What's the Best Month to Get Married? A Complete Guide to Wedding Months in the UK

When it comes to choosing your wedding date, it's hard to know what the best wedding month to get married in the UK is. Ultimately, choosing the right month to get married will always depend on what your wedding budget is, what your vision is for the day and what seasons you love the most. 

There's a lot to consider, and it's worth noting that popular wedding venues can get booked up two to three years in advance, especially for dates in peak wedding season - but don't let that put you off the process of choosing a wedding venue! Because luckily for you, we're here to help...

The best time to get married for you will be determined by a number of factors, and our guide to knowing the best month to get married in will help you whittle down your options and pinpoint the perfect date for you. 

How to Choose Your Wedding Month: A Month by Month Breakdown

Struggling to decide when to get married? Whether your wedding date decision is based on availability, budget or you're hoping to hold your wedding on a sentimental date, we run through the advantages and disadvantages of each month. 

Whilst British weather can be unpredictable at times, we also take a look at the best month to get married based on UK weather. Taking the averages into account, you can give yourself the best chance of that sunny summer celebration or that crisp winter wedding based on averages from previous years. 

January - The Best Wedding Month for Couples on a Budget

January is a quiet month for weddings. It's often the least popular month for couples to get married with just under 2% of 2023 weddings taking place in the first month of the year. However, this can absolutely work in your favour - don't let a lack of January weddings deter you from choosing it as your wedding month. You may even get a bargain winter wedding venue!

Pros of a January Wedding Month:

• There's no denying a January wedding will cost you much less than weddings in other months of the year - this is due to the low demand for January wedding dates.
• Your dream wedding venue may be booked up in peak wedding season, but they are likely to be available in January.
• It gives everyone something to look forward to post-Christmas. 
• Also - who doesn't want to start a brand new year as a married couple? 

Cons of a January Wedding Month: 

• There's no denying that the weather in January can be a little gloomy. 
• Some people may find themselves slightly short on cash after splashing out over the festive period, however, if you give your guests plenty of notice when it comes to your wedding date, they will have lots of time to set aside some spending money for the bar - and your wedding gift! 

January Weather: UK Averages

Average Temperature: High - 7°C, Low - 1°C

Average Rainfall: 15 days of rain or snow totalling 4.8 inches

Average Sunshine: 48 hours of sunshine

February - The Best Wedding Month for Hot Honeymoons

February is another wedding month that is less popular with wedding couples. In 2023, February will see just under 3% of all UK weddings take place - slightly more than January, still less than peak wedding season. However, February still has plenty to offer couples.

Pros of a February Wedding Month: 

• Similarly to January, February is considered low wedding season so you can get yourself a seriously good value wedding package and excellent value for money.
• As well as being kind to your budget, February has a number of celebrations that you could tie into your wedding. Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year and Pancake Day all fall within this party month.
• February also has a half term holiday, making it great for midweek weddings that suit your teacher pals and any wedding guests with young school-aged children. Getting married in the week can see your venue hire more than halve!
• February may be a cold month for the UK, but it's the perfect time to jet off to a sunny island in the Caribbean, the Maldives, Oman or Cambodia. If you're looking to honeymoon straight after your wedding, February is by far the best month to get married. 

Cons of a February Wedding Month: 

• February is a cold month, the last of winter, to be exact - it does, however, have less rain than January and 24 hours more sunshine. And look, not everyone's dream wedding requires beaming sun and an outdoor reception. If you're more of a fluffy hat and gloves kind of couple, you could definitely embrace the frost.

February Weather: UK Averages

Average Temperature: High - 7°C, Low - 1°C

Average Rainfall: 13 days of rain or snow totalling 3.8 inches

Average Sunshine: 72 hours of sunshine

March - The Best Wedding Month for Spring Weddings

March sees many more weddings than January and February, hosting almost as many as those two months combined. 4.5% of 2023 weddings are set to take place in March and, whilst it's not exactly the height of summer, this Spring month has so many reasons to want to host a wedding. 

