Hi! I'm new and hoping to get married in Kona. Introduction and advice needed.

Annalovesthesun

Hi everyone. My name is Anna and I am planning on getting married July 3rd in Kona. Are there any other Kona brides on here? I am still trying to pick a venue. We are trying to do the entire wedding + reception for under 10k and there will be about 30-35 guests. Is this possible? I've looked at what feels like all of the hotels and resturaunts in the Kona area and haven't come up with much. Any suggestions?? Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places. We really just want a fun relaxed atmosphere, good food, drinks and a beautiful location. One thing we are struggling with however (besides the venue) is entertainment - what to do with only 30 guests? With our mix of guests, we don't think dancing will be a good idea and my fiance thinks that it is weird to do a wedding and then a sit down dinner just to get up and go home afterwards. Thoughts?

I look forward to meeting all of you and good luck to everyone with the planning! It's stressful

Vic&Noe

Hi Anna, my name is Deidre and I am from the Big Island of Hawaii and am also planning my wedding for this year. I recently found a few places that I never knew existed, until a couple of weeks ago, which I am terribly ashamed of since i lived on the island almost all of my life. Anyways, have you ever thought of having your wedding at a private home? I found a few hidden gems by visiting the white orchid weddings website. They planned weddings at some private locations on the big island which were beautiful locations. In the kona area you should definitely look into Holualoa Inn, Ohana Retreat, and Hale Ohi'a Kai. There are a few others but i can't remember the names. Hope this was helpful. 

RNAlohaBride

I'm getting married at the Royal Kona Resort in September. For that amt of people under 10k is possible. I've looked into private estates and it's more expensive. Plus, you have to worry about caterers, florists, officiants, musicians, etc, whereas the Resort has it all handled for you. Plus, many estates have event fees and additional fees should outside caterers be brought in. It's too stressful going it alone. I'm very happy with what the RKR is doing for me, thus far.

erikanavarro

I'm getting married Aug. 1 at the Royal Kona Resort. I agree with what RNAlohaBride. It seemed cheaper to go with the resort. Good luck planning!

UnderTheEiffel

I am also getting married at Royal Kona Resort, on July 10th. We will have about 30 people as well. It is definitely possible to stay under 10K there.  If you are looking for entertainment, you could do a private luau, with dancers and such. I searched far and wide for a budget location, and I am happy with our choice.

Good Luck!
Tiffany

Annalovesthesun

Wow, a lot of Royal Kona Resorts! I'll check it out. I'm just wondering (and no one has to answer this if it is too much) but for everyone that has choses RKR, did you go with a premade package that they offered or did you a la carte?

Thanks everyone! This is very helpful!

erikanavarro

I did a package because we are having somewhere between 20 to 30 guests. It was cheaper that way. Just depends what you are doing. Good Luck!

UnderTheEiffel

I am also going with a package; it just worked out better.

anna8080

I came across your post in search of my own answers.  Funny enough, I had to stop and think to myself - did I write this? It sounds just like me!!! Except I haven't set my date in July yet and I changed my guest list from 35 to 52 (which includes my fiancé and I).  You sure had me stop and re-evaluate myself though!! =D

I am looking at the Holualoa Inn (15 minutes from Kona or 25 from the airport) = $8,000.

What you get:
2 night stay
Pavilion (for reception, or you can use the grounds)
30 Acres
Breakfast
Pool use (not during ceremony/reception)
12 people (well 14 people will be able to sleep here; after they finish renovation for the little cottage)
On-site staff to help

Otherwise, $2500 for the use of the pavilion; downside: you cannot have a DJ.

Hale O'Kia is way to expensive; $4,000 for just the reception, +cleaning deposit fee, and $3,500 for the house rental?  I think it was actually more though because I immediately crossed it off my list.

Ohana Retreat caught my eye when I first started looking.  $10,500/week, plus wedding site fee, and cleaning deposit fee.  On the upside though, it does house up to 22 people and you can use the grounds! 

We originally planned on a $40,000 budget and then i said if we can do it for $10,000 - let's not go in debt! I don't want to use my first born's future inheritance, you know?
I have been researching just having my wedding ceremony and reception on a beach/park area.  Trying to keep my costs low - but I set my budget back up to $40,000 just in case.  I over plan things and it makes me feel better knowing I may see myself spending less then that amount.

**********

Beach wedding ceremonies are free (just talk to a well-knowledged officiant), unless you want to be married on sand.  You will have to pay like $50 if you marry on the sand because it's a public beach and the laws say you cannot do blah blah blah for some reason or another.  You just gotta get a permit (I am still researching that myself.)

I am trying to see if I can find a park on Kona-side near a beach we can rope off and use for a reception area.  Resorts are super expensive and being a Sagitarius, I hate being confined with limited decisions.  (Plus, i want to provide my own blue orchids and flowers and decor and stuff.) 

If not, I will do my best to work with the Holualoa Inn I think....they seem cozy and still modern for most of my guests.  It would provide a private environment - just...on the expensive side.

******

Paradise Gourmet Catering gave me a proposal for $11,000 for food and table/linen/dish-flatware rental/open bar, etc.  I am talking to a private caterer named Katherine.  She works with the Kona Bungalows. 

Kona Bungalows:
$10,500 + 950 cleaning deposit + $3500 wedding site fee
Sleeps 10 people
Private pool
Big open home away from home!

Again...that is expensive too...but another option to consider.  I am finding it hard to keep it under $10,000 unless you go to a resort.  Even the Hilton gave me a quote under $11,000 and it was very little to work with in regards to choices.

I've even thought of renting a house somewhere for 6 months with a potential garden or something to try and keep it DIY!!!! :O Just no luck and I live on Hilo-side of the island!!!! ( />_<)

Anyway....

Hope my voice has helped you a little!!!  I am going to go and try and find some more answers via GOOOGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man...this is exhausting.

~Anna

PS - Sorry for talking loads.  If you have any questions though, lemme know!

anna8080

Oh! And when I say reception - I am only talking about what it costs to use the place.  It does not include food or anything extra (lighting, décor, tables, etc.)  With the Inn you do get a breakfast though!!

Erinne42

I am having my wedding in May 2014 at Hale Ohi'a Kai and we got a great deal on the house. I ended asking my family who is already going to come and stay if they would want to stay out the house with me and I just divined the cost of the house by the amount of beds. They thought is was a great idea! I am super excited and Kandi is my wedding planner with www.hawaiiislandweddingsbykauka.com/ and she got me a fantastic deal.