Selected work
From Lanikai Beach
Sunrise at Lanikai is the most photographed light on Oahu. Soft sand, the Mokulua islands offshore, and ceremonies finished before most of the island wakes up.
Check Hawaii AvailabilityLanikai sits on Oahu’s windward (east) side, a 30-minute drive from Waikiki. The beach is small — about a half-mile of powdery white sand — but the Mokulua islands sitting offshore make it one of the most recognizable backdrops in Hawaii. The light here is at its best during sunrise, roughly 6:00–6:45 a.m. depending on the season.
Lanikai is residential, which means parking is limited and there are no public restrooms or pavilions. Couples who marry here typically do an intimate sunrise ceremony (10–20 guests) followed by breakfast at a nearby Kailua restaurant. Permits go through Hawaii’s DLNR.
Your photographer and filmmaker are on the same team and plan the day as one.
Hawaii is on our travel list. Many packages include flights and lodging.
Trailer in 14 days. Social teasers in 24 hours. Full delivery in 8 weeks.
Roughly 6:00–6:45 a.m. depending on the season. We arrive 30 minutes early to scout light and frame the ceremony with the Mokulua islands in view.
Yes. Lanikai is a state beach, so any ceremony requires a DLNR permit (around $130, 2–4 weeks to process). We file the paperwork with you.
Most Lanikai weddings are 10–20 guests. Parking is residential-only — larger weddings should consider Kailua Beach Park or Waimanalo instead.
At sunrise: not at all. By 8 a.m. it fills up with paddleboarders and tourists. That’s why we start early.
Send us your dates and we’ll come back with a travel-inclusive quote within 48 hours.
Check Hawaii Availability