The Best Time of Year to Get Married (By Budget, Weather, and Venue)
When you get married affects everything — cost, weather, venue availability, and guest turnout. Here's the data on every season.
Peak Season: June-October
Pros: Best weather, longest days, outdoor venues at their prime. Cons: Highest prices (20-40% premium), vendors book 12+ months out, popular venues are taken. If you want a Saturday in September at a top venue, you need to book 18 months ahead.
Off-Season: November-March
Pros: 20-40% lower venue costs, easier vendor booking, more date flexibility. Cons: Cold weather limits outdoor options, holiday conflicts (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's), shorter days mean less natural light for photos.
The Sweet Spots
May and early June: Beautiful weather, slightly less competition than peak summer. September-October: Gorgeous fall colors, comfortable temperatures. January-February: The deepest discounts if you don't mind cold.
Day of the Week Matters
Saturday weddings cost the most. Friday evening weddings save 10-20%. Sunday weddings save 20-30%. Weekday weddings can save 40-50% but expect lower attendance.
By Region
Phoenix and Las Vegas are best October-April (summer is brutally hot). Seattle and Portland are best June-September (less rain). Miami is best November-April (avoids hurricane season). Denver is gorgeous May-October.
The Bottom Line
If budget is your priority, go off-season or a non-Saturday date. If weather and outdoor options matter most, go peak season and book early. There's no wrong time to get married — just different trade-offs.