Some weddings have a color palette. Taylor and Kyle’s Kona wedding had a whole personality, and that personality was GREEN.

Matching green aloha shirts on the wedding party. Lime green getting-ready robes. Greenery lei on basically every neck at the ceremony. An invitation suite covered in botanical illustrations. By the time the sky turned pink over the Kona coast for sunset portraits, I was fully convinced no color combo will ever top it.

These two celebrated at Holualoa Inn, a private estate and working coffee farm tucked upcountry above Kailua-Kona. If you’ve been around my blog lately you know I can’t stop photographing this place, and Taylor and Kyle’s day is exactly why. They took over the whole estate, filled the Great Lawn with people they love, brought in a dream team of Big Island vendors, and danced under string lights until the stars came out. It was equal parts destination wedding and family reunion, which is exactly what a Kona wedding should be. Let me show you!

Getting Ready for Their Kona Wedding

The morning started slow and giggly, the way the best wedding mornings do. Taylor and her girls hung out in matching lime green robes while the Golden Hour Beauty team worked their magic, and the whole room felt like a sleepover that happened to end in a wedding. Her gown hung in the doorway of the Inn’s gorgeous dark koa wood armoire, and honestly, the detail shots at this venue style themselves. Kukui nut and shell lei laid out on warm wood. The green botanical invitation suite. Even the slippahs made the flat lay!

Meanwhile, Kyle got ready with his crew out on the lanai of the estate’s plantation-style building, cream suit on, completely relaxed. One of my favorite things about a full estate wedding at Holualoa Inn is that nobody has to leave. Both getting-ready spaces, the ceremony lawn, and the reception pavilion are all a two-minute walk from each other, which means more hangout time and zero shuttle stress.

A Kona Wedding Ceremony with an Ocean View

Taylor and Kyle said their vows on the Great Lawn under the giant monkeypod tree, with the Kona coastline stretched out behind them and the ocean glowing in the distance. If you’re picturing it, yes, it’s as good as it sounds. It might be the single best ceremony backdrop on the Big Island.

The ceremony itself was packed with meaning. Lei exchanges, maile draped over Kyle’s shoulders, family wrapped in greenery, and more happy tears than I could keep count of. And when they kissed? The whole lawn erupted. Their guests were LOUD in the best way, and I have the frames to prove it.

If you’re planning a Hawaii wedding and wondering about incorporating lei, here’s my two cents as someone who photographs them constantly: do it. A lei exchange between you and your partner, or between you and your parents, is one of the most photogenic and most meaningful moments you can build into a ceremony. Lei represent love, honor, and welcome, and watching Taylor and Kyle’s families drape each other in greenery said more than any reading could have. Work with a local lei maker, keep them refrigerated until go time, and give your photographer a heads up so we’re in position.

One thing I tell every couple planning a Holualoa Inn wedding: the upcountry afternoon light here is a photographer’s dream. Clouds roll softly over the Hualalai slopes, which means no harsh shadows and no squinting down the aisle. Your ceremony photos get that dreamy, even glow without anyone melting in direct sun.

Cocktail Hour, Family Portraits + a Sunset That Showed Off

While guests headed to cocktail hour with paper fans and cold drinks in hand, we knocked out family portraits on the lawn. Can we appreciate a family that coordinates in green aloha shirts and tropical prints? Group photos usually feel like the homework of a wedding day. These felt like a party.

Then the sky did the thing. Taylor and Kyle snuck away with me for sunset portraits, and the clouds broke open into pink and gold over the coastline. Her train and veil catching the breeze, his maile lei silhouetted against the sky, palm trees going golden at the edges. This is the part of a Kona wedding you cannot plan and cannot fake. You just have to build twenty minutes into your timeline, trust your photographer, and let the Big Island do what it does.

Dancing Under String Lights at the Pavilion

As the sun dropped, everyone gathered under the open-air pavilion for dinner and the best kind of chaos. String lights glowing overhead, tables lined with florals, and a local-style spread from Island Style Grindz that had the buffet line moving FAST.

The reception hit every note. Toasts that had Taylor wiping tears at the head table. A cake cutting that stayed respectful (barely). A first dance under the lights that I shot in black and white because some moments just belong there. And then the dance floor OPENED. Green aloha shirts everywhere, arms up, zero self-consciousness. The kind of party where the playlist doesn’t matter because everybody’s already moving.

Rentals from Ohana Tables & Chairs and Kona Event Rentals transformed the pavilion, and planner Ally B Inspired Events kept the whole day flowing so smoothly that I never once saw Taylor or Kyle check the time. That’s the dream, friends. That’s what a great planning team buys you.

The Film + Polaroid Extras

Here’s a little bonus that makes my heart happy: Taylor and Kyle’s gallery ends with a section of Polaroids and true film scans from throughout the day. There’s something about instant film at a wedding. The slightly imperfect frames, the softness, the way they feel like memories instead of photos. If you’re a couple who loves that nostalgic, tangible feel, ask me about adding film coverage to your day. It’s one of my favorite things to shoot.

Why a Kona Wedding Hits Different

Here’s the thing about getting married on the Kona side of the Big Island: you get the best version of Hawaii weather. The leeward coast is the dry, sunny side, which means way fewer rained-out ceremonies than you’d risk in Hilo or on parts of the other islands. And when you go upcountry like Taylor and Kyle did, you trade beach crowds for coffee farms, cooler evening air, and views that look DOWN on the coastline instead of out from it. Sunset from 1,400 feet up? Unmatched.

Kona also makes life easy on your guests. The airport is 25 to 30 minutes from Holualoa, Kailua-Kona has accommodations at every budget, and everyone can build a real vacation around your wedding. Manta ray night snorkels, coffee farm tours, beach days at Magic Sands. Your wedding becomes the anchor of the best trip your people take all year, and honestly, that’s half the reason to get married in Hawaii in the first place.

