When is Wedding Season?
Have you noticed more of your friends getting engaged during the winter? Or maybe your fiancé proposed on Christmas day (mine did!). Perhaps it’s the festive spirit of the season, or reflecting on what’s important while you gather with family, but we see a significant increase in engagements during the holidays. So much so that November through February is considered engagement season.
Didn’t know that was a thing? Surprise! There are actually three seasons to keep in mind during the wedding planning process: engagement season, booking season, and wedding season. Knowing – and understanding – these seasons will come in handy while you are looking at venues, choosing your wedding date, and reaching out to potential wedding vendors.
Whether you got engaged during the holiday season, or you’re just starting to plan your wedding and aren’t sure where to begin, read on for more about these seasons and how they affect booking your wedding date and vendors!
So When is Wedding Season?
The majority of weddings – more than 75% – take place from late Spring to early Fall. The most popular months to get married are June and September, with many couples choosing to get married on a Saturday.
Why does everyone choose these dates? For the reasons you might expect. The weather tends to be nicer in these months, which is favorable for outdoor weddings. Guests are more likely to be able to travel without issue, which is an important consideration if the majority of your guests are coming in from out of town. A weekend wedding also gives guests the chance to attend without having to take time off of work or school.
What are the Benefits of an Off-Peak Wedding Date?
If the idea of a weekend wedding in the summer doesn’t appeal to you, or if you are looking to save on the cost of your venue rental, consider choosing an off-peak wedding date. You’ll have less competition when it comes to choosing your date, and there’s a chance your venue will offer lower pricing for off-peak dates.
We also love the variety and unique décor that can be incorporated into an off-season wedding. From dark, moody colors for an elegant Halloween wedding, to cozy throw blankets and portraits in the snow for a winter wedding.
Off-peak months include January, March, April and November. Certain venues will also offer off-peak pricing for weekdays. Consider these alternatives when reaching out to vendors for information on pricing and availability.
When Should You Book Your Vendors?
Because of the sheer amount of proposals that occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, wedding vendors receive an influx of inquiries during engagement season and the months following. Many couples who get engaged during the holidays will take a few weeks to enjoy being engaged and spending time with their families (which is absolutely what we recommend doing!), but start planning once the holidays are over.
Regardless of when you decide to have your wedding, consider booking key vendors early. Popular dates will fill up quickly for these vendors. It’s helpful – and often necessary – to reach out to potential venues, photographers, caterers and planners a year or more in advance.
Do What’s Right for You
All of this is not to say that you have to get engaged during engagement season, or married during wedding season. This is just meant to be a helpful guide. Everything you do – from when and how you get engaged, to when and how you get married – should be about you and your fiancé as you start this journey together.
It honestly doesn’t matter if you choose to get married on a Thursday at City Hall with two witnesses, or on a Saturday at a ballroom with 200 guests. Define your wedding vision and priorities from the beginning, and then find vendors who you can trust to bring your vision to life.