When Is the Best Time of Year to Get Married in Hawaii?

I have to chuckle whenever a destination bride or groom asks me what the weather is like during a certain time of the year in Hawai'i.  My answer is usually something like, "it is probably going to be pretty much like today, warm - in the 80s."  As the saying goes, "lucky we live Hawaii," where our tropical climate varies very little from month to month, and where there's never a need for a trench coat or heavy jacket (unless, of course, it is to make a fashion statement).

Photo by Jim Creed

In all honesty, we do have some variation in weather.  We get a little more rain here between the months of November and March, and at nights, temperatures drop by around 10 degrees.  During the summers, we usually see temperature highs in the upper 80s and during the winters, low 80s.  Easy-peasy.

Photo by Chrissy Lambert Photography

There are other factors to think about when planning for a wedding month or date.  Consider the following:

May - this is a great month for peonies, an extremely popular bloom for weddings, and since this is the height of their growing season, floral designers can most easily obtain these flowers in the month of May.  Remember, however, that in May, we have many proms, graduations, and Mothers Day, which make the demand for flowers and leis higher, and thus, we tend to see higher pricing during this month.

Summer - this is a great time of year for pikake (jasmine flowers) and for pakalana, small, fragrant flowers that are exquisite in leis.  These local blossoms are particularly abundant in the summer.  It is also when we experience a peak in travel to Hawaii, with many families spending their vacation here in our islands.  This translates to higher demand for hotel rooms, so room rates are pricier and rooms do book quickly, so early planning for a summer wedding is always advisable.

Holidays - many couples are drawn to the holidays and three day weekends for a wedding.  Because the demand for wedding venues and services is higher during holidays, the couple that plans with a short lead time will find slim pickings for a long weekend.  For the "bigger" holidays in Hawaii:  Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, vendors and venues may also charge a premium, as they themselves incur increased labor costs for holiday pay, and it also means time away from their loved ones on what is traditionally considered time spent with family.

To best address timing specific to your wedding, speak with a wedding planner.  He or she can provide any pros and cons regarding a certain date and can even advise as to best day of the week for you.

Happy Planning!
Mona

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(formerly known as "Weddings by Grace and Mona")