When Is The Best Month To Get Married?
Now you have found the person you wish to spend the rest of your life with, it makes sense that you want to make your wedding day just as special as the love you have for each other. But, finding the right month for your vision and more importantly, your budget, can be a difficult task.
Ideally, you want to get your wedding invitations out as soon as possible to give your guests enough time to clear their schedule ready for your big day. Every couple is different, so the best wedding month for you may not be the same for another, but there lies the beauty of each relationship! The two of you need to make a note of what things you are not willing to budge on, and what can be compromised on when it comes to your wedding day, as this will make it easier for you to decipher which month will be best for the two of you.
So, here is a list of the main positives and possible drawbacks of getting married during each month, to help you and your partner settle on the perfect date.
January
When you think of planning a wedding date, people tend to automatically write January off, so why not use this to your advantage? Year after year, January is shrugged off, but the general low demand of weddings during this month does come with its perks!
Positives
- Due to low demand, you will be able to get large discounts on January dates.
- Your perfect venue may have more available dates.
- Make a great start to your year by getting married! This way, you can celebrate your love at the top of every year.
Drawbacks
- Guests could be trying to eat less, save money, engage in dry January or another new year’s resolution that could affect the celebratory party vibes you may want for your wedding day.
- Gloomy weather could taint wedding photographs.
February
February is another seriously underrated month when it comes to picking a wedding date. In addition to the discounted prices, there are many holiday celebrations such as Valentine’s Day, Pancake Day and Chinese New Year that you could incorporate into your wedding to give it a more personal and unique edge.
Positives
- February is outside of the “wedding season” so there will be massive deals on dates this month.
- Should you wish to jet off on your honeymoon right after your celebrations, February would be a great month to do so, allowing you to catch some sun elsewhere.
- School half term holidays fall in February, which could be useful if you are hoping to invite teachers and children to your wedding. This also allows you the possibility of booking a mid-week wedding, which is very cost effective
Drawbacks
- Unpredictable weather could make for a cold or wet day. However, there are fashionable umbrellas, hat and gloves that you could feature during your ceremony, to help you fully embrace the cold.
- Some flowers may not be in season, making florists more expensive.
March
Moving into March, there is a noticeable shift in the weather, with many flowers coming out to bloom. During this month, you can easily create a summer-esque wedding with colour, light and sun (if you’re lucky) without having to fight for an expensive date in the height of the wedding season.
Positives
- As Spring blossoms, so too will flowers. Gardens and fields will be full of stunning flowers, bushes and trees, ideal for photographs and an amazing overall aesthetic.
- Much better weather than previous winter months without having to pay summer prices.
- Whilst slightly more expensive than the deep winter months, you can still grab discounts throughout March with weekday dates and packages.
Drawbacks
- The possibility of wind, rain or even snow could mean indoor weddings may be the better option.
- Lent and Ramadan fall during this month, meaning that Christian and Muslim guests may be following a stricter diet, or not eating at all, which is important to note.
April
Bringing great weather and spring prices, April could be the month to look at when booking your wedding date. Whilst it does boast sunnier days and longer evenings, April is technically considered as part of the off wedding season which is definitely something to take advantage of.
Positives
- Thanks to daylight savings, days in April are brighter for longer allowing you to reap the benefits of well-lit evening photos or even a twilight ceremony.
- With spring in full swing by April it will be cheaper to work with a wedding florist, as they don’t need to supply bouquets when the flowers are out of season.
- April is not officially within the high wedding season, so prices will be on the lower end still.
Drawbacks
- There are a handful of annual religious holidays in April from Easter to Passover and Ramadan, which could mean some guests are not as available as they will be in other months.
- Prices will slowly start to rise in April, especially on bank holiday dates.
May
May is the first month in the official “wedding season”, however it is the quietest, so there may be some sneaky deals floating around that mean you can enjoy your special day during the wedding season but without the large price tag.
Positives
- The weather is more reliable in May as it is the perfect blend of spring and summer.
- May opens the wedding season, so you are more likely to be the first wedding your guests go to all year. This means they will go all out and help make your wedding celebrations something to remember.
- There are two bank holidays throughout May which you can use to create a three-day wedding or long weekend celebration, without guests having to take time off work.
Drawbacks
- Many guests may have already booked a holiday or event to take advantage of the bank holidays in May, meaning you could miss out if you do not get your invitations out in time.
- Being in the UK, good weather is never guaranteed, so be sure to think about your plans should this month bring rain or heavy winds on your wedding day.
June
Sitting right in the middle of the year, when the weather is perfect, it is no surprise that many people pick June for their weddings. The longest day of the year also comes during this month, so if you want an extra-long celebration, why not opt for June?
