A sunset Oahu wedding or elopement is like a dream come true. Getting married in Hawaii is amazing any time of day, but add in that golden hour light, a little cooler temperatures, and perfect timing to go right into your celebration dinner, and it’s easy to see why so many couples choose a sunset wedding.
We can guide you through planning your Oahu sunset wedding. We can show you our top three Oahu wedding locations to capture those dreamy sunset wedding photos.
Quick Tip: Many couples choose an afternoon wedding at a private venue and go to a second location for sunset photos.
“Golden Hour” and Wedding Timing
There is no time more popular for photos than “golden hour.” It’s that last hour before the sun goes down. Golden hour is known for its soft, warm, and flattering light. The sun is low, filtering the light through the Earth’s atmosphere. Although you never know what type of sunset you’ll get, Hawaii sunsets are some of the best in the world.
The key to planning a sunset wedding is to make sure your ceremony is finished well before sunset. Remember, sunset time is when the sun goes down, so you lose the light.
For that dreamy sunset light, you want to make sure your ceremony ends about 30 minutes before the actual sunset time. If you have guests attending, you need even more time for group photos.
Think of the actual sunset time as when the lights go out. That’s the moment it starts to get dark, and it’s when your photoshoot is over.
Sunset photos are usually from about 15 minutes before sunset, but Golden Hour is from about an hour before. Hawaii is beautiful throughout the day, so starting your wedding ceremony early is better than pushing too late.
Top 3 Locations for Your Oahu Sunset Wedding
These are our favorite venues for your sunset wedding, and all of them are also great wedding venues earlier in the day.
#1: Magic Island – A Beautiful Sunset Wedding Location Minutes from Waikiki
Not only is Magic Island one of Oahu’s most popular sunset wedding locations, but it’s also only a short drive from most of Oahu’s hotels.
It’s not only the convenience that makes Magic Island a popular sunset wedding location. There are many advantages:
- Iconic Diamond Head backdrop – Although the sun sets on the opposite side, the biggest attraction for a wedding at Magic Island is the view of Diamond Head. The golden hour light on Diamond Head is magnificent.
- Beautiful natural setting – Hawaii’s natural beauty is on full display at Magic Island. There are views, the palm trees, the monkey pod trees, the beach, and the cooling tradewinds.
- Unobstructed ceremony views – Most couples choose to have their wedding ceremony next to the water with Diamond Head in the background. The only thing that gets in the way of that amazing view is the occasional boat passing by.
- Free public facilities – Magic Island has plenty of parking during the week (weekends can be very busy), public restrooms, and it’s a free venue (only requiring a $50 permit).
- Paved path – The walk to the ceremony location is about 4-5 minutes, and the path is paved until you get to the grassy ceremony area.
Magic Island is a great mid-afternoon option as well. Once the sun comes up past Diamond Head, the turquoise waters come out, and the light on Diamond Head provides the perfect backdrop.
#2: Secret Beach – Ko’olina Sunset Wedding Location
First things first, Secret Beach is not a secret anymore. It can get busy for sunset, both with photoshoots and with people coming out to watch the sunset.
If you have your wedding ceremony an hour or an hour and a half before sunset, you should have a much more intimate ceremony.
Secret Beach is a very convenient wedding location for couples staying in the Ko’olina area. It’s located in front of the Four Seasons Oahu, and it’s a short walk from the Disney Aulani Resort.
Some of the reasons you would want to have your wedding ceremony at Oahu’s Secret Beach:
- Incredible natural beauty – The rocks, the cove, the swaying palms…even if you don’t choose it as your ceremony location, you should check out the area for how beautiful it is.
- Super convenient if you’re staying in Ko’olina – If you can walk from your hotel to your wedding location, you’ll love how easy it is.
- Dramatic sunset colors – You never know what Mother Nature will give you, but we see some of the most incredible sunsets at Secret Beach.
Note: Secret Beach does have a rocky entrance and is not wheelchair accessible. It also lacks restrooms.
#3: Kawela Bay – North Shore Seclusion
Oahu’s North Shore gets spectacular sunsets, and our favorite wedding location is Kawela Bay. The beautiful bay has a lot ot offer for couples staying on the North Shore. Although it can be a bit busy on weekends, it’s usually quieter during the week, and the long beach provides many areas for a toes-in-the-sand wedding ceremony.
The stunning natural beauty of Kawela Bay is only a few minutes from the Ritz-Carlton Turtle Bay Resort, making it an excellent choice for couples staying there.
Advantages of a sunset wedding at Kawela Bay:
- North Shore location – Very close to Turtle Bay.
- Beautiful bay – The crescent-shaped bay offers calm waters ideal for ceremonies.
- Fewer crowds – It might get a little busy on weekends, but Kaweal Bay is usually quiet and calm.
- Plenty of shade – The entrance to Kawela Bay is full of ironwoods, as is the beach. There is much more shade here than at many of Oahu’s beaches.
- Multiple photo options – The ocean, palms, and ironwoods provide a lot of variety for photos.
- Flat and easy – Although there’s a short walk out to the beach, there are clear, unpaved paths, making it a pleasant stroll.
Note: Kawela Bay is about an hour from Waikiki, so we only recommend it as a ceremony location for couples staying on the North Shore.
#4: Waialae Beach Park – An Alternative to a Pure Sunset Wedding Location
Waialae Beach is very popular due to its beauty and proximity to Waikiki. Although it is not a sunset wedding location, it does get soft light later in the day, and it’s a nice alternative to our other Oahu sunset wedding suggestions.
The location of the sunset changes throughout the year, and Waialae Beach gets more late-day sunlight in the winter months.
Couples choose Waialae Beach for their wedding venue for many reasons.
- Convenient Oahu location – Waialae Beach is only a little farther away from Waikiki than Magic Island, and it’s steps away for couples staying at the Kahala Hotel.
- Calm, shallow ocean – The shallow, rocky bottom isn’t great for swimming, which means it’s rare to have people in your ocean backdrop.
- Golden sand and swaying palms – It’s hard to find a better beach near Waikiki for photo opportunities on your wedding day.
Essential Logistics & Planning
Planning your special day can be easy with the right help, and we’ve been planning Hawaii weddings since 1978. We’re always here to help, and we have a few more tips for you if you’re planning on getting married in Hawaii.
Avoiding the Crowds
All beaches in Hawaii are public. We all share the beaches, yet we want some feeling of seclusion. One of our biggest Hawaii wedding-day tips is to have your Hawaii wedding on a weekday. Weekdays are quieter, there’s more parking available, and you’ll have an easier time planning your post-ceremony celebration.
Post-Ceremony Planning
If you’re planning a sunset wedding, you’ll likely be going from your ceremony directly to your celebration dinner. Give yourself plenty of time if you prefer to change clothes first.
Most couples eloping in Hawaii or celebrating with a small group choose a nice dinner for their reception. We have a list of recommended restaurants for your dinner.
More Planning Advice
We’ve written many articles to help you plan your destination wedding in Hawaii.
You may like:
- Hawaii Elopement Guide
- Getting Married in Hawaii Guide
- Oahu Wedding Packages
- Oahu Wedding Locations
- Getting Your Hawaii Marriage License
Planning Your Hawaii Wedding? We’re Here to Help.
Contact us if you want a stress-free Hawaii wedding. We’re here to help answer all your questions and help you plan your special day in paradise.
