Made For Each Other – Piper & Kollen’s Big Island Venue Wedding

Let’s set the scene for a special Big Island venue wedding: salty ocean breeze, lush tropical foliage, and a love story that began in the most delightfully nerdy of ways, college lab partners at Texas Tech University. Piper and Kollen weren’t just working on chemistry experiments; they were becoming the experiment. (Spoiler: it totally worked.)

After years of friendship that slowly turned into late-night talks, desert hikes, and joint dog-parenting duties (shoutout to Maggie and Molly), Kollen proposed to Piper in Sedona in November 2024. It was romantic. It was heartfelt. And it was 100% them. So when it came time to plan their wedding, they wanted something equally meaningful and a little outside the box. Hawaii was calling.

For Piper, who had been to Maui before, Hawaii felt like a dreamy return. For Kollen, it was his first time ever seeing the islands, and he stepped into it not just as a visitor, but as a groom. Their venue, Outrigger Kona Resort, brought the wow with sweeping ocean views, emerald lawns, and a gentle sea breeze that felt like this is your beginning.

Keep reading to see more of their big day!

A Dream Come True

The ceremony unfolded under a canopy of trees at Outrigger Kona Resort, with guests dressed in tropical florals, a teary groom waiting (barely holding it together), and Piper glowing in an effortlessly elegant gown. Laughter mingled with lei-scented air. The kiss? Movie-worthy. The bridal party? Playful and joyful (yes, we’re obsessed with the “everyone-cover-your-eyes” photo). And the portraits in the white gazebo? Just chef’s kiss.

It was the kind of wedding that felt light and vibrant and warm all the way through. A day soaked in sunshine and deep connection, just like their relationship. Piper and Kollen, two science-loving souls who found their perfect formula in each other, now have the start of a new adventure, this time, as husband and wife.

And after the “I do” and a celebratory kiss that got an audible aww from their guest? It was portrait time.

Cue: swoony newlywed moments in and around the resort’s white gazebo, surrounded by bold tropical foliage that felt straight out of a botanical fairy tale. Kollen pulled Piper close as they twirled between banana leaves and ti plants, kissed under the gazebo roof like a movie finale, and wandered down to the lava rock shoreline, where the light played off the ocean in soft, cinematic blues. The contrast of that striking black lava with the soft romance of her dress and bouquet? Just gorgeous!

It was tropical and elegant, emotional and joy-filled —a celebration of not only where their story began but also where it was heading next. And if you ask us? These two are just getting started.

Congratulations, you two! It was a joy to bring your dream wedding day to life! We wish you nothing but love and joy in your bright future ahead! You two are made for each other!

BIG ISLAND VENUE WEDDING – EVENT DETAILS

Time Of Day: Morning

Big Island Wedding Package: Outrigger Kona Ceremony Package Lawn by Simple Hawaii Wedding

Big Island Venue Wedding Location: Outrigger Kona Resort

Onsite Coordinators: Kalinda

Florals: Attendant Bouquets, Leis Rustic Hawaiian Bouquet – Pastel by Grace Hawaii

Acoustic Musician: Dennis Garcia

Officiant: Michaela Larson

Wedding Photographer in Hawaii: Tetiana of Karma Hill Photography