A Dreamy Kona Beach Elopement with Family & Adventure

When Julie and Hans envisioned their elopement, they wanted a day that felt effortless, personal, and true to their adventurous spirits. Their Kona beach elopement was a perfect reflection of their love—intimate, meaningful, and filled with the people who matter most. From heartfelt moments to stunning backdrops, every part of their day was designed to celebrate their journey together. To make their day even more personal, they included small, meaningful touches. These included a champagne toast and an ube cake inspired by their love for island flavors. They finished the night with Jeep portraits, a nod to their adventurous lifestyle.

A Sentimental First Look & Private Vows in Hawaii

Before the ceremony, Julie shared a special moment with her mother and sisters as they helped her zip up her dress. They also put the final touches on her look. The anticipation built as she walked to meet Hans for their first look. The emotions were palpable. Hans’ face lit up the moment he saw her. The love between them was undeniable during their Kona beach elopement.

Instead of waiting until the ceremony, the couple exchanged their personal vows privately after their first look. Against the backdrop of the rolling waves, their words carried the weight of a lifetime of love and commitment. It was a raw, emotional moment—one that set the tone for the rest of their perfect day.

Kona Beach Elopement Ceremony at Golden Hour

With the sun beginning to dip toward the horizon, Julie’s family guided her down the sandy “aisle” to Hans. There, they stood hand in hand, ready to exchange rings and promises with the ocean and sand as their venue. This created the most picturesque setting for their ceremony. With only the sound of the ocean as their soundtrack, they became husband and wife in the most peaceful and beautiful way.

Family, Champagne, & a Hawaiian Lei Exchange

After the ceremony, we captured family portraits, bride and groom portraits, and different groupings. Julie and Hans wanted to make every part of their elopement feel intentional. Therefore, we moved to a second location with towering palm trees and dramatic lava rocks for the last bit of beach time. They sealed the moment with a lei exchange, a champagne toast and a sweet bite of their ube cake. This is a popular Hawaiian dessert that added a fun personal touch to their Kona beach elopement celebration. If you want to see how more couples made it their own while incorporating old and new traditions to their elopement day, you’ll have to check this out, too: Black Sand Sunrise to Sunset Adventure

Here are some top dessert and bakery options in Kona and Hilo that eloping couples love:

• Kona Sweets – https://www.konasweets.com/ – Kealakekua, HI
• Onolicious LLC – Kailua Kona, HI (Contact for details)
• Short N Sweet Bakery & Cafe – https://www.shortnsweet.biz/ – Hilo, HI
• 808 Sweet Shack – Hilo, HI
• Patisserie Nanako (my personal favorite for anything and custom cakes) – Waimea, HI

Romantic Sunset & Twilight Portraits on the Big Island

As sunset ended, the beach, now quieter and more serene, offered the perfect setting for dreamy, romantic shots during their Kona beach elopement. The soft glow of the setting sun and the shimmer of the ocean made for stunning beach portraits.

A Jeep-Lover’s Adventure: The Perfect Kona Elopement Finale

During their consult call, Julie and Hans made it clear—’No, we REALLY love Jeeps.’ So, obviously I knew we had to incorporate one into their elopement in a meaningful way. We wrapped up their session with some relaxed Jeep portraits. This captured their love for adventure and excitement of starting their next journey together in Kona.

Planning Your Own Hawaii Elopement?

If you dream of an intimate, personalized elopement in Hawaii, let’s make it happen! Whether it’s a sunset beach ceremony, a waterfall adventure, or a dramatic cliffside vow exchange, your love story deserves to be captured in a way that feels like YOU. I hope this inspires you to think of how you can incorporate your own personalities and hobbies into your Kona beach elopement day.

Ready to create your own sunrise to sunset elopement story? Let’s chat about how we can make your Big Island wedding dreams come true with the help of a passionate Hawaii elopement photographer. Your adventure starts here! Book Your Consultation

Reach out today to start planning your own Hawaii elopement!