop service from the West Coast, so guests from California, Oregon, and Washington get there as easily as to Maui; guests from further east usually connect through Honolulu.

On timing, the Big Island is the most forgiving island in Hawaii. The Kohala Coast is dependably dry in every season, so even the winter months that complicate Kauai plans work here. April, May, September, and October still offer the best room rates for your guests, and winter adds whale watching and the Mauna Kea snowcap to your photos at peak-season prices.

Budgets mirror Maui slightly down-market: most Big Island weddings we plan land between $9,000 and $22,000 for 20 to 40 guests. As everywhere in Hawaii, there are no all-inclusive resorts, so the guest experience depends on smart room-block choices, the Kohala resorts are remote by design, and guests booked at the wrong property end up 40 minutes from everything. That is the advisor's job: Courtney negotiates the block, matches budgets to the right tier, and builds the week around the ceremony, free to you, because the resorts pay her, not you.

Comparing islands? See the full destination wedding guide for costs, package mechanics, and legal requirements side by side, or browse our directory of 4 wedding venues in Big Island, Hawaii.

About Big Island, Hawaii for Destination Weddings

Hawaii's Big Island, officially known as the Island of Hawaiʻi, is the largest and youngest island in the Hawaiian chain, offering an extraordinary diversity of landscapes and experiences within a single destination. From active volcanoes and black sand beaches to snow-capped peaks and lush rainforests, the Big Island showcases nature's raw power and beauty. Home to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the world's most active volcano, Kilauea, visitors can witness the ongoing creation of land as lava flows meet the ocean. The island's massive size (larger than all other Hawaiian islands combined) means you can experience tropical beaches, desert-like conditions, temperate highlands, and volcanic moonscapes all in one trip. The western Kona side offers sunny weather, luxury resorts, and world-famous coffee farms, while the eastern Hilo side features dramatic waterfalls, botanical gardens, and a more authentic local Hawaiian atmosphere. The Big Island appeals to those seeking adventure, natural wonders, and a deeper connection to Hawaiian culture and geology.

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with active Kilauea volcano and dramatic lava landscapes
• World-renowned Kona coffee farms offering tours and tastings
• Mauna Kea summit for world-class stargazing and observatories
• Black sand beaches like Punalu'u and unique green sand beach at Papakolea
• Snorkeling with manta rays at night off Kona coast
• Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls showcasing the island's waterfall beauty