OUR STORY

Dreaming of a stress-free elopement on the Big Island? Below are answers to some of the most common questions couples ask when they’re considering working with us. If your question isn’t covered here, feel free to reach out—we're always happy to help!

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning Your Hawaii Elopement with Ease

Booking and Planning

MONEY AND VALUE

TRAVEL AND LOGISTICS

PHOTOGRAPHY

LOCATIONS AND PERMITS

WEATHER

GUESTS AND GROUPS

SPECIAL TOUCHES

When does planning officially begin?

WHAT LOCATIONS CAN WE CHOOSE FROM?

WHY ARE YOUR PACKAGES PRICED THE WAY THEY ARE?

DO YOU OFFER PAYMENT PLANS?

Do we need to be on the island a certain number of days before our elopement?

What if we’ve never been to Hawaii before?

Do you provide transportation to the ceremony site?

Who will be our photographer?

We’re a little camera shy-can you help us feel comfortable?

What’s included in your planning support?

What happens if it rains?

Can we add special touches to our day?

Do you help with permits?

What’s the booking process like?

CAN WE DO A FIRST LOOK?

We’re bringing a few guests—can you still help?

What if our guest count changes last minute?

Can we include our guests in photos too?

WHAT TIME WILL OUR WEDDING BE?

We are so excited you're interested in working together! To make the process smooth and fair for all couples, we begin detailed planning (like permits, timelines, add-on vendor coordination, etc.) only after your date is officially booked. That means your contract is signed and your deposit is paid. Until then, we are happy to answer general questions to help you decide if we’re the right fit!

You’ll receive a location guide filled with sample photos and our favorite spots. For the SIMPLE and GOLDEN collections, there are four beautiful location options to choose from. All other locations typically fall under one of our LUXE collections. LOCATION OPTIONS FOR SIMPLE AND GOLDEN COLLECTIONS

Please note: These locations are specifically chosen because we can secure the required commercial permit from the appropriate Hawaii state or county agencies. Beyond legal access, each site has been handpicked for its photographic beauty and its ability to offer a more peaceful and private experience, away from the crowds of a typical Hawaii beach.

When you book with us, you’re not just hiring a photographer and an officiant—you’re investing in a complete, stress-free experience. Our collections include legal permits, location guidance, vendor coordination, floral customization, and a timeline designed for stunning photos. Everything is hand-edited for consistency and artistry. It’s far more than “just showing up with a camera”—we handle the details so you can simply enjoy your day.

For weddings over six months away, we offer payment plans. We split payments into a smaller retainer to reserve your date and two more payments with the final balance due closer to your wedding. This way you don’t have to pay everything at once, and you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your day is locked in. 

Photography is provided by Ann Ferguson Photography and associates. All photographs are processed and hand edited by Ann to have consistency in all our couples galleries. To confirm availability, your photographer will be determined at the time of booking. Typically Ann and her associates cover different sections of the island to minimize travel time. You will receive sneak peeks 2-3 days after the wedding! The final gallery will be ready within 4 weeks. 

Rest assured you are in great hands! 

Absolutely! Almost every couple feels that way at first. Our approach is relaxed and natural—guiding you into movement and connection. Most couples end up saying, “Wow, that was way more fun than we expected!”

We recommend arriving at least 1–2 days before your ceremony. This gives you time to recover from travel, pick up your marriage license from the local agent, and settle into island time without feeling rushed.

That’s totally fine—most of our couples plan from afar! We’ll act as your local eyes and ears, guiding you step by step so nothing feels overwhelming.

We don’t provide transportation, but we’ll give you detailed driving directions, parking tips, and what to expect when you arrive. We can recommend car services and taxi companies. For guests, we can also suggest carpool or shuttle options.

Rain is very rare on the west side of the island, particularly between north Kona and Kawaihae. All four location options for the SIMPLE and GOLDEN collections fall within this drier zone. Because weather forecasts in Hawaii aren’t super reliable until 24–48 hours before the date, we typically wait until we're closer to the day to make any weather-related adjustments. **only diversions to this are those RARE but known incoming hurricanes and tropical storms.

In the unlikely event of rain, we may shift the location to another part of the island with better conditions—or embrace the moment with clear umbrellas (which I always bring just in case!).

If you’ve chosen a more tropical, lush part of the island, a bit of rain is all part of the experience! These areas are green and vibrant because of the occasional showers. I keep a close eye on the forecast and will often adjust our timing slightly or make a quick location shift to find dry skies. I also come prepared with backup locations, or a flexible timeline to keep everything running smoothly. 

No matter what the weather brings, our goal is the same: to make your day feel relaxed, beautiful, and unforgettable—rain or shine.

Yes! Our team will guide you through exactly what’s required for your chosen location and make sure everything is handled properly and legally. This is a big benefit of working with a local team—we know the rules and the land and will help you honor both. We process permit application for nearly all of our location options (all SIMPLE and GOLDEN Collections, and public LUXE locations). A few of our locations require application by clients but we will help you with the required supplementary forms as well as instructions of the application process.

Definitely! Most couples bring fewer than 10 guests, but permits allow up to 25 people total (including you and vendors). We’ll make sure everything fits beautifully within those guidelines.

No problem! Our beach permits allow for upto 25 people. There may be extra fees for guests over 6.

Of course! While the focus is on you two, we will happily capture group portraits with your loved ones after the ceremony and before focusing on newlywed portraits.

The best time for your ceremony is golden hour—about one hour before sunset. This gives us the most flattering natural light, dreamy colors, and a relaxed, beautiful vibe. It also ensures we capture those stunning post-ceremony portraits during the most magical part of the day.

You can check the exact sunset time for your wedding date here: Time & Date – Kona Sunset Times
Your event will typically start one hour before sunset, but we will confirm the ideal time with you as we get closer. For sunrise, we start right at sunrise time!

You want to have your ceremony earlier in the day? That’s totally possible, too! Just keep in mind that beaches are often more crowded during the day and lighting can be harsh and bright, especially in open locations. Tropical heat can be intense between 10am–2pm.

Whether you're dreaming of soft golden light or planning something mid-morning with ocean views, we'll help guide the timeline so the day feels smooth and the photos are gorgeous.

Yes—you can definitely do a first look! We either do it at the ceremony or prior! Once your date is officially booked, we’ll work together to build a custom timeline based on your vision and how you'd like the ceremony to unfold. Whether you want to keep things traditional or shake it up with a private first look, We'll help you plan a flow that feels just right for you.