The Big Wedding: Timing And Traditions In England

There are many factors to consider when deciding on a wedding date, from the weather to the cost and availability of venues. The most popular months to get married in England are July, August and September, with August being the most popular. However, this also means that August is the most expensive month for UK wedding venues.

If you're looking for a cheaper option, January and February are low wedding season, so you're more likely to get a good deal. However, you'll need to consider the possibility of post-Christmas financial strain and health kicks among your guests.

If you're looking for a balance of warmer weather and lower costs, April and May are good options. April benefits from longer days and brighter evenings, while May has two bank holidays, which means guests will need to take less time off work.

Ultimately, the best time to get married depends on your budget, your vision for the day and your favourite seasons.

Pros and cons of each wedding month in the UK

January

Pros: January is a great month to get married if you're on a budget. It's the quietest month for weddings, so venues are likely to be available and you may even get a bargain. It also gives everyone something to look forward to after Christmas.

Cons: The weather in January can be gloomy, and your guests might be short on cash after the festive period.

February

Pros: Like January, February is considered low season, so you can get a good deal. It also has lots of celebrations that you can tie into your wedding, like Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year and Pancake Day.

Cons: February is the last month of winter, so it's likely to be cold.

March

Pros: Spring is one of the prettiest seasons in the UK, with gardens filled with daffodils, crocuses and blossom. March is also a good month if you want sun without the heat of summer.

Cons: March can still be rainy, and even snowy. It also clashes with Lent and Ramadan, which may impact your guests' dietary choices.

April

Pros: April is technically spring, but it has longer days and an increase in temperature. It's also still considered low season, so venues are cheaper.

Cons: Prices do start to go up in April, and it's a popular time for family holidays.

May

Pros: May is the first month of the year when temperatures really begin to rise. It has two bank holidays, meaning guests need less time off work.

Cons: Bank holidays also mean guests may be away, and venues, accommodation and suppliers will be more expensive.

June

Pros: June has the longest days of the year, making it perfect for a marquee reception.

Cons: June is pricey, and venues get booked up years in advance.

July

Pros: July is the height of summer, with soaring temperatures and beautiful blooms.

Cons: It's one of the most popular months to get married, so it's expensive.

August

Pros: August is the most popular month to get married, with school holidays and good weather.

Cons: It's peak season, so it's very expensive.

September

Pros: September has good weather and better availability than the summer months.

Cons: It's still expensive, and it's associated with the gloomy feeling of going back to school.

October

Pros: October is cheaper, and the red and yellow leaves make a great backdrop for photos.

Cons: The nights start drawing in, making an outdoor soirée tricky.

November

Pros: November is great for brides on a budget, with 27% of November brides citing price as their reason for choosing this month.

Cons: It's cold and dark, so you'll need to spend a lot on making the venue cosy.

December

Pros: December is a magical time for a wedding, and a great way to kick off the festive season.

Cons: It's a busy time of year, and guests may be short on cash.

The best time for a wedding ceremony

• Time of Year: The time of year can significantly impact the timing of your wedding. For example, in winter, it can get dark as early as 3 pm, so you'll need to consider daylight hours when planning your ceremony and photography. On the other hand, if you're aiming for a summer wedding, you'll have longer days with more natural light to work with.
• Size of the Wedding: Larger weddings may require a more extensive timeline, allowing enough time for guest arrivals, greetings, and seating. Smaller, more intimate weddings offer more flexibility with timing and can be tailored to your preferences.
• Location: Consider whether your ceremony and reception will be held at the same venue or if guests will need to travel between locations. If travel is involved, allow for additional time in your schedule to account for transportation and guest arrival at the reception venue.
• Photography: If you want to capture stunning photos, consider the "golden hour," which is the hour before sunset. This time of day offers ideal lighting conditions for beautiful portraits and can be a magical time for your ceremony or post-ceremony photos.
• Budget: The time of your ceremony can also impact your budget. Early morning weddings, for instance, may require providing entertainment, food, and drinks for guests throughout the day, which can increase costs. Late afternoon or evening weddings can be more budget-friendly, as they often have a more relaxed pace.

Based on these considerations, here are some suggested timelines for your wedding ceremony:

Summer Wedding:

• 2:30 pm - First Look
• 2:45 pm - Bridal Portraits
• 3:30 pm - Bridal Party Photos
• 4:30 pm - Ceremony
• 5:00 pm - Ceremony Exit
• 5:15 pm - Family Formals
• 6:00 pm - Entrance into Reception

Winter Wedding:

• 1:30 pm - First Look
• 1:45 pm - Bridal Portraits
• 2:30 pm - Bridal Party Photos
• 3:30 pm - Ceremony
• 4:00 pm - Ceremony Exit
• 4:15 pm - Family Formals
• 5:00 pm - Entrance into Reception

Late Afternoon/Evening Wedding:

• 5:30 pm - Ceremony (as listed on the invitation)
• 5:45 pm - Actual Ceremony Start
• 6:15 pm - Cocktail Hour
• 7:15 pm - Guests Invited to Dinner
• 7:30 pm - Grand Entrance and First Dance
• 7:35 pm - Welcome Toasts
• 7:45 pm - Dinner
• 8:30 pm - Wedding Party Toasts
• 8:40 pm - Parent Dances
• 9:30 pm - Cake Cutting, Bouquet Toss, and Garter Toss
• 9:45 pm - Open Dance Floor

Remember, these are just examples, and you can tailor the timeline to your specific needs and preferences. The key is to plan ahead, consider all the elements involved, and allow for some flexibility on your big day.