Planning Your Own Kona Wedding

If Taylor and Kyle’s day has you opening a new tab to look at flights, here’s your head start. Holualoa Inn hosts one wedding at a time, so the entire 30-acre estate is yours. Their Estate Wedding Package hosts up to 120 guests and includes access the day before for setup, which is exactly how days like this one come together without stress. You can read my full breakdown of the venue’s spaces, pricing, and insider tips in my Holualoa Inn venue guide, and see another take on the estate in Julie and Sam’s wedding.

A few quick tips from someone who shoots here a lot: put your guests in Kailua-Kona (it’s only about 15 minutes down the mountain, and here are my tips for a first Hawaii visit to share with them), build sunset portraits into your timeline, and trust local vendors who know the island. Oh, and if you’re getting glammed, my friends wrote this great post with hair and makeup tips for Hawaii weddings. Humidity is real!

Ready to start planning? Check out my Hawaii wedding photography packages and reach out here. I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up!

Taylor + Kyle’s Kona Wedding Vendor Team

Photography: Aly Dove Photography

Venue: Holualoa Inn

Wedding Planner: Ally B Inspired Events

Catering: Island Style Grindz

Makeup: Golden Hour Beauty

Event Rentals: Ohana Tables & Chairs

Event Rentals: Kona Event Rentals

Content Creator: The BTS Dulhan

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Julie + Sam’s Holualoa Inn Wedding in Kona, Hawaii

A Holualoa Inn Wedding Photographer’s Guide: Pricing, Spaces + What to Know

Chelsea + Chase’s Holualoa Inn Elopement: A Private Estate + a Sunset Cruise

A Papa Kona Wedding in Kona, Hawaii

Some elopements are about the epic hike or the dramatic cliff. Chelsea and Chase’s Holualoa Inn elopement was about something totally different: slowing all the way down.

They booked out the entire 30-acre estate, married each other in the gardens with the Kona coast stretched out below, and ended their day on a sunset cruise on the Pacific. No timeline stress, no crowds, no rushing. Just the two of them, soaking in every single minute.

If that sounds like your kind of wedding day, keep reading, because this one is a masterclass in how to elope in Hawaii without sacrificing an ounce of luxury or intention.

Why a Holualoa Inn Elopement Hits Different

Here’s the thing that made this day stand out, even for me, and I photograph elopements all over the islands: Chelsea and Chase had the whole place to themselves.

Holualoa Inn sits on a 30-acre working Kona coffee estate in the hills above Kailua-Kona, and it only hosts one celebration at a time. For an elopement, that means the gardens, the mosaic-tiled pool, the ocean-view hot tub, the hidden pathways, and those panoramic coastline views? All yours. It’s the privacy of a remote adventure elopement with the comfort of a boutique inn wrapped around it.

Most couples picture eloping in Hawaii as a beach at sunrise or a cliffside at golden hour (and hey, I love those days too). But there’s something really special about an estate elopement where you wake up on the property, get married steps from your room, and never once look at a clock. If you want the full rundown on this venue, I wrote a complete Holualoa Inn wedding guide covering the spaces, packages, and pricing.

I’d especially recommend this style of elopement if one of you loves the idea of adventure but the other wants comfort. It’s the compromise nobody has to feel like they made. You still get the epic Hawaii backdrop and the just-us intimacy, but with a real bed, a gourmet breakfast, a pool, and zero four a.m. trailhead alarms. It’s also perfect for couples celebrating a milestone alongside their elopement: an anniversary trip, a vow renewal energy kind of day, or simply the honeymoon and wedding rolled into one unforgettable stay.

What a Holualoa Inn Elopement Day Actually Looks Like

One of the questions I get most from eloping couples is, “So… what do we actually do all day?” Fair question! When there’s no reception or guest list, the day opens up in the best way. Here’s roughly how a day like Chelsea and Chase’s flows:

• Morning: Slow breakfast at the inn with estate-grown Kona coffee. No alarms, no schedules, just easing into the biggest day of your lives.
• Midday: Getting ready at your own pace, with time for a letter exchange, a swim, or just wandering the gardens together before you’re “officially” seeing each other.
• Afternoon: Your ceremony, held wherever on the estate speaks to you, followed by unhurried portraits as we chase the light around all 30 acres.
• Evening: Your adventure of choice. For Chelsea and Chase, that meant trading the mountainside for the open ocean and a Kona sunset cruise.

That’s it. That’s the whole timeline. No cocktail hour to orchestrate, no vendors to wrangle, no schedule anxiety. Just a full day of actually experiencing your wedding instead of managing it.

A Slow Island Morning (The Way Elopement Days Should Be)

They had breakfast at the Inn together overlooking the ocean. & they choose to get ready together 🙂 When I arrived they were still getting ready, but I always say there’s no being “behind” on your elopement day because you have no guests 🙂 So I told them to take their time and meet me by the pavilion when they were ready.

Other note: When you stay at the Inn you can also easily walk right into the town of Holualoa. Streets lined with cute shops and art galleries. I personally love grabbing a light bite and coffee at Holualoa Gardens and Kitchen (a cafe and restaurant) https://visitholualoa.com/ And then you can head back to the inn.

This is my favorite argument for eloping at a place like this: the morning actually belongs to you. No venue arrival time, no shuttling between locations, no getting ready in a hotel room across town. Just estate-grown Kona coffee, birdsong, and all the time in the world.

Their Holualoa Inn Elopement Ceremony with Kahu Tom

Here’s the thing about eloping: there’s no processional, no aisle music cue, no waiting rooms. Chelsea and Chase simply walked over to the ceremony site together, hand in hand, where Kahu Tom was waiting for them in his haku lei and traditional dress, and greeted them both with the warmest hugs. If you’re not familiar, a kahu is a Hawaiian officiant and spiritual leader, and having your ceremony led by one adds a layer of meaning and connection to place you have choosen to exchange your vows. I absolutely love that for couples marrying here in the islands.

