What Season Should I Get Married?

What Season Should I Get Married? The Pros and Cons of Each Season

There are benefits and drawbacks to every wedding planning decision you make and choosing which season you should get married in, is no different. Weather not only affects your wedding’s style and location, it can also help set a mood.

Consider your wedding personality, then choose your season accordingly. Do you envision bright floral centerpieces, tropical cocktails and a sunny, outdoor ceremony? Summer may be the season for you! Dreaming of snowfall and holiday sparkle? Try a winter wedding. At end of the day, your wedding will be great – no matter the season. The following list is meant to help you as you plan.

A few things to keep in mind…

• Attendance will be determined by a few factors. Ultimately, the earlier you can get the date and information to your guests, the more they are able to plan for your wedding, instead of having to rearrange schedules.
• Living in Michigan means that unpredictable weather is part of the deal. There is a level of this in every season, it is just reality.

Winter: December to February

PROS

• Less busy, may have more flexibility with choice of venue and (possibly) lower price.
• There are fewer weddings in the winter, so your wedding will be a standout right off the bat!

CONS

• Potential chaos of the holiday season – with parties, travel and budgets, it is a reality to consider.
• Unpredictable weather can make traveling a little tricky and costly (again, due to the holidays).

Spring: March to May

PROS

• There are so many great options for flowers in bloom during the spring, so you won’t have to worry about finding fresh peonies, roses, sweet peas, lilacs, hydrangeas, tulips, calla lilies, gerbera daisies, alstroemerias, and sunflowers. You will also have many different colors and arrangement ideas to choose from and may save money on the flowers because they are in season. Besides bouquets, fresh flowers are delightful to decorate with, from pillars of flowers at the ceremony to arrangements for the table centerpieces.
• Endless Color Pallet: Think: pretty colors like shades of pink, red, violet, yellow, blue and white. Whether you prefer the standard spring pastels or more vibrant combinations, your colors won’t be limited by the time of year.
• This is the very start of “wedding season” so you could be on the front end instead of in the middle of the pack.

CONS

• Potential allergies for you or your guests, especially if an outdoor ceremony or reception are planned.
• Again, finicky weather. It could be 35 degrees or 80 degrees, that’s part of the fun of living in Michigan.
• Consider wedding dates to avoid – holidays, school breaks, and other important activities.

Summer: June to August

PROS

• People may have more free time/vacation time available, allowing for more flexibility than usual.
• Great time for outdoor ceremonies (beautiful lighting and longer days)
• Opportunity to get married by the water, especially in metro Detroit

CONS

• It is already wedding season and people may have several weddings to attend in a short amount of time.
• Vacations/trips may already be scheduled and difficult to change.
• The weather could be very hot and/or rainy.

Fall: September to November

PROS

• Generally the fall is not as popular as spring or summer, so vendors may be more attentive and more people may be able to attend.
• The beauty of changing leaves and fall scenery can be worked into your color scheme or wedding.
• You can have a lot of fun with the menu or favors, using what autumn is known for (cider, warm doughnuts, soup, etc.)

CONS

• School is back in session, so the relaxed schedule of summer is gone. Parents with school-aged kids may have a more difficult time if they need to travel and find childcare or take their children out of school.
• Keep in mind the time change as you are planning. If you are planning to have outdoor pictures, you may need bump up the time of ceremony or do them beforehand.
• Holidays and football games. These are not a deal breaker, but it is good to know if there may a conflict. And if there is a big football game, your guests may appreciate having the game on at the reception before you arrive.