Pros of a March Wedding Month: 

• March marks new beginnings as it's the beginning of spring, one of the prettiest seasons in the UK. Gardens filled with daffodils, crocuses and blossom will make the perfect backdrop at any March wedding, specifically towards the end of the month! 
• March is a great month to get married if you enjoy the sun, but aren't a fan of the heat it brings. It's renowned for its bright sunny days, paired with fresh, breezy climates. You get all the light, without the humidity of summer. 
• Whilst it isn't as cheap as winter months are, March is still considered low wedding season and there are plenty of deals to be had, specifically on weekday wedding packages. March is by far the cheapest spring month to get married in. 

Cons of a March Wedding Month: 

• March marks the beginning of spring, but it's still no stranger to rain and even snow in some years. Though the sun is often shining in March, we wouldn't recommend risking an outdoor wedding just yet. 
• Lent takes place in March for those who celebrate it, so some of your guests may have given up things - but that shouldn't impact your wedding day too much.
• Ramadan also begins in March and ends in April. It's important to consider Muslim guests who may be fasting during daylight hours and ensuring there is ample food left when they are able to eat in the evening. 

March Weather: UK Averages

Average Temperature: High - 9°C, Low - 2°C

Average Rainfall: 13 days of rain or snow totalling 3.4 inches

Average Sunshine: 109 hours of sunshine

April - The Best Wedding Month for Warm(ish) Weddings on a Budget

Yes, we know that April is technically a spring month, but it also plays host to the beginning of British Summer Time, meaning longer days, lighter evenings and an increase in temperature. Because of this, popularity for April almost doubles in comparison to March, with 8.7% of 2023 weddings taking place in this bright and beautiful month.

Pros of an April Wedding Month: 

• April still counts as low season for many wedding venues, meaning their hire prices are often still much lower than high season which technically runs from May to September. 
• The clocks go back on the last Sunday in March, meaning longer, brighter days can be enjoyed for the whole of April. This benefits couples that want to sport a twilight wedding and have outdoor wedding photographs taken in the evening. 
• April also sees the first two-week school holiday for most schools over Easter. Depending when the Easter weekend falls, the half term holiday tends to fall within the first two to three weeks of the month. 
• If you're into your flowers, April is the best month to get married as so many of your favourite blooms will have come into season including anemones, marigolds, freesias and lily of the valley. When flowers are in season, they are much cheaper and easier for wedding florists to source as opposed to trying to get them when they're out of season. 

Cons of an April Wedding Month: 

• Prices do start to go up in April.
• Easter, Ramadan and Passover all fall in April, meaning people may be booked up months or even a year in advance with family gatherings and religious celebrations. However, there is a bank holiday over the Easter weekend, meaning people could have more flexibility to move family celebrations to the extra day instead. Be warned though, bank holiday weddings can come with an added price tag. 

April Weather: UK Averages

Average Temperature: High - 12°C, Low - 4°C

Average Rainfall: 12 days of rain or snow totalling 2.8 inches

Average Sunshine: 155 hours of sunshine

May - The Best Wedding Month for Long Weekend Weddings

Just over 12% of all UK weddings in 2023 will take place in May as this month officially marks the beginning of high wedding season. Whilst wedding season comes with an added charge, May is the quietest month within the peak season, so it poses your best bet at getting a good deal in the busiest five months of the year. 

Whilst it's not the busiest month for weddings, May actually has the most popular wedding date for 2023 with more than 2% of all UK weddings this year taking place on Saturday 27th May - which is more weddings than the whole of January!

Pros of a May Wedding Month: 

• Whilst May still falls in spring, it's the first month of the year where temperatures really begin to spike. Between the high temperatures (specifically in recent years!) and the extra sunlight, May can give couples a really summery wedding feel without the price tag that actual summer weddings have.
• As May is the beginning of wedding season, your friends who are attending dozens of weddings throughout the year are unlikely to have wedding fatigue. You don't want to be one of those couples receiving that rude wedding comment at the end of a busy wedding season.
• May is the only month in the year that has two permanent bank holidays, one at the beginning and one at the end. Well spread out, this gives you ample opportunity to enjoy a three-day wedding celebration where the majority of your guests won't have to take annual leave.

Cons of a May Wedding Month: 

• Whilst bank holidays, on the surface, seem like a huge pro to many couples, us Brits love a bank holiday. Any excuse for a long weekend away and we're there - so you may find guest availability is sparse. Avoid disappointment by ensuring you send your RSVPs as early as possible. 
• Though the weather spikes in May, there are still some chilly, breezy days so an if you're planning an outdoor wedding, be sure to have a back up plan for a cold or rainy day as, on average, May sees the same 2.8 inches of rain as you do in April - however, with 192 hours on average, May is the sunniest month of the year!

