The best season for weddings or setting your wedding date is one of the first decisions you have to make…but it’s far from easy! With each season having its pros and cons, it can be overwhelming trying to decide on the best time of the year to have your wedding. In this article, we’ll break it down season by season to help you figure out which month is ideal for you. 

Best Season for Weddings Considerations

• Overall weather conditions for an outdoor wedding. 
• Some venues book out in advance during the peak wedding periods. 
• Long summer days mean a more flexible schedule.
• Winter weddings are ideal for creating a cozy atmosphere.
• Spring sees gardens ignited by stunning flowers.
• Fall offers some of the most favorable wedding day conditions.

Before you set a date, look at venues, or book vendors. You need to sit down with your fiancé and talk about certain factors surrounding each season. For some, it’s a no-brainer, and for others, it can be difficult to narrow it down. There are numerous pros and cons associated with each season. 

To help you decide when to wed. I thought I’d share my take on the best times of the year to have your wedding, season by season. 

Summer Weddings

With long days and bright, blue skies. Most think that summer is the best season for weddings. Even though there are some distinct pros (long days and warm evenings to name just two). Some cons are the heat and bright light can also be a big drawback. 

If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony. It’s important to avoid the middle of the day when the heat can be intense. Aside from making both you and your guests sweaty, you should keep in mind the possibility of humid conditions.

That being said, a summer wedding gives you a few extra hours of light. This will allow you to be much more flexible with your schedule (and capture a lot more portraits).

If you have your heart set on a summer wedding. You probably want to plan it at a venue that offers air conditioning. That way you and your guests have some relief from the heat. But you’ll need to book your wedding early! Early summer tends to be one of the most popular times to get married. Not to mention it can be pricey. So if you want to say “I do” in June, then get in as soon as possible!

Fall Weddings

With the sun starting to dwindle a little, the days are still long and warm. Fall is an incredibly popular time of the year to get married. The changing color of the leaves can be a beautiful backdrop if you’re having your ceremony outdoors. You also don’t have to worry about sweating or freezing during this time of the year. The near-perfect weather conditions mean you can focus more on the style and aesthetic you want to create. Rather than what’s practically possible. 

September and October are the two most popular months for getting married in the United States. Around 38% of couples opt to wed during the fall. That means is you have to plan well ahead of time if you want your preferred venue and vendors. Otherwise, they will get snapped up months (or even years) in advance. 

If you’re on the East Coast, September might be a month to avoid if you’re planning an outdoor wedding. Due to the unknown hurricane factor occasionally sweeping through. There are also no guarantees that the rain will hold out during the fall months. So having a back-up plan for outdoor events is always a good idea. 

Winter Weddings

If you’re planning a last-minute wedding, but have your heart set on a particular venue. Then a winter wedding could be for you! Due to winter being considered off-season. There is increased availability so you’ll have a much better chance of getting the venue. As well as, a date you prefer, perhaps even with an off-season rate thrown in. 

If you want a festive-themed wedding, then winter is an obvious choice. Décor that includes snow, pine trees, and mistletoe is always beautiful. However, the festive season means that many of your guests might already have travel plans. Keep in mind you should get your invites out as early as possible. 

Winter weddings are ideal for couples who want a cozy atmosphere. However, keep in mind that if it’s freezing your guests might leave early. Due to the short days, you’ll need to be strategic in the way you schedule your day to ensure there’s enough time for portraits. With a first look being a good idea to make the best use of the available light.

The availability of flowers bloomed during the winter months is something you will need to consider. Lastly, if you’re somewhere that’s prone to heavy dumps of snowfall, take this into consideration when planning. You need to think about how your guests are going to get to your wedding in case the weather’s less than favorable. 

Spring Weddings

Spring is another popular time of year to get married. Garden wedding venues tend to be at their peak of beauty. With flowers in full bloom and lush greenery following the winter rains. 

March and April can be decidedly wet and aren’t the best months for planning an outdoor wedding. May tends to be much drier and typically has warm weather. It is one of the most popular months for couples to get married in the United States. 

May kicks off the “peak wedding season,” which extends through until October, with both wedding venues and vendors in demand. So while you’ll have longer days to create a more flexible schedule. You’ll have to be ultra-organized and get booked super early if you want your first pick of venues and vendors. 

Other Things To Consider

A few other things to consider when planning your wedding date is to avoid major holidays or religious festivals that could be significant to your guests. You want your wedding to be a day that’s remembered in its own right, not because it coincided with Mother’s Day or a major sporting event. 

It’s also worth keeping in mind the additional costs associated with a holiday wedding. Whether it’s the exorbitant price of roses around Valentines’ Day. Or the hiked-up cost of flights and car rentals that your guests might have to meet. 

As you can see, the best season for weddings is a personal choice and depends on the aesthetic and style of the wedding you envision. If you love the feeling of sun-drenched days, then a summer wedding might work for you. While winter is a definite winner for those who love that cozy feeling of being rugged up with your loved one beside a fireplace. Some brides and grooms, they’ll be more than happy to do the hard work and pre-planning that’s required for a spring or autumn wedding to take advantage of the best weather conditions.

There are other things to consider as well before the wedding if you want to learn more check out my blog on what to consider before your wedding date. Hopefully, my input was insightful to you and you figured out the best season for weddings in your eyes. If you have any other questions or need a planner, feel free to get a consultation.