Your Guide to the Best Time to Get Married in Hawaii
Photos by LT² Photography
Here’s the truth about the best time to get married in Hawaii: there’s no bad month to marry on Oahu. There is, however, a best month for you, and it depends on three things most couples don’t think about until they’re already standing in the weather.
What time the sun sets. Which side of the island you’re on. And whether a passing shower would rattle you or charm you.
Hawaii Really Only Has Two Seasons
Forget spring and fall. According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, most of Hawaii has just two seasons: “summer,” from May through October, and “winter,” from October through April.
- Summer (May–October) tends to be drier, especially on the sunny side of the island.
- Winter (October–April) brings the heaviest rain, which mostly arrives with wind storms.
Personally, I call Hawaii the land of perpetual summer, because if you’ve ever lived anywhere else, you know that the rainy, low to mid 60°F nights that characterize “winter” on Oahu are indicative of late spring – early summer weather. But I digress.
Even in the wettest months, showers on Oahu often move through quickly.
When Is Rainy Season in Hawaii?
Rainy season in Hawaii runs roughly October through April. That doesn’t mean a winter wedding is a gamble. It means a winter wedding requires a rain plan, a little flexibility in the timeline, and a venue with covered spaces.
Many of the most dramatic skies I’ve photographed came right after a shower cleared. A 30 to 60 minute pause is often all it takes for the weather to break on Oahu, and the light that follows can be breathtaking.
Which Side of the Island Matters More Than the Month
This is the part that surprises couples most. Oahu has two very different sides, and the weather and atmosphere on each matter more for your wedding than when the wedding actually takes place.
The windward side (Kailua, Kāneʻohe, Kualoa and the coast toward the North Shore) faces the trade winds. As that warm, moist air rises over the mountains, it brings more clouds and showers. It’s also why the windward coast is so impossibly green.
The leeward and south shores (Honolulu, Waikiki, Ko Olina and the west side) sit in the mountains’ rain shadow. The National Weather Service describes leeward areas as tending “to be sunny and dry,” with most of their rain arriving from a few winter storms, which keeps their summers dry.
So a summer ceremony in Waikiki and a winter ceremony in Kailua can feel like two different climates, even though they’re a short drive apart.
Oahu Weather and Sunset Times by Month
Sunset times are for Honolulu and shift by only a few minutes across the island. Hawaii doesn’t observe daylight saving time, so there are no clock changes to account for.
| Month | Season | Sunset on the 1st | Sunset on the 15th | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Winter | 6:01 pm | 6:10 pm | Short evenings; plan a rain option |
| February | Winter | 6:21 pm | 6:29 pm | Evenings start lengthening |
| March | Winter | 6:35 pm | 6:40 pm | Later light, still in the rainy season |
| April | Winter | 6:46 pm | 6:50 pm | The tail end of the wet season |
| May | Summer | 6:56 pm | 7:02 pm | Dry season begins |
| June | Summer | 7:09 pm | 7:14 pm | Latest sunsets of the year |
| July | Summer | 7:17 pm | 7:16 pm | Long, bright evenings |
| August | Summer | 7:10 pm | 7:01 pm | Still a late golden hour |
| September | Summer | 6:47 pm | 6:34 pm | Sunsets moving earlier |
| October | Both | 6:19 pm | 6:06 pm | The changeover month |
| November | Winter | 5:55 pm | 5:49 pm | Early evenings; plan your timeline around the light |
| December | Winter | 5:48 pm | 5:52 pm | Earliest sunsets of the year |
The latest sunsets land in late June and early July, around 7:17 pm. The earliest come in late November and early December, around 5:48 pm. Looking for tonight’s exact time? A live tool like timeanddate.com has it.
Build Your Timeline Backward From Sunset
The easiest way to plan a day you’ll love looking back on is to start with the light and work backward.
1. Find your sunset time in the table above.
2. Place your portraits before it. The softest, warmest light falls in the 90 minutes before sunset. That’s when we’ll want the two of you alone.
3. Set your ceremony time from there. Leave room after the vows for congratulations and family photos before you slip away for golden-hour portraits. Many couples choose a ceremony that ends 60 to 90 minutes before sunset.
4. Let the reception begin as the sky changes. Dinner under a pink and gold sky, followed by string lights and dancing, is one of the loveliest ways an Oahu evening can unfold.
In winter, the whole sequence moves earlier. A December wedding with a 5:50 pm sunset may mean an early-afternoon ceremony, while a June wedding gives you a relaxed late-afternoon start.
On the windward side, the sun drops behind the Koʻolau mountains before official sunset, so the light softens sooner. It’s gorgeous for portraits; simply plan them a little earlier than you would on a west-facing beach.
For more helpful tips on planning your wedding day timeline.
So, What's the Best Month to Get Married in Hawaii?
If dry weather matters most: aim for May through September, and consider the leeward or south shore.
If you want long, golden evenings: June and July have the latest sunsets of the year, which gives you a relaxed ceremony and still leaves time for portraits before dinner.
If you love lush, green backdrops: the windward side is at its most vivid after rain. Choose a venue with a covered or indoor option, like The Charming Estate or Koʻolau Ballrooms. That way the weather becomes part of the story rather than a worry. (Paliku Gardens at Kualoa Ranch also has covered space. More in the Oahu wedding venues guide.)
If you’re eloping: you have the freedom to follow the weather. Pick the side of the island first, then time your vows to the light. More in eloping in Hawaii.
If you’re planning a winter wedding: remember that sunset can come before 6 pm in November and December. Build your timeline backward from the light so your portraits don’t feel rushed.
How to Weather-Proof Your Oahu Wedding Day
- Ask every venue about its rain plan before you sign. From October to April, a covered pavilion or indoor ceremony space is the difference between a backup plan and real peace of mind.
- Leave a little air in the timeline. Thirty minutes of flexibility can be the difference between waiting out a shower and racing it.
- Don’t fear a little drizzle. Light rain photographs softly and romantically, and it tends to pass quickly.
- Build the day around sunset. Golden hour on Oahu is worth planning around, and knowing when it lands is the single most useful thing you can bring to a timeline conversation.
FAQ
What is the rainiest time of year in Hawaii?
Hawaii’s heaviest rain comes with winter storms between October and April. The windward side sees more showers year-round.
Is it a bad idea to get married in Hawaii during rainy season?
Not at all. It simply calls for a rain plan, a flexible timeline and a venue with covered space. Showers on Oahu often pass quickly.
What time is sunset in Hawaii in June?
Around 7:09 to 7:17 pm in Honolulu, the latest of the year.
What time is sunset in Hawaii in December?
Around 5:48 to 5:52 pm in Honolulu, among the earliest of the year.
Does Hawaii have daylight saving time?
No. Hawaii stays on standard time all year.
Ready to choose a date that fits the light you love? Read the full guide to planning a wedding in Hawaii, then 👉🏾 check availability with LT² Photography
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