Planning Your Maui Wedding Timeline

Planning a wedding in Maui? First of all, YAY!! I’m so excited for you! With incredible beaches, the bluest oceans, and calmest island energy; your day will be a dream come true. But even in beautiful Maui, having a solid wedding timeline is key to keeping everything on track and stress-free! This allows you and your loved ones to soak in every magical moment without feeling rushed or stressed. As a Maui elopement photographer, I’m here to capture your love story amongst the beauty brings. Whether you’re having an intimate beach ceremony, a resort celebration, or a simple elopement with just the two of you, a carefully planned wedding timeline helps ensure your day unfolds beautifully from getting ready to golden hour portraits to dancing under the stars. When you book us for your Maui elopement, we will help prepare and finalize your timeline based on your needs!

Start with the Light

In Maui, lighting is everything. That dreamy, golden glow in wedding photos doesn’t just happen. It’s all about timing. That golden hour magic elevates your wedding photos and has a way to bring magic to the pictures. When planning your wedding timeline, we recommend building your ceremony around sunset or sunrise, depending on your location and vibe.

• Sunset weddings are perfect for that golden, romantic lighting and typically much warmer. If you’re planning a sunset ceremony, you’ll want to schedule it 1-2 hours before sunset to capture the best light.
• Sunrise weddings are best for those looking for privacy and calm, quiet mornings. The lighting is softer and temperatures are much cooler, and beaches are usually empty, giving you a calm, intimate experience.

From there, the rest of your wedding timeline will flow around your ceremony time and how many hours you booked our team for!

Sample Maui Wedding Timeline (Afternoon to Sunset)

Here’s a general outline for a typical Maui wedding with a late-afternoon ceremony and sunset portraits; keep in mind sunset time changes from about 6:00pm in the Winter months to about 7:00pm in the Summer months:

1:00-2:00 PM – Getting Ready Photos

Start your day slowly and enjoy yourself! Hair and makeup usually take about 1.5–2 hours per person. If you’re having a first look or getting-ready photos, leave space for your photographer to capture those quiet, emotional moments before the day gets going.

3:00 PM – First Look & Pre-Ceremony Portraits

If you’re doing a first look, we’ll find a beautiful, quiet spot for that moment, just the two of you. We can also knock out some wedding party or family photos before the ceremony, so you have more time to mingle later! It’s also a great way to sneak in some moments of privacy for the two of you before the party officially begins!

4:30 PM – Ceremony

This is where the magic happens. Whether on the beach, in a garden, or on a clifftop overlooking the ocean, your ceremony will be the highlight of your day and where you finally say “I do”.

5:00 PM – Post-Ceremony Photos

After hugs and celebration, and any other additional group photos, we’ll sneak away for couples’ portraits. This is when that golden Maui light starts to shine, and trust us, you want to build this into your wedding timeline.

6:00 PM – Sunset

Your final portraits will wrap just as the sun begins to set. Think dreamy silhouettes, soft ocean breezes, and that glow that makes you feel like you’re in a fairytale.

6:30 PM – Dinner or Reception

Whether dining under string lights at a resort or having a toes-in-the-sand beach dinner experience, your celebration ends with delightful food, family, and fun! Pro tip; have your DJ play a dinner playlist so you can be singing all your favorite songs during your dinner!

Add Buffer Time To Your Wedding Timeline (Always!)

Island time is real, and trust us, it’s a good thing. But when it comes to your wedding timeline, it’s smart to build in extra time for little things: buttoning the dress, reapplying makeup, or just taking a breath before the ceremony begins. You’ll feel more relaxed, and your day will unfold more naturally.

Make Your Timeline What You Want

Not every Maui wedding looks the same, and that’s the beauty of it! Whether planning a small beach elopement or a full-day resort celebration, your wedding timeline should reflect your vision. Maybe you want to start the day with a couples’ hike, take a midday break for snorkeling, or have a sunset sail with your guests after dinner. Let your timeline support the experience you want, not the other way around.

We’re Here to Help You Build It

As local Maui elopement photographers, we don’t just show up with a camera; we’re part of the planning process and we want you and your families to have the best time on Maui! We’ve helped dozens of couples create custom wedding timelines that feel like them. These timelines highlight the moments and experiences they dream of. We’ll help you decide the best time for portraits, how to avoid harsh lighting, where to do a first look, and how to capture your day from start to finish without missing a beat.

Your Maui wedding timeline doesn’t have to be rigid or overwhelming. With a bit of planning and the right team by your side, it becomes the day you dreamed of. Allowing you to relax, be present, and actually enjoy your wedding day.

Ready to start dreaming? Let’s chat about Maui photography and bringing your dreams to life.

Looking for more Hawaii beach wedding inspiration? Check out my Pinterest!