Photo by For the Love of It
One of the biggest—if not the biggest—tasks when wedding planning is choosing a date for your upcoming nuptials. It basically determines your entire vision for the day, and even has the power to dictate what you'll wear and who you'll invite. But that's not all: The time you choose to say "I do" also plays a massive role in shaping your overall wedding planning budget.
Those who get married during peak wedding season, for example, often have to spend more for their venue, florals, and décor, among other details, due to high demand. On the contrary, couples who opt for off-peak months can find themselves saving hundreds and thousands of dollars on wedding planning expenses. “Choosing an off-peak month is definitely a savvy financial decision and couples can truly benefit from the cost savings,” says wedding planner Fallon Carter. That being said, when exactly should a couple tie the knot when trying to save money?
Meet the Expert
- Fallon Carter is the host of Betches Brides, and is also the founder and creative director of Fallon Carter Events.
- Lisa Lafferty is a Beverly Hills-based wedding and event planner, and the founder of Lisa Lafferty Events.
- AJ Williams is an event planner and the founder of AJ Events.
Ahead, we asked the experts to break down the most affordable months to get married. Before diving in, however, Carter offers a piece of advice for those who'd like a budget-friendly date to say "I do": "Understand exactly what you’re seeking first, then plan a wedding that meets those needs versus picking a month that you don’t like so you can afford it." Read on for more.
January
It probably comes as no surprise that January isn't the most popular wedding month of all time, especially for people who live in cold, wintry climates. However, if you’re okay with a potential winter wonderland setting, you could save some major cash by booking your big day during this time.
New England-based event planner AJ Williams notes that January is typically more affordable since it falls outside of peak wedding season. Meaning, hotels, delivery fees, photographers, and DJs may all have lower rates due to the slower demand. “More choices in general will be available: linens, specialty rentals, and vendors to select from who may not have a waitlist for those dates,” Williams adds. Carter agrees and also points out that, "Venues and vendors may offer some discounts because they want to fill those dates."
That's not to say that January doesn't come without its disadvantages, though. Carter highlights that couples who want to get married in January should pay close attention to the weather, based on the venue's locale, and asses what that will mean for the overall guest experience. This includes being mindful of the fact that any major snowstorm could potentially delay or cancel a guest's flight or road trip.
February
Similar to January, February's wintry climate lends itself to being an affordable month for wedding ceremonies. That said, there are a few downsides to getting married during this love-filled month. According to wedding and event planner Lisa Lafferty, couples should skip dates around Valentine’s Day, as they could potentially pay more for florals due to increased demand. Also, if you envision having a ski resort wedding, February (and January) will be more expensive since it’s typically their busy season. Lastly, Carter notes that February, and other winter months, are considered high season for tropical locales. So, if you're considering a destination wedding, it's best not to get married during this time as "people are running away from the snow to get to the beach," she explains.
Winter can also impact the look and feel of your photography and ceremony, especially when it’s pitch black after 5 p.m. “If you are going to consider a month outside of the ‘wedding season,’ think about daylight,” advises Carter. “As much as we love natural light, there are shorter days in the winter months and that might impact the timing and lighting of the wedding.”
March
Given that March has a reputation for being volatile, weather-wise, getting married during this "fringe" month will allow you to save a good amount of money due to less demand. So if the unpredictability of the weather doesn't scare you, you can likely find the venue of your dreams for a fraction of the costs (just don't forget to have a rain contingency plan). “Spring months can still be unpredictable with the weather, but dreamy color palettes and the essence of new beginnings, fresh starts, and growth inspire weddings during these months,” adds Lafferty.
November
Since peak wedding season usually ends around late September (with some weddings trickling into early October), November serves as a great time to tie the knot if you're looking to save some cash. However, keep your location in mind when determining if November is the right affordable month for you. For instance, though this month offers beautiful fall weather in some regions of the United States, you may experience sleet and snow in other areas. Another tip? Be sure to steer clear of setting a wedding date around Thanksgiving, as the holiday will likely cause prices to go up—plus, that's an inconvenient time to ask guests to travel.
December
It might be tricky to plan a wedding during the holiday season, but if you can make it work, you could pay less. “Due to the numerous events and holiday gatherings in December, many venues and vendors offer lower rates to start the year off strong during the slow season,” shares Lafferty. She also adds that “Most events, including weddings and holiday gatherings, aren't booked past December 16th until early January due to holiday time and travel fatigue from holiday events," so securing a date within this timeframe could help you save money.
Thinking about hosting a New Year's Eve wedding on December 31st? According to Lafferty, “Some venues and vendors may offer discounts or promotions, while others may apply holiday pricing, especially if the wedding extends past midnight into New Year's Day.”
With all this in mind, recognize that booking your wedding in an affordable month doesn’t mean it’s going to be cheaper as a whole. “It’s all about choices,” says Williams, adding that premium bars come at a premium cost, bands cost more than DJs, and décor can cost next to nothing or thousands of dollars. “If a couple wants to save money on their wedding, my best advice is to limit the guest list and be realistic about the bottom line before choices are made and companies booked. If you stay on budget from the start, it will be easier to manage all the pieces of the puzzle financially.”
