Big Island Wedding Planner &
Event Planning Services

Planning unique luxury
weddings and events

Big Island Wedding Services

Planning a wedding on the Big Island means embracing volcanic landscapes, lush rainforests, and dramatic ocean views. I provide personalized wedding and event planning services that help couples turn these remarkable locations into seamless, elevated celebrations.
Whether your vision includes a sunset ceremony on the Kona coast, a private estate near Waimea, a tropical garden in Hilo, or a multi-day destination experience across the island, I guide you through every detail with care, creativity, and expertise.

As seen in

Big Island Full-Service Wedding Planning

For couples seeking a comprehensive approach, my full-service planning covers every aspect of your wedding from concept to execution. Design is included, ensuring that every detail—from color palettes to floral arrangements—reflects your personal style and complements your chosen Big Island setting.
I take a limited number of full-service clients each year to provide hands-on guidance and a highly personalized experience.

Full-service planning includes:
  • Venue and vendor selection, tailored to your island vision
  • Budget management and timeline creation.
  • Coordination of multi-day events, including welcome receptions, rehearsal dinners, and farewell brunches.
  • Design and styling integrated with the full planning process.

Big Island venues can range from oceanfront resorts along the Kohala coast, to private estates near Waimea, to lush garden properties in Hilo, each offering a unique backdrop for your celebration.

Partial Planning & Wedding Coordination

Partial planning is perfect for couples who have already begun planning but need expert guidance leading up to their wedding. I assist with vendor confirmations, timelines, and day-of coordination, and design support can be included as a custom add-on.

Services include:
  • Vendor communication and day-of management
  • Timeline development and rehearsal oversight
  • Guest flow and logistics assistance
  • Support for multi-day celebrations


Wedding Consultations

For couples who prefer a light-touch approach, I offer consultations that provide expert guidance without full-service planning.

These sessions help you:
  • Review your wedding vision and overall timeline
  • Receive recommendations for vendors and venues
  • Gain strategic advice for executing a cohesive celebration

Consultations are ideal for couples who want professional insight while maintaining an active role in planning.

Non-Profit & Gala Planning

Services include:

In addition to weddings, I plan non-profit events and galas across the Big Island. From large fundraising dinners to intimate benefit gatherings, I help organizations execute events that are polished, immersive, and reflective of their mission.

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Event concept development and theme planning

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Venue and vendor coordination

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Budget oversight and logistics management

Onsite event direction

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Why Couples Choose Us

With over 12 years of experience in weddings and events, beginning in New York City, I understand what it takes to deliver a thoughtful, high-touch celebration. Having planned over 200 weddings and events, I combine expertise with a boutique approach to ensure every detail is intentional.

I am not a volume-based planner—all clients work directly with me, Alison Semmler, founder and principal planner, while my team handles logistics behind the scenes. This ensures personalized attention, thoughtful touches, and seamless execution.

Through the years, I’ve handled everything from day-of medical emergencies to sudden weather changes, always guiding my clients and their vendors with calm, grace, and confidence

With Lifestyle Maven Events, you’re in great hands, trust me!


Explore Big Island Weddings

Private Estates:
Waimea and surrounding areas

Multi-Day &
Destination Weddings

Oceanfront & Resort Venues: Kohala and Kona coastlines

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Your Questions, Answered

How are wedding planning fees determined for a Big Island destination wedding?

What types of weddings and events do you plan?

Our planning fees are based on the overall scope and complexity of your Big Island destination wedding rather than guest count alone. We consider the level of planning support, duration of the celebration, venue type, number of vendors, logistical requirements, design involvement, and the size of the team needed throughout the planning process and on site.

For full-service planning, our fees are generally 15–20% of the overall wedding budget and reflect approximately 200–300 hours of planning and on-site work. For multi-day celebrations, our involvement can also include 30–40 hours on site, with Alison serving as your lead planner throughout the process.

Partial planning is much more customizable. Event management is always included, and couples select the additional areas where they would like our involvement, such as specific vendors, design, or other planning needs. This à la carte approach allows us to build the scope around what you have already accomplished and where you need professional support.

Guest count alone does not necessarily indicate how much planning a Big Island wedding requires. The venue, location, number of events, transportation needs, rental requirements, and overall design can all significantly affect the scope of planning. A smaller wedding at a private estate or non-traditional venue may require extensive logistical coordination, while a larger celebration at a full-service resort may have more built-in infrastructure and support.

Full-service planning remains our most popular option. We intentionally do not operate as volume planners, allowing us to maintain the bandwidth, attention, and availability comprehensive destination wedding planning requires. We also invest in our event team by paying above typical Hawaii market rates, helping us retain experienced professionals and provide our clients with a knowledgeable and consistent team on site.


What should couples consider when planning a three-day wedding weekend on the Big Island?

We don't live in Hawaii or New York. How does destination planning work?

Start early and remain flexible. For a three-day wedding weekend on the Big Island, we typically recommend beginning the planning process at least a year in advance. Popular venues and dates can book quickly, and planning ahead allows more time to coordinate the multiple events and vendors involved in a destination wedding weekend.

The Big Island's size and geography are especially important considerations. Choosing venues and accommodations within a convenient area can make the guest experience easier and help minimize transportation time and costs. If events are spread across different parts of the island, transportation, vendor travel, setup schedules, and guest logistics will require additional coordination.

Flexibility is key. Rather than approaching a three-day celebration as three separate events, we look at the weekend as one complete guest experience. Welcome gatherings, cultural experiences, excursions, rehearsal events, the wedding itself, and farewell celebrations can all be incorporated depending on your priorities.

There is no single formula for a three-day Big Island wedding weekend. We build the experience around the couple, their guests, and what they want the celebration to feel like, then determine the combination of venues, events, vendors, and logistics that makes the most sense for their experience.