Wedding In May: Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

May is the beginning of prime wedding season in the Pacific Northwest, with Sundays in May often taken up by wedding open houses. The best May dates for a wedding in 2023 are 5/5/23, 5/24/24, and 5/24/25.

However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when planning a May wedding. Firstly, check with your preferred venues about their availability before settling on a date. Sequential dates and dates with repetitive numbers (e.g., 5/5/23) tend to be extremely popular and may get booked up quickly. Secondly, consider where your wedding date falls in relation to holidays. For example, Memorial Day in May is a popular time for people to use their vacation days, so if your wedding requires guests to travel, you may want to avoid that weekend. Additionally, hospitality and travel costs tend to be higher on holiday weekends.

Other dates to avoid in May 2023 include Friday the 13th (May 13th), Mother's Day (Sunday, May 14th), and the Kentucky Derby (Saturday, May 6th).

Pros and cons of a May wedding

Pros of a May Wedding

• The weather is usually beautiful, with the perfect balance of spring breeze and summer sun.
• Everything is in bloom, and you can use flowers like ranunculus, peonies, poppies, and bluebells in your floral arrangements.
• You can have an outdoor wedding, with the climate and greenery at their best.
• There are two bank holidays in May, so you and your guests might be able to spend a long weekend together.
• May is named after the Greek goddess Maia, the Goddess of fertility, making it a great month for the birth of a new life together as newlyweds.
• It is the second most popular month for weddings, so venues and vendors will be ready to work with you and provide good deals.
• You can have a variety of food and flowers at your wedding.

Cons of a May Wedding

• There is still a chance of rain, so you need to have a plan B ready.
• Venues and vendors might be difficult to find on certain dates, so early planning is essential.
• Outdoor spaces may be hard to come by, as many couples opt for outdoor venues during this time of year.
• Invites will need to be sent out earlier than usual, so your guests don't plan other activities or travels during your wedding dates.

Wedding themes

May is a great month for a wedding, with its mild temperatures, beautiful blooms, and a host of celebrations. It is the second most popular month for couples to tie the knot.

Retro

Mad Men meets Grease in this retro theme. Pull inspiration from the 1950s and 1960s, with bold colours like teal, cherry red, neon pink, and canary yellow. Add some throwback details like Coke served in signature glass bottles.

Movie-based

Embrace your inner fan with a movie-based theme. Be as subtle or over-the-top as you like with inspired decor and desserts.

Modern and Minimalist

Less is more with this theme. Use shapes, textures, and small pops of colour to elevate simplicity. Make a visual impact with clean and clear designs.

Disco

Create the ultimate retro vibes with a disco theme. Bring back the disco era with a unique twist to make your wedding day more special for your guests.

Garden

A garden theme is perfect for a May wedding, with an abundance of flowers and the warm spring breeze. Use floral arrangements not just in the venue decor but also in tablescapes, centrepieces, and bridal bouquets.

Nautical

A nautical theme is perfect for a seaside or coastal wedding. Use anchors, sailor knots, and navy stripes as part of your decor and attire. Treat your guests to a seafood bar featuring local catches like lobster rolls or shrimp cocktails.

Shabby Chic

Shabby chic is a unique and personal theme that uses vintage or upcycled decor to add a touch of old-world elegance. Use distressed wood, vintage furniture, and lace accents to create a soft, romantic atmosphere.

Beach

A beach theme is a fantastic choice for a May wedding, merging the destination and the season. Use beach-friendly attire, sunscreen, and seashell decorations to create a casual yet elegant vibe.

Bohemian

A bohemian theme is perfect for free-spirited brides who want a relaxed and eclectic aesthetic. Use dreamcatchers, macrame, and wildflower bouquets to create a nature-inspired, romantic look.

Dark/Gothic

A dark or gothic theme is perfect for couples who want to add a touch of drama and mystery to their wedding. Use dark colours, candles, and atmospheric lighting to create an ethereal ambiance.

Romantic

A romantic theme is all about creating a dreamlike setting with a warm colour palette, lush flowers, and soft fabrics. Use candlelight and mirrors to add a cosy and inviting feel.

Whimsical/Fairytale

A whimsical or fairytale theme is perfect for couples who want to add a touch of magic and fantasy to their wedding. Use fairy lights, floral arches, and mystical props to create a storybook setting.

These themes can be further customised to reflect your personal style and interests, creating a unique and memorable wedding day.

Food and flower choices

Flowers

May is a great time for a wedding, as you'll have your pick of flowers at a fraction of the price. It's the perfect time to choose from sumptuous and beautiful blooms, including peonies, lily of the valley, sweet pea, ranunculus, and tulips.

If you're looking for something a little different, allium flowers, with their whimsical white and purple orbs, add a unique touch to bouquets, centrepieces and aisle arrangements. Clematis, with its bright vining blooms, is another colourful option. For a delicate and fragrant choice, lily of the valley is a favourite for royal bouquets and small centrepieces.

Snapdragons, which come in over 60 colours, are a lovely whimsical choice, and are also more affordable. Anemones are modern and unique, with their distinctive black centres, and are best suited to simple bud vase centrepieces and garden-style bouquets.

For a tropical or destination wedding, anthuriums are the perfect blooms, especially in pastel shades. For a romantic option, garden roses are a great choice, with their heavenly fragrance and abundance of delicate petals.

Food

When it comes to food, there are endless options to choose from, depending on your preferences and budget. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• For a fun and interactive food station, set up a sushi bar during cocktail hour, or offer a custom ramen noodle bar.
• For a more casual option, serve toasted garlic bread and seasoned veggies, or opt for a Southern-style menu with fried chicken and gravy.
• If you're getting married near the coast, serve seafood like shrimp, oysters, or crab claws, or go for a New England classic like lobster rolls.
• For a unique twist, offer a poke bowl bar, where guests can build their own bowls, or set up a dim sum station with a variety of dishes.
• For a fun late-night snack, bring in your favourite fast food, or set up a soft pretzel display with a variety of toppings and dips.
• For a more elegant option, serve steak and salad, or opt for a classic like fish with a seasonal glaze.
• For a summer wedding, consider a refreshing watermelon and feta cube appetiser, or a Caprese salad skewer.
• If you're a fan of Italian cuisine, set up a charcuterie table with meats, cheeses, olives, and bread, or offer Caprese cups and bruschetta as appetisers.
• For a fun and interactive dessert, set up an ice cream station with fun toppings, or offer mini cupcakes or cheesecakes.
• For a unique wedding cake alternative, create a donut wall with gluten-free options, or set up a candy bar where guests can fill bags with their favourite treats.

Indoor vs outdoor wedding

When it comes to choosing between an indoor or outdoor wedding, there are several factors to consider. Here are some pros and cons of each option to help you make an informed decision.

Indoor Wedding

Pros:

• Control: Indoor weddings offer more control over your environment, as they are usually climate-controlled and weatherproof. You don't have to worry about wind, sun, or rain ruining your big day.
• Convenience: Indoor venues often have built-in power outlets, restrooms, kitchen facilities, nearby parking, and wheelchair accessibility, making them more convenient and requiring fewer logistics to manage.
• Food and Cake: With a climate-controlled indoor space, you don't have to worry about your food or cake melting or being affected by the weather.
• Intimacy: Indoor weddings can create a cozy and intimate feeling for your guests, especially if you're planning a small wedding.

Cons:

• Limited View: Indoor weddings may offer limited views of the outdoors, especially if the venue doesn't have floor-to-ceiling windows.
• Decor Restrictions: Some indoor venues may have restrictions on decor, such as hanging items or using open flames.
• Artificial Lighting: Indoor venues may rely heavily on artificial lighting, which can be a challenge for photographers who prefer natural light.
• Lack of Natural Light: Indoor spaces may feel smaller and more closed-in due to a lack of natural light.

Outdoor Wedding

Pros:

• Nature's Beauty: Outdoor weddings offer the beauty and splendor of Mother Nature as your backdrop, providing stunning views and taking your wedding photos to the next level.
• Natural Lighting: Natural lighting is ideal for photography, and outdoor spaces provide an abundance of it.
• Simple Decor: Outdoor venues, such as beaches or gardens, require very little decoration, saving you time and money.
• Lawn Games: Outdoor spaces allow for fun lawn games to entertain your guests, and they are also kid-friendly.

Cons:

• Weather: The biggest concern with outdoor weddings is the weather. You need to be prepared for rain, wind, or extreme heat, and always have a backup plan in case of bad weather.
• Permits and Restrictions: You may need to obtain permits and deal with restrictions on noise, amplified sound, and tent sizes for your outdoor wedding.
• Rentals: Outdoor weddings often require renting tables, chairs, linens, sound systems, and other essentials, which can add to your costs.
• Bugs and Critters: Depending on the season and location, bugs and other critters can be unwanted guests at your outdoor wedding.

Ultimately, the decision between an indoor and outdoor wedding depends on your personal preferences, the location, and the time of year. If you can't decide, a compromise could be to have an outdoor ceremony followed by an indoor reception, or to rent a clear tent for an outdoor reception, offering protection from the elements while still providing an open-air feeling.

Wedding attire

May is a great month for a wedding, with its mild temperatures and blooming flowers. If you're attending a May wedding, here are some ideas for what to wear.

For Women

For a formal May wedding, you can't go wrong with a pretty floral dress, a pastel maxi dress, or a lace cocktail dress. A bright colour or pastel gown is the perfect choice for formal May weddings. You could also opt for a colourful cocktail dress or a beaded dress for afternoon and evening weddings.

For a casual daytime wedding, a floral print dress or a v-neck pleated short-sleeve midi dress is a great choice. If you're attending a beach wedding, a maxi dress is a good option. You can dress it up with statement earrings and strappy sandals, or keep it casual with simple studs and a long necklace.

For Men

For a formal spring wedding, experiment with bright, springtime colours like pink, yellow, or green. Avoid white and light colours that might be mistaken for white. A pastel suit is also a great option for a formal wedding.

For a casual spring wedding, a button-down shirt and slacks are a good choice. Lighter shades like beige or blue are perfect for spring. You can also mix and match by pairing a sage green sport jacket with khakis or chinos.

Frequently asked questions