Positives
- Whilst June doesn’t lie within the peak wedding season, you can afford to be more relaxed when it comes to booking suppliers as they will have more availability to fit you in, opposed to if you booked the same company two months later.
- On average, there is less rainfall in June than in July or August, so you can finally start to confidently plan an outdoor wedding, without fear bad weather getting in the way.
- Prices for holidays abroad spike in the summer school holidays, so going on your honeymoon in June could be a great way to save some money.
Drawbacks
- Eid falls in the middle of June, which could mean Muslim guests may not be able to attend your wedding.
- Teachers and children will be in school without any holidays throughout June.
July
Welcome in the summer season with your dream wedding! July is right on August’s heels for the most popular wedding month which might mean you have to book way in advance, but it is popular for good reason.
Positives
- By July, the weather will definitely be on your side, so if you’re wanting a lovely warm outdoor wedding, then this is the month for you.
- Teachers and children will be off for summer holidays towards the end of July, making for a great time to celebrate your wedding with everyone you love.
- You can enjoy a UK honeymoon during July as the weather can be just as good, if not better than elsewhere.
Drawbacks
- As July is a popular wedding month, your guests may get many invitations with clashing dates. You either need to send out your invitations quickly or be ready to have people deciding between your wedding and another.
- Prices across this month will be steep.
August
Without a doubt, August is the most popular month to get married during, with around 18% choosing to celebrate the best day of their lives during this month. August brings gorgeous weather, school holidays and a great vibe, perfect for a wedding.
Positives
- School children and teachers typically have the whole of August off for summer holidays, so inviting families will be very easy.
- August weather allows you to fully enjoy an outdoor wedding and reception, basking in the long hours of sunlight.
- You can get some stunning outdoor photographs with your wedding party out in the sun.
Drawbacks
- Prices are at their highest during this month, but you will reap the benefits. And, this will be the best day of your life, so why not splurge?
- The demand for dates during August is extremely high (especially weekends) so, to give you the best chance of getting your favourite venue and date, you may have to book years in advance.
September
As summer fades and autumn blows in, the scenery changes too, making for a great wedding backdrop. Whilst not as popular as the month before, September is still up there and fighting for top position.
Positives
- September does not have as much demand as July and August, so venues may be more flexible with their dates and prices.
- You can save on money by having a September honeymoon as schools are back in and thus holiday prices drop.
- Crispy leaves on trees and early morning mist make for stunning wedding photograph backgrounds.
Drawbacks
- Schools go back in early September meaning children and teachers may not be able to join you.
- Cooling temperatures may hinder outdoor weddings.
October
October marks the official end of the peak wedding season, so whilst the crispy autumn leaves are dropping, so are wedding prices! This month also sees a spooky holiday come round, which you can use to make the ultimate themed wedding.
Positives
- Wedding prices take a drop as it is not considered to be a peak wedding month.
- Prices become even lower if you opt for a midweek date.
- Halloween season is upon us this month! If you love this holiday, why not incorporate this into your celebrations and have a unique, spooky wedding?
Drawbacks
- Much like September, the temperature is still falling during October so outdoor weddings may require coats and gloves.
- If you don’t want Halloween celebrations or decorations to interfere with your day, maybe steer clear of a late October wedding.
November
Still clinging onto Autumn, November brings a cool breeze with stunning views. It is not considered to be part of the peak wedding season, so you can take advantage of the cheaper prices that come throughout this month.
Positives
- There are low price packages throughout November as it is outside peak wedding season.
- November is a low demand month, which means it could be much easier to get your dream venue and date than if you went for it in the summer months.
- Despite November being notoriously dark, both Bonfire Night and Diwali can light up your celebrations this month!
Drawbacks
- November can be a cold and dark month, so you will have to spend some of your budget making your indoor venue as cosy as you can.
- It may be hard to get outdoor photographs due to minimal light.
December
December is one of the least popular wedding months, meaning that prices are amazingly low. This is also the perfect month to have the ultimate white wedding with a festive atmosphere.
Positives
- If you want to make your wedding more unique, you could incorporate the special December holidays into your celebration. Have a festive Christmas wedding or bring in the new year at the end of the month by saying “I do”.
- A snowy Christmas wedding could be the dream, in which case, this month is the perfect time to do it. Everyone loves a themed wedding!
- Schools have a couple of weeks off during this month and many businesses close during the period between Christmas Day and New Year, which could mean more guests are available to come to your big day.
Drawbacks
- December is a busy month for everyone, so send out invitations early and be ready for guests to RSVP “no” due to other commitments.
- Snow looks lovely, but it can get bitter if you have to stand out in it all day. December can bring very cold weather, so an indoor wedding may be the best decision.