Planning Your Outdoor Wedding On Oahu, Hawaii

We may be biased, but we truly believe that there is no better place for an outdoor wedding than the island of ‘Oahu. From picturesque beaches with bright blue oceans, jaw-dropping mountains, and sacred sites that hold ancient Hawaiian history, the options for venues are endless. If you’re an adventurous couple or just love the natural beauty of Hawai’i, you won’t be disappointed. 

But while saying “I Do” on Oahu is an amazing decision, there are some logistics to consider when planning your day outside. The most important factor is the weather. Oahu is full of micro-climates which means that every area of the island has different weather conditions. This means that when selecting your venues, it’s not just about the backdrop, but you also have to really consider what the weather will be like. For instance, if you 100% don’t want a tent, avoid the rainier areas, and if you hate dry heat, opt for a breezy cooler area.

Here’s a breakdown of the weather on Oahu, with our favorite venues included:

West Side (The Leeward Side): dry and humid with gusts of wind.

Venues: Lanikuhonua, Paradise Cove, Four Seasons Resort 

East Side (The Windward Side): wet and green, with higher winds with daily showers.

Venues: Kualoa Ranch, He’eia State Park 

North Shore: higher chance of rain and winds, average temperatures

Venues: Sunset Ranch, Loulu Palm, Turtle Bay Resort, Waimea Valley, Dillingham Ranch

South Shore (Waikiki & Honolulu): direct sun, higher temperatures, and less rain/wind

Venues: Barefoot Beach Cafe, Cafe Julia, The Royal Hawaiian, The Coconut Club

Inland (mauka): Very wet and shady 

Venues: Nutridge Estate, Hawaii Vista Weddings

All of these venues we have worked at numerous times and having detailed knowledge of each venue is super important, for not only knowing the weather, but also the terrain, power sources, water lines…the list goes on!

It’s also important to note that even though it’s Hawai’i, there are still seasons! The “summer,”  or the warmer season, is where you’ll see the highest temperatures from June-September, with less rain overall. The “winter” in Oahu is the rainy season, which runs from about mid-November to mid-March, so wherever you are on the island, there’s a higher chance of rain. But, did you know that rain on your wedding day is actually considered to be good? While it may not be the best for hair and makeup, it is actually a blessing for your marriage! And you might get to see a rainbow on your wedding day!

Now that you know what kind of weather to expect at your wedding, the next step is to prepare for it! We have a whole blog post on your outdoor wedding checklist, but here are some other key parts of planning: 

1. Rent a tent for the extra rainy and hot areas of the island. Designing and styling your tent is actually super fun to do, and it’s better than having to use a last-minute backup option you didn’t design! While it obviously protects from rain, tents are also a great block from direct heat, which in the summer months, goes until about 8 pm!
2. Plan Your Ceremony accordingly: be sure to plan your ceremony late enough so that it isn’t still boiling heat. Even better if you can find a shady location, or provide fans and umbrellas for guests.
3. Schedule time to freshen up: Whether you want to book a makeup re-touch, or do it yourself, it’s a great idea to have time before the reception to freshen up, or even have an outfit change with a dress you can move in more! Another tip is to add on airbrush makeup, as it will last you the whole day!
4. Plan according to your venue. You should know the weather, so if there are high winds, make sure to have wind clips for linens, and no tall centerpieces/candles. Ask your wedding planner/coordinator to help tape things down, which is something we always do at Tropical Moon Events! And of course, a tent will help with rain, but so will having extra umbrellas and towels, just in case!
5. Utilize your venue perks: Some venues have built-in bars, pavilions, and bridal suites. Knowing about these allows you to utilize the shade, and for instance put your cocktail hour under a pavilion, since it will most likely still be hot out!