Pros And Cons To Getting Married In Different Seasons

There are positive and negative considerations when you get married in a particular season. One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is your venue, and availability at a particular time of year may influence your choice. The CB Wedding Manual provides downloadable and printable wedding planning guides, and we would like to offer some information here regarding pros and cons for your wedding in each season. 

If you met, fell in love, got engaged in winter, or it’s just your favorite season and you always dreamed of a winter wedding, there are definitely some things to consider. Winter is typically a slower time for weddings, so you may find significant discounts and/or increased availability for venues during the winter season. A beautiful, snowy background can provide a gorgeous photo opportunity. Marrying during the holidays or when it’s cold and snowy, can make for a lovely, warm celebration. 

The downside to a winter wedding may be that it’s very cold in some parts of the country! You’ll need to have an indoor ceremony and reception. Winter weather can be unpredictable, and you don’t want to experience canceled flights, weather delays, guests unable to find transportation, or a blizzard shutting down the entire operation!  If your wedding is in December, it may interfere with guest’s holiday plans, college testing or breaks, and flower availability may be limited. 

Spring weddings take advantage of nature’s rebirth, with everything lush and in bloom. Photographs in natural settings have stunning backgrounds in the spring, and the weather should be warmer, but not hot yet. Because there aren’t many major holidays in the spring and people are less likely to be taking vacations, you may find that most of your invited guests will be able to attend. 

The downside of spring weddings can be unpredictable weather. April showers make May flowers, mud, and puddles. You don’t want to say your “I do’s” in a downpour! This is also the height of allergy season, with everything blooming and high pollen counts. Spring, and particularly late spring, is the “wedding season”, which means venues and vendors may be more difficult to book, and prices may be higher. 

Summer provides the most opportunities for outdoor weddings, with the sun setting later, mild temperatures, and long summer nights perfect for receptions.  Summer is also peak bloom time, providing gorgeous backdrops for your wedding photographs. 

Summer wedding cons include humidity and insects, scorching sun, high temperatures, and harsh light. In some areas of the country, an indoor wedding and reception will be more comfortable for everyone in summer, as you can keep the air conditioning on!

Autumn tends to have the most reliable, mild weather. The beautiful changing leaves, and rich colors of the season make for stunning photographs, and minimal additional décor. Hearty meals make happy guests, and the lighting for photographs can be amazing in the fall. There may be more venue and vendor options with the wedding season slowing down. 

A fall wedding can bring some challenges, however. Budgets may be tighter after summer vacations and before the holidays, with major expenses more challenging for the couple and their guests. It’s football season, and you may find some guests unwilling to put their phones away! 

Whatever season you choose for your wedding, if you need professional wedding planner advice or a DIY wedding planner, reach out to us at The CB Wedding Manual! If you need a great place to begin planning - grab my freebie called Four Steps To Begin Successful Wedding Planning.

Happy Planning!