So what are the best Kauai wedding beaches?

This is your wedding, and you should have what you want. Timory is happy to take your photos anywhere or any time of the day you want. However, there are more and less preferable places and times of the day to take any photos in terms of showing off Kauai’s amazing tropical colors and, of course, you! Timory also loves doing weddings at hotels or other places besides beaches, we are happy to offer recommendations for tropical gardens, hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, etc.

There are a few things to keep in mind when answering this question specifically for your wedding:

1. Is your Kauai wedding location beach typically crowded or empty?
2. What background do you want most for your photos?
3. How does your choice of Kauai wedding beach affect the lighting?
4. Where are you staying?

1. Crowded and Empty Beaches

Sometimes people say they don’t care if the beach they want to get married on (i.e. Shipwreck’s beach) are crowded and there are people in the back of their photos. (We especially here this from clients staying in Poipu where there are pretty much always people on every beach.) If this is truly the case, we are happy to take photos anywhere you want. However as most photographers agree, Timory strongly feels that photos are of a much higher quality if there are not (many) people showing in the background. This is why she so often recommends Lydgate Beach or other more private beaches/locations. Beaches that are nearly always filled with people and hard to get a clear shot at include Hanalei Bay and nearly all beaches in Poipu.

That having been said, all beaches are public and Timory demonstrates great dexterity in moving around to block absolutely anyone and any thing in the background she can.

2. Background

Another thing to keep in mind about the background is what do you prefer to see behind you? Beach? Tropical gardens? Tropical forest? Manicured hotel lawns/waterfalls? Mountains? Lava rocks and greenery next to ocean? Cliffs?

If you like mountains in particular (and beaches too) the north shore has a lot to offer. If you like lava rocks and greenery next to the ocean, Lydgate beach is perfect and private. If you like sandy cliffs, Shipwreck’s beach is a good choice. If you like tropical gardens or hotel properties then we have several to choose from on the island that are great, give us a ring and we can offer a better recommendation after we know a little more about your budget.

3. Lighting

Location will not determine the lighting as much as the timing. It is preferable to have softer lighting, later in the evening or very early in the morning. That way people can relax their eyes and they don’t look uncomfortable or as if they have closed eyes. It also helps people look less shiny from sweat. Sometimes this could be achieved more towards the middle of the day if it’s overcast or partially cloudy, but of course we won’t know the weather until very close to the photo shoot.

To learn more about choosing the timing of your Kauai wedding photos, see this article:

http://www.weddingphotoskauai.com/kauai-wedding-photos-timing/

4. Proximity

People often want to have their wedding right outside their hotel or resort for obvious reasons of convenience. This could be a great idea if you are also eating/drinking within walking distance so that you can safely drink and return to your property without a taxi…but it depends on a number of other things about that specific location (see the link at the end of this article). We have a lot of experience with nearly every property on Kauai. Please feel free to ask us about your particular hotel/resort property, and we will give you our honest feedback about the pros and cons of the beaches and surrounding areas both in front of where you are staying as well as close by.

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One thing to keep in mind about all beaches in the state of Hawaii, including Kauai is that they are mandated by state to have a beach permit. Not just anyone can get a permit, you must be registered with the DNLR and have a million dollar liability insurance. Timory and Aloha Ever After can get you a permit for any beach on Kauai. The beach permits allow an option A, and B (in case of rain) so there is flexibility to them, but they must be purchased ahead of time.

For further information, images and videos of the best Kauai wedding beaches, please read our article on specific locations:

http://www.alohaeverafter.com/kauai-wedding-locations/

Feel free to contact us with any questions: 888-939-3885.