Places to Stay on the Big Island that Also Double as a Wedding Venue
Have you thought about booking your stay in Hawaii at a spot that could also be your elopement or wedding venue? I am here to advocate for that!
Some of the benefits of booking a venue or Airbnb to stay in and host your wedding or elopement ceremony are:
- Help save on potential costs.
- Hybrid venues or an Airbnb route means that you will be staying on private property. The Big Island is so amazing because it is one of the only islands that still has miles of open space and hasn’t fully been developed! When staying on private property, you know that you are abiding by island rules. This keeps local public spaces for the community, and you can still enjoy the island by being in places that are designed for events and hosting guests.
- Many of these venues typically partner with planning companies to give you a customized experience!
Here are some of my favorite spots in Hawaii to stay and host your wedding!
Say hello to oceanfront homes near Kona with a secret beach. This property boasts an incredible lawn where you can host an intimate wedding, with the added bonus of being able to see the ocean. There is a cute room for getting ready with your bridal party, and a patio for cocktail hour. You can rent one of the houses, or, if you have a larger group, also rent the house next door!
This cute spot is located 15 minutes at most from Kona, Hawaii. Since you will be driving up in elevation, the landscape changes beautifully. Go from hot, beachy, dry Kona and start to enter the cool, lush jungle and farms of Holualoa! Holualoa Inn is surrounded by coffee farms, and has gorgeous landscaping. The sunsets are incredible here because you get a perspective looking down on the island! This elopement/wedding venue is usually cooler because you’re higher in elevation. It is also often overcast, which makes for great light for your wedding photos. And just in case it rains, say hello to their huge covered pavilion. As a bonus, their wedding and elopement packages include day-of coordination – perfect for putting your mind at ease as much as possible.
Take advantage of the prime location of Starseed Ranch in the North Kohala region of Hawaii. You can visit Hawaii’s pristine valleys without overwhelming the surrounding communities. Weddings and elopements at Starseed Ranch are hosted by SLH Weddings – an all-inclusive wedding planning partner.
Hale Kukui has incredible view of the temporarily closed Waipio valley. Waipio valley is probably going to be closed on and off for 2-3 years due to road maintenance and construction, so this is an amazing opportunity to still see the sights! There are a couple of different places to stay on the property, and it is well maintained. So much lush landscaping here that makes for good photos. If you want to elope at Hale Kukui in Hawaii, you are able to do that on your own. If you are looking to host a bigger wedding affair, hiring a planner is wise. Bliss in Bloom can help with that!
This elopement venue totally rocks if you are wanting to get married at a Hawaiian waterfall! This venue is super pretty, being nestled along a river with multiple waterfalls and really nice rooms. The Falls at Reeds Island is a popular space, so you should book in advance. There is typically a minimum nightly stay here, as well.
The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls just started offering intimate wedding packages. And if you have other lodging arrangements on the Big Island, you can still book property for your intimate wedding or elopement even if you don’t want to stay. It’s also a real fun location to trash the dress! This gorgeous waterfall rappelling elopement took place at The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls! And if you love adventures, the inn hosts no shortage of activities including farm to table dinners and cooking classes, stand up paddle boarding, and more!
Hale Naia is the last house on a secluded bay in South Kona, and right next to an area popular for kayaking tours. At this wedding/elopement venue, you are steps away from snorkeling with dolphins every morning! Valley views are popular in Hawaii, and while this isn’t necessarily a valley, it is almost the closest you can get because of the dramatically beautiful mountain that drops into ocean. If you are hosting a wedding with 10 or more guests, you will want to hire someone to help with transforming the ceremony space into a reception area. Sunshower Weddings is a wonderful option for this!
Weddings of 10 or more people usually need a coordinator or planner because of their skillset when it comes to different kinds of venues. In order for you to get the best from your venue, wedding planner, and photographer, I strongly recommend hiring a wedding planner to help with these venues that double as lodging!
Some wedding planners and coordinators that specialize in many of the above venues are:
For more ideas on where to stay when you elope in Hawaii, check out The Best Places to Stay in Hawaii. And if you’re ready to make the plunge into wedding photography for your small Hawaii wedding, fill out my contact form and lets get started!
