Wedding Planning Guide
Crafting unforgettable guest experiences and finding your piko
Written by a Local Wedding Expert
Kalani MillerCrafting an Unforgettable Guest Experience
Your wedding celebration represents much more than just a single day of festivities. For your beloved guests who are making the significant effort and expense to travel to Hawaii, this represents a once-in-a-lifetime vacation and a precious opportunity to experience the genuine magic and beauty of our islands.
Taking time to plan a few thoughtful activities and experiences can transform their trip from simply attending your wedding into creating truly unforgettable memories that will last forever.
Island Adventures for Your 'Ohana
Oahu Stopover: A Pro Tip for Mainland Guests
Many mainland guests will fly through Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu. Rather than treating this as merely a frustrating layover, encourage them to turn this necessary stop into an exciting mini-adventure that adds value to their entire Hawaiian experience!
For Thrill-Seekers
Coral Crater Adventure Park offers exhilarating ziplines over ancient volcanic craters, rugged ATV tours, and challenging adventure towers - perfect for pre-wedding group bonding.
Located close to Waikiki, easily accessible from airport
For History Buffs
Pearl Harbor represents a must-do experience connecting guests to one of the most important sites in American history. Small group tours make this powerful experience accessible.
Book in advance for guaranteed access
Big Island Must-Do Activities
Manta Ray Night Snorkel
One of the most magical wildlife encounters on the planet - swimming alongside gentle giant manta rays in their natural habitat under cover of darkness.
Mauna Kea Stargazing
Views of the cosmos unlike anywhere else on Earth, thanks to the mountain's elevation and absence of light pollution. See the Milky Way stretch across the entire sky.
Kona Coffee Farm Tours
Learn about cultivation and processing of one of the world's most expensive coffees on family-owned farms with stunning coastline views.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Witness the raw power of creation itself in dramatic and otherworldly volcanic landscapes that showcase the forces that built these islands.
Your Wedding Venue Journey
Explore all our Big Island wedding venues to find your perfect match.
✅ Wedding Checklist
- Apply for marriage license online
- Book venue & permits
- Secure guest accommodations
- Plan guest activities
- Arrange transportation
🎯 Guest Activities
Snorkeling, whale watching, beach days
Luaus, cultural centers, historic sites
Volcano tours, hiking, ziplines
Spas, scenic drives, sunset cocktails
🗺️ Wedding Venue Guide
⏰ Planning Timeline
Finding Your Piko (Your Center)
Choosing a wedding venue on the Big Island represents so much more than simply finding a beautiful backdrop for photographs or selecting a convenient location for your guests. It's fundamentally about discovering a place that genuinely resonates with your spirit as a couple and reflects the deeper meaning of the commitment you're making to each other.
In traditional Hawaiian culture, we speak often about the concept of piko - a word that carries deep meaning representing center, a place of profound connection and spiritual origin. The piko is where life begins, where energy flows, and where we find our truest sense of belonging and purpose.
As you carefully consider and visit these stunning wedding locations, from the serene and peaceful ranches of upcountry Waimea to the sun-drenched and romantic beaches of the Kona coast, I encourage you to look beyond the surface beauty and search for the place that truly feels like your piko as a couple.
Trust Your Deepest Instincts
Trust your deepest instincts and inner wisdom throughout this process. When you finally stand in the right place—your place—you will feel it in your heart and soul. You will sense the mana, the powerful spiritual energy that flows through every part of our island, and you will know with absolute certainty that you have found your home for this most sacred moment.
Some couples find their piko in:
- • Dramatic volcanic landscapes that remind them of love's transformative nature
- • Gentle rhythm of waves on ancient beaches speaking to eternal commitment
- • Peaceful green hills of ranch country where connection to land runs deep
During venue visits:
- • Stand quietly and breathe in the place around you
- • Feel the trade winds on your skin
- • Listen to the sounds that surround you
- • Pay attention to how the energy affects you both
The Big Island has a way of revealing truth to those who approach it with open hearts. Your perfect venue exists somewhere on our island, waiting for you to discover it. Whether it's the luxury and elegance of a world-class resort, the intimate charm of a private estate, the rustic romance of a working ranch, or the wild beauty of a remote beach, your piko is here.
E Hoomau Maua Kealoha
(May our love last forever)
Mahalo for allowing me to share these special places with you. May your Big Island wedding be everything you've dreamed and more than you ever imagined possible.
— Kalani Miller