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When's Wedding Season? Here's a Breakdown of the Most Popular Months to Marry

Read this before picking yours.
Fall wedding
Photo: Bo Shim
Kate Boswell
by
Kate Boswell
Kate Boswell
Kate Boswell
Content Optimization Specialist
  • Kate strategically updated articles for The Knot Worldwide, with a focus on key fashion content.
  • Kate is passionate about product recommendations, shopping guides and trends in the fashion and beauty space.
  • Prior to The Knot Worldwide, Kate was the Managing Editor at Rank & Style, where she owned editorial and digital content strategy operations.
Updated May 11, 2026

When's wedding season? It's the time of year when your dancing shoes are getting tons of wear and your toasting with champagne nearly every weekend. But actually, there is an official six-month span that's coined as "wedding season" across most of the US, given its preferable conditions. Getting familiar with the most popular wedding months and the least popular months for weddings can be a big help in your planning journey, since popularity affects things like vendor availability, demand and pricing. Luckily, we've got all kinds of intel on this topic thanks to The Knot Real Weddings Study. Below, we're breaking down everything you need to know about the most and least common months to get married so you and your partner can start calculating your wedding date numerology and decide when's best for you.

In this article:

When's Wedding Season?

Peak wedding season spans from May through October, spanning from late spring through summer and mid fall. According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, 76% of weddings typically take place during this period.

What's Wedding Season?

"Wedding season" is the time of year when the majority of weddings happen. While there's certainly not a worst time of year to say "I do," you should understand that doing so during the most popular months to get married can greatly impact your planning process. If you're on a mission to keep your budget down, peak season might consist of wedding dates to avoid. Prices are typically higher during this time due to the increase in demand for vendors and venues, and you'll likely need to start researching and booking both earlier than the dates listed on our wedding planning checklist to secure them before other couples.

Not to be confused with the broader wedding season, some seasons throughout the year do see higher wedding traffic. According to The Knot data, 35% of couples get married from September through November, and 33% of couples get married from June through August. Therefore, fall is the most popular season to have a wedding, closely followed by summer.

When's Off-Peak Wedding Season?

November through April is generally considered the off-season for weddings. Only 24% of weddings took place during this half of the year. That said, you'll still find plenty of lucky wedding dates in the off-peak months.

What's the most popular month for weddings? Or the top three? Here's how they stack up based on The Knot data, starting with the most-popular wedding months.

most popular months to get married by season via The Knot data
Design: Tiana Crispino

1. & 2. October & June

October and June came in as the most popular wedding months, accounting for 16% of weddings each, according to The Knot Real Weddings Study. The October wedding trend is likely to continue, since it's been the busiest month for weddings in years prior, with June showing an uptick in interest in early-summer weddings. Each month represents one of the two most popular seasons of the year to get married: fall and summer.

3. May

May jumped from the fourth most popular wedding month last year to the number-two spot, showing a significant increase in late-spring weddings for couples. The Knot data shows 14% of couples now marry in May.

4. September

The next most popular wedding dates are in September, with 13% of weddings taking place within the month.

5. August

The Knot data shows that August is the fifth most popular wedding month, with 10% of couples saying "I do" during this time.

December is currently the least-popular month for a wedding, with just 1% of couples marrying then. The cheapest month to get married often correlates with the wedding off season, though, double check if you plan to target December, given the nuance of holiday weddings.

Now that you know all about wedding season, it's time to think through how to pick a wedding date. The best time of year for a wedding differs for every couple. Once you make a decision, the final and easiest steps are to start a wedding website and share when the wedding day will be with your guests. Here's what to consider:

  • Weather by region: While June might be a great choice for to-be-weds in the Pacific Northwest, a couple in the Southern US—especially one that wants to get married outdoors—might strongly disagree that June is a good month to get married. That's why it's crucial that you discuss your vision, venue and location with your partner and consider how the weather may come into play.
  • High vendor demand: The demand for wedding vendors is higher during peak season, so you'll want to ensure you have ample time to browse The Knot Vendor Marketplace and secure your favorites.
  • Higher prices: Peak season for weddings can also mean higher prices, so allow room in your budget for rate increases if you plan on tying the knot during one of the "best" months for weddings. (Pro tip: The Knot Budget Advisor makes it easy to explore costs and keep track of your wedding budget.)

Additional reporting by Cathryn Haight.