THE BEST SEASON TO GET MARRIED IN QUEENSTOWN
Let us go over the seasons in Queenstown, New Zealand and what dates would be most ideal for your pre wedding, wedding or elopement!
SPRING: September - November
Spring is the definition of a mixed bag. Spring is where the temperature starts warming up from a very windy and snowy winter. The intense cold winter has passed but you are still looking between 0-10 degrees during these months. September and October can be sitting around 5-15 degrees during the day. But as we head to November, be prepared for highs of 20 degrees which is very welcomed.
For those looking for snow-capped mountains, September and October can be a wonderful time for mountain photos.
The main negative about this time can be the unpredictable and heavy winds. This time of the year is notorious for high winds which can be an absolute nightmare for weddings.
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
As summer hits the South Island, the tourists flow into Queenstown to enjoy the thriving environment. But them does mean HEAT. For us kiwis, it can get uncomfortably hot, easily reaching temperatures between 25-32 degrees. You may be used to hotter weather, but be cautious of the intense burn from the sun. One too many times we have had overseas couples get sunburnt in the days before their wedding as the sun burns your skin very quickly during summer.
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. However, these can still be rather rocky than snow if there has been a lot of hot days in the lead-up to your flight.
If your one that loves daylight, this is the perfect time as the sun will set around 9:30pm at the peak during summer which means long hot days for weddings. It does dramatically cool down as the sun drops below the mountains so always be prepared with a light jacket for those late night hangs.
Considered the best season for warm weddings!
Autumn: March - May
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 cooler and so you get amazing sunsets for photos.
In March, you are still getting warm days in the 20’s, however, as we hit April, the days range between 5-15 degrees which makes it warm enough to be outside to enjoy the stunning daylight. In April, the full Autumn colours surround the area bringing in shades of yellow, red and orange.
Once the sunsets, you want to make sure you have a warm reception as the weather gets very cold as it heads into late April and May. Depending on your luck, you may also see a fresh dusting of snow on the mountains which makes this season our most beloved!
Considered the best season for dry weddings (and most photographers’ favourite!)
Winter: June - August
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. Mix in some skiing or snowboarding to the occasion and suddenly you have one heck of an adventure!
Temperatures during this time easily get below 0 degrees….yes that is right! So please be prepared for this weather - think covered shoes/boots instead of heels! (save those toes!).
June is probably the worst month of them all - cold, rainy and wet. So our advice is to stick with late July or August as this is a bit better for planning with reliable weather.
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!
QUEENSTOWN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY