Best Season for a Wedding in Auckland
Let us go over the seasons in New Zealand and what dates would be most ideal for your wedding day!
SPRING: September - November
AUCKLAND/NORTH ISLAND
Spring is the unofficial start of the wedding season for most wedding vendors. September brings fresh and cooler weather with early sunsets around 6:00pm-6:30pm. Due to the past winter, the grass at wedding venues is often very thick and a vivid green.
This is considered the low season so vendors might also offer cheaper deals for any wedding bookings in September/October. As this is the start of the wedding season, your wedding vendors will also be operating at their peak as they have been able have a good rest over winter and recharge their batteries. Choosing dates in September and October means likely you will have more vendors available as this is not a super popular time to get married. As the sunset is early, this means you can’t fit as much into the day as dinner often gets served a little earlier.
As we move to November, this is when it gets a lot warmer, and most vendors will start booking up this month 12 months in advance.
QUEENSTOWN/SOUTH ISLAND
For those looking for snow-capped mountains, September and October can be a wonderful time for mountain photos. The intense cold winter has passed but you are still looking between 0-10 degrees during these months. As it turns to November, this is the start of Lupin season which sees this popular weed flourish through the South Island. The Lupin’s are usually around until mid-December.
Summer: December - February
AUCKLAND/NORTH ISLAND
Considered the high season in the New Zealand wedding season. Summer has arrived and with the sun out, people are planning their sun-soaked weddings. Just be sure to have some shade ready for your wedding day!
Even though it is the start of summer, December can still be a bit unreliable. January and February are the most stable summery months and this is the busiest time for wedding vendors. As February holds a few public holidays in New Zealand, these dates become extra popular as people look to have an extended break for their wedding. So plan early if you are wanting to hold a wedding in one of these months.
As you reach the end of February, the intense sun has dried out the grass and often paddocks are looking for brown. A lot of photographers prefer this look over the intense green.
Sunsets are later which means you can fill more into the day before the sun sets. However, most weddings around this time finish around 10pm due to the longer days. For summer wedding dates, wedding vendors will start booking up these months 12-18 months in advance.
Considered the best season for weddings!
QUEENSTOWN/SOUTH ISLAND
As summer hits the South Island, the tourists flow into Queenstown to enjot the thriving environment. However, the heat does mean that the snow-capped mountains melt away and you are left with bare mountains in the background. If you are looking for snow in these months, you’ll need to pay $2000+ for a helicopter flight to a glacier that has snow all year round.
Autumn: March - May
AUCKLAND/NORTH ISLAND
March follows February as being one of the most busiest months and popular months for weddings across New Zealand. The weather is pretty reliable across the entire country and with Auckland, the weather is slowly starting to cool down towards the end of March.
The change from March to April is quite drastic as the earlier sunsets bring shorter days and the weather gets a little colder. April wasn’t often popular in the North Island, but sometimes vendors offer discounts for this time of year as it starts to move towards the low-season. Weddings become less desirable towards the end of April and start of May. Usually by the end of May, the weather starts getting a bit too cold and wet in the North Island.
For Autumn wedding dates, wedding vendors will start booking up these months 6-18 months in advance.
QUEENSTOWN/SOUTH ISLAND
April is often seen as the most underrated season for Queenstown. The weather is extremely reliable for the Queenstown and Wanaka area, it’s getting a bit more cooler and so you get amazing sunsets for photos. Days range between 5-15 degrees which makes it warm enough to be outside to enjoy the stunning daylight. Once the sunsets, you want to make sure you have a warm reception as the weather gets very cold!
Winter: June - August
AUCKLAND/NORTH ISLAND
The most unpopular time of year to get married across New Zealand. The weather is very unreliable, cold and wet. The is low-season so if you are planning a wedding for this time, expect cheaper prices. Keep in mind, this is the only time that vendors have time to take off so be prepared that certain vendors aren’t taking bookings during this period.
Due to the heavy rain and little sun, the ground can be a little soggy and expect grey clouds. Stunning blue sky days are rare but there is always the chance you get a sunny day! Just be prepare for night time as the cold will set in.
As vendors mostly have this time available, you can book vendors very last minute for winter.
QUEENSTOWN/SOUTH ISLAND
Looking for that perfect white winter wedding? This is the perfect time of year when you will have snow on the ground and over the surrounding mountains. It will be incredibly cold in the snow, so please dress appropriately! (jackets needed!).
Winter elopements are very popular during this time as it can be too cold for a big wedding during this time. Take a helicopter to a mountain peak and see some breathtaking views!
