There’s truly no better way to cap off your Hawaii elopement than with a trash the dress session! While trashing the dress looks a little different for everyone, for our couples, it usually means ending your day by jumping into the water in your wedding attire. And when it comes to water, that could be anything from tidepools, the ocean, or even a waterfall.
A trash the dress session is a fun, freeing, wild, and an unforgettable way to close out your elopement experience. And we’re not just saying that – so many of our couples who book this session tell us that it’s one of the things they are most looking forward to during their elopement. If you’re interested in learning more about these types of sessions, then keep reading to learn exactly what a trash the dress Hawaii session looks like, how to do it safely, and how to prepare for it!
What Actually is a Trash the Dress Session in Hawaii?
When we talk about a “trash the dress” session, we’re really talking about a more relaxed, adventure-forward extension of your elopement experience. It’s less about posing in perfect conditions and more about feeling fully free during your day.
And for our couples, that often means getting into the water, whether that’s the ocean or a waterfall. That said, you don’t need to go all the way in, if that’s not your vibe. While you absolutely can, we also love it when couples choose to keep it simple and just wade in up to their knees.
It’s also helpful to distinguish this from traditional post-elopement portraits. Our adventure portraits are usually more intentionally planned and focused on capturing you in your wedding attire in one of Hawaii’s beautiful locations. A trash the dress session, on the other hand, is looser and more playful, giving you space to move, wander, and fully take in the beauty of Hawaii without worrying about preserving your outfits for future photo moments.
Why Should We Have a Trash the Dress Session in Hawaii?
Because why not??
In all seriousness, though, a trash the dress session in Hawaii is perfect if you’re looking for something adventurous at the end of your session. About half of our couples choose to include this in their day, and it’s something we always get excited to help you plan!
As an eloping couple in Hawaii, you’ve already chosen an intentional adventure, and this is a great way to fully lean into that experience by ending your session literally immersing yourself in nature.
It’s also just a really fun, romantic, and playful way to celebrate your elopement right after it happens. It creates a once-in-a-lifetime memory you’ll look back on for years. If you’re really looking to embrace that wild and spontaneous side of your relationship and make the most of your elopement in Hawaii, a trash the dress session is a great addition.
Plus, your dress can typically be dry cleaned for under $100, so you’re not ruining your attire beyond repair. And just so you know, after our own trash the dress session, our outfits came out looking good as new!
Choosing the Right Location to Trash Your Dress
Ocean
Many couples choose to hold their trash the dress session in the ocean, and for good reason. Hawaii is known for its world-class beaches and warm, comfortable water.
When it comes to where specifically in the ocean to do your session, we typically recommend calm lava rock tide pools or protected bays. This way, you can relax, explore, and play without worrying about larger waves or stronger swell conditions.
Best Beaches to Trash the Dress in Hawaii
These are some of our favorite beaches across Hawaii for trash the dress sessions. They tend to have calmer water and beautiful scenery without any exposed reefs, which makes it easy to fully lean into the experience.
- Anaehoʻomalu Beach: One of our favorite Big Island options, with a crescent-shaped shoreline that helps keep the water calm and easy to enjoy.
- Poʻipū Beach: A great Kauai option with calm, shallow water, two crescent-shaped bays, and lifeguards nearby.
- Palauea Beach: One of our favorite Maui beaches for a quieter, more intimate experience away from the crowds.
- Kawela Bay: A calm, protected bay on Oahu surrounded by ironwoods and coconut trees for a tucked-away feel.
To see a Hawaii trash the dress session in the ocean, read all about this North Shore Kauai adventure elopement!
Waterfall
If ocean waves aren’t your thing, a waterfall location is an incredible option for a trash the dress session in Hawaii. You’ll be able to step into the water with a waterfall behind you and lush forest all around! One of our favorite waterfalls for a trash the dress session is Kulaniapia Falls on the Big Island. This 120-foot private waterfall can be booked for a more intimate experience, so you can fully enjoy the moment without worrying about crowds or interruptions.
The water here also tends to be a bit more predictable compared to the ocean, since you’re not dealing with tides or waves. It creates a really grounded, immersive way to end your elopement experience.
Check out this Oahu Waterfall Adventure Session to see what your trash the dress waterfall session can look like!
Permits Needed to Trash the Dress in Hawaii
Once you’ve chosen your spot, the next thing to know is whether permits are required. For most beach locations, this typically means a Wiki Permit. Fortunately, they’re $20 and fairly straightforward to obtain.
Waterfall trash the dress sessions can be a bit more variable. Some waterfalls are on private land and allow for more intimate, controlled access. Others are located on public land, like state parks, where additional permits may be required.
No matter what, we’ll help you navigate this entire process so you don’t have to worry about the logistics. You can stay focused on the experience while we make sure everything is handled properly behind the scenes.
What to Bring to Your Trash the Dress Hawaii Session
When it comes to what to bring to your trash the dress session, we always recommend keeping it simple and practical. A towel and a change of clothes are essential. Water shoes can also be really helpful, especially if we’re around lava rock or uneven terrain. And, for after your session, bringing a plastic trash bag for your dress is a good idea to help keep your car dry on the way home.
What to Wear to Your Trash the Dress Hawaii Session
When it comes to what to wear, you can absolutely wear your wedding attire. That said, some couples prefer to wear a more inexpensive dress instead of their original gown. We love places like Lulus, which has wedding dresses around $200 or less!
But you don’t have to wear wedding attire at all if you don’t want to. A bathing suit works just as well. The beauty of this session is that there’s no right way to do it. You can wear whatever feels most like you.
Best Lightweight Fabrics for Your Hawaii Trash the Dress Session
Since you’ll potentially be getting wet and moving around, flowy, breathable materials usually feel the most comfortable and photograph beautifully in Hawaii’s natural elements. Here are a few materials we recommend.
- Chiffon: Our personal favorite thanks to how lightweight, flowy, and easy it is to move in.
- Tulle
- Organza
- Stretch Crepe
Materials That Aren’t Ideal
If possible, we’d recommend avoiding heavier, more water-absorbent fabrics. They tend to feel more restrictive once wet and can make moving around a bit harder during your session. These include:
- Heavy Satin
- Mikado Silk
- Huge Multi-Layer Ballgowns
When to Hold Your Trash the Dress Session in Hawaii and Other Safety Tips
Hawaii Trash the Dress Timing
There’s a lot that goes into building your elopement day, including where and how your trash the dress session fits into the timeline. While sunset is often the best time for it from a lighting perspective, it can really be included in your day in a way that makes sense for your experience. That can mean holding it midday after your sunrise mountain ceremony or hike.
Still, since you’ll be getting wet, we typically plan it for the end of your session. That way, you can fully enjoy the experience without worrying about changing back into anything formal afterward. During the planning process, we’ll build a timeline that flows naturally and makes space for everything you want to include, including your trash the dress session.
There’s a lot that goes into a Hawaiian elopement, and you can read all about the process on the blog!
Looking After Your Safety
For trash the dress sessions in Hawaii, we always guide couples toward calm, protected areas like sheltered beaches or slow-moving river systems. But no matter where we go, we’re always keeping an eye on the important conditions, including weather, tides, and swell, to make sure everything feels as safe and comfortable as possible.
If the waves are a bit bigger than expected, we can always adjust or pivot, whether that means staying closer to shore or shifting to a different location. Basically, we’re always monitoring conditions so you can stay relaxed, present, and focused on enjoying the experience.
Trash the Dress Hawaii Session Frequently Asked Questions
What are the safety protocols for slippery terrain?
We always approach trash the dress sessions in Hawaii with safety in mind first, especially when it comes to choosing locations and conditions. That means avoiding anything overly slippery or unsafe and instead choosing calm, protected water areas. That said, we also encourage anyone who wants to wear sturdy water shoes or sandals for better traction and comfort.
How long does a trash the dress session take?
Most of our trash the dress sessions typically lasts around 20 minutes. Since you’ll be getting wet, we usually plan it at the very end of your elopement day so you can fully enjoy it without needing to change back into anything too fancy afterward.
Can we have a trash the dress session without getting wet?
Yes, you definitely can! A trash the dress session doesn’t have to involve water. It can also look like hiking along a muddy trail, exploring rugged terrain, or getting the bottom of your dress a little dirty in places like Waimea Canyon. If you’re out having an adventure and your dress gets a little messy along the way, that still counts as a trash the dress session.
That’s everything you need to know about how to have a trash the dress session in Hawaii! It’s such a great way to add adventure, celebration, and a truly unique experience to your elopement day.
If you need help planning your trash the dress session, please reach out. We’re more than your photographers. We’re your travel guides, boots-on-the-ground experts, and we’re here to make sure your time eloping in Hawaii feels intentional, fun, and unforgettable. We can’t wait to help you out.