Planning/Yacht wedding photography
On the water · Marina del ReyA wedding at sea, planned on land
Couples planning yacht weddings asked us the same questions this year: when to take photos, where the light is best on deck and whether a drone can fly. Here is what we have learned on board.
- BoardBefore your guests
- Golden hourOn the top deck
- DronesOften restricted near LAX
- CoverageThe whole cruise
A yacht is a beautiful venue with one rule: once you leave the dock, everyone stays on board until you come back.
That rule shapes the whole day. Your photographer and filmmaker sail for the whole cruise, space gets tight once guests are aboard, and the light changes quickly as the boat turns.
We photograph yacht weddings in Marina del Rey and along the coast. These are the tips we give every couple.
Board before your guests
Empty decks are the best location you will have all day.
Portraits on empty decks
Board 30 to 45 minutes before guests for portraits around the boat, while every rail and staircase is clear.
Family on the dock
Do family photos on the dock or the open deck while there is still room for big groups.
Keep groups small
Space fills quickly. After boarding, we work in small groups and candids.
Sunset on the top deck
Plan to go up to the top deck for portraits soon after the ceremony, while the sun is low. Ask the captain which way the boat will face, because it can change during the cruise.
After dark, string lights look lovely but are dim, so we bring soft light of our own. On holiday nights with fireworks, ask the charter company where the boat will be: the two of you in front with fireworks behind is the photograph.
On the water, wind is part of the day. Veils fly, and so do napkins. Pin what matters.
About the drone
Marina del Rey sits close to Los Angeles International Airport’s controlled airspace, so drone flights need authorization and may be short, or not possible at all on the day. Where a flight is allowed, it is usually safest while the boat is still docked.
If aerial footage matters to you, tell us early so we can check what is possible for your departure point and time.
Why a boat needs full coverage
On land, a photographer can leave after the toasts. On a yacht there is nowhere to go until you dock, so book coverage for the whole cruise, plus boarding time.
The good news is that the day is compact: ceremony, dinner, toasts and dancing usually happen within a few hours, and every moment is a few steps away. See our FantaSea Yachts page for one of the charters we photograph often.
The best yacht photographs happen in the ten minutes after the ceremony, when the boat turns into the sun and everyone is still on deck. We plan the whole day around those minutes.
Lulan Studio · wedding photographers & filmmakers
Yacht weddings, answered
When should we take photos at a yacht wedding?
Before guests board, for portraits and family photos with the decks to yourselves, then on the top deck at sunset soon after the ceremony.
Can you fly a drone at a Marina del Rey yacht wedding?
Sometimes. The marina is close to LAX’s controlled airspace, so flights need authorization and may be short or not allowed. Flights are usually safest while docked.
Do we need photo and video coverage for the whole cruise?
Yes. Once the boat leaves the dock, your crew stays on board until it returns, so coverage runs for the whole cruise.
Where do yacht weddings leave from in Los Angeles?
Marina del Rey is the most popular departure point. See FantaSea Yachts.
More from our couples
Getting married on the water?
Tell us your charter, your route and your sunset time. We will plan the photos around the boat.