Kahu Tom opened the ceremony by blowing the pū (the conch shell), and I’m telling you, hearing that sound roll out over the coastline below never stops giving me chills. From there, the whole ceremony was woven with Hawaiian tradition. Chelsea and Chase exchanged leis, her draping a green maile-style lei over his shoulders, him giving her a strand of white orchids. They read their vows from tiny vow books, and it was the full emotional spectrum: Chase grinning through his, Chelsea smiling through happy tears during hers. Then Kahu Tom blessed their rings with water over a carved wooden koa bowl with a ti leaf before they slid them on.

And their attire? A masterclass in relaxed elopement style. Chase wore a cream knit camp-collar shirt with linen pants, Chelsea wore a strapless gown with a delicate lace corset bodice and an orchid tucked in her hair. Comfortable, breezy, completely them, and exactly right for a garden ceremony above the Kona coast.

They said their vows on the lawn near the sprawling monkeypod tree with Kailua Bay hazy and blue in the distance, and because the estate was theirs alone, the whole thing felt unhurried in a way big wedding days rarely do. No guests to seat, no mic checks, no timeline pressure. Just two people, their kahu, and the Kona coastline holding the moment.

Portraits with the Whole Estate to Ourselves

After the ceremony, we wandered. That’s the luxury of a full buyout: every corner of the property was open to us, and we could chase the light wherever it went. We started in the golden bamboo grove (yes, Holualoa Inn has a literal grove of yellow bamboo, and yes, it photographs like a dream), where the two of them strolled hand in hand while a little rainbow lens flare showed up like it was invited. Then it was twirls in the gardens between the monstera and palms, and a quiet moment by the mosaic-tiled pool with the coffee farm rolling downhill to Kailua Bay below, a ship drifting across the water like a little preview of how their evening would end.

This is also where the relaxed vibe of their day really showed up in the photos. When couples aren’t watching a timeline, they stop posing and start just being together. Those are always, always the best frames. Even the tiny details told the story: Chelsea’s gold ring next to the little bow tattooed on her finger, her hand resting on Chase’s chest like they had all the time in the world. Because they did.

An Impromptu Piano Session at the Inn

And then, my favorite moment of the whole day. We wandered barefoot into the Main Inn (koa-toned wood walls, stained glass, all that old Hawaii charm), and Chase sat down at the piano and just… started playing for her. Chelsea leaned against it and watched him, and I quietly documented one of the most intimate little scenes I’ve photographed all year.

THIS is what I mean when I say the buyout changes everything. You cannot commandeer the piano in a resort lobby on your wedding day. But when the entire inn is yours? Your wedding day gets to include the moments no timeline could ever schedule. We finished with a few editorial, flash-style portraits around the inn’s gorgeous interiors, and honestly, they look like they belong in a magazine spread.

Ending the Day on a Kona Sunset Cruise

Now for my favorite plot twist: instead of a reception, Chelsea and Chase closed their elopement with a sunset cruise off the Kona coast. I cannot recommend this move enough. You’ve already got the mountain views all day at Holualoa Inn, so ending on the water gives your gallery a completely different world of imagery, and Kona sunsets from a boat are genuinely unreal. It’s also the perfect built-in transition from wedding day to honeymoon: you step off the boat already in vacation mode.

A few practical notes if you’re stealing this idea (please steal this idea): the Kona side of the Big Island is the leeward, calm-water side, which means evening cruises here are smooth sailing far more often than not. Book a departure about an hour and a half before sunset so you catch the golden light on the water and the sunset itself. And if you want to level it up even further, Kona is world-famous for its night manta ray snorkels, which make an unforgettable day-after adventure while you’re still glowing.

Chelsea + Chase’s Vendor Team

• Venue + Planning: Holualoa Inn
• Officiant: Kahu Tom
• Photography: Aly Dove Photography

Planning Your Own Holualoa Inn Elopement

If this day has you rethinking the big-wedding route, here’s what to know:

• The venue offers dedicated elopement packages for just the two of you, or up to four guests. Full details and pricing are in my Holualoa Inn wedding guide.
• Stay on the property. Waking up at the estate is half the magic, and it turns your elopement into a mini honeymoon before the honeymoon.
• Add an adventure to bookend your day. A sunset cruise, a manta ray snorkel, a coffee farm tour. Kona makes it easy, and it doubles your photo variety.
• Any time of year works. Kona weather is famously consistent, and because Holualoa Inn hosts one celebration at a time, you’re not fighting for peak-season Saturdays the way you would at a resort. That said, book early if your heart is set on a specific date.
• Plan your ceremony for mid-morning if you want to do an afternoon adventure That leaves the morning slow, gives us nice light for portraits. still gets you to the harbor in time for a sunset departure if you’re adding a cruise.
• Handle the legal side early. My guide on making your marriage legal in Hawaii walks you through the license process step by step.
• Start with the big picture. If you’re still deciding between islands or venues, my how to elope in Hawaii guide is the place to begin.

Your Holualoa Inn Elopement Photographer

Hi, I’m Aly! I’m a Hawaii-based elopement and wedding photographer (and former adventure guide) with 100+ celebrations across the islands under my belt. Whether your dream day looks like a private estate, a hidden beach, or a boat at sunset, I’m here to help you plan it, photograph it, and actually enjoy it. Check out my elopement experience and then reach out here. Let’s start dreaming up your day!

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• A Holualoa Inn Wedding Photographer’s Guide: Pricing, Spaces + What to Know
• Julie + Sam’s Holualoa Inn Wedding in Kona, Hawaii
• How to Elope in Hawaii
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Some venues photograph well. Kona Village is not one of those venues. Kona Village is the kind of place that makes a photographer’s whole job feel like cheating.eel easy, and Julie and Sam’s Holualoa Inn wedding was one of those days.

