Best date for wedding: when should you get married?
- George Polgar
- Apr 29
- 7 min read
Let's be honest: picking your wedding date sounds simple... until you realise it affects literally everything. The venue, the vibe, the weather, your budget, and even how your photos will look years later. Suddenly, choosing the best date for wedding doesn't feel like a small decision anymore.
So when should you actually get married?