When Is Wedding Season?

Here's a breakdown of when you should (and shouldn't) host your nuptials.

bride and groom holding hands walking towards the sunset

Photo by For the Love of It

Once you’ve celebrated your engagement and have established your wedding budget—including a talk with both families about how they might be able to contribute—it’s time to think about when and where you’ll be tying the knot. Have you always envisioned an October wedding filled with fall hues and foliage? Does a summer beach soirée in May or June pique your interest? Or, do you love the idea of saying "I do" on a snowy mountaintop during the winter months of December, January, or February? While it's always helpful to know what time of year you and your partner would like to host your nuptials, finding a venue within that time frame—one that's available and affordable—will be one of the most important tasks you'll need to complete during your journey to the aisle. But in order to finalize this essential detail, you'll need to have a basic understanding of the months that make up wedding season.

In general, wedding season extends from late spring and continues through early fall, with weddings peaking in June and September. What's more, most venues—including those in destinations with year-round appeal, such as California and Hawaii—have a peak (busiest) season and a low or off-peak season. If you're wondering why this is important to understand, though, allow us to explain: Venue, décor, and floral rates, among others, can vary widely by months, weeks, and even days of the week, and knowing when prices can fluctuate (based on demand and availability) will provide you with opportunities for significant cost savings. (For example, winter is often much cheaper, unless it's a December wedding when you'll be competing with holiday parties.) That being said, the location of the venue will also have a huge impact on when prices rise and fall.

To help you find the best deal for your upcoming nuptials, we put together a breakdown of peak wedding season for different regions across the United States. Here's everything you need to know.

A Breakdown of Wedding Season by Region

To help get the most bang for your buck when planning your nuptials, here's a breakdown of wedding season depending on where you live or where you plan to get married.

Wedding Couple Holding Hands Outside

Photo by Abby Jiu Photography

The Midwest, Southwest, and the South

In these regions, spring and fall are typically considered peak wedding season, as temperatures are comfortable compared to the sometimes sweltering heat of July and August. In turn, July and August are considered off-peak months—unless the vows will be held at one of the lakefront venues in the Midwest, which are at their busiest during the summer.

As for the Southwest specifically, winter is another desirable (peak) time of year to get married given the mild temperatures and predictable sunny days—this also holds true for coastal destinations like Florida. On the other hand, outside of the holidays, a winter wedding in the Midwest will definitely score off-peak venue rates.

bride and groom portrait set against a mountainous backdrop

Photo by Shane Macomber Weddings

The Mountain States and Interior West

For couples eyeing mountain venues—from the Rockies, Sierra Nevadas, and the Cascades in the West to the White Mountains, Adirondacks, and the Blue Ridge Mountains out East—summer months are peak wedding season as venues at altitude promise (generally) comfortable temperatures and a plethora of activities to keep guests entertained. Look to spring and fall dates to score off-peak rates.

Spring is less desirable, though, as melted snow (and the chance of late-season snow), makes an alfresco wedding a little tricky. Fall, however, can be quite comfortable, and the colors of the season make for a stunning backdrop! Couples on a budget should skip winter as hotel rooms and travel prices can skyrocket during ski season.

bride and groom kissing at the altar

Photo by Paula B Photography

The Northeast and East Coast

In these regions, late spring and early fall are considered prime wedding season as they're predictably the mildest (and often some of the prettiest) times of the year. Summers can be hot and humid—although waterfront weddings in destinations like Newport, Rhode Island do benefit from a lovely ocean breeze—and winters can be incredibly cold and snowy.

If prepared to face the chill—or cheat Mother Nature by having the ceremony and reception indoors, whether at a lush botanical conservatory or even at the same hotel where guests are staying—you'll definitely be able to score a deal in January, February, and March.

It’s not just venues that are more affordable in the off-season; many vendors will also offer lower prices or are open to negotiation during slow seasons. Don’t go in expecting a huge discount—they do still need to be fairly paid for their work—but it never hurts to ask if there's any wiggle room, given the date of the wedding.

One last perk: An off-season wedding could be a big money-saver for wedding guests. If they’re traveling to your wedding during a time that isn’t the destination’s high season, flights and hotel rooms will be nowhere near their peak rates. Of course, keep an eye out for local events in the area, as well as holidays that might fall on or near the same weekend. Avoid major conventions, sporting events, and holidays, and your out-of-town guests will be able to reap the benefits of an off-season wedding, too.

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