For some couples, it is a challenge to settle on the right wedding date – let alone the right season! If you’re trying to decide when in the year you want to throw your wedding, these are some of the main pros and cons of each season.
Spring
Pros:
- Abundance of Flowers: You’ll have a huge variety of flower options if you choose to throw a spring wedding. In-season blooms include peonies, lilacs, tulips, hydrangeas, and much more.
- Nature in Bloom: In addition to the wide variety of flowers you can choose from, you’ll also benefit from nature “waking up” after the winter. This means you’ll have lots of opportunities for beautiful backdrops for your wedding photos!
- More Options for Wedding Attire: Spring weather tends to be more mild, which means you should be comfortable in just about any wedding dress style – whether it is strapless or long sleeve. Of course, this depends a bit on your area and how early or late in the spring your wedding is.
Cons:
- Unpredictable Weather: While spring weather can be mild, there is a higher chance that you’ll run into some rain. This means that, if you’re planning on an outdoor wedding, you’ll need to have a plan B in place.
- Spring Holidays: While guests are less likely to have travel plans for spring holidays like they would winter holidays, you will need to keep these dates in mind. There are religious holidays, like Passover, Ramadan, Easter, and Palm Sunday. There’s also Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day at the very end of the season, as well as graduation ceremonies.
- Increased Vendor Prices: Spring weddings are popular, and you’ll see that reflected in vendor prices. This is especially true as you get closer to summer.
Summer
Pros:
- Long Days: Summer means longer days, so you’ll have more daylight to work with. Not only does this mean you and your guests get to enjoy more sunshine, but it also means you’ll have more time to take photos in natural light. You’ll also be able to host your ceremony later in the day but still have sunlight.
- Comfortable Night-Time Weather: Once the heat of the day wears off, you’ll be able to enjoy mild weather at night. This means you and your guests can comfortably celebrate outdoors during the reception.
- Abundance of Food Choices: Summer weddings have the benefit of lots of in-season produce. This means that you’ll have tons of options while creating a delicious menu with your caterer.
Cons:
- Hotter Daytime Weather: The summer heat can make planning your wedding timeline a little tricky. You won’t want to host your ceremony too early in the day (if it is outdoors), because you don’t want to expose you and your guests to uncomfortable heat. The bride and bridesmaids will also need to be prepared to heat-proof their makeup and hair looks.
- Summer Vacations: Of course, it can be impossible to predict when invited guests will be jetting off for summer vacations. You may be competing with travel plans, which could mean you’ll get a few more “no” RSVPs.
- Booked Out Vendors and Higher Prices: Wedding season will be in full swing by the time summer rolls around. This means that you’ll need to start booking out vendors far in advance – and you’ll also need to prepare for higher prices for the season.
Fall
Pros:
- Flexibility in Wedding Style: With a fall wedding, you can fully commit to an autumnal aesthetic with richer color tones. That said, it is still close enough to summer that it is appropriate to use more playful colors and lighter decor textures– so you can go in any direction you’d like.
- Cool Yet Comfortable Weather: The weather will start cooling down, but it shouldn’t get so chilly that you’ll be uncomfortable outdoors. This means you can still enjoy an outdoor venue without having to worry about overheating or getting too cold.
- Fall Foliage: You’ll have the perfect natural backdrop if you live in an area that experiences lots of fall foliage. These colors and textures instantly amplify outdoor fall wedding photos.
Cons:
- Early Fall Vendor Availability: September and October are still very popular wedding months. This means that vendors are likely to be booked out far in advance.
- Tighter Guest Budgets: Fall can be a difficult time financially for many, since people may have spent more on summer vacations, and are planning on spending during the holidays. This means that some potential guests may be more wary of their spending, which might make it difficult to commit to coming to your wedding – especially if they are coming in from out of town.
Winter
Pros:
- Gorgeous Snow: If you live in a snowy climate, the snow creates a beautiful backdrop for your celebration – and will look incredible in your wedding photos!
- Pre-Decorated Venues: If you’re lucky, your venue may already be decked out in holiday decor. This means you’ll need to spend less time and money on decorations.
- Cozy Vibes: The cooler weather means there are a ton of options to create a cozy feel at your winter wedding. From playing with textures like fur and velvet, to lighting up candles and a fireplace, and putting out a hot cocoa bar, the options are endless.
Cons:
- Potential Inclement Weather: Sure, having a snowy backdrop is romantic, but there is also a downside to winter weather. It can throw a wrench in travel schedules, especially if a lot of guests are flying in.
- Busy Schedules: The winter can be busy for guests, especially if your wedding is right around the holidays. This may mean you’ll have less guests who are able to commit to attending your wedding. You’ll also have to secure a venue and date on the earlier side (compared to less busy seasons) so that you can send out save-the-dates early.
- Expensive Travel: Unsurprisingly, airfare and hotel accommodations spike around late December and early January, making it more of a financial burden for guests coming in from out of town. That said, if you’re throwing a later winter wedding, this will be less of an issue.
- Less Outdoor Time: If you love the idea of getting married outdoors, a winter wedding likely isn’t the best choice for you. While this might not be a big deal for all couples, you’ll likely need to stick with an indoor space. You’ll also be working with shorter days, which means you have less time with natural daylight for your photos.
If you are in the process of planning your wedding, come to the next Georgia Bridal Show near you. You will have the chance to meet with professional wedding vendors of all talents who can help bring your vision to life!
Georgia wedding vendors, as well as other wedding professionals across the Southeast, can contact us about opportunities for exhibition and online marketing with Georgia Bridal Show.