Looking for advice regarding Kona-side Big Island wedding!

[careysv]

 

Hello! My fiance and I are planning a wedding in Hawaii and I am actually on island right now trying to decide on a venue and thought maybe some of you could help! We have been all over the place as far as venues but have now narrowed it down a bit. We are basically deciding between the Mauna Kea, the Mauna Lani, and a private oceanfront residence. We are leaning toward the private residence because of the privacy it provides, and because it just feels like the resorts nickel and dime you for EVERYTHING! I would love to hear of anyone's experiences at Mauna Kea or Mauna Lani (or any of the other Kohala Coast resorts) and would especially like to hear of anyone's experience with renting a private home. What home did you rent - where was it located - who catered - and how did it go? We have a couple possibilities in Puako but I can't seem to find any info for oceanfront homes on the Mauna Kea and Mauna Lani properties.

I can't wait to hear if anyone here has any good advice to share! Thanks so much!!!

(We are thinking we will have 20-50 people - so hard to tell who will make it yet - and are looking at February or June 2012.

[mckinleyphoto1]

The Big Island is a wonderful place to get married.  There are several beautiful beaches as well as resorts for you to choose from.  There are also many local musicians that will play classic Hawaiian drums for you and everything in between.  I am the chief photographer for McKinley Photography here in Hawaii as well on the Big Island.  We do everything from design and mail out your invitations to helping you choose all the vendors for your special day.  Please let us know if you would like us to help you figure out what to do so you can be ready when you get married. 

 

Joanna McKinley

http://mckinleyphotography.org

808-333-5112

[mckinleyphoto1]

Kona is an absolutely amazing place if you go to the right locations.  The resorts are beautiful and the beaches can be breathtaking.  I am more partial to the Hilo side since that is where I am from.  I love the Liliuokalani Park and Gardens, that is a beautiful place to have a wedding and can yield some amazing photographs. There is also the famous black sand beach down here in Puna and that can be an amazing place to get married as well.  I run McKinley Photography over here on The Big Island and I can help you plan the entire thing and give you amazing photographs as well.  We can accommodate the entire chain of Islands so if you decide to get married on Maui (VERY popular) we can go there as well.

 

Joanna McKinley

http://mckinleyphotography.org

808-333-5112

[AlohaZoePhotography]

Aloha @mckinleyphoto1,

 

We would LOVE to connect with you! We are a husband + wife photographer team here on the Big Island and take couples on sunrise/sunset sessions, adventure sessions, and capture intimate wedding ceremonies. You can browse our portfolio through our website or Instagram. It would be fun to shoot sometime!

Warmest aloha,

Ryan + Corinne Priest | Aloha Zoe Photography