When Is Wedding Season?

After celebrating your engagement and establishing a budget baseline for your big day, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty details. Planning your wedding begins with deciding when to say your vows. Depending on where you live, the seasons you love and the details you’ve decided are essential for your wedding day, you’ll find some parts of the year to be more fitting than others. 

But when is peak wedding season, and how do you choose among the most popular months? Do you envision relaying your vows with a snowy backdrop, or do you picture your photos highlighting lush greenery and vibrant flowers? Here, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about wedding season across the country. We’ll give you details about the most and least popular wedding months and the pros and cons of picking either one or something in between. 

What Is Peak Wedding Season?

Peak wedding season refers to the time of year that is most popular for these celebrations. Generally, most people consider peak wedding season to fall between June and September. However, some areas face more drastic summers or winters, causing variations in specific peak wedding seasons across the country. Additionally, many hot-spot wedding destinations like Hawaii or California have specific peak seasons that reflect popular times to get married in the area and off-seasons when weddings or travel are less common. 

Overview of Wedding Months by Popularity Across the United States

Wedding season varies across the United States. The changing seasons and local offerings of common wedding items like flowers impact the wedding season. Whether you’re getting married in your hometown or planning a destination wedding across the country, it’s helpful to recognize these peak times. Here’s an overview of wedding season by region: 

When to get married in the Northeast or on the East Coast

Peak season for eastern states falls in the late spring and early fall months. For most eastern states, these times of the year offer the most mild weather and gorgeous natural backgrounds. Summers can be very hot, while winters can be frigid, and predicting the weather becomes a lot less certain during either of these seasons. 

When to get married in the Midwest, Southwest or South

Comfort is a driving factor for wedding season in these areas. Spring and fall offer a welcome reprieve from the sweltering heat you’ll typically face in the months of July and August. However, you might find some specific locations or venues with variations. For example, lakefront locations in Midwest states are pretty popular in the summer because the cool breezes from the water, paired with beautiful scenery, make summer weddings much more desirable. In the Southwest, you can find peak wedding season closer to the winter. These states have much more mild winter temperatures and offer many sunny days, especially in coastal areas such as Florida.

When to get married in the interior west and mountain states

Couples looking for an eye-catching backdrop in the mountains can look for peak season offerings in the summer. This time of year will offer comfortable temperatures, and there will be plenty of local events and activities for guests to enjoy outside of your big day. The fall is another excellent time for interior west and mountain state weddings. The temperatures will be cooler, but the stunning backdrop of changing leaves and bright colors makes these areas a hot spot. The spring is much less popular in these areas because of melting snow and temperature fluctuations that can make wedding planning a little trickier. 

What Month Is the Most Popular for Weddings?

The most popular month can vary by year. In 2023, the busiest month for weddings was a tie between September and October, accounting for 34% of all weddings. June was a close follow to the most popular, making up 11% of weddings, which was an increase from 10% in 2022. Of course, if you’re looking at specific regions, the most popular month can vary.

Advantages of Peak Wedding Season Months

While every location offers unique advantages at various points throughout the year, you’ll find several common benefits to hosting your wedding during the peak season, regardless of specific location. Benefits of choosing a popular wedding month include:

Consistent weather: Peak wedding season often forms around the weather of a particular area. Although the season may be beautiful, a more appealing reason to seek these months is the likelihood of consistent weather. Wedding planning can be challenging, and feeling like you have some control over the weather can give you peace of mind. Beyond preparing for or avoiding elements like rain, snow or shine, consistent weather allows everyone to better prepare for their comfort. Bridal parties can choose attire that reflects the season and temperatures, and guests can adhere to your dress code while staying comfortable.
Flexible options: Another benefit of choosing a popular wedding month is having plenty of options for the elements that shape your big day. Some venues only operate during peak seasons, and caterers or florists may be more flexible with offerings at certain times of the year. You may also be able to find more accommodations, such as venues with indoor and outdoor celebration spaces, to ensure your day can continue as planned regardless of the weather. Furthermore, vendors often anticipate peak wedding season and may leave some time available to accommodate wedding events. 
Endless activities: For most locations, weddings will be one of the many exciting events occurring in the area. Often, guests and businesses alike want to capitalize on the potential of a peak season. This means you may be able to find unique entertainment options or be able to encourage your guests to find fun activities outside of your big day. If you’re having a destination wedding, being able to choose among a plethora of local activities can be a significant draw to some locations. 
Seasonal décor and settings: Many people choose the season they love most to host their special day. Your favorite colors, flowers and food should accentuate your wedding. However, peak seasons may offer more versatility for decorating your venue. Peak wedding season might provide the most extensive range of floral arrangements, natural backdrops and similar elements. It might be easier to find some of these items, even if you opt for a more unique selection because vendors will anticipate high demands during these times. 

