Most weddings occur late spring through to mid-autumn and it’s not hard to see why; with the advantage of longer days and a likelihood of more agreeable weather. But equally there can be something so magical and romantic about a wedding in the winter or early spring months.
So, we’ve compiled a wedding by season guide. Here we’ve listed the pros, and cons, of marrying in each.
A summer wedding
Summer weddings are so popular that they can book up to 2 years in advance. As they’re so popular, they’re also the priciest months to get married in.
But if you want to make the most of your day, with 14-16 hours of sunlight a day, a summer wedding allows you to really do that. Certainly, when it comes to scheduling, you don’t need to consider an early sunset that might scupper your wedding photos. As such, you can take the day more in your stride.
Another popular reason to get married in the summer is for the chance of some pleasant weather, which is more likely than the depths of winter. As we know though, this is no guarantee. So always make a contingency plan for a wet and rainy day. Likewise, prepare for a heatwave too.
When it comes to decorations, tropical arrangements and colours sure do suit the occasion. As for flowers, you pretty much have your pick of the lot! As the cost of the wedding overall is likely to be more expensive, there are ways you can save a few pounds; you could host a BBQ instead of a sit-down meal, for example. You may also consider Pimm’s stations, ice cream trucks and of course, strawberries and cream.
One theme we sure do love for the summer season is a wedding festival! There are so many beautiful ideas on Pinterest that you could recreate or to inspire your own unique event.
An autumn wedding
Between the months of September and November you can have quite a variation in both weather and theme. Typically, September and early October would be classed as high season for a wedding because you’re more likely to have better weather. You could include a lot of the same ideas from a summer wedding for this reason.
As you move more towards late October and early-mid November, it does start to get a little colder and the days a little shorter, but we find you get the best sunsets at this time of year. This is surely something to take advantage of- just think of the pictures! It also means that the prices start to come down a little as well.
What’s more, with Halloween and fireworks season not far apart, you could incorporate a little theming into your special day. We love the reds, oranges, greens, and yellows that come with the autumn season. Of course, it’s the perfect time of year for a little candle lighting and snuggling under a blanket whilst roasting marshmallows on a fire.
A winter wedding
Most people that opt for a winter wedding often incorporate a little Christmas theming into it too. It could be with colours or embracing the decorations that are often placed within the halls, houses, estates, hotels etc. where you have your wedding. It certainly is a magical time of year. However, it’s worth noting that you will pay slightly more for a wedding in December as it is a popular time to marry.
If you’re wanting to avoid the Christmas period (late November- early January), be sure to confirm with your venue the exact dates that décor and other festivities occur to ensure that your day doesn’t clash with other events. If you’re happy to wed mid-late Jan and February, these are often the cheapest months to do so (bar Valentine’s Day).
Winter weddings are often categorised with foliage like spruce trees, bay leaves, ivy, and mistletoe; low and natural candlelight, fairy lights scattered here and there, and roaring fires. It’s a wonderful season to incorporate cosy knits and wraps and of course you may even get a scattering of snow which can create wonderous photos. Make use of rich and jewel colours for your palette.
As for dining and most of your activities, this will take place indoors as it will be cold. Traditionally, a sit-down meal would be a go-to for a winter wedding but you could go for a less formal option and hold a buffet instead; hog roasts are also very popular this time of year but be sure there is somewhere warm for your guests to be. As for drinks, consider a mulled wine or cider as a wintery option.
Be sure that your venue has adequate heating in most rooms (especially bedrooms) and that the temperature can be controlled if it’ll be a problem.
A spring wedding
If you have a wedding in March, you’ll still benefit from a lower price but be mindful that foliage and flowers are only just starting to bloom, so if you’d like a more lustrous landscape, it may be best to wait a month or two. In April and May is also starts to get warmer; you’ll have longer days and trees and flowers will almost be in full bloom, however, you’re likely to pay almost as much as a summer wedding for the privilege.
If you love blossom, then spring, even early spring, is a good time of year as the blossom trees start blooming late winter/early spring, as long we don’t get a delayed freeze. It’s also during the spring season that we get some lovely sunsets as well so you’re sure to get some really beautiful and memorable pictures.
As for theming, pastels are a complementary palette for spring. You could also incorporate a little theming from both winter and summer too, depending on when in spring you opt for. So, you can pretty much have a combination of all seasons which is something that is so magical about spring.
If you’re looking for more inspiration when it comes to wedding and event planning, be sure to check out our other guides in our wedding segment.
