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4 Tips for Choosing a Wedding Season

There are few things to worry about when you’re newly engaged besides sporting your new bling and telling the proposal story to everyone who will listen. But, before long, you and your partner will be ready to jump right into wedding planning.

After all, there is so much to do! Where should you hold the ceremony and reception? What attire and accessories will your wedding party wear? Who will officiate the wedding? Which decorations and flowers align with your vision? What food and drinks should you serve?

While the questions can go on, you cannot answer any of them—or do much at all—until you’ve locked in your wedding date! (Psst, it’s also likely the first thing your would-be guests will ask when you break the news to them.)

If you plan to hold your celebration in California, the Golden State typically offers beautiful weather year-round. You’ll never go wrong picking a season, but having too many options can make it even more challenging to settle on a wedding date. Decision paralysis is real!

As you start to research venues and plan your wedding details, use this guide to help determine the time of year that best suits your I do’s. 

choosing a wedding season

Choose a season that feels right.

This may seem like obvious advice, but too many couples choose a wedding date (and season) because of external pressures from other people. But it’s your big day, so make sure to pick a wedding date that feels just right for you and your partner.

Do you have a sentimental connection to a particular season? Say you and your partner met in the fall, and the colorful leaves always remind you of those early days of falling in love. It would make sense to tie the knot between September and November as a nod to your humble beginnings! Or maybe you went on a memorable vacation together, in which case a summer wedding would serve as the perfect reminder of those sunny days.

On the other hand, some couples choose a season with the intention to set a mood. For example, perhaps you got engaged at a ski resort and took engagement pictures in cozy winter clothing. A spring or summer wedding may be the perfect way to balance that out and get the best of both worlds, both in terms of vibes and photography.

Consider travel arrangements.

Of course, you want all of your favorite people to surround you on your special day! As you choose a wedding date, be mindful that certain seasons are more challenging for guests to make travel plans. 

For instance, a holiday wedding could compete with guests’ established plans with their families. Plus, flights tend to be harder to book and carry a higher price tag which could be cost-restrictive for some attendees. 

On the flip side, summer weddings can be great since children are out of school and schedules open up — but, again, you might need to accept that certain people will already have vacation plans for their families.

Think about vendor availability and costs.

Peak wedding season usually runs from late spring to early fall, with most couples choosing to wed during these months. If you plan to get hitched between May and October, prepare for venues and vendors to fill up quickly. Increased demand for other wedding elements can also drive up costs, so plan accordingly.

On the other side of the calendar, January and February are considered off-season, so couples have a better chance to secure their dream wedding team with highly-rated and sought-after vendors (and they may even save money in the process!).

The shoulder seasons—March, April, November, and December—balance the benefits of peak season and off-season. Consider your desired timeline, spending plan, and preferred vendors as you select your perfect season!

Keep in mind the seasonality of resources.

Aside from vendors, you also need to consider the availability of the resources you want for your wedding. In particular, fresh flowers and food are seasonal, so sourcing out-of-season products can be costly, low-quality, and even impossible to procure — especially considering the current supply chain issues.

For instance, peonies and hydrangeas are hard to keep looking fresh in cold temperatures. The same goes for food—root vegetables are easy to find in winter, but not so much during summer. And if you want watermelon on the menu, you might be hard-pressed to find quality options for a winter wedding. So think about your desired menu and aesthetics to determine which season can bring them to life best.

At Los Willows, we are proud to have a four-season venue that allows us to host weddings all year long! So no matter when you picture your dream wedding, we’d love to help you make it a reality. Get in touch with us, and let’s bring it to life!

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