Wedding Season: Love, Laughter, And Lots Of Cake

Wedding season is the time of year when most weddings occur. In the US, this is typically between May and October, with the peak months being May, June, September, and October. These months offer warm and pleasant weather, making them ideal for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. Spring and summer are popular choices for weddings due to the mild temperatures, longer days, and stunning landscapes. Meanwhile, fall weddings offer rich colour palettes, cooler weather, and rustic ambiance. Winter weddings, considered the off-season, have their own unique charm with snow-covered landscapes and cosy venues, and they are often more affordable. Ultimately, each season has its pros and cons, and couples need to consider various factors when picking a wedding date, such as weather, venue availability, and budget.

Choosing a date

Consider the Season

The first step is to pick your desired wedding season. Think about the climate of your wedding location. If you plan to have an outdoor wedding, choose a season with mild weather and clear skies. Spring and fall are generally the most popular seasons for weddings, but this can vary depending on your location. For example, summer weddings in Arizona are less popular than winter and spring weddings. Fall weddings have become increasingly popular due to temperate weather, beautiful foliage, and the lull between summer and winter holidays.

Peak vs. Off-Peak Dates

Your budget may dictate whether you choose a date during the peak or off-peak wedding season. Peak wedding season typically falls between May and October, with Saturdays being the most popular day of the week for weddings. As a result, prices tend to be higher due to high demand, and you'll have more competition for venues and vendors. If you're looking to save money, consider an off-peak date. While winter is generally considered the off-season for weddings, December and February are busier and pricier due to holidays. January, March, April, and November tend to be more affordable months.

Holidays and Special Dates

You may want to incorporate a holiday into your wedding, such as a Christmas tree-themed wedding or a heart-covered cake for Valentine's Day. However, if you have a large guest list that includes distant relatives, it's best to avoid family-oriented holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, as guests often spend this time with their families. New Year's Eve and the July 4th weekend are popular choices for weddings, offering built-in celebrations and festive atmospheres.

Additionally, consider choosing a date that holds symbolic value for you and your partner. This could be the anniversary of your first date, the day you became a couple, or even your grandparents' wedding date. Some cultures use traditional methods to select auspicious dates, such as the Japanese koyomi, an ancient astrological calendar.

Lucky Dates and Numerology

If you're feeling lucky, incorporate numerology into your wedding date selection. In Chinese culture, the number eight is considered the luckiest, as its pronunciation sounds like 'wealth'. In American culture, seven and eleven are traditionally lucky numbers. Getting married on the first of any month symbolises unity and new beginnings, while the seventh of the month is associated with marriage.

Astrological Influences

For the astrologically inclined, consider consulting an astrologer to choose an auspicious date for your wedding. A new moon is considered an ideal time for starting something fresh and growing together. A new moon during Libra season (September-October) is especially favourable, as Libra is associated with relationships and companionship. A solar eclipse, though rare, is also considered auspicious, acting as a supercharged new moon.

Local Events and Logistics

Check for local events, such as major sporting events, graduations, or festivals, that may overlap with your chosen date. These events can cause sold-out hotels, high airfares, and heavy traffic, creating inconveniences for your wedding guests. Additionally, consider the availability of your desired venue and essential vendors, such as photographers and bands, when selecting your date.

Remember, there is no right or wrong answer when choosing a wedding date. Each season and date has its pros and cons. By taking the time to consider these factors, you'll be well on your way to selecting the perfect date for your special day.

Weather considerations

Weather is a key consideration when planning a wedding, and it can influence several aspects of the big day. Firstly, the weather can impact the style and location of the wedding. Couples opting for an outdoor setting need to choose a season with mild weather and clear skies. Summer weddings, for instance, require finding a day that is sunny but not too hot and humid. The weather also plays a role in setting the mood and theme of the wedding. A winter wedding, with its fireplaces, candles, and dimmed lights, evokes a sense of warmth and cosiness, while a summer wedding is perfect for free-spirited fun and tropical-inspired cocktails.

Secondly, weather considerations are crucial for ensuring the comfort of the wedding party and guests. Harsh temperatures, whether too hot or too cold, can be uncomfortable for everyone involved. For example, a summer wedding with high temperatures can cause the bride to sweat off her hair and makeup, and guests may struggle to stay focused in extreme heat. Similarly, a winter wedding can leave the bridal party and guests feeling cold, especially if outdoor photos are planned. In such cases, additional measures like clear tents and portable heaters may be necessary.

Additionally, weather conditions can influence the availability and attendance at the wedding. Spring, with its unpredictable weather, may result in last-minute changes if the dream of an outdoor floral backdrop is not feasible due to rain or snow. Fall weddings might face attendance issues as guests may have limited travel time due to summer vacations and upcoming holidays. Choosing a wedding date during the peak season, typically between May and October, also affects vendor availability and costs.

Lastly, the weather can impact the lead time required for planning a wedding. Couples opting for a summer wedding are advised to give themselves a longer engagement period, as top vendors and venues may be booked months in advance. Similarly, a winter wedding might require sending out invitations earlier than usual, as guests may already have holiday plans or face travel complications due to storms.

In conclusion, weather plays a significant role in various aspects of wedding planning, from choosing a date and venue to creating a comfortable and memorable experience for the happy couple and their guests.

