Best Seasons and Best Places to Hold Destination Weddings

If you are considering a destination wedding, consider the weather when selecting a date. Some destinations may be lovely most of the time, but have seasonal bad weather that you want to avoid for your special event. Planning a wedding during the hurricane season could be more risky than you are prepared to deal with.

If your first consideration is the wedding location, take into account when the best time to visit the location will be for that particular location. If you have a certain date in mind, look at what destinations make the most sense for that date.

Following are popular wedding destinations, along with the best months to plan an event there, as well as months to avoid, if possible.

Florida
Florida is a beautiful destination anytime of the year. Some people object to the summer heat and humidity. The high season for Florida is December through April. Spring Break destinations may be crazy and overrun with students during the months of February and March. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with the fall months being the riskiest.

Hawaii
Hawaii has beautiful weather year around. The temperature an in th 70's and 80's during the day all year. Hawaii is more expensive in the winter and early spring, which is their busy tourist season.

Las Vegas
Las Vegas is in the desert, so the heat can be sizzling. The best months for a Las Vegas wedding are March, April, May, September and October. The first three weeks of December may be the best time for getting good rates. Around the holidays, Las Vegas can be overcrowded, making it difficult to get the best attention from the wedding venues. The week, between Christmas and New Year's is reportedly the business in Las Vegas, so it is not the best week to plan a Las Vegas wedding.

New England
The warmest and busiest season is summer. The shoulder months, May and September, offer good weather and slightly lower rates. Avoid the winter months, when the weather can be brutally cold.

New York City
Most of New York's activities are indoors, so anytime is a good time for a wedding in New York. Be aware that summers can be hot and humid and winters can be cold.

Northern California
The weather is best in the late spring, summer and early fall. Winters can be chilly and rainy.

Puerto Rico
The best time is December through May. Avoid the hurricane season, which is June through November.

The Rockies
Beautiful winter landscapes are available from November through March. However snowy weather can be a hindrance to guests who are flying in. Avoid the late spring, when it is muddy and slushy.

Australia and New Zealand
Their seasons are reversed. Their summer months are December through February. Spring starts in October. The spring through summer months offer beautiful weather. Avoid their winter months, June through August, which are cold and blustery.

Bermuda
The best months are April through September, when is is warm and sunny. The winter months do not have the tropical weather that you might expect.

The Caribbean
The best time for weather, is also the busiest time: December through March. April and May still offer great weather at lower prices. Avoid the hurricane season, June through November. Spring break months may become overcrowded.

Greece
Avoid the high season, when prices are high and Greece is filled with tourists. Spring, from April to mid June, and fall, are excellent times to experience the scenic landscapes with mild temperatures.

Italy
The summer months are the best, weather wise, but experience high tourist traffic. Early spring and fall are good times weather wise, while being less crowded.

Mexico
The winter months are the best, but tend to be crowded. The weather is still great in April and May, and it is less crowded. Avoid June through November, when there are threats of hurricanes and rain.

South Pacific
The peak time to visit is May. Avoid January and February.

United Kingdom
Summer is the best time for good weather. The spring and fall months can be fickle, with varying weather.

Resources:
the knot guide to destination weddings, by Carley Roney with Joann Gregoli, published by Clarkson Potter