Hawaiian Elopement with Stunning Waterfall Ceremony
April 16, 2026
Updated:
Why They Chose to Elope on the Big Island
When Katie and Jason thought about their wedding, they knew they wanted it to be an intimate day and realized they could count on their hands the number of people they would want to be present. So they chose to travel somewhere beautiful to elope and then celebrate with their small group of friends and family once they returned home.
When we first met Katie and Jason, there was a lot about planning their elopement they still weren’t sure about, but the one thing they knew for certain was that they wanted to get married in front of a beautiful cascading waterfall. We suggested a few locations, including the majestic Kulaniapia Falls in Hawaii: one of our favorite spots on all of the Big Island. They fell in love with the idea and proceeded to have a tropical adventure they’ll never forget.
Their Elopement Day: From Waterfall Vows to Lava Rock Cliffs
Morning Coffee Overlooking Kulaniapia Falls
As the palm trees swayed in the breeze and tropical flowers bloomed, Katie and Jason started their wedding day how they started a lot of their days – slow moments together over cups of coffee. On this day in particular, they had their coffee overlooking a tropical forest and a massive waterfall, the very place they were about to get married.
Ceremony at the Waterfall
They got ready with each other, sharing intimate moments and laughs, then met their Hawaiian officiant in front of the falls. Their ceremony was full of rich Hawaiian tradition – leis, a conch shell, and ocean water all incorporated into the story of their love. With the gentle roar of the waterfall behind them, they spoke their vows directly to each other’s souls, exchanged rings, and started the rest of their lives together.
We used long exposures to capture the waterfall in different ways throughout the ceremony. After the ceremony we sat them on big rock by the falls and we had to stand with our legs split across the river to get the shot – they turned out to be some of our favorite photos of the day!
Before heading to the next location, Katie and Jason took the time to just soak in the fact that they just got married, admiring the breathtaking waterfall that would forever be their wedding venue and enjoying their newlywed bliss.
Thai Food and the Freedom to Be Present
Elopements are different from traditional weddings in a lot of ways, and one of our favorites is that your timeline isn’t rigid. Unlike a traditional wedding planned down to the minute, we plan our elopements with flexibility to do something like stop for Thai food at an adorable roadside stall full of locals – which is exactly what Katie and Jason did! Being unrushed and present, having a good time on your elopement day, that’s what it’s all about.
Sunset at the Lava Rock Beach
As lovers of nature, Katie and Jason were excited to explore a secluded lava rock beach to end out their elopement day. Their adventure took them across red dirt, through palm trees, and over black sand as they took in the beauty around them, standing on the edge of the cliffs with powerful ocean waves crashing beneath them.
As the light began to get low they shared an intimate first dance, climbed over rocks, and watched the ocean waves crash on the shore. After the sun had gone down, they enjoyed the stars peeking out between the clouds as they used lanterns to make their way across the rocks.
It was a day full of laughter, tears of joy, peace and stillness, adventure and nature, it was a day that was exactly what Katie and Jason wanted it to be.
How We Helped Plan Their Elopement
Planning
When Katie and Jason came to us, they knew they wanted to get married in front of a waterfall. We explored locations like Oregon and Washington but finally landed on the beauty of Kulaniapia Falls in Hawaii, a massive towering waterfall surrounded by lush greenery that has an easy ceremony process, making it the perfect spot to get married. We knew it was a great recommendation for them.
Locations & Timeline
We found them an amazing lava rock beach at sunset that was super secluded. We scouted it beforehand to find great cliffs for them to stand on as the waves crashed beneath them. Our expert planning and location knowledge allowed us tons of creative freedom with our photography because we were so comfortable with the locations.
Hawaii is very serious about permits, so we helped them get any and all permits required since we’re actually registered in the state of Hawaii – it’s super important the photographer you work with does this.
We created a flexible timeline for their June elopement that prioritized slow moments, their waterfall ceremony, and adventure at the lava rock beach, with plenty of room to be spontaneous and fully present.
Thinking about eloping? Let’s make it 100% YOU.
“Not only did they provide expert guidance, but they also made us feel seen, heard, and loved throughout the process.”
“Sammie and Micah were so helpful in making our destination elopement planning experience seamless and stress-free. One of our biggest challenges was finding reliable vendors, but they provided us with curated links to assess potential vendors.
Throughout the process, they took care of all the logistical details, allowing us to relax and enjoy ourselves. Their expertise and attention to detail were truly impressive, exceeding our already high expectations for elopement.
We were blown away by the stunning photos, which perfectly captured our special moment in a way that exceeded our wildest dreams. The little touches they incorporated into the session made all the difference.
What really impressed us was how thoughtfully they planned out every aspect of our day, from posing suggestions to photo locations. Their scouting ahead of time ensured that we had a smooth and stress-free experience on our big day.
If you’re considering a destination elopement, we highly recommend giving Sammie and Micah a chance. Not only did they provide expert guidance, but they also made us feel seen, heard, and loved throughout the process. They truly understand what it means to be in love.”
– Katie & Jason
Photos From Their Amazing Elopement:
As fellow free spirits, dreamers, world travelers, and roadtrippers – we know that even on a normal day, it’s hard to choose what adventure to take. It’s no surprise that when it comes to the once in a lifetime adventure of getting married, choosing just one path feels nearly impossible.
So… choose two or three. Share your vows privately in Italy and come back to the West Coast to celebrate with your loved ones. Or have your wedding ceremony in Switzerland and then share a honeymoon adventure in Morocco.
As fellow free spirits, dreamers, world travelers, and roadtrippers – we know that even on a normal day, it’s hard to choose what adventure to take. It’s no surprise that when it comes to the once in a lifetime adventure of getting married, choosing just one path feels nearly impossible.
So… choose two or three. Share your vows privately in Italy and come back to the West Coast to celebrate with your loved ones. Or have your wedding ceremony in Switzerland and then share a honeymoon adventure in Morocco.
As fellow free spirits, dreamers, world travelers, and roadtrippers – we know that even on a normal day, it’s hard to choose what adventure to take. It’s no surprise that when it comes to the once in a lifetime adventure of getting married, choosing just one path feels nearly impossible.
So… choose two or three. Share your vows privately in Italy and come back to the West Coast to celebrate with your loved ones. Or have your wedding ceremony in Switzerland and then share a honeymoon adventure in Morocco.
We're a husband and wife traveling photography team who believes
MARRIAGE IS ONE OF LIFE'S GREATEST ADVENTURES.
we want you to share experiences that make you feel…
Especially on your wedding day.
as vibrant as the sky at sunset.
as free as the breath moving through you.
as unstoppable as the crashing waves.
as complete as your interlocked fingers.