How to choose your wedding month

Choosing a wedding month and date is a crucial step in the wedding planning process. Here are some tips on how to choose the best wedding month for you.

Consider your meaningful dates

Think about dates that are meaningful to you as a couple. This could be the anniversary of your first date, the day you became a couple, or your grandparents' wedding date. You could also consider times of year that you particularly enjoy together. For example, if you love Bonfire Night, getting married in November would allow you to incorporate elements of this into your wedding.

Set your wedding budget

Summer months are the most popular for weddings, so getting married at this time can be more expensive. Setting a budget will help you decide on a wedding date. With a budget in place, you can eliminate dates that are out of your price range.

Think about neat numbers

Dates with repeating numbers, such as 10/10 or 04/04, are easy to remember for future anniversaries. You could also look at dates that incorporate the specific year, such as 24/04/2024 or 04/02/2024.

Consider your guests' schedules

While your wedding day is all about you as a couple, you'll also need to consider the people you definitely want to be there. For example, if your maid of honour is a teacher, she may not be able to take time off during the week during term time. A weekend wedding is usually best for guests, as it means fewer people will need to book time off work.

Avoid wedding date clashes

Avoid family birthdays and anniversaries, as well as other friends' weddings. You should also consider whether your wedding date clashes with any major sporting events, festivals, or other local events.

Think about the weather

Consider the temperature you feel most comfortable in. While summer weddings are the dream for some couples, not everyone enjoys hot weather. If you think you'd prefer a cooler month, go for it!

Plan your seasonal elements

Think about the flowers you want to include in your wedding. Picking a month when your favourite blooms are in season will make them much cheaper and easier for wedding florists to source.

Choose a colour scheme

Put together some mood boards to help you decide on a rough colour scheme or theme, then think about which season would best suit your vision. For example, pastel palettes work well for spring weddings, while opulent gold and reds lend themselves to winter weddings.

Decide on a type of wedding venue

Your wedding venue plays a big part in choosing a wedding month. If you're drawn to venues with amazing outdoor spaces, choose a month that will allow you to make the most of them.

Look at your work schedule

Consider whether there are times of year that are particularly stressful for you and your partner. You should also think about whether you want to go on your honeymoon soon after the wedding, and check that you'll be able to get the necessary time off work.

The average cost of a wedding in the UK

The average cost of a wedding venue in the UK in 2023 was £8,800, with catering costs adding an average of £80 per head. The average number of guests remained fairly stable at 80, meaning that catering costs for the average wedding totalled £6,400. The second-highest expense was the honeymoon, which cost an average of £4,300.

The average cost of a wedding dress in 2023 was £1,424, while couples spent an average of £1,357 on a photographer, £1,354 on a videographer, £1,050 on a wedding band or DJ, and £300 on invitations and paper goods.

The total cost of a wedding, including the honeymoon and hen/stag parties, can reach £30,000. However, it's important to note that the concept of an "average" wedding can be misleading, as the cost of a wedding can vary significantly depending on factors such as location, the number of guests, and personal choices.

A step-by-step wedding day schedule

Morning

10 am: Hair and makeup for the bridal party. It's a good idea to start early and have a good breakfast.

11 am: The photographer arrives and takes photos of the bride's hair and makeup, as well as the rings, dress, shoes, jewellery, and other details.

12 pm: The bride gets dressed. The photographer captures the bride with her bridesmaids and mother, helping with zips and shoes.

30 pm: Bridal portraits and bridesmaids' photos. The photographer takes photos of the bride in pre-scouted locations around the venue, as well as fun shots with the bridesmaids.

1 pm: The bride takes a moment to freshen up, have a drink, and a little something to eat.

Early Afternoon

• 15 pm: The groom, best man, and ushers arrive at the ceremony.
• 30 pm: Guests start arriving at the ceremony and enjoy welcome music.

2 pm: The ceremony begins. Most weddings don't start at the time on the invite, so don't worry if the ceremony begins a little later than planned.

3 pm: Drinks reception and photos. The couple escapes for some photos with the photographer, while guests enjoy cocktails or bubbly.

Late Afternoon

30 pm: Dinner is announced. Guests are given around 30 minutes to finish their drinks and find their seats.

5 pm: Dinner service starts. The master of ceremonies/best man announces the couple for the first time as 'Mr and Mrs'.

Early Evening

30 pm: Speeches. The father of the bride, the groom, the best man, and the maid of honour make their speeches, ideally no longer than 10 minutes each.

7 pm-7.30 pm: Cake cutting, followed by the bouquet toss (if those traditions are being observed).

30-8 pm: Turn-around/down time. Guests can relax while the room is prepared for the evening festivities. The couple can take this opportunity to change or freshen up.

Evening

8 pm-8.30 pm: Evening guests arrive, and the disco/first dance begins.

9 pm-10 pm: Evening food is served to keep the party going.

11 pm-12 am: The final song and goodbyes. The couple arranges their final song with the DJ or band and says their farewells.

Frequently asked questions