May Weather: UK Averages

Average Temperature: High - 15°C, Low - 6°C

Average Rainfall: 11 days of rain totalling 2.8 inches

Average Sunshine: 192 hours of sunshine

June - The Best Wedding Month for Dry Honeymoons

June is set to see 14% of all 2023 weddings take place in this sunny month, and we can totally understand why. June marks the first month of summer, officially, however it's the only summer month that falls completely outside of any school summer holidays.

Pros of a June Wedding Month: 

• Whilst universities will have broken up, primary and secondary schools will have a full term in June, meaning midweek venue prices will be much cheaper than during the holidays.
• If you're planning to honeymoon straight after your wedding, you'll be in luck with a June date as the summer holidays cause travel prices to spike, with many families looking to get away. June sees much cheaper deals.
• Speaking of honeymoons, June is a great month to jet off to a honeymoon in Europe with many destinations across the continent offering excellent weather and slightly off-peak prices. It's also dry season for some of the best honeymoon destinations in the world such as Zanzibar, Borneo, Tanzania and the Seychelles. 
• As summer is finally here, you can start to think about outdoor wedding ideas and true summer wedding styles in June and the average rainfall is actually less in June than they are in July and August. Though the average high temperature in June is 18°C, in 2022 the hottest day of the year fell in June, with a record-breaking temperature of over 40°C.

Cons of a June Wedding Month: 

• June is a busy month in the world of sport and will therefore have a number of wedding dates to avoid if you don't want your wedding to clash with a major sporting event.
• Whilst June is great for cheaper midweek weddings, the fact that schools are still in session means this could be an issue for couples planning a wedding with lots of school-aged children on the guestlist. Even if you're having a child-free wedding, guests who are parents may still struggle to travel for your nuptials whilst their children are in school. 
• For 2024 weddings, Eid falls right in the middle of June. If you or any of your guests are Muslim, you may want to avoid this date as celebrations with family and friends during this religious holiday may take priority. 

June Weather: UK Averages

Average Temperature: High - 18°C, Low - 9°C

Average Rainfall: 12 days of rain totalling 3 inches

Average Sunshine: 171 hours of sunshine

July - The Best Wedding Month for Summer Weddings 

Just over 15% of summer weddings in 2023 will take place in July, and it very nearly ties August for the most popular wedding month of the year. Along with August, July is considered to be the height of summer, offering soaring temperatures along with those beautiful summer vibes. 

Pros of a July Wedding Month: 

• The second half of July falls in the summer holidays, meaning that whether you're planning a child-friendly or child-free wedding, this month can be the perfect fit for you. Along with offering great sunny weather, on average, July is actually a drier month than August, so if you're petrified of rain on your wedding day, July is your best bet. 
• July is a great month to get married if you're planning a UK mini-moon as the warm weather offers you plenty of options before you jet off for a long-haul holiday later on in the year. It's also perfect for tying your honeymoon in with summer events and festivals if that's what you and your partner love to do.
• Outdoor weddings are in full swing in July and the average temperature in July is actually one degree warmer than the average in August.

Cons of a July Wedding Month: 

• Being one of the most popular months to get married, July weddings, specifically weekend dates, are going to cost much more than other, less popular months. You'll always pay a premium for securing a summer wedding date, but many couples think the added cost is well worth it for that ultimate summer wedding vibe. 
• Another potential con for getting married in July is that this is one of the most popular months for people to go on their own summer holiday. Holidays are very often booked a year or two in advance, so don't be surprised if there are a few guests who can't make it due to holiday clashes. 

July Weather: UK Averages

Average Temperature: High - 20°C, Low - 11°C

Average Rainfall: 12 days of rain totalling 3.2 inches

Average Sunshine: 171 hours of sunshine

August - The Best Wedding Month for Family-Friendly Weddings 

August is the most popular month to get married with more than 20,000 weddings taking place, accounting for just over 15% of all 2023 weddings. It's the month most associated with summer, meaning couples who are dreaming of a summer wedding in the UK often have August as their number one month. There's also a bank holiday at the end of the month, suiting three-day weddings perfectly!

