Dreaming of an oceanfront wedding on Kauai's sunny South Shore? The Sheraton Kauai Resort sits right on Poipu Beach and offers beach lawns, garden spaces and a sunset-view venue, so it's one of the most popular Poipu wedding venues for couples who want a resort setting with the ocean at their feet. As a Kauai wedding photographer who has shot here over a dozen times, I've put together everything you need to know about a Sheraton Poipu wedding, from ceremony locations to lighting and planning tips.
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Where Is the Sheraton Kauai Resort?
The Sheraton Kauai Resort is on Poipu Beach, on Kauai's South Shore. The South Shore is generally the sunniest and driest part of the island, with golden beaches, easy resort logistics, and plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. It's about a 20 to 30 minute drive from Lihue Airport.
Sheraton Poipu Wedding Ceremony Locations
The resort has several spaces for weddings and receptions:
Ocean Lawn and Beach Lawn. Oceanfront lawns for beach-style ceremonies with the water as your backdrop.
Garden Luau Lawn. A large outdoor lawn, the resort's biggest outdoor space for larger guest counts.
RumFire at Poipu Beach. A sunset-view venue on Poipu Beach that the resort lists for up to 300 wedding guests.
Indoor options. The Poipu Ballroom and Luana Kai are available if you want an indoor reception or a weather backup.
The resort also offers wedding packages, including an all-inclusive Kauai wedding package, and wedding planners who can help with the details. To start planning, contact the resort's wedding team directly at (808) 742-1661.
Do You Need a Permit for a Sheraton Poipu Beach Wedding?
If your ceremony is held on the resort's own grounds, the resort's event team handles the setup. A ceremony on the public beach itself is different, and Hawaii state rules require a permit and limit group size. I explain the process in my guide to Kauai wedding permits, and you'll also need a Hawaii marriage license, which I cover in how to get married in Hawaii.
Can You Bring Your Own Photographer?
The resort's event services include photographers, but they do allow outside vendors to shoot there as well. If you're hiring me, I'm happy to coordinate directly with the resort's team on timing and locations.
Why Choose the Sheraton Kauai Resort for Your Poipu Wedding?
Poipu Beach setting. Your ceremony and photos happen right on one of Kauai's most loved South Shore beaches, with golden sand and ocean views.
Sunny South Shore weather. Poipu is generally the driest and sunniest part of the island, which lowers the chance of a rained-out ceremony.
Several ceremony spaces in one resort. Oceanfront lawns, garden areas, and RumFire at Poipu Beach give you different looks without leaving the property.
Easy logistics for guests. Rooms, restaurants, a ballroom backup, and a wedding team are all in one place, so out-of-town guests don't have to travel far.
Scalable guest counts. The resort lists capacities from small gatherings to several hundred guests, so it works for an elopement-style wedding or a full celebration.
Best Time of Day for Sheraton Poipu Wedding Photos
Late afternoon and sunset: Warm, golden light over the water is the main draw here. A ceremony about an hour before sunset gives me time for portraits as the sky changes.
Morning: Softer light, calmer conditions, and fewer people on the beach. Great for a first look and couple portraits.
Midday: Bright and contrasty. If your ceremony has to be midday, I'll look for open shade around the grounds and plan portraits for before or after.
Weather Considerations
South Shore weather is typically drier than the North Shore, but this is still Hawaii and showers can pass through quickly. The resort lists a ballroom and indoor spaces, so ask about a backup location when you book. I always check the hourly forecast rather than the daily summary.
Photography Possibilities at the Sheraton Kauai Resort
The Sheraton Poipu gives me a lot to work with, and the variety is what makes it one of my favorite South Shore wedding locations.
Oceanfront ceremony portraits. The Ocean Lawn and Beach Lawn put you right at the edge of Poipu Beach, so ceremony photos come with open ocean, crashing waves and warm South Shore light in the background.
Golden hour at RumFire. The sunset venue at Poipu Beach is perfect for couple portraits and reception moments as the sky turns orange and pink.
Garden and lawn portraits. The Garden Luau Lawn offers open green space and a softer, more romantic backdrop for family formals and wider group photos.
Beach walks along Poipu. Before or after the ceremony we can step onto the sand for relaxed, candid portraits.
Indoor and rainy-day options. If the weather does not cooperate, the Poipu Ballroom and Luana Kai give us a polished backup for ceremony and reception photos.
Nearby Places to Stay and Celebrate in Poipu and Koloa
Poipu is the heart of Kauai's South Shore, with plenty of nearby spots for rehearsal dinners, welcome gatherings and post-wedding celebrations. Guests can walk Poipu Beach, visit Spouting Horn, and explore the shops and restaurants in historic Koloa Town. If you are still comparing resorts, my Ultimate Guide to Kauai Wedding Venues walks through every option by size, type and shore.
Planning Tips for a Sheraton Poipu Wedding
Book the wedding team early. The resort offers an all-inclusive wedding package and event services that include decorators, lighting and officiant, so start the conversation with the wedding team as soon as you have a date.
Ask about the photographer policy. Because the resort can arrange its own photographer, confirm in writing that you are welcome to bring me.
Plan around the light. Ceremonies in the late afternoon give us the best golden-hour portraits. Check sunset times for your month and leave extra time for photos.
Handle the legal side separately. The resort can help with your ceremony, but you still need your marriage license. My guides on how to get married in Hawaii and Kauai wedding permits cover the steps.
Build in a weather backup. South Shore weather is usually sunny, but showers can happen any time of year. A backup plan keeps the day stress free.
Ready to Plan Your Sheraton Poipu Wedding?
I would love to photograph your wedding or elopement at the Sheraton Kauai Resort. Explore my wedding photography and elopement photography services, then reach out and tell me about your plans.
GETTING MARRIED AT THE SHERATON KAUAI?
I'd love to be a part of your special day. To book my photo services, or to learn more about my services and packages, please contact me through the below button.
