What Is The Best Month To Get Married?
Of course, every couple wants their wedding to be the best it can be. It’s totally understandable! And for many newly engaged couples, deciding when it’s time to get married is the first step in making sure you two get hitched without a… well, ‘hitch’! So, what is the best month to get married in the UK? The best months to get married are June, September, and October. However, it’s worth noting that there are many other fantastic months to choose from for your wedding day which we are going to uncover.
Choosing a wedding date as an engaged couple is a huge decision, and whatever month you decide to get married in will be the absolute best month, because you both chose it. However, we understand that as soon as you announce that you’re engaged you’re soon flooded with the same question over and over again, by well-wishers with good intentions: “Have you set a date yet?”. It can be a daunting prospect indeed, picking a time in the year to get married that will work out for everyone.
There are pros and cons to every month, and if you’re struggling to find the best month to get married, here’s a rundown of the advantages and disadvantages:
Contents:
- The Best Time to Get Married
- The Luckiest Month to Get Married
- The Cheapest Month to Get Married
- The Least Popular Month to Get Married
Winter
Nothing screams a ‘cosy winter night’ quite like a winter wedding. It’ll be chilly enough to warrant heaps of fluffy blankets and hot chocolate on tap, but not chilly enough to restrict you from going outside if you’d like to.
December
If you’re considering a winter wedding, choosing the best month is essential for a memorable celebration. December brings a contagious festive atmosphere. Christmas and New Year’s add a touch of magic to your wedding, creating an enchanting ambience. However, busy schedules and potential weather challenges should be taken into account. Plan ahead and embrace the winter wonderland for a memorable celebration that suits your style and preferences.
January
January, despite its chilly reputation, can be a budget-friendly choice as it’s not a popular month for weddings. Prices are often at their lowest during this time, making it a financially savvy option. However, due to the surge of ‘January Motivation’ that comes around every year, many of your guests might be looking to save money, lose a little weight, or drink a little less. This being the case, guests might be not as inclined to celebrate.
February
February, often associated with gloominess, has its charms. It remains an underrated choice for UK weddings, which is excellent for your budget. Plus, with celebrations like Chinese New Year, Pancake Day, and Valentine’s Day, you can infuse unique elements into your wedding. Just be prepared for unpredictable February weather.
Spring
The weather in spring is usually, wait for it… bloomin’ lovely! In the UK, spring is the time of year when everything looks fresh, delicate, and romantic.
March
But the weather in Britain is nothing if not unpredictable, and for the last few years, many places across the UK have been under 6 feet of snow by the time March is ready to make its entrance. And be sure to remember that Lent also happens in March, so many of your guests might be restricting themselves diet-wise.
April
Throwing your spring wedding in April has so many benefits, the first being that April is still considered by many venues as ‘off-season’, so you’re still looking at taking advantage of some incredibly low offers. As well as this, British Summer Time is going to be in full swing, so you can prepare yourself to party on through these longer and lighter evenings.
April showers? Ha! The weather is actually a lot better in April as opposed to March, despite what the Disney movies have to say about it! However, there are lots of religious events and dates that occur during April, which might clash with the plans of your guests.
May
As May approaches, it begins to warm up, and although it might still be spring, the long days turning into even longer nights definitely give this month that certain ‘summery’ feeling. May is surprisingly one of the most popular months for weddings, accounting for over 12% of UK wedding bookings. But incredibly, May still isn’t within the wedding peak season, meaning you might still be able to book venues at slightly more affordable prices.
June
June is a very popular wedding planning month: not only is it still not in peak season, but you don’t have to be as organised! You can, in fact, book caterers and other suppliers a lot later on, as opposed to July and August weddings, when you have to book with haste!
Honeymoon-wise, there are so many places that are fantastic to visit in June, where you’ll experience gorgeous weather at remarkably low prices. Keep in mind that children will still be attending school in June, which means they might have trouble getting out of it.
Summer
It’s officially wedding season! Summertime is here, and if you’re looking at throwing an outdoor summer wedding, July, August and September will be the best time to do so in the UK. With the temperature soaring to unbelievable heights, there’s no wonder that this time of year is the most popular to say “I do” in!