Pros of an August Wedding Month: 

• August is the only month of the year which is fully covered by national school holidays, making it the most family-friendly month to get married as it benefits both weddings where children are invited, as well as weddings where parents (or teachers!) are attending. 
• August, of course, is renowned for its gorgeous sunny temperatures - much like June and July - making it perfect for a sunny outdoor wedding.

Cons of an August Wedding Month: 

• We're not going to beat around the bush here, August weddings are arguably the most expensive of all the wedding months. There's no wedding date pricier than a Saturday in August, it's prime wedding date real estate as the high demand drives up the price.
• Similar to late July, August will see many of your wedding guests planning holidays and summer trips so make sure you get your invitations out nice and early to avoid disappointment. 

August Weather: UK Averages

Average Temperature: High - 19°C, Low - 11°C

Average Rainfall: 13 days of rain totalling 3.7 inches

Average Sunshine: 162 hours of sunshine

September - The Best Wedding Month for Late Summer Celebrations

Ending wedding season is one of the best months to get married - of course, we're talking about sunny September. September weddings have grown significantly in popularity, with the second and fourth most popular wedding dates of 2021 falling in this month.

This year, it was more popular as a month than on particular dates, and was crowned fourth most popular wedding month for 2023, hosting just under 13% of all weddings this year. 

Pros of a September Wedding Month: 

• Peak wedding season runs from May to September, so this month is still considered a super busy time for weddings. However, prices for weddings towards the end of September are less than at the start, so there may be a deal to be had. 
• Though September marks the beginning of the autumn season, the weather is still fairly warm. Breezy, bright and full of sunshine, September offers just a slightly cooler climate than the summer months, with many an outdoor wedding to still be enjoyed. What's more, the lighting is generally softer in autumn than in summer, giving you the best chance of securing breath-taking wedding pictures. 
• Having a September wedding can see you make savings on honeymoons and midweek venue hire as schools are very much back in business come the start of September. Interestingly, you're also likely to have slightly less rain at a September wedding than in August.

Cons of a September Wedding Month: 

• Whilst we're out of summer, and there could be a deal to be had, September is still a much more expensive month to get married than its cooler counterparts, and a Saturday in September is particularly sought after, driving prices right up.
• September also plays host to Yom Kippur, the holiest of holidays in the Jewish faith, something to keep in mind for those celebrating. 
• Towards the end of the month, it does start to get darker earlier so if you're planning a light-filled al-fresco party late into the night, you may want to reconsider.
• Finally, as schools are back, parents may struggle to attend midweek weddings with their children as it's much harder to secure approved time off from school at the beginning of the year than it is in the final half term when exams and assessments have all taken place - and the same goes for teachers looking to take days off. 

September Weather: UK Averages

Average Temperature: High - 17°C, Low - 9°C

Average Rainfall: 12 days of rain totalling 3.6 inches

Average Sunshine: 127 hours of sunshine

October - The Best Wedding Month for Autumn Weddings

In October, the number of weddings drops by half in comparison to September, as peak wedding season officially ends. In 2023, 6.7% of weddings will take place in October. This pretty autumn month is less popular than high wedding season months, but don't underestimate what it can deliver...

Pros of an October Wedding Month: 

• October marks the height of autumn, one of the prettiest seasons of them all.
• October is also cheaper when it comes to wedding venue hire and costs, meaning you can secure an early October date with sunny spells for a fraction of the price you'd normally pay in high seasons.
• Though the weather does drop at this time of year, October is still considered to be a fairly mild month with, on average, a little more than 1 inch more rain than September and August.
• October also has a half term holiday, making it a great time to plan a midweek wedding which will save you even more money on your overall wedding spend. Note that half terms in October often differ depending on where you live, with some schools breaking up for two weeks, others just for one. 

Cons of an October Wedding Month: 

• Whilst it's not a huge spike, the average monthly rainfall does increase in October and the temperatures do decline, but only by a few degrees.
• The hours of sunlight do decrease quite significantly, dropping by more than 30 hours on average.
• Halloween falls in October, right at the end. If you don't want to embrace any Halloween wedding ideas, you may want to steer clear of the last weekend in October. You may also have guests who are fancy-dress fanatics, obsessed with couples Halloween costumes and somewhat gutted that your wedding is interfering with their spooky celebrations. 

