Oahu Dream Weddings

Magic Island and Portlock Beach are the two primary locations we use where sunset and sunset light is available throughout the year. Actually seeing the sunset on the ocean depends upon the location, time of year, and weather condition that day.

We do not use the sun as a background for ceremonies. Just like for your eyes, the sun is just too bright for the camera and you'll be a shadow. Additionally, the variety of shots for ceremony photos and especially video, requires that the light be on you from the front and not behind you.

Unlike higher latitudes where it's still light for hours after the sun sets, in the tropics, when the sun sets, it's night and it happens pretty fast. Additionally, when the sun is low, 15-20 minutes before sunset, clouds on the horizon have the same effect as the sun set. So, even starting at 45 minutes before the sunset, you may begin your ceremony in very good light and then end it in the shadows and darkness.

Consequently, we schedule "sunset" ceremonies 60 minutes before the actual sunset to ensure that we'll have adequate direct and skylight sunlight for your ceremony photos. This also allows for the vibrant colors of subjects and backgrounds.

With that said, a sunset portrait session will allow our photographer to stay longer and wait it out until sunset. What the light is like will determine the kind of shots we can do but, we can always do something dramatic (like shown on our website).


Facts:

- There is no sunset at Waialae/Kahala, Makapuu, or Waimanalo beach. They are on the wrong side of the island or the geography of the spot does not allow it.

- Sunset into the ocean is visible in the Honolulu/Waikiki area during the late Fall and Winter (late October to March).

- Portlock Beach in East Honolulu is available in the late Fall and Winter only and this for actual sunset or low enough to get that look.

- Ko Olina and North Shore locations have sunset light all year. Actual sunset for North Shore will depend upon the beach and time of year.