When choosing your wedding date, there are a lot of factors to consider. The first (and arguably most important) step is to decide if there’s a specific time of year when you want to get married. On top of that, you’ll also want to take vendor availability and demand into consideration, especially if there are a lot of other couples getting married around the same time as you. But when is wedding season, exactly?
“Wedding season” is the time of year when the majority of weddings happen, and it can impact your planning process in a few different ways. Prices during wedding season are typically higher, as there’s more demand for vendors and venues. But there’s no right or wrong when it comes to the best wedding month—each season has its own pros and cons. Below, we break down everything you need to know about wedding peak season (and the off-season) to help you and your partner decide what’s best for you.
When is wedding season?
Peak wedding season varies slightly from year to year, but typically, summer and early fall are the most popular times to get married. According to a study by theknot.com, 43% of 2022 weddings took place between September and November. October was the most popular month to get married in 2022, accounting for 20% of all weddings.
Fall weddings have become even more popular over the last few years—a trend that will likely continue. In 2019, 36% of couples got married between September and November, followed by 40% of couples in 2020. Factors like temperate weather (not too hot and not too cold), pretty fall foliage and the lull between summer and winter holidays all make the fall season an appealing time of year to get married.
Summer was the second most popular wedding season, with 28% of couples getting married between June and August.
Most Popular Months to Get Married
Wondering how your wedding month (or ideal wedding season) stacks up against other couples? These were the five most popular wedding months in 2022.
1. October
October accounted for 20% of weddings in 2022, marking the peak of the wedding season. Pumpkin decor details, Halloween-inspired themes and seasonal desserts are just a few things to love about fall weddings.
2. September
Coming in at a close second, 15% of couples were married in September last year. Spoiler alert: The most popular wedding date of 2023 will be in September.
3. June
Early summer is the third most popular time of the year to get married, with 10% of weddings taking place in June last year.
4. July & August
July and August were tied for the fourth most popular wedding months, each accounting for 9% of weddings in 2022. Unsurprisingly, the warm summer months are a great choice for outdoor weddings and beach wedding themes.
5. May & November
Tied in fifth place are May and November, with 8% of weddings taking place during each month last year. These “shoulder” months may offer more flexibility and budget-friendly options compared to the popularity of summer or fall.
Most Affordable Wedding Month
In general, you’ll have a better chance of finding lower prices during December, January and February compared to peak wedding season, but it all depends on a few factors. If you’re getting married in an area that experiences cold temperatures and unpredictable weather in winter, vendor costs might be slightly lower during the off-season since there is less demand from other couples. On the other hand, if your wedding venue is considered a popular winter destination, like a ski resort, you could experience limited availability and higher demand or costs. The same goes for winter holidays, especially New Year’s Eve weddings. Since the date is so popular for non-wedding events in addition to weddings, you can expect higher prices and more competition for venues, caterers, entertainment and event rentals. If you’re getting married around Valentine’s Day, keep in mind that florists will be especially busy and could raise their prices to match the increased demand and shipping costs for flowers.