October Weather: UK Averages

Average Temperature: High - 13°C, Low - 6°C

Average Rainfall: 15 days of rain and snow totalling 4.8 inches

Average Sunshine: 92 hours of sunshine

November - The Best Wedding Month for Autumn Deals

November sees less weddings than October as peak wedding season moves further and further away. In total, November will host just under 3% of all weddings in 2023, making it one of the best months to get married if you're looking to get excellent value for your money. 

Pros of a November Wedding Month: 

• Getting married in November is much cheaper than busier and warmer wedding months. Wedding venues will often have low-season wedding packages and deals for November dates and we really think they are worth considering.
• November, March and April are the only months in low wedding season that fall outside of winter, and November is quieter for weddings than both March and April - by a considerable amount! This means you can score an incredible price for a wedding, and it doesn't have to fall in winter, making it perfect for autumn-loving couples planning a wedding on a budget.
• Bonfire Night on the 5th November could also be a great way to incorporate wedding fireworks into your celebrations.

Cons of a November Wedding Month: 

• The end of November can very much feel like winter, even though technically it's still autumn. Very few outdoor weddings will take place in November as rain levels rise at this time of year, though there is something really cosy about a crisp November day - and it's a great time to host a low-season wedding before Christmas takes over. 
• The festival of Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. Running for five days (starting on November 1st in 2024), the festival of light consists of many celebrations that you should keep in mind to avoid dates clashing. In addition to this, Jain New Year takes place at the end of November, on the first day after the month of Kartika - another important religious date to consider. 
• Hours of sunlight decrease significantly in November too, going from an average of 92 hours in October, to just 58 in November. 

November Weather: UK Averages

Average Temperature: High - 9°C, Low - 4°C

Average Rainfall: 16 days of rain and snow totalling 4.9 inches

Average Sunshine: 58 hours of sunshine

December - The Best Wedding Month for Affordable Festive Weddings

December, though festive and fun, is one of the least popular wedding months of the year, coming second to January. Just 2.5% of 2023 weddings will take place in December this year, but if you've learnt anything in this article, it's that low season can lead to bags of opportunities for couples. Christmas wedding? Why not!

Wondering if December is the best month to get married? Uniquely, December is a wedding month that has both the most pros and cons in equal measure. Here's some to help you make your decision. 

Pros of a December Wedding Month: 

• Getting married in December has so many plusses. Firstly, it's the ultimate party season. There's no month in the year where people are more up for a party and a festive tipple than December, making it a great time to host a wedding and add to the celebrations. 
• December also hosts New Year's Eve, one of the biggest celebrations of the year. Did you know you can legally get married on New Year's Eve and start the next year as newlyweds? So cool!
• Whilst Christmas isn't for everyone, for couples who do love it, a Christmas-themed wedding can be truly magical. You can choose to go all-out on the theme, or have just a few tokens of Christmas detailing.
• December plays host to a two-week, sometimes more, school holiday, national bank holidays and is also one of the only times in the year that many businesses close (between Christmas Day and New Year), meaning midweek availability amongst your guests will be at an all-time high.
• Lastly, you might get snow!

Cons of a December Wedding Month: 

• Whilst party season may feel like a great time to host a wedding, we all know how difficult it is to get drinks with friends in the diary around Christmas, let alone getting 100+ people together for a wedding. It's totally doable, don't let us scare you off, but don't be surprised if a handful of your guests can't make a wedding during this super busy period. 
• As it's the month of Christmas, Christmas parties, present buying and socialising, people often feel as though December is one of the most expensive months of the year - and we all know attending a wedding isn't cheap. 
• We'd encourage you to give your guests at least one year's notice, if not more for a December wedding.
• December and the New Year are synonymous with colds, the flu and a number of nasty bugs that tend to spread at this time of year. It's like your body knows you have plenty to celebrate. If you're a particularly sickly person, avoid this month. You don't want to be ill for your own wedding. 

December Weather: UK Averages

Average Temperature: High - 7°C, Low - 1°C

Average Rainfall: 16 days of rain and snow totalling 5 inches

Average Sunshine: 43 hours of sunshine

How to Choose Your Wedding Month?

