HOW DO WE GET OUR HAWAII MARRIAGE LICENSE FOR OUR BIG ISLAND ELOPEMENT?

Frequently Asked Questions About Big Island Elopements

Getting legally married in Hawaii is surprisingly simple. You'll begin your marriage license application online and then appear together in person before an authorized Hawaii marriage license agent within 30 days of your ceremony. There is no waiting period once your license has been issued, and Hawaii does not require residency or U.S. citizenship. We'll help guide you through the process so you know exactly what to do before your wedding day.
The current state fee is $65, and both applicants must present valid government-issued photo identification.

Do we need a permit for a Big Island beach wedding?

For public beach weddings, yes. Hawaii regulates commercial wedding activity on public shorelines, and the type of permit required depends on the location. Don't worry—we'll help determine what is required for the location you choose and guide you through the permitting process as part of planning your Big Island elopement.

Can we have chairs, an arch or decorations at our beach wedding?

Public beaches in Hawaii have restrictions designed to keep the shoreline open and accessible to everyone. Standard state beach-wedding permit conditions generally don't allow arches, tables, tents or traditional ceremony seating, although limited exceptions exist for guests who require seating because of age, disability or mobility needs. Bouquets, leis and other small hand-carried wedding items are generally permitted.
If you're dreaming of an arch, aisle décor, guest seating or a more elaborate ceremony setup, a private Big Island wedding venue may be a much better fit.

How many guests can we have at a Big Island elopement or beach wedding?

The ideal guest count depends on your location and the type of celebration you're planning. For the public beach locations we use, the limit is 30 people total, including the couple, guests and vendors. Public beaches have permit and setup restrictions, which makes them particularly well suited to intimate ceremonies. For larger groups—or couples wanting chairs, décor and greater privacy—we usually recommend exploring private wedding venue options.  Pink Pineapple Weddings specializes in Big Island elopements and intimate weddings, so we'll help you choose a location that works beautifully for your guest count.

What is included in your Big Island elopement packages?

Our Big Island elopement packages can bring nearly everything you need together in one place, including planning, ceremony coordination, a licensed Hawaii wedding officiant, professional photography, Hawaiian florals, permits and location guidance. Depending on the package you choose, you can also add videography, hair and makeup, leis, décor and other personal touches.
Packages currently begin at $1,695, and you can choose the level of service that fits your celebration.

Can we customize our Hawaii elopement package?

Absolutely. Your wedding shouldn't feel like everyone else's wedding. Start with one of our Big Island elopement packages and then customize your experience with options such as videography, additional photography coverage, upgraded florals, hair and makeup, leis, décor and other enhancements.

What are the best Big Island locations for an elopement?

That's one of our favorite questions because the Big Island gives you so many completely different backdrops—from white sand and dramatic lava-rock coastlines to tropical gardens and private oceanfront venues.
The best location depends on your guest count, desired level of privacy, accessibility, time of day and the overall look you want for your wedding. Because we live and work here on the Big Island, we'll help you narrow the choices and find a location that fits your elopement.

What happens if it rains on our wedding day?

Big Island weather can be wonderfully localized—a shower in one area doesn't necessarily mean rain everywhere. We keep an eye on conditions and use our local experience to help make the best decision possible for your ceremony.
Light tropical showers can also create some surprisingly beautiful photographs. If weather becomes unsafe, we'll work with you to determine the best available alternative based on your location and circumstances.

What is the best time of day for a Big Island beach wedding?

For beautiful light, cooler temperatures and gorgeous Hawaii sunsets, we plan our beach ceremonies later in the day, timing them around the softer light before sunset. Golden hour is especially beautiful for wedding photography.
The ideal ceremony time varies by location and season, so we'll help you choose a time that works with the light, sunset, tides, location and photography—you won't have to figure any of that out yourself.

How far in advance should we book our Big Island elopement?

We recommend reaching out as soon as you know your approximate date, especially if you're planning during a popular travel season or have a specific location in mind. That said, one of the advantages of an intimate wedding is flexibility, and we can sometimes accommodate elopements with much shorter notice.
Once your date is secured, we'll guide you through the location, permits, marriage license, florals, photography and all the little details between now and “I do.”

Tell us what you're dreaming about. We'll help you figure out the location, package and details that make the most sense for you.