Disadvantages of Wedding Peak Season

Despite the many benefits of choosing a popular wedding month, there can be some drawbacks. Here’s what you should keep in mind when considering peak wedding season:

Higher costs: Businesses often capitalize on peak wedding season because they anticipate a large amount of business. Peak wedding season can face inflated prices and fewer deals or discounts. Beyond increased costs for venues, caterers and entertainment, you’ll likely also face higher prices for accommodations and travel. Guests may need to pay more to stay in hotels or to drive or fly to your venue, making your event more costly for everyone in attendance. 
Competitive couples: Peak wedding season is defined by the number of weddings an area faces during specific times of the year. With so many couples looking to get married at the same time, you could run into competitive markets. Perhaps you find a venue you love, but the place is booked for every weekend you want, or maybe you’ll have to stick to a strict timetable to accommodate a wedding before or after your own in the same location. Either way, the extra grain of competitiveness can make for a more stressful planning experience and potentially cause you to make sacrifices on big-ticket items like your venue. 
Guest availability: Most people can anticipate wedding season if you’re hosting your event locally. However, peak wedding season also often falls within peak season for other activities. Some guests may have vacations, other weddings or a variety of other commitments. While you can combat this by staying ahead of the game and planning your wedding early, you may still run into roadblocks with guest availability during peak season. 

When Is Off-Peak Wedding Season?

Off-peak season refers to the time of year when weddings aren’t as common. Just like peak season, this can vary by region. It’s worth researching the off-season for your desired location to anticipate prices and availability for local vendors. Generally, the off-peak season falls between December and February. These months tend to have the fewest wedding events, regardless of specific location. 

What Is the Cheapest Month to Have a Wedding?

A recent study found the cheapest months for a wedding to be either January or February. With fewer weddings happening around these times, many wedding-related expenses are lower, bringing the overall cost down significantly. However, one thing to keep in mind is that February may have some price spikes throughout the month. Valentine’s Day may cause prices on elements like hotel rooms and floral arrangements to increase in cost as couples all over the country find ways to show appreciation for their significant other. If you have your heart set on a February wedding, consider the very beginning or end of the month to avoid Valentine’s Day challenges. 

What Is the Least Popular Month for Weddings?

December, January and February are the least popular wedding months. These months are often the coldest throughout the United States, with many states facing rainy or snowy weather during the winter season. Unpredictable weather may be a significant cause of the lack of popularity. Additionally, January and December are often busier in other ways, having significant holidays that bring families together. Family traditions, commitments and similar factors could sway people from these challenging months. 

Benefits of Choosing the Off-Season for Weddings

Don’t be discouraged by the off-peak season when planning your wedding. Although you may be drawn to the popular months and weather, there are tons of advantages to taking the road less traveled. Check out the benefits of opting for the off-season:

Lower costs and discounts: Many vendors offer special discounts and lower prices during the off-season to draw more appeal to the less popular months. You may find better group rates for accommodations, be able to negotiate for more add-ons or have the opportunity to opt for luxury items you may not otherwise have been able to fit into your budget. 
Availability: It may be easier to plan a large wedding weekend during the off-season. With fewer people competing for the same venues and accommodations, you may have a large window of days to choose from, allowing you to plan effectively and maximize your guest and event list. Additionally, it might be more manageable to invite guests to the same hotel or find transportation for large groups before and after your event. You may even be able to choose room blocks and similar deals that allow you to place all guests on the same hotel floor to keep your friends and family close to you.
Vendor attention: When vendors have fewer clients to work with at one time, they can often give you more personal attention. While vendors will strive to bring your vision to life at any time of the year, you may find extra little details more attainable in the off-season. Vendors may be more likely to sweeten the deal to keep your business, going the extra mile to ensure your special day is a success in every way. 
Unique events: If you dream of having a wedding like no one else you know, the off-peak season might be the best way to go. Everything from your picturesque landscapes to your activities to your menu can be vastly different from weddings in the same area but during the peak season. You can also embrace less traditional elements if you want to personalize your day even more. For instance, flower availability in the winter vastly differs from spring or summer availability, and you may find unique arrangements. 

Disadvantages of Choosing the Cheapest Months to Get Married

Just like the peak season, the off-season also has unique disadvantages to consider. Keep these factors in mind:

Seasonal availability: While the lack of competition can open the door for more availability in some cases, other times, it can impact your plans. For example, some wedding venues only operate during peak seasons. If you have your sights set on a specific venue, caterer or similar element, it’s worth reaching out to determine whether you can get what you want during the off-season. 
Uncertain weather: If you want an outdoor ceremony, you must consider a backup plan if the weather goes south. Off-season weather is much less predictable, increasing your chances of facing snow, rain, extreme heat and similar adverse elements. You should consider how to navigate every possible challenge and whether you feel comfortable with your backup option in case you cannot hold your ceremony outside. 
Limited item access: Some elements can be challenging to incorporate if they’re out of season. For instance, some flowers will not be available during the off-season, or vendors may not have the amount of food ingredients to accommodate your needs. While you can almost always find excellent alternatives for these items, it may make your wedding planning checklist more tiresome, especially if you have your heart set on something specific. 

Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong time to host your special day. No matter when you say “I do,” there are plenty of ways to heighten the magic. At Shutter and Sound, you can find talented wedding videographers ready to capture your most precious moments, no matter the time or year. Contact us for pricing and availability for your big day. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!