There are a lot of things to consider when planning your wedding on the beach. After shooting over 100 weddings here on Big Island, here are some things I have come to learn.
TIP 1: Make sure you plan ahead and have a beach in mind.
Many photographers, wedding planners or officiants may already have insurance and can assist you with purchasing a permit for the day. In addition, if you are not familiar with the island, you may want to ask for suggestions on beaches that may suit your individual needs.
TIP 2: Plan for the weather.
If you want to get married outside, make a plan for ANYTHING. sunscreen AND rain umbrellas. If you are not friendly with the elements, maybe an outdoor Hawaii wedding is not for you. The weather, as crazy as it may feel in the moment, is often a great gift in hindsight.
TIP 3: Drink lots of water.
Drink water the night before so that your skin looks fresh and hydrated. Bring water with you to your ceremony and for your photo session. Even if your session is 45 minutes, 45 minutes in the sun is a long time.
TIP 4: Own your attire, don't let it own you.
Don't go for a dress, shoes, suit, that you will fear getting sand, water or dirt on. It will happen, plan for it. There are so many affordable options for dresses or formal beach attire that still look amazing in person and in your photos. Your wedding day is an important day for dressing up and looking amazing, but it is mostly about sharing a special moment in time with your partner. You don't want, worrying about ruining your clothes, overshadowing the amazing moment you're experiencing with your partner.
TIP 5: Time of day matters.
If you can choose the time of day to get married, choose sunset or sunrise. It's soooo worth it and makes all the difference in weather, lighting and ambiance. If you are getting married near sunrise, have a private session pre-ceremony while the sun is coming up, for the most epic shots. Choose sunrise for East Side of the Island weddings (for Big Island: Hilo, Kalapana, Honokaa). For sunset (For Big Island: Kailua Kona) have your private photo session post-ceremony, so that your posed shots are during the amazing colorful backdrop. If you can see the sun hit the horizon, you can get more artistic shots using the sun in your shots, which is why time of day can coincide with position on the island. Not only is time of day important for your photos, but the beaches also can be less loud and crowded. The Hawaiian sun is unforgiving mid-day. The heavy heat and humidity can make for a miserable (sometimes even dangerous) experience for all involved. Sunrise and sunset tend to cool down quite a bit.
TIP 6: Should I get a Veil?
I get this question a lot. I think even if you are only using it for fashion purposes and not for ceremonial ones, it's worth it. Most brides don't wear the veil the whole time, because the wind often makes it difficult to stay on, pulls hair and can easily snag... but taking initial shots with it can add a lot to your wedding gallery or album.
TIP 7: Do I need a bouquet?
A bouquet can come in handy for a variety of purposes. It can add color to the shot. It can give the hands something to do in photos. It can help frame a photo. It can add dimension. It can give a lovely background for displaying rings.
TIP 8: Should I get a Haku? Leis?
Many ceremonies in Hawaii, that I have witnessed, exchange leis as part of the vows. This can be a nice addition to a Hawaiian wedding. Aside from that, Haku's and leis can add amazing color and dimension to photos. A Haku can be youthful looking draping over the hairline/ forehead and keep hair from going out of place. That being said, they can be a hassle to get on and keep on, on a windy day. You'll want to weigh out your personal pros and cons, but in my opinion Hakus and leis can bring a lot to a Hawaiian wedding, and really enhance the overall look and vibe of your ceremony and photos.
TIP 9: Practice your poses ahead of time.
Your photographer will pose you for your session, but it doesn't hurt to have a little practice with your partner ahead of time. It can be a fun way to laugh and connect and can alleviate some of the seriousness and stress on the day of the wedding and give you something to look forward to, during the session.
TIP 10: Have Fun
Be authentic, laugh, have fun and if you are up for it, end your ceremony with a dip in the ocean! Most importantly, remember what and who this day is truly about.
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