Best time to get married in Fiji

A month-by-month guide from a Lautoka wedding photographer

Couples from New Zealand and Australia ask me this more than anything else. After fifteen years of photographing weddings around Fiji, here is my honest answer: there is no bad month, but each season gives you a different kind of day.

The dry season: May to October

This is the most popular time for weddings, and for good reason. The air is drier, skies are clearer and the evenings are cooler, which makes a long reception outdoors much more comfortable for your guests. Sunsets over the Mamanuca islands are at their best, and the light stays soft for longer around golden hour.

The trade-off is that everyone else wants these months too. June, July and August line up with school holidays in New Zealand and Australia, so resorts, celebrants and good vendors book out early. If you want a date in July, start planning at least a year ahead.

My favourite months to photograph: May, September and October. The weather is just as good, the resorts are quieter and you have more choice of dates and venues.

The wet season: November to April

The wet season is hot and humid, often above 30 degrees, with heavy showers that usually pass within an hour. The upside is lush green landscapes, warm turquoise water, lower resort rates and far less competition for dates.

Cyclone season sits inside these months. Fiji is not hit often, but it does happen, so if you choose this time of year I recommend booking a venue with a covered backup space and taking out travel insurance that covers weather. I always plan a wet-weather option for portraits too. Some of my favourite images were taken in the ten minutes after a tropical shower, when the light turns gold and the sky clears.

Best months for budget weddings: February, March and November. You will get better resort deals, but plan for rain.

Thinking about the time of day

In Fiji the sun sets roughly between 5.45 pm and 7 pm depending on the time of year. For beach ceremonies I usually suggest starting about two hours before sunset. That keeps you out of the harsh midday sun, gives your guests a comfortable ceremony and leaves time for couple portraits during golden hour, which is when the most loved photos are taken.

If you are planning from New Zealand or Australia

Book flights and accommodation for your guests early if your date falls in July or around Christmas. Plan to arrive at least three to four days before the wedding so you are rested, and so you have time for paperwork with the registry. I am happy to help with the local side, from recommending celebrants and venues to finding decorators and a DJ, at no extra cost when you book your photography with me.

Not sure which month suits your plans? Send me a message on WhatsApp on +679 900 5575 or fill in the enquiry form on the home page, and I will give you an honest answer for your dates.