Sammy and Charlie’s Kona Village wedding on the Big Island was a full celebration of a day: butter yellow bridesmaids, a bouquet in the brightest corals and oranges you’ve ever seen, oceanfront vows, a live band that kept the dance floor packed until the very end, and an after party that literally ended in the pool. These two came to celebrate, and their people matched their energy all day long.

I’m sharing my favorite Kona Village wedding photos from their day below, along with the incredible local vendor team that pulled it all together. If you’re planning your own wedding at this venue, take notes on that vendor list. Every single one of them knows how to work this property.

Getting Ready for Their Kona Village Wedding

The morning started in one of the guest hale, and honestly, getting ready photos at Kona Village barely need styling. Warm wood, thatched roofs, natural light, palms outside every window. You just open the doors and go.

Sammy’s hair and makeup came together with Indigo Grace Artistry while her bridesmaids floated around in the prettiest shade of butter yellow. Soft, sunny, and so right for this venue. Her gown was airy and romantic with a long veil that showed up beautifully all day, especially once the trade winds got involved.

Charlie and his guys went with light tan suits finished with fresh green leis, which is my favorite kind of groom look for a Hawaii wedding. Classic, relaxed, and completely at home against the lava rock and palms.

The details deserve their own paragraph here: an invitation suite styled with fresh island greenery, and a bouquet from Daisy Dukes Flower Farm in saturated corals, oranges, and pinks that popped against every single backdrop on the property. There is something special about flowers grown on the island you’re getting married on, and it showed.

Before the ceremony, Sammy and Charlie shared a first look on the lawn, which bought us relaxed couple portraits and full wedding party photos before a single guest arrived. If you’re debating a first look for your own Kona Village wedding, this timeline is a strong argument for it.

An Oceanfront Ceremony on the Big Island

The ceremony took place on the oceanfront lawn, framed by palms, black lava rock, and the thatched rooflines that make Kona Village feel like nowhere else. Falynn and the team at Sunshower Weddings ran the whole day so smoothly that I never once saw Sammy or Charlie check the time. That is exactly what a great planner buys you.

Two ceremony details I loved. First, the florals: vibrant tropical arrangements in that same coral and orange palette, set low against the lava rock so the ocean stayed the backdrop. Second, the paper parasols guests used for shade, which turned every wide shot of the ceremony into something out of an editorial.

A live guitarist from the Island Kings Band played as Sammy walked down the aisle, and live acoustic music drifting over an oceanfront ceremony is one of those things you cannot fake with a speaker. The whole thing felt personal and unhurried, right through the kiss and a very happy walk back up the aisle, veil flying.

Golden Hour Kona Village Wedding Photos

If you take away one planning tip from this post, let it be this: build 20 to 30 minutes of golden hour into your Kona Village wedding timeline. The west-facing coastline here means the sun sets straight into the ocean, and the light in that last stretch of the day is unreal.

Sammy and Charlie snuck away to the black lava coastline as the sun dropped, and these ended up being some of my favorite Kona Village wedding photos I’ve ever taken. Her white gown against the dark rock, the sky doing its whole peach-and-gold thing over the water, and the two of them completely relaxed because the ceremony was behind them and the party was ahead.

And their ride back to the reception? A golf cart from Golf Cars Hawaii decked out in pink streamers and a Just Married banner. At a property as spread out as Kona Village, golf carts are a genuinely practical call for you and your guests. Decorated like this one, they’re also a photo op.

A Reception with Live Island Music

Then came the party. The reception was set on the lawn with long wooden tables, and Kona Event Rentals and BBJ La Tavola brought the design to life in pinks and corals: patterned runners, woven chargers, candlelight everywhere, and a hanging installation of fresh orchid lei that might be my favorite reception detail of the year.

Dinner rolled into toasts that had Sammy laughing and crying in the same five minutes, a first dance under the string lights, parent dances, and a white cake dressed in pink blooms.

The Island Kings Band played live all night, and I mean all night. The dance floor never emptied. If you’re on the fence about live music versus a DJ for your Big Island wedding, this reception would settle it for you in about four minutes.

And because Sammy and Charlie are Sammy and Charlie, the night ended with an after party and a full-clothes pool jump. Yes, there are photos. Yes, they’re incredible.

One more thing you’ll spot woven through their gallery: Polaroids. I shot instant film alongside my cameras all day, and there is something about those little frames from a Kona Village wedding that digital just can’t touch.

The Vendor Team Behind This Kona Village Wedding

A wedding day like this one is a group project, and this group nailed it:

Venue: Kona Village

Photography: Aly Dove Photography

Wedding Planner: Falynn at Sunshower Weddings

Florals: Daisy Dukes Flower Farm

Hair + Makeup: Indigo Grace Artistry

Live Music: Island Kings Band

Event Rentals: Kona Event Rentals

Linens: BBJ La Tavola

Transportation: Golf Cars Hawaii

3 Tips for Amazing Kona Village Wedding Photos

If Sammy and Charlie’s gallery has you dreaming about your own day here, a few things I’d tell you as the person behind the camera:

1. Protect your golden hour. I said it above and I’ll say it again because it matters most. Sunset portraits on this coastline are the frames you’ll hang on your wall. Ask your planner to build it into the timeline before you finalize anything else.

2. Lean into the property, not just the beach. Everyone comes for the ocean, but some of the best Kona Village wedding photos happen away from the water. The hale architecture, the palms, the black lava rock, the pathways at dusk. Give your photographer time to move you around the property instead of planting everything in one spot.

3. Book vendors who know the venue. Kona Village is a big, spread-out property with its own rhythm. Every vendor on Sammy and Charlie’s team had it dialed, and you could feel it in how smoothly the day ran. When you’re interviewing vendors, ask if they’ve worked here. It shows up in the photos more than you’d think.

After the ceremony, Julie and Sam snuck away with me for portraits around the grounds while their guests enjoyed cocktail hour. Between the coffee fields, the lush gardens, and that famous Kona sunset, you can get a lot of variety in your photos without having to go far, and quickly get back to being present with your guests!

Here’s my honest photographer take: the golden hour light at Holualoa Inn is some of the best on the entire island. The estate faces west, the elevation catches the last warm light as the sun drops toward the ocean, and the gardens glow. If you take one piece of advice from this post, let it be this: build 20 to 30 minutes of sunset portraits into your timeline. You will never regret it, and these are the images that end up framed on your wall.

Want Kona Village Wedding Photos Like These?

If you’re planning a Kona Village wedding, I would love to hear about it. I photograph weddings and celebrations across the Big Island, including multiple events at Kona Village, which means I know where the light lands at every hour, which corners of the property most couples miss, and exactly how much time to steal for sunset portraits.

Get in Touch About Your Wedding →

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Julie + Sam’s Holualoa Inn Wedding in Kona, Hawaii

A Holualoa Inn Wedding Photographer’s Guide: Pricing, Spaces + What to Know

Some wedding days just feel easy, and Julie and Sam’s Holualoa Inn wedding was one of those days.

Perched above the Kona coast on a 30-acre coffee estate, surrounded by their favorite people, lush tropical gardens, and panoramic ocean views… it was the kind of celebration that reminds me exactly why I love photographing weddings on the Big Island of Hawaii.

If you’ve never heard of Holualoa Inn, let me paint the picture. It’s a private estate and boutique bed and breakfast tucked into Kona coffee country, about 15 minutes above Kailua-Kona and roughly a half hour from Kona International Airport. The whole property becomes yours for the day: hidden garden paths, a sprawling monkeypod tree on the Great Lawn, an open-air pavilion, and sunset views that genuinely stop you mid-sentence. I put together a full Holualoa Inn wedding venue guide with pricing and planning details if you’re considering it for your own day, but today is all about Julie and Sam!

Why Julie + Sam Chose a Holualoa Inn Wedding

Honestly though, I get why couples fall for this place. So many Hawaii venues make you choose between the view and the privacy. At Holualoa Inn, you get both. The estate hosts one wedding at a time, which means no hotel guests wandering through your cocktail hour and no sharing your sunset with strangers. Just 30 acres of gardens and coffee trees, all to yourselves.

It’s also a working Kona coffee farm, so Julie and Sam’s guests were sipping estate-grown coffee the morning of the wedding. And because the property doubles as a boutique inn, their closest people got to stay on-site. The wedding wasn’t just a day. It was a whole weekend of togetherness, which is exactly what a destination wedding in Hawaii should feel like.

Getting Ready in Kona Coffee Country

Julie and her crew got ready in The Red Barn which is hands down one of my favorite bridal suites on the island. It’s light-filled, spacious, and just steps from the gardens, so the morning felt slow and relaxed instead of rushed and chaotic.

Meanwhile, Sam and they guys were hanging out by the pool at the main suites at Holualoa Inn. This is one of the biggest perks of a venue with on-site accommodations: nobody is fighting traffic across town or watching the clock. Everyone just gets to be present, and it shows in the photos. The getting ready images from this day are some of my favorites because everybody is actually relaxed.

Quick tip if you’re planning your own wedding here:

Give yourself extra time in the morning anyway. Between the gorgeous natural light in the Red Barn and the garden right outside the door, there are so many detail and portrait opportunities before you ever walk down the aisle.

Two First Looks in the Gardens (Bring Tissues for This One)

Julie didn’t do just one first look. She did two, and I’m officially campaigning for every couple to steal this idea.

First up: her parents. Julie’s mom and dad stood together in the gardens with their backs turned, her mom absolutely glowing in cobalt blue. Julie walked up quietly behind them, veil trailing, and tapped her dad on the shoulder. The second they turned around? Pure magic. Her dad’s jaw literally dropped before breaking into the biggest smile, and her mom threw her arms out like she couldn’t take in the moment fast enough. These are the photos I know this family will treasure forever.

Then it was Sam’s turn. He waited beneath the sweeping branch of a monkeypod tree, hands clasped, doing his very best to be patient, while Julie made her way over barefoot in the grass (a detail I loved so much). One more shoulder tap, one slow turn, and the two of them just melted into laughter. She reached up and held his face, he pulled her in, and every bit of pre-wedding jitters dissolved right there in the garden. Ten out of ten, would recommend a first look every single time.

Photographer note for anyone on the fence about a first look: this is exactly why I love them. You get these huge, unfiltered reactions in a private moment, your ceremony stays just as emotional, and we bank a gorgeous set of portraits before the day even officially begins. Win, win, win.

After their first look, Julie and Sam exchanged private vows in a secluded corner of the gardens, just the two of them. They’d decided early on that they wanted those words to stay between them, so during the ceremony they recited vows from their officiant instead. If you’re nervous about sharing your vows in front of a crowd, a little more introverted, or you simply love the idea of keeping something sacred for just you two, this is such a beautiful way to do it.

A Holualoa Inn Wedding Ceremony Overlooking the Kona Coast

The ceremony took place on the lawn with the Kona coastline fading into the horizon behind them, and the setting was everything a Hawaii wedding should be. Lush tropical arrangements of heliconia, ginger, and orchids lined the aisle, guests settled into bamboo chairs, and the officiant stood ready in a fresh greenery lei. Every detail felt like Hawaii without a single cliche in sight.

The entrances got me, too. Sam made his way in with an escort on each arm, tropical bouquets and all. Then came Julie with her dad, and the smile she gave him mid-walk is one of those frames I’ll never get over. When they reached the front, her dad pulled Sam into the biggest hug before giving her away. Not a handshake. A real, arms-around-him hug. If you’re wondering whether I teared up behind the camera, the answer is obviously yes.

