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Updated Mar 04, 2025When Is Wedding Season? We Reveal Most Popular Months to Marry
Plus, read up on answers to FAQs about exchanging vows during the most common wedding months.
When is wedding season? It's that time of year when your dancing shoes are getting tons of wear, of course! 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 break 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 Is Wedding Season?
- Most Popular Months for Weddings
- Considerations for Marrying During Popular Wedding Months
- FAQs About Marrying During Wedding Season
When Is Wedding Season?
Peak wedding season is between May and October, spanning from late spring through summer and mid-fall. According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, 76% of weddings take place during this period.
| Season | Popularity Share | Peak Month |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | 35% | October |
| Summer | 33% | June |
| Spring | 25% | May |
| Winter | 7% | January & February |
The Knot Editors' tip: Regardless of what season your wedding will take place, use The Knot Checklist to stay on top of your individual planning timeline. This intuitive (and free!) tool walks you through each step you need to complete to bring your nuptials to life, customized to your wedding date.
What Is 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.
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What Are the Most Popular Seasons to Get Married?
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 Is Off-Peak Wedding Season?
November through April is generally considered the off-season for weddings. According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, only 24% of weddings take place during this half of the year. That said, you'll still find plenty of lucky wedding dates in the off-peak months.
Most Popular Months for Weddings
What's the most popular month for weddings? What about the top three most common wedding months? Here's how they stack up based on The Knot data, starting with the most popular wedding months.
1. & 2. October and 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.
Least Popular Month for a Wedding
December is currently the least-popular month for a wedding, with just 1% of couples marrying during the last month of the year. While it's a common assumption that the cheapest month to get married correlates with wedding off-season, it's always important to double check vendor pricing if you plan to target December given the nuance of holiday weddings.
Considerations for Marrying During Popular Wedding Months
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 or the East Coast, 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 get clarity on costs by revealing what other couples in your area spend, which can help you allocate your budget accordingly.)
FAQs About Marrying During Wedding Season
Still not sure when your wedding should take place? Read up on answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about wedding season.
1. How far in advance do you need to book vendors during peak vs. off-peak months?
If you want to get married during the summer or fall, the two most popular seasons for weddings, you'll want to book priority vendors as soon as possible. It's generally recommended to start locking in pros at least 9 to 12 months in advance, but for peak wedding season, you may want to start booking 12 to 18 months ahead of time. Doing so will ensure you have your pick of top vendors early in your planning process. Selection is typically less competitive for off-peak months, offering a little more wiggle room—but still, you won't want to delay too long. Aim to book vendors 6-9 months in advance for short engagements, keeping in mind that 9 to 12 months in advance is generally the recommended timeline.
2. Do regional climates override national "wedding season"?
The Knot Real Weddings Study data that defines "wedding season" is based on national findings, so note that specific regional weather patterns can impact when couples prefer to get married. For example, summer is one of the most popular times of year to get married based on country-wide data, but a July wedding in Georgia may not be preferred given the humidity and heat index. On the flip side, February may not be a preferred wedding month for a couple in Massachusetts, but the same month brings generally mild and sunny weather to a location like Southern California. When choosing the best time of year for your wedding, it's important to take your destination's weather patterns into account in addition to the findings that define national wedding season.
3. Are certain days of the week cheaper to get married during peak wedding season?
Some days of the week may bring lower costs than others. Generally speaking, Saturdays tend to be the most expensive day of the week to get married, especially during peak wedding season. Couples may be able to save money by opting for a less in-demand day, such as Sunday, Friday or even Thursday. While the difference in cost among days might not be drastic, being flexible with the day of your wedding may be able to help you stretch your budget especially if you're getting married between May through October, aka peak wedding season. This is an important question to ask a potential wedding venue.
4. Does wedding season affect guest attendance and travel costs?
Wedding season may have an impact on your guests, especially if your nuptials will take place in your chosen destination's peak travel season. Attendees who will need to book travel and accommodations may incur higher prices or surcharges depending on your wedding date, especially if it's on or around any holidays. While this doesn't have to be a dealbreaker when planning your wedding, it is an important factor to keep in mind during the planning process.
The Knot Editors' tip: One way to alleviate some of the financial burden on your guests is to set up hotel room blocks and coordinate transportation for out-of-towners.
5. Does wedding "off-season" actually save money on every line item?
While booking a wedding during the off-season may offer some financial relief, it's a myth that prices significantly drop simply because a wedding is taking place in the winter or spring. The average cost of a wedding—including specific line items—won't significantly fluctuate because of the time of year. While some vendors may offer off-season discounts, remember that many pros provide hospitality services that are a fixed price. (For example, the cost of hair and makeup won't go down in February versus September.)
6. What's the difference between "wedding season" and "engagement season"?
You may have heard statistics about engagement season, which is not to be confused with wedding season. While wedding season describes the most popular time of year for weddings, engagement season is the most popular time of year for engagements. According to The Knot data, 47% of couples get engaged between November and February, making this the most popular season for proposals. It's quite fitting, too, as the end of engagement season perfectly flows into the start of peak wedding season.
Additional reporting by Cathryn Haight.