July
With children and teachers on their school holidays across the country, July is the most ideal time to celebrate all together. A downside to getting married in the height of summer is that everybody else wants to get married in the height of summer too: meaning you’ll be paying top price for your big day.
August
Getting married in August typically means warm weather and a beautiful outdoor setting. You can expect lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and long daylight hours that provide ample opportunities for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. However, August is a popular wedding month, so you might need to plan and book well in advance to secure your desired venue and vendors.
If you’re considering getting married in August and would like to minimise your spending, at Sedgebrook Hall we offer a variety of packages to suit your every need. From small, intimate weddings all the way to grand parties with large numbers of guests: we’ve got something to suit you. Our outdoor weddings in July, August and September at Sedgebrook Hall are guaranteed to get your party sizzling!
September
September is a beautiful time of year, when it’s just starting to cool down outside the nights are beginning to draw in. If you want a wedding with a little chill in the air, but not too much, a September wedding might be the way forward. You’re bound to have a bit more flexibility with this month, as it isn’t in as high demand as the months previous.
The conditions that September brings are also usually a lot better for wedding photos. Unfortunately, September is often considered quite a depressing month, as for many it means heading back to work and/or school. For those considering an outdoor wedding, September weather might not be the best choice either.
Autumn
If you want a wedding with lots of drama and atmosphere, an Autumnal wedding will definitely get your heart racing. The leaves are falling quickly in the UK, and they’re doing so in a kaleidoscope of warm colours, which will be perfect for an outdoor photoshoot.
October
With Halloween being right around the corner, October serves as the perfect opportunity to get creative with your decorations. In October 2023, approximately 6.7% of weddings were held during this month. However, it’s important to consider that the UK’s October weather can be rather unpredictable, which is a notable downside to choosing this month for your wedding.
November
Planning your wedding in November will be a little bit cheaper as it’s not in peak wedding season. November also brings with it Bonfire Night and Diwali, meaning you should definitely stock up on sparklers like there’s no tomorrow.
Of course, outside photos might be tricky due to the natural lighting situation being very minimal, and a big challenge will be making your wedding feel bright and toasty, while the outside world reaches minus figures.
The Best Time to Get Married
A popular time to get married is usually from 11 am to 2 pm. This allows enough time for the bride, groom and wedding team to get ready and to make the most out of the wedding day. Although between 11 am to 2 pm is a popular option for many, there’s no reason why you can choose to get married later in the afternoon if that works best for you.
The Luckiest Month to Get Married
In Chinese culture, the luckiest months to get married are May, August and October due to carrying positive connotations that make them popular among couples seeking to celebrate their love and commitment with added auspiciousness.
What is the Cheapest Month to Get Married?
If you are sticking to a low budget then you should consider getting married ‘out of season’ in one of the quiet months. Out-of-season wedding months are between November to January when many wedding suppliers will offer discounted rates and last-minute wedding deals to help you plan your wedding on a budget without having to splash the cash.
The Least Popular Month to Get Married
The least popular month to get married is February, accounting for just 3% of weddings in 2022. Couples often prefer the warmer months for their weddings, which explains the lower frequency of winter ceremonies.
What is the Best Month to Get Married? Concluded
So, what is the best month to get married? Newly engaged couples, more often than not, end up choosing a date that means a lot to the pair of them, like a wedding anniversary. Or if there’s a certain time of year that they really enjoy spending together, choosing a date which corresponds with these times of year adds a certain something to the big day.
So, just to recap, here are our ideas about the best month to get married:
- January & February: affordable, guaranteed to boost spirits, chilly, tricky to cater towards guests.
- March & April: lovely scenery, lighter evenings, unpredictable weather, religious holiday clashes.
- May & June: two bank holidays, great honeymoon options, popular wedding month, although an unlucky month.
- July & August: reliable weather, more availability, more expensive, less organisational time.
- September & October: better photographs, cosy atmosphere, shorter nights, chilly.
- November & December: elegant and festive themes, ‘party’ atmosphere, difficulty with guest transport, very busy.
If you’re looking for a wedding venue that’s available, no matter what time of year it is, we recommend booking our stunning venue Sedgebrook Hall in Northampton. Sedgebrook Hall is an elegant venue, where both you and your wedding guests can stay overnight. Let’s begin planning your perfect wedding day at our venue.
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