And yes, Julie said her vows barefoot in the grass. Iconic behavior, honestly, and so perfectly Hawaii. Clouds rolled through the sky mid-ceremony (totally normal for upcountry Holualoa in the afternoon) and gave us the dreamiest soft, diffused light while these two held hands, laughed through their vows, and exchanged rings with their people wrapped close around them.

The second they were pronounced married, the whole lawn erupted. They kissed in the aisle, flower petals underfoot, and Julie threw her all-white orchid bouquet toward the sky like the celebration could not physically be contained. That bouquet choice was genius, by the way: crisp white orchids, calla lilies, and trailing greenery against the colorful ceremony florals meant she popped in every single frame.

This is what I love most about a Holualoa Inn wedding ceremony: the elevation. Because the estate sits upcountry on the slopes of Hualalai, your backdrop isn’t just a pretty lawn. It’s the coastline rolling all the way down to the Pacific, with the entire 30-acre estate to yourselves. When guests arrive at ceremonies up here, there’s always an audible gasp. Every single time.

Golden Hour Portraits at Their Holualoa Inn Wedding

After the ceremony, Julie and Sam snuck away with me for portraits around the grounds while their guests enjoyed cocktail hour. Between the coffee fields, the lush gardens, and that famous Kona sunset, you can get a lot of variety in your photos without having to go far, and quickly get back to being present with your guests!

Here’s my honest photographer take: the golden hour light at Holualoa Inn is some of the best on the entire island. The estate faces west, the elevation catches the last warm light as the sun drops toward the ocean, and the gardens glow. If you take one piece of advice from this post, let it be this: build 20 to 30 minutes of sunset portraits into your timeline. You will never regret it, and these are the images that end up framed on your wall.

Dinner Under the Malulani Pavilion (+ a Disco Ball Dance Party)

As the sun dropped, everyone gathered under the open-air Malulani Pavilion for dinner. Long farm tables, bamboo chairs, candlelight, and vibrant tropical florals in punchy reds and yellows filled the space, with string lights crisscrossing the wood beams overhead and the gardens glowing green on every side. The details were so thoughtful, too: a palm tree seating chart displayed on a vintage easel, and menu cards sealed with tiny pressed flowers at each place setting.

And the food? A full love letter to the islands. Guests grazed on avo poke bombs, Korean chicken wings, and colorful crudité before sitting down to garlic butter shrimp, guava BBQ chicken, and slow roasted kalua pork. Later, a classic coconut cake made the sweetest, simplest statement. If you’re planning a Hawaii wedding, this is your sign to lean local with the menu. Your guests will talk about it forever.

Then came my favorite plot twist of the whole day: the party moved into a clear-top tent on the lawn, where the florist had created a hanging installation of monstera, palms, and layered disco balls floating above a black and white checkered dance floor. During the day it looked like tropical art. At night, with the uplighting glowing purple and every mirror ball throwing light? Absolutely electric.

Julie fully committed to the party era, too. She changed into a sparkly white mini dress, threw on retro sunglasses, grabbed a martini, and hit the dance floor with her girls. Meanwhile, Sam shared a dance with grandma under the disco balls, and honestly, that photo might be my favorite of the entire night. Ceremony you, meet reception you. This is exactly how you do it.

One more photographer note: if your reception runs into the night like this one did, make sure your photography coverage does too. The pavilion dinner light is gorgeous, but those disco ball dance floor shots are pure gold, and upcountry Holualoa gets beautifully dark once the sun is gone.

Julie + Sam’s Vendor Team

It takes an amazing team to pull off a day like this. Big love to everyone who made it happen:

• Venue: Holualoa Inn
• Photography: Aly Dove Photography
• Planning: Sunshower Weddings
• Florals: Lalamilo Flower Girl
• Hair + Makeup: Golden Hour Beauty
• Rentals: Kea & Loa & Kona Event Rentals
• Catering: Umekes
• Bar: Spirited Cocktail
• Cake: Marty Cakes
• Coffee Station: HICO
• DJ: DJ Roman Candles

Tips for Planning Your Own Holualoa Inn Wedding

If Julie and Sam’s day has you dreaming, here are my quick tips as a photographer who knows this venue well:

• Stay on the property. The Main Inn, Darrell Hill Cottage, and Red Barn sleep around 16 to 20 guests with a buyout. Waking up on the estate the morning of your wedding, coffee in hand, is an experience in itself.
• Plan your ceremony for late afternoon. You’ll get soft light for vows and hit golden hour for portraits without rushing.
• Pack a layer. Holualoa sits at elevation, so evenings run cooler than the coast. A cute wrap or jacket keeps you comfortable once the sun drops.
• Handle the legal stuff early. Hawaii makes it simple, but get your license squared away before you fly. My guide on making your marriage legal in Hawaii walks you through it.
• Give your guests a heads up. Share my tips for a first Hawaii visit so everyone shows up prepared and ready to celebrate.

Want the full breakdown of pricing, ceremony spaces, and packages? My complete Holualoa Inn wedding guide covers everything.

Your Holualoa Inn Wedding Photographer

Hi, I’m Aly! I’m a Hawaii-based wedding and elopement photographer (and former adventure guide) who has photographed 100+ celebrations across the islands. I know Holualoa Inn’s light, layouts, and best portrait spots, which means less guesswork on your wedding day and more time soaking it all in with your favorite people. Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement in the hidden gardens or a full celebration on the Great Lawn, I’ve got you every step of the way.

Ready to start planning? Reach out here and let’s chat. I can’t wait to hear your story!

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• How to Elope in Hawaii

Imagine exchanging vows along the breathtaking cliff-sides of beautiful Maui, Hawaii, listening to the waves crash and taking in the views of the vast pacific ocean. That’s exactly what Anna and Piotr experienced on their intimate wedding day in Hawaii. The backdrop was simply jaw-dropping! Coupled with Anna’s whimsical wedding dress, it was like something out of a fairytale!

