Oahu beach wedding timeline

Most couples that come to Oahu request beach weddings. Here at Oahu Wedding, we book beach ceremonies and receptions every day and many of our couples have the same questions. One aspect that everyone has to know is the timeline. What time will the wedding be? How long does it take to get to the ceremony location? Now long will the ceremony last? What time is the sunset? When will the musician play? How long will the photographer be there? These are all commonly asked questions from brides, grooms and everyone involved in this important day.

We can arrange your beach ceremony at any time during the day. Generally, you can choose from an afternoon or sunset ceremony. Our sunset ceremonies are by far the most popular. Here is a model timeline for a sunset ceremony at Waialae beach park:
One to three days before ceremony:

-Bride and groom attend appointment in downtown Honolulu to obtain marriage license (previously arranged by Oahu Wedding)
Day of ceremony:
3:00 – Hair and makeup artists arrive at bride’s hotel room
4:00 – Bride and bridal party meet at hotel and prepare to be picked up by limousine
5:00 – Wedding planner arrives at Waialae beach park to begin setting up for ceremony
5:30 – Limousine arrives at bride and groom’s hotel
5:45 – Limousine departs from hotel
6-6:15 – Musician, minister, photographer, and other vendors arrive at Waialae beach park
- Bride, groom and guests arrive at Waialae beach park
- Hawaiian-style musician begins to play as guests arrive and assemble on the beach
-Photographer begins taking pre-ceremony pictures
6:30 – Dove or butterfly release takes place on the shoreline of Waialae beach park
6:35 – Minister begins non-denominational Hawaiian-style ceremony including traditional Hawaiian chants, lei exchange, ring exchange and vow exchange
6:45 – Musician plays Hawaiian-style acoustic song of couple’s choice during ceremony
6:55 – Ceremony concludes
7:00 – Photographer takes additional photos of bride and groom, bridal party and guests
7:10 – Bride and groom cut cake and serve guests while photographer takes photos and musician plays
7:30 – Musician, photographer, minister and guests depart Waialae beach park and proceed back to hotels of to reception
7:35 – Bride and groom proceed to catering on the beach or reception
- If bride and groom select catering for two, limousine service will pick up at 8:30 to return them to hotel room. Receptions in the Waikiki area normally conclude between 9 and 11:00.

*This is not a concrete timeline. Times are subject to change according to availabilities, sunset times or preference of the bride and groom.