If you're not sure when to get married, and are pretty open to suggestions, here's some tips on how you can choose the best wedding month for you. 

1. Consider Your Meaningful Dates

Many couples choose a wedding date that means something to them, so think about times that meant something to you and your relationship: anniversaries, a year on from the proposal, the date you met and so on.

You could also think about the times of year you particularly enjoy together - are you big fans of Bonfire Night? Love Halloween? It doesn't mean you have to get married on those exact dates, but having your wedding in the corresponding month means you can more easily include elements of your favourite time of year.

2. Set Your Wedding Budget 

As you already know, summer months are most popular for weddings so getting married at that time can drive up the price of venues. Because of this, setting a budget will help you decide on a wedding date. With a budget in place, dates that are out of your price range are eliminated, helping to narrow down the options.

As well as knowing your budget, working out how long you need to save up for your dream wedding can give you an idea of which months are within reach.

3. Think About Neat Numbers

There's something particularly satisfying about a date with double or repeating numbers - not least because it's easy to remember for future anniversaries - so look at getting married in a month that'll give you a numerical pattern if you're into visually pleasing dates.

We're talking dates like 10th October (10/10) or 4th April (04/04). You can also look at dates that incorporate the specific year. For 2023, that could be 23rd March (23/3/23) or 3rd February (3/2/23) and for 2024, you could look at 24th April (24/4/24) or 4th February (4/2/24).

4. Consider Your Guests' Schedules

While your day is all about you as a couple, when choosing the best month for getting married you need to consider the people you definitely want to be there and whether your choice of date will work for them.

For example, if your maid of honour is a teacher, she’ll be unable to take time off during the week during term-time, so you’ll either need to have a weekend wedding, or a wedding during the school holidays if you want a weekday wedding. In general, a weekend wedding is the best for guests, as it means fewer people will need to book time off work.

Don’t let this be the sole factor in your decision, though. If a weekday wedding works out considerably cheaper and you’re happy with not getting married on a weekend, go with it.

5. Avoid Wedding Date Clashes

It’s common sense to avoid family birthdays and anniversaries. You may also want to consider whether other friends are getting married around the time you want to. Of course, every wedding is unique and special, but if several couples from the same family/friendship group get married within a few weeks of each other, it's possible for guests to get a measure of celebration fatigue.

There are also national wedding dates to avoid for bank holidays, sporting events and other nationwide celebrations.

6. Think About the Weather

Think about the sort of temperature you thrive in - it's all about your comfort on the day. While summer weddings are the dream for some couples, not everyone loves hot weather. If you think you'd be happier with a wedding in a cooler month, go for it. After all, you can get some stunning winter wedding dresses.

7. Plan Your Seasonal Elements

Flower availability could come into play; if you've always known you want a peony bouquet and won't budge on this, you'll need to pick a month when these blooms are in season. The same goes for your wedding breakfast, if you're a foodie couple - which ingredients will be in season, and how will these affect the dishes you choose?

8. Choose a Colour Scheme

Put together some mood boards to help come up with a rough colour scheme or theme, then you can think about which season would best suit your vision. Pastel palettes look amazing at spring weddings, whereas opulent gold and reds lend themselves better to winter weddings. 

9. Decide on a Type of Wedding Venue

Your wedding venue plays a big part in choosing a wedding month - not least because the time of year you get married will influence how you use the spaces. If you find you're drawn to venues because of their amazing outdoor spaces, choose a month that will allow you to make the most of them.

Similarly, if you’ve always dreamt of a tipi wedding, summer is best as even with heating, it can get very chilly under canvas as night draws in. 

10. Look at Your Work Schedule

As boring as it is, you need to consider your jobs when selecting a wedding date. If there's a time of year that's often particularly stressful for one or both of you, that's probably not the best time to add a wedding to the mix.

You also need to think about whether you want to go on honeymoon straight after the big day or are happy to wait. If it's important to you to have the honeymoon close to the wedding, check that you'll be able to get the time off - and look at which destinations are good to visit weather-wise at that time.

Once you have your date, it's time for the exciting bit - letting people know! Here are some seriously unique save the date ideas that will get your guests excited for your wedding, however far in the future it's taking place.

*Average UK weather statistics are taken from CurrentResults and are based on UK Averages between 1991 and 2020.