Planning A July Wedding: Is It Possible?

July is the second most popular month to get married, with its pleasant summer climate and lower chance of rainfall. However, some cultures consider July an unlucky month for weddings. Ancient anonymous rhymes warn couples married in July of bittersweet memories and daily struggles. Nevertheless, July weddings can be advantageous, especially for couples seeking a more intimate celebration. Smaller weddings in July can reduce stress, costs, and the need to manage numerous variables, allowing you to truly connect with your partner and guests. Ultimately, the decision to wed in July depends on personal preferences, cultural beliefs, and the desire for good weather.

Pros and cons of a July wedding

Pros of a July Wedding

A July wedding means you'll be getting married in the summer, which has several benefits.

• The days are long, providing lots of daylight for photos and a great reception.
• You can have your reception or wedding outside, whether that's in a backyard, a hotel patio, or under the stars.
• There are lots of unique things you can do in warm weather, like fireworks, a sparkler send-off, a barbecue dinner, or a waterside experience.
• Flowers are in abundance during the summer, and you'll have a large range of colours to choose from.
• It's one of the easiest times for guests to travel to your wedding, as many people have vacation time.

Cons of a July Wedding

However, there are also some drawbacks to a July wedding.

• Depending on where you live, the heat can make a summer wedding uncomfortable for you and your guests.
• It's peak season for weddings, so you'll have a lot fewer options when it comes to venues and vendors, and they will be more expensive.
• It's a popular time for vacations, so some guests may have already spent money on trips and be unable to attend.
• You may have to wait longer to get married if you have a short engagement, as top vendors will be booked up.
• The harsh lighting from the sun can make it challenging to get good photos.
• It's a busy time of year for many people, with lots of other weddings and events going on, so some guests may have to miss your wedding.
• It's an expensive time of year, with people spending money on holidays and other summer activities.
• In some cultures, July is considered an unlucky month to get married, with several old rhymes warning of bittersweet memories and labouring for daily bread.

Wedding superstitions and unlucky dates

While there are no hard-and-fast rules for weddings in the modern day, many couples still enjoy incorporating superstitions and folklore into their big day. Here is a list of some of the most common wedding superstitions and unlucky dates:

Superstitions

• Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue: This well-known rhyme refers to items that the bride should wear on her wedding day. "Something old" symbolises the bride's past, "something new" represents her future, "something borrowed" is typically an item from a happily married woman, and "something blue" is a symbol of purity.
• A sixpence in your shoe: According to Victorian superstition, including a sixpence coin in your shoe will bring good luck and prosperity.
• The wedding veil: Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that a veil protected the bride from evil spirits and hexes.
• Rain on your wedding day: According to several cultures, rain is a sign of fertility and cleansing, and is therefore considered good luck.
• Seeing a nun or monk on the way to the wedding: British superstition holds that if you see a nun or monk on your way to the ceremony, it is a sign of bad luck and a barren life.
• Dropping the wedding rings: Some believe that if the wedding rings are dropped during the ceremony, the person who dropped them will be the next to die.
• Knives as a gift: According to Viking legend, knives symbolise the cutting or breaking of a relationship, so they are considered bad luck as a wedding gift.
• A spider on your wedding attire: English tradition holds that a spider on your wedding outfit is a sign of good luck and a radiant omen.
• Not seeing each other before the wedding: During the time of arranged marriages, it was considered bad luck for the couple to see each other before the ceremony, as it was believed that the groom might find the bride unattractive and call off the wedding.
• Carrying the bride over the threshold: This tradition is believed to protect the bride from evil spirits, which were thought to be more vulnerable to entering through the soles of her feet.

Unlucky Dates

• Saturday weddings: An ancient Celtic poem claims that "Saturday [is] no luck at all" for a wedding.
• May: According to folklore and ancient Roman tradition, May is the unluckiest month to get married. The Romans celebrated Lemuria, a festival of mourning for the dead, during this month.
• Friday the 13th: This date is considered unlucky for weddings, as well as for many other reasons.
• The Ides of March: This date is known as the day of Julius Caesar's assassination and is generally considered unlucky.
• Leap Day: In addition to being an uncommon date for a wedding, leap day is said to be unlucky for entering a marriage.

Choosing a date based on personal commitments

Choosing a wedding date is a crucial step in the wedding planning process. Here are some tips for selecting a date based on personal commitments:

• Consider your own calendar and that of your close friends and family. Avoid dates that clash with pre-existing commitments, such as work events, holidays, birthdays, or other weddings.
• If you have a specific venue in mind, check their availability over the next few years.
• Think about any special dates that hold sentimental value, such as anniversaries or significant achievements.
• If you want to avoid a large celebration, opt for a small, intimate wedding with only close family and friends.
• Be mindful of your budget and how it might impact your venue, flowers, catering, and other details.
• For outdoor weddings, take into account the desired climate and the likelihood of rainfall when choosing a month.
• If certain flowers are important to you, plan your wedding around when they are in full bloom.
• Consider the pros and cons of each season: spring offers mild weather but unpredictable rain; summer provides warm weather but higher costs; fall presents cooler temperatures and unique themes; winter creates a cosy atmosphere but can be expensive during the holidays.

Choosing a date based on family and friends' commitments

When it comes to choosing a wedding date, it's important to consider the commitments of your family and friends. After all, you'll want your nearest and dearest to be there to celebrate with you! Here are some tips to help you choose a date that works for everyone:

• Mark off any dates that are a clear no-go on your calendar. This could include busy periods at work, pre-booked holidays, or important events like family weddings or the birth of a child.
• Consider the work commitments of your loved ones. For example, teachers may not be able to take time off during term time.
• Be mindful of any special dates or anniversaries that your family and friends are celebrating. You may not want your wedding to clash with a significant event, like a silver wedding anniversary.
• If there are people you really want at the wedding, think about their availability. This could influence whether you choose a weekday or weekend wedding.
• Keep in mind that summer is a popular time for vacations, so choosing a date during this season may impact your guests' travel plans.
• If you have a large guest list, consider choosing a date outside of the peak wedding season (usually early summer to mid-fall). This will give you more options for venues and vendors, as these tend to book up quickly during the peak season.
• If you have friends and family living abroad, be mindful of any international holidays or peak travel seasons that could impact their ability to attend.
• Finally, don't forget to check with your must-have vendors to ensure their availability before finalizing your wedding date.

Wedding season and the most/least popular months to get married

Wedding season typically falls between May and October, with June, September, and October being the best months for a wedding. June is traditionally the most popular month to get married due to the mild weather. However, there is no wrong time to marry the love of your life.

In most parts of the world, late spring through early fall is considered "wedding season". The pros of a spring wedding are that there aren't many calendar conflicts, and your friends will be eager to get out and celebrate with you after a lonely winter. The cons are that the weather is unpredictable, and you might encounter increased pricing and competition for vendors and venues.

Summer weddings offer long days and vacation time, and your guests will be able to get away from work and school to attend. However, rising temperatures can be a problem, especially for outdoor ceremonies, and venues and vendors are harder to book and more expensive.

Fall weddings are also very popular, with September and October being the most popular months to get married in 2023. The pros of a fall wedding are cooler temperatures, happier guests, and fewer bugs. There are also plenty of pumpkins, which make for some very festive and unique wedding themes. The cons are that you might have to compete with the beginning of the school year, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, and there are fewer flowers in season.

Winter weddings can be romantic, with the appeal of cosy fireplaces, evergreen trees, and snowy landscapes. There is also more vendor/venue availability, and you may be able to negotiate prices. The cons are that you might get snowed in or out, and travelling can be more expensive and difficult for your guests.

The least popular months to get married are January and February.

If you're looking to avoid the crowds and costs of peak season, a July wedding could be a good option. However, it's worth noting that July is considered an unlucky month for weddings according to some superstitions.

Frequently asked questions