Wedding themes and colours

Wedding season is the time of year when the majority of weddings take place. In the US, wedding season typically starts in early summer and lasts through mid-fall, with fall being the peak of wedding season.

Now, onto the fun part: wedding themes and colours! Your wedding colours will be the anchor for your big day's decor and will help drive the visual components of your wedding, so it's important to choose them early on in the planning process. Here are some tips and trends to help you decide on your wedding colour palette:

• Choose one or two main colours and then select one or two secondary colours, one of which should be neutral, to support the main hues. Finish it off with a fun accent shade, such as gold or silver, that you'll use sparingly throughout your event.
• Draw inspiration from your natural surroundings and the season. For example, a late-summer or early-fall wedding calls for rustic hues that still feel light and warm, such as a combination of burnt orange, dove grey, creamy linen, and brown.
• Consider colours that complement your wedding venue. For instance, if you're getting married at a Victorian castle with lush gardens, you could reference the stone and ivy in your colour palette.
• Don't be afraid to pair traditional wedding colours like blush with unexpected shades like grey and wheat.
• If you're getting married during the winter but want a spring garden aesthetic, play with cool purple hues like heather purple with grey accents.
• Nature-inspired palettes don't have to be rustic. Opt for bold and romantic colours like clay-inspired reds and plum hues to accent the wood details of your venue.
• Mauve is the new blush! This soft colour would work well at a summer farm wedding or a late-fall orchard celebration.
• Dusty blue is having a moment! This rich hue pairs well with browns and the stone accents of your venue.
• For a garden-inspired wedding, dusty rose and sky blue are a classic combination.

Vendor availability

Wedding season is the time of year when the majority of weddings take place. Typically, wedding season starts in early summer and lasts through mid-fall, with fall being the peak of wedding season.

During wedding season, vendor availability and demand are impacted. It is recommended to book your wedding vendors early if you're getting married during this time.

• Start searching for vendors early, at least nine to 12 months before the wedding. This will increase your chances of securing your preferred vendors and avoiding disappointment.
• If you have a specific photographer in mind, consider asking for their availability first and then selecting your wedding date based on their schedule. Photographers can only handle one wedding per day, so they tend to get booked up quickly.
• High-demand entertainment services, such as DJs or bands, also get booked quickly. Begin your search about nine to 12 months in advance to ensure you find the best talent in your area.
• For florists, reach out about six to nine months before your wedding to discuss your vision and ensure they can accommodate your date.
• To confirm the availability of your wedding officiant, contact them about six to nine months before the big day.
• Hair and makeup artists should be booked about three to six months in advance, especially if they are in high demand.
• For your wedding cake, collaborate with a talented cake designer about three to six months before the wedding to create a confection that reflects your personality and theme.
• Stationery designers should be contacted about six to nine months in advance to give your guests a glimpse of the upcoming celebration through save-the-dates and invitations.

Remember that prices during wedding season are typically higher due to increased demand, so be prepared for potential budget adjustments.

Budgeting

• Determine your current savings: Take stock of all your savings and investments. This will give you a clear picture of how much money you have available for the wedding.
• Understand the components of a wedding: Research and make a list of all the expenses that go into a wedding. This includes the obvious things like the venue, food, and drinks, but also smaller details like furniture rental, centrepieces, entertainment, and desserts. Understanding all the potential costs will help you create a more accurate budget.
• Identify your priorities: Discuss with your partner what aspects of the wedding are most important to you both. This might include the number of guests, the venue, the food, or the entertainment. Prioritising what's important to you will help guide your spending decisions.
• Consider other upcoming investments: Remember that life doesn't stop during wedding planning. You'll still have daily expenses like rent or mortgage payments, and there may be future costs like vacations, home repairs, or a down payment on a home. Factor these ongoing and future expenses into your overall budget to ensure you don't overextend yourself.
• Factor in contributions from others: Sometimes, family or close friends offer to contribute financially to the wedding. If this is the case, find out exactly how much they are willing to give so you can include it in your budget.
• Create a budget breakdown: Allocate your budget across different categories, such as the ceremony, reception, catering, attire, flowers, decor, transportation, etc. You can find many sample wedding budget breakdowns online, which suggest certain percentages for each category. For example, it's recommended to spend around 37% on the venue, 29% on catering, 12% on live entertainment, 9% on wedding bands, and so on.
• Be prepared for hidden costs: Unexpected expenses will almost certainly arise, so it's a good idea to set aside an "emergency fund" of around 5-15% of your total budget. This will cover things like overtime fees, service charges, extra decorations, gratuities, and vendor tips.
• Track your spending: Keep a close eye on your spending throughout the planning process. Use budgeting tools, spreadsheets, or a dedicated bank account to track every penny that goes towards the wedding. This will help you stay within your budget and avoid overspending.
• Make compromises: If you find that your budget is too tight or that certain costs are exceeding your expectations, be prepared to make compromises. This might involve cutting down the guest list, choosing a less expensive venue, renting instead of buying clothing or jewellery, opting for minimalist decor, or choosing affordable wedding stationery.
• Shop around: Remember, you don't have to spend a fortune on every aspect of your wedding. Shop around for cost-effective options, and don't be afraid to reuse or repurpose items to save money.

Frequently asked questions