Trash the Dress Photography in Hawaii

Trash the dress photography is a fun, carefree photo shoot where the bride wears her wedding gown somewhere she never would on the wedding day: in the ocean, rolling in the sand, splashing under a waterfall or swimming underwater. In Hawaii, with warm turquoise water and white sand beaches, it is one of the most beautiful ways to get one last adventure out of your dress. Here is what trash the dress photography is, where to do it on Oahu, and real shoots from our couples.

Love that the ocean cannot wash away

What Is Trash the Dress?

Trash the dress, also called a “rock the frock” or after wedding shoot, is a photo session held after the wedding, often the next day. Instead of keeping the gown perfect, the bride lets it get wet, sandy and wild. The idea is said to have started with wedding photographers in the early 2000s, and today it is a favorite for beach weddings. The gown does not really have to be ruined: salt water and sand usually wash out, and many couples simply have the dress cleaned afterward.

In the Waves at Lanikai

With the Mokulua islands on the horizon, Lanikai’s calm turquoise water is perfect for a trash the dress shoot. Ashley and her groom waded in, splashed, rolled in the shallows and laughed the whole time.

Lifted above the turquoise

A kiss where the waves come in

Sand, sea and the two of us

Carried into the blue

Sammi & Jasen at the Hidden Cove

Sammi and Jasen took their gown and white suit to a secluded cove framed by dark lava rocks, with waves rushing in over the sand and a white parasol for shade.

Rolling with the tide

Shade from the sun, splash from the sea

Laughter in the whitewater

Underwater

For the most magical photos, go underwater. With an underwater camera, the gown floats like a cloud in the clear blue water, and every photo looks like a dream.

A watery kiss before the dive

A gown that floats like a cloud

Swimming into forever

Hand in hand in the shallows

Splashing in the Lagoon

Lauren and Johnathan had their trash the dress moment before the wedding, splashing each other by the waterfall in the Hilton lagoon in Waikiki. See their whole day on Lauren & Johnathan’s page.

A splash of joy by the waterfall

Walking into the Ocean

Sometimes the simplest moment is the most powerful: the bride walking straight into the sea in her gown, the waves rising around her.

Into the sea, gown and all

Footprints the tide will keep

Tips for a Trash the Dress Shoot in Hawaii

• Pick calm water: Lanikai, Kailua and protected coves are gentle; always check the surf and never swim alone.
• Morning light: calmer water, softer sun and fewer people.
• Bring a towel and a change of clothes: a wet gown is heavy.
• Waterproof makeup and hair: or let it all go and enjoy the wild look.
• Clean the gown after: rinse out the salt water and sand as soon as you can.
• Respect the beach: some beaches need a permit for professional photos.

Trash the Dress Prices

• Sunset or sunrise photo shoot: $350, add-on to any package (photography)
• Beach wedding packages: from $350 to $8,000 (all prices)
• Vow renewal packages: $950 to $2,000 (vow renewals)

All prices are plus 4.712% Hawaii state tax.

Hawaii Wedding Stats

• The average Hawaii wedding costs about $53,369, but half of all couples spend less than $21,117.
• Couples spent an estimated $927 million on weddings in Hawaii in 2025.
• Our own couples usually spend between $10,000 and $15,000, often much less for a simple beach ceremony.

Figures from The Wedding Report, see our Hawaii wedding statistics page for sources.

Plan Your Trash the Dress Shoot on Oahu

Add a trash the dress session to any of our Hawaii wedding packages, or book it as a separate shoot the day after your wedding. See our wedding photography and Oahu beach weddings. To learn more, see trash the dress on Wikipedia.

Aloha Island Weddings · 1154 Fort Street Mall, Suite 210, Honolulu, HI 96813