After their ceremony, we explored the beautiful cliffs and then embarked on our next adventure….an enchanted forest that literally feels like it is straight out of a mystical movie.

Eloping in Maui | Hawaii Jungle Elopement

The lush greenery, towering trees, and peaceful sounds of nature provided the perfect backdrop for the newlyweds to enjoy those first moments together as a married couple. It was like stepping into another world, and I couldn’t help but get lost in the beauty of it all.

After exploring the forest, I brought them to another one of my favorite Hawaii elopement locations…a secluded beach nestled between the surrounding cliffs. We made it to the beach in perfect timing to enjoy golden hour and get those beautiful Hawaii sunset couples photos! Creating a custom timeline is one of my favorite ways to help couples learn how to elope in Maui in a stress-free and enjoyable way! Anna and Piotr had the perfect amount of time to relax together and soak in their surroundings  before we set off to explore the beach. 

Sunset Trash the Dress Session in Hawaii

A light rain began to fall, and the sky was filled with a golden mist, creating an ethereal atmosphere. It was like the universe was putting on a show just for us. And you won’t believe it, but at the end, Anna and Piotr decided to take a plunge into the water, and trash the dress in Hawaii, embracing their joy and love in the most spontaneous and refreshing way. It was pure magic!

As the day came to a close, Anna and Piotr were treated to a spectacular moonrise, the perfect ending to their perfect day. The whole experience was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Anna and Piotr, and I am beyond grateful to have been able to document their Maui elopement through my lens.

Hawaii Elopement & Wedding Photographer | Aly Dove Photography

As a Hawaii elopement photographer, it’s my passion to capture those candid and heartfelt moments in a stress-free way and and as creatively as possible. I strive to create art that tells your unique love story, embracing a documentary-style approach that truly captures the essence of your special day. When you choose Aly Dove Photography, you can trust that you’re in good hands, and I’ll be there to make sure your Maui intimate wedding is nothing short of extraordinary.

So, if you’re considering how to elope in Maui and want to have those magical moments captured in a way that is authentic and trustworthy, I’m your go-to Hawaii elopement photographer. Let’s create something truly unforgettable together! Click here to fill out my contact form to take the first step to eloping in Hawaii.

Aly Dove | Your Maui Elopement Photographer

I specialize in capturing elopements in a creative way to highlight the candid moments of your wedding day as they unfold. With a documentary-style approach to my Hawaii elopement photography, your photos will become pieces of art that tell a unique story. I photograph elopements and weddings across Maui, Oahu, Big Island, Kauai, and Lanai. If you are interested in taking the first step in your journey to eloping in Hawaii, contact me and let’s get started on your Hawaii adventure wedding!

Courtney and Greg wanted something chill and different, because a big wedding just didn’t feel like their thing. During our call together, they began to describe where their dream elopement would be in Kauai. I asked if they were near a computer, because I had the perfect Kauai elopement spot for them! Once they saw the location, they were immediately blown away.

“As soon as you matched us with that, we felt seen and like you would be the perfect fit to capture our wedding day!” Courtney said. That is a big part of why being an elopement photographer in Hawaii is so rewarding. I love being able to match couples with locations that resonate with them. Whether you are thinking of eloping in Maui, having an elopement in Oahu, eloping on The Big Island, or a Kauai elopement like Courtney and Greg — it’s such an honor to be able to pair you two with your perfect ceremony location!

When I met Courtney and Greg on the morning of their tropical elopement, they were in their robes. They made coffee, because that’s something they love doing together every morning. The two of them also love hiking, and wanted to include that in their elopement. I felt so honored to have been able to capture every aspect of their elopement day.

After their hike, we got lunch in Hanapepe, which served as the town inspiration for Lilo and Stitch. Japanese Grandma’s Cafe served as the lunch spot, with tasty poke bowls and sushi – perfect for post-hike fuel and pre-wedding grub!

It was then time for Greg and Courtney to get ready for their Kauai elopement. They got ready at my favorite getting-ready location, available in my client portal (an exclusive resource for my clients filled with accommodation options, best places to dine, and activities to try when you visit Hawai’i!). Courtney had her hair and makeup done by Bridal Kauai, but she didn’t get changed into her dress until we got to the location. And getting to their Kauai elopement spot required some off-roading!

I got to work with one of my fave officiants in Hawaii, Kahu Ai, who makes it a point to really connect with his couples. He guides couples through their ceremony in a way that is respectful and honors the land, while being personable and genuinely caring about them and their story.

After their ceremony, they watched the sunset together and closed out the day with a bottle of champagne. Having an all day elopement doesn’t mean you have to be in your wedding attire for the entire day! It can be a great way to honor your favorite things to do together, and document memories of your trip to Hawaii.

Beach elopements on The Big Island of Hawaii are classic for a reason, but this doesn’t mean that they are ever ordinary. Each Hawaii beach wedding that I have the privilege of documenting is unique and beautiful, just like Anahi and Seth’s tropical Hawaiian elopement in the sand.

Since Hawaii is a popular wedding destination, it made sense for us to get to Anahi and Seth’s ceremony site early because it can get crowded! Anahi and Seth had two of their close friends join them for their beach wedding. Making your marriage legal in Hawaii requires an officiant, and one of their friends was happy to do the honors!

Mid-ceremony, the sun began to rise: giving Anahi and Seth a moment to gaze over the ocean. Anahi held her bouquet that she made herself, using flowers from the local farmer’s market here in Hawaii. The spot these two picked out for their ceremony was adorned with gorgeous lava rock, trees, and black sand!

Anahi and Seth knew that they wanted both a Hawaii beach backdrop and jungle vibes for their elopement. After the ceremony, we adventured around the area and I showed them to all of my fave spots (including a really cool road lined with trees!). Our last spot during their Hawaii elopement? The Tin Shack Bakery, located in Pahoa. There, they enjoyed smoothies and breakfast with their two friends and celebrated their Big Island wedding day.

Booking Your Hawaii Elopement Photographer

Want more inspiration for your elopement? Check out these elopements in Hawaii!

If you are planning an elopement in Hawaii, booking a photographer based on the islands is a great place to start. Fill out my contact form let’s chat to see if we would be a good fit!

This was a very special intimate wedding of two friends of mine – Nicolle and Paiden. These two are a little more on the introverted side, so making sure that they felt comfortable with their photographer was important to them!

Getting along with the vendors for your wedding matters. This is because weddings are such an intimate and heartfelt event, you want to be 100% certain that you are on the same page as your photographer!

Nicolle and Paiden’s Kona wedding venue was really special to them because they were allowed to have their ceremony on the land that they used to tend to. Paiden had an amazing vision for their day! These two brought in the community they had built through all of their friends to help make their intimate Hawaii wedding vision a reality.

I arrived for getting ready photos at their venue in Kona, and definitely recommend allotting extra time for that. Taking time to have some “getting ready” photos can be an intimate part of the day before the festivities. Paiden and Nicolle got ready together, but were able to surprise each other with the finishing touches as an organic “first look”.

Imparting personal style is so much fun, and these two started by wearing vintage dresses. They both wore Doc Martens to really bring in their own flair! Paiden dabbles in macrame craft that they included during their day, along with a macrame necklace using feathers that Nicolle found. Nicolle and Paiden on the hairpiece and adornments, making these accessories even more special. 

After their first look, we roamed around the gardens for fun photos, then I helped them connect for more intimate poses. Then they went to ground themselves for a few before the ceremony. 

I am still blown away at the personal touches that all of their friends and loved ones were able to include to really come together for Paiden and Nicolle’s Kona elopement. From farm to table catering thanks to the land of the venue, one of their friends did a live painting of them, another friend did florals, and another friend played flute during the ceremony. So many of their friends stepped up to support them, because they are such lovely people. Even their moms did the charcuterie!

Once their romantic ceremony was finished, it was time for dinner and speeches. The speeches giving at their Hawaii wedding were some of the most incredible speeches I have ever heard, and builds on the theme that their whole community showed up for them on their wedding day!

Outfit changes came next, for fun photos in their new outfits! After Nicolle and Paiden cut their cake, they had a sound bath that included a fire lighting ceremony with sound healing – representative of their relationship because they have done a lot of growth and healing together. This was the perfect way to wind down after such a fun-filled day.

M and J hail from Canada, where they were in a long distance relationship prior to getting married. I always have such a soft spot in my heart for couples who are able to do long distance. That can take a good deal of patience and is not for everyone! Fortunately, M and J conquered long distance, getting engaged and planning their adventure elopement in Hawaii.

A few days before M and J were scheduled to land in Hawaii, I received a frantic text from them. Their flight to Vancouver got cancelled, which meant they couldn’t make their connecting flight to Kona. There were no more flights to Vancouver for 2 days! Luckily, friendship prevailed: their friends said they could use their car and just GO. They drove through the Rockies, over 700 miles, in the hopes of making an alternate flight they had booked!

M and J didn’t just conquer a long distance relationship but also a sketchy drive with lots of snow, because they were determined. Amazingly, they made it to their gate in Vancouver with 5 minutes to spare! They were soon on their way to Hawaii for their elopement.

On their elopement day, we started in Kona. They wanted greenery as a backdrop for their Hawaii elopement, and weren’t picky for other specific locations. I volunteered my backyard as their ceremony location!

We met up at my house and went straight into the ceremony. Just because we aren’t at a wedding venue doesn’t mean you can’t have a song: M and J brought a speaker to play their favorite music. The ceremony was officiated by Liz, AKA the Big Island Elopement Officiant.

After their ceremony, we took some photos there in my backyard. At first, I was nervous because we normally get overcast skies and afternoon showers, but that day it was super bright and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky! Even though I prefer overcast skies, I really like how the light turned out for these images. We took to the beach after: scouting elopement locations in Hawaii is my favorite, and I know this secret and secluded cove.

Don’t forget to eat during the busyness of your elopement day! M and J had an adorable picnic thanks to 808 Picnics. The food was provided by Community Eats: she does it out of her home, and you can really feel the love put into each of her dishes with amazing presentation. On your elopement day, you can have everything from salads, to tacos, to charcuterie boards for afternoon munching. Check out my article where I cover all of the tastiest places to eat in Hawaii!

One of M and J’s friends who couldn’t attend asked me to get them a bottle of champagne, which I surprised them with. After their picnic, they called family and friends via Facetime with exciting news: “Guess what, we got married!”

During that time, I wanted to give them a lot of space to have those moments with their loved ones. My goals is to be able to give you that intimacy by working in the periphery. 

Their Hawaii elopement had no shortage of dramatic shots, because at the end of their day it started pouring! At first it was sprinkling so we kept shooting, but as soon as we got back to the car it started pouring.

Wai means water in Hawaii. Good omen. “Waiwai” means wealth. When it rains at the end of your wedding day, it feels like the best sign!

Tropical Hawaiian Elopement

Vendors:

Big Island Elopement Officiant

808 Picnics

Community Eats – Picnics and Private Cheffing

Learn More About Eloping in Hawaii

I have many resources for my couples who are thinking about eloping in Hawaii, eloping in Oahu, eloping in Maui, or eloping in Kauai! Anywhere from where to eat, what to pack for your Hawaii elopement, and more.

WORK WITH ME  | Your Hawaii Elopement Photographer

This Hawaiian elopement had it all: tropical vibes, the beach, an adorable picnic, and rain for good luck! Fill out my contact form to learn more about my hawaii elopement packages and make your Hawaii elopement dreams come true.