When Should You Get Married?

When you agree to “put a ring on it,” your thoughts immediately turn to major wedding-day decisions — especially the date of the big day. Before you decide on the venue or the guest list, you need to pick a date. There are approximately 2 million weddings annually in the United States, averaging over 5,000 daily! Imagine competing with thousands of other couples for the same vendors and venues!

While there are many ways to celebrate your special day, it’s important to think carefully about the right time of the year for you to say “I do.” You may have an idea based on weddings you’ve attended or ceremonies depicted in media and literature, but what’s right for you? Let’s explore the benefits and challenges of each season as you plan your nuptials.

Blooming With Bliss

What could be more perfect than a spring wedding? Spring is a time of new beginnings and rebirth, symbolic of the new life ahead with the love of your life. In many places, springtime is the clear favorite as the best wedding season for a few reasons:

• Fabulous florals: Spring is the best season for beautiful blossoms in various hues and shapes for wedding décor, themes, and photography.
• Wonderful weather: Depending on the location, the weather is right for an outside ceremony — neither too hot nor too cold.
• Supplier surplus: Compared to the summer and fall, vendors may be more available to accommodate you on your special day.

Of course, the spring season is not all sunshine and roses. Rainy weather and springtime allergies can threaten an outdoor ceremony. The seasonal demand for fresh flowers may increase prices, impacting your budget. You may also compete with graduation ceremonies and high school proms for venues, catering options, and attire.

Sunshine Soirées

In the 1954 musical film, “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” an ensemble of brides-to-be sang, “For they say when you marry in June, You will always, always, always, be a bride.” This speaks to the positivity associated with the summer months. Some advantages to getting hitched in the summer include:

• Cooperating Conditions: The weather is often most reliable for outdoor celebrations.
• Golden Hour Glow: Longer daylight hours mean extended festivities and some of the best outdoor lighting for photography just before sunset.
• Destination Delight: This time of year is ideal for destination weddings, especially beaches, parks, and the countryside.

If the summer is calling your name, consider that this is the peak wedding season in many locations, leading to higher demand for venues and increased vendor costs. The heat and humidity in some areas may limit the time of day for an alfresco event. Many people travel during the summer, so get your “save the date” notices out early to avoid no-shows.

A Fairytale of Foliage

The fall season is associated with themes of harvest, renewal, and gratitude, making it the perfect time to tie the knot. The idea of a happy couple reaping a harvest of marriage after previous seasons of romance may be especially resonant this time of year. Look for these pluses for a fall wedding:

• Harvest Happiness: The bounty of the harvest season is a great starting point for wedding themes, décor, and menus. If you’re a pumpkin, cranberry, and cinnamon fan, now’s the time to make things official.
• Seasonal Scenery: Fall’s rich hues of oranges, reds, and gold make a stunning backdrop for wedding photography.
• Climate Comfort: The weather is ideal for fully or partially outdoor events in many locations.

Remember that September, October, and November are increasingly popular for weddings. If a fall ceremony looks like the move, the demand for certain venues and suppliers may be higher than expected. Pay special attention to locales with dramatic temperature changes from morning to evening.

Wedded in a Winter Wonderland

The cold months may not be everyone’s cup of tea for getting married, but a winter wedding offers these potential benefits:

• Delightful Deals: As the winter is outside the peak season, you may save money on venues, vendors, apparel, and other costs.
• Sensational Snowfall: A wintery backdrop offers a uniquely romantic mood for your nuptials.
• Ambiance of Affection: Let the outside cold inspire a cozy and intimate wedding, ideal for a smaller guest list.

Winter weather can be especially disruptive to travel plans. In some places, fresh flowers and certain local foods may also be unavailable between late November and early March. Depending on your needs and preferences, you may get some mileage by incorporating end-of-the-year holidays and themes into your nuptials. It’s your big day. You can make (or break) the rules.

Celebrate Your Happily Ever After

Your wedding day is a major chapter in your unique love story. You decide how and when the story unfolds, prioritizing what matters most to you. Whether you’re drawn to spring’s sense of rebirth, summer’s optimism, fall’s gratitude, or winter’s ambiance, the joy of getting married is always in season. Get inspired today.