Everyone dreams of their perfect Hawaii wedding. Warm blue skies, the gorgeous sun setting over the calm Pacific Ocean, soft Tradewinds blowing, surrounded by loved ones.

At least, that’s how it’s supposed to be. Often, the weather may not be ideal, mosquitos might show up at the reception, and the Tradewinds might make your beautiful table settings a little “imperfect.”

In Hawaii, it’s always best to be an optimist, but be ready for anything. “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” In this article I hope to help give you some ideas for making your big day that much better, from choosing a date to picking decorations, and everything in between

The Weather Question

One of the most common questions I get is “What are the best dates to avoid bad weather?” Unfortunately there isn’t a quick answer for this question. First, let’s consider rain. In general, August has the most sunny days in its month, and February has the most rainy days. So the odds of sun are more likely dates closer to August, and vice versa. There are also some other huge factors, like where your venue is on the island (see next section) that change the likeliness of rain as well.

Second, there’s wind, and this one is the most unpredictable. Certain areas are more prone to wind than others, so I would ask the venue you choose what they think.

West side vs East side

95% of the time, the Tradewinds blow from the North-East and bring in clouds to the East sides (or windward sides) of all the islands. As the rain showers head west, they usually dissipate as they go over the center of the island and don’t make it to the West sides (or leeward sides) of the islands. What that means is the leeward side has much less rain, much more sun, and during peak afternoon hours are much hotter than the windward side. The windward sides of the Hawaiian islands are cooler because of the ocean breeze and the clouds, but also are more of a rain magnet.

Shop around for the right venue.

Some of the best venues in Hawaii are the least touched. The beautiful beaches, lush landscapes, and under the high canopies are all beautiful locations for a wedding or elopement, but it’s also exposed to the elements. Most weddings here have the ceremony outside, and the reception under a structure, so choosing a venue with a tent or indoor space in case of rain is a must.

Keep in mind that if you want to have your wedding on a beach or in a public area, you will have to get a series of permits before your big day. Each island has a different set of rules, so check with the local county government to make sure you have all your permits in order.

Pick a photogenic location

With most venues, what I do as a photographer is between the ceremony and the reception the bridal party and I leave to an area outside of the ceremony and reception areas for portraits and photos. Depending on the venue, this could be the beach, a stable, or just the other side of the back yard. Thinking about where you would like to have your group and portrait photos taken while choosing a venue is an important part part of the selection process, so make sure you keep this in mind while shopping around.

Choose wedding colors to complement the location

After you pick the location, choosing a color palette to go with the space is next up. As mentioned in “West side vs East side”, the windward side is usually the “jungly” side, so pastel colors and bright florals are commonly used. With leeward side locations, where the landscape is drier, I see a lot of warmer tones to match the red dirt, ranches, and sunsets commonly seen around those venues.

Candles and bug spray

To protect your guests from mosquitos and your food from flies, candles tend to do a good job at keeping these pests away. Just make sure you use a deep candle to keep the wind from blowing them out!

It is also a good idea to have some bug spray for guests legs during the reception if it’s held in an open-air environment.

Figure Out Your Restroom Situation

Yeah, planning an outdoor wedding also means talking about the unglamorous parts, such as your bathroom situation. If your wedding venue doesn't have easily-accessible restrooms onsite, then you'll need to rent restrooms for your guests. Sure, they do have bathrooms at most beaches and parks around Hawaii, but anytime you have an event you need to bring your own restrooms.

While you probably don't want to spend your precious wedding budget on restrooms, consider getting a bathroom trailer for your guests. A bathroom trailer is pulled by a truck and features a high-quality interior with running water and lighting. Yes, it's more costly than your standard porta potty, but it's also nicer and arguably expected at luxurious weddings.

The most important thing here is that you provide enough stalls for your guests. The general rule of thumb I heard is 1 stall per 40 people. I know you don’t want to see the bathrooms at your wedding, but the only thing less attractive than having a visible bathroom is having a visible bathroom line.

Weatherproof your bridal look

One of the biggest challenges of planning an outdoor wedding is figuring out how to stay stylish and comfortable on your big day. For warm weather weddings, choose a sleeveless or short sleeve wedding gown in a light and breathable fabric, such as organza or chiffon. If it suits your wedding theme and personality, you can also pick a dress with a slit for added breathability. It’s also a really good idea to pack a handbag full of wedding day essentials such as blotting papers, sunscreen and waterproof makeup. If you're having a professional do your hair and makeup, talk with them in advance about your weather concerns. They can help you come up with a strategy to weatherproof your look.

Choosing the right photographer

As much as you try and control your big day, mother nature sometimes has other plans. That’s why it’s important to have a photographer that can be ready for anything that comes their way. It’s common for me to be hopping over lava rocks and getting knee-deep in the ocean to “get the shot” for my clients :) I only shoot with weatherproof gear in case it gets wet, and always have some spare lighting equipment depending on location, time of day, and elements. Also having a photographer with local knowledge helps you get the photos you want.

I hope this helps you out with planning your future wedding or elopement here in Hawaii. If you have any other questions or ideas, or if you would like to chat about my wedding photography services, feel free to reach out via email or phone. Happy planning!

How to plan an outdoor Hawaii wedding