Basic Photo Planning Tips for Tropical Destination Weddings

With good planning, your tropical wedding can be your dream wedding! The warm ocean breezes, golden beaches, and tropical scenery set the stage for an ideal wedding and beautiful wedding photos. These are unique photos that you’ll treasure forever. But in order for your photography and videography to capture the magic, planning your destination wedding photography is important. Here is what you need to know in order to make the most out of your wedding photos in heaven.

1. Choosing Your Destination

Photo by **Authentic Collective** at Kauai, Hawaii, USA

Your destination will set the tone for your wedding and your wedding photography. While your tropical theme is your ultimate wish, you’ll want to narrow down the list of potential destinations and choose one that is most conducive for your vision based on a range of factors. Here are a few general things to think about.

How’s the Weather?

When choosing tropical wedding venues, you should compare venues in their level of accessibility, landscapes, and climatic patterns. In this respect, tropical destinations like Costa Rica and Bali, for example, typically have wet seasons (November to March) and dry seasons (April to October). Other places have more uniform climatic conditions throughout the year. This could impact the type of photos that you can acquire depending on what the weather is like during your visit.

A Change in Scenery

Photo by **Green Apple Photography** at the Enchanted Forest in Maui, Hawaii, USA

It is true that the beach is likely to be a central feature in the wedding and photos, wherever your tropical destination is, but some destinations offer more varied background options. Chances are, with most tropical destinations, you’ll be presented with the choice of beach or green landscapes.

2. Find the Right Photographer

Your wedding photos will be the lasting memory of your day, so selecting the right photographer is crucial. You can use sites like Wedding Maps to explore photographers experienced in destination weddings, or photographers who actually live in the destinations you’re researching, and find one whose style resonates with you.

Photo by **Mauricio Ureña** at Hacienda Pinilla in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

When considering different styles, ask yourself whether you prefer dreamy natural light images or a more dramatic editorial style. Then, look through galleries of potential photographers and choose a photographer who specializes in the aesthetic you love.

Bonus Tip: You’ve probably heard of putting moodboards together when planning a photoshoot. This is a helpful tool that you can use early on in the process to help discover what your preferred style is. Then, after you’ve narrowed down your top options, you can create additional moodboards using the photographers’ portfolios to compile inspirational photos. Share your moodboard with the photographer to help them understand your vision and capture the type of images you’re interested in. You can find tips on putting together a moodboard here.

3. Plan Your Ideal Photography Timeline Around Sunset

Photo by Leif Nielsen of **Roc Focus** at Playa Largo in Key Largo, Florida, USA

A well-planned timeline ensures that all the critical moments are caught perfectly. This is regardless of whether your wedding is at home or abroad. Depending on your destination, you may want a wedding coordinator for logistical assistance, but always include your photographer in the planning. We cannot stress this enough.

If you’re having a beach wedding, scheduling a couples session around Golden Hour is critical. You didn’t travel all that way for average beach pictures! Beaches typically have little to no shaded areas, so choosing the right time of day is a must!

Photo by **Bear Beau Photography** at San Diego Botanic Garden in San Diego, California, USA

Here are some key areas to consider when planning your timeline:

Pre-Ceremony Prep: Allocate time for capturing the details (dress, rings, accessories) and candid getting-ready shots.
First Look: A first look before the ceremony provides intimate, emotional photos and allows more time for portraits.
Ceremony: Consider the best time of day for optimal lighting (often early morning or golden hour before sunset).
Formals & Bridal Party Photos: Ensure the location offers shaded areas or soft lighting for stunning portraits.
Couples Portraits: Plan for a mix of scenic shots and intimate moments in nature.
Reception: Include time for sunset photos (everybody loves silhouette shots), capturing your venue’s ambiance, and fun dance floor moments.

4. Prepare for the Climate

Photo by **Dan Sauer** at Kapalua Beach in Maui, Hawaii, USA

We’ve mentioned the weather in discussing areas above, but a tropical wedding typically means that you can count on sun, heat, and maybe sudden rain (even if you planned during the “dry” season). Here’s how to prepare:

Hair & Makeup

Photo by **Luzye Photography** at San Pedro in California, USA

The worth of this service is often overlooked and is definitely underestimated. Take advantage of local professionals in tropical climates so your hair & makeup stay in place throughout the wedding and any after-wedding portrait sessions.

Dress for the Location

Photo by **Marcia Grover of Ibay Photography** at Biloxi Beach in Biloxi, MS, USA

If you feel relaxed, more likely than not, you’ll be more relaxed in your wedding photos. Photographs cannot hide a subject that is uneasy. To help, wear light, airy fabrics that complement the tropical surroundings. Flowing gowns and short veils work best in beach settings.

Weather Backups

Photo by **Mauricio Ureña** at Manuel Antonio Beach in Quepos, Costa Rica

This is something that is expected in a tropical climate, but it is a good idea to plan for sudden rains with a backup plan in the form of sheltered areas or a secondary indoor location.

5. Have Fun!

Photo by at **Mauricio Ureña** at Manuel Antonio Beach in Quepos, Costa Rica

Planning is all well and good, but the most gorgeous photos come from happy, spontaneous moments. Trust your photographer, absorb the atmosphere, and enjoy every moment of your special day!

Conclusion + More Inspiration

A tropical destination wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and with careful planning, your photos will be full of all the magic. Choose a beautiful location, book a professional photographer, plan for the best lighting and weather, and most importantly—have fun with it!

Here are some more photos from tropical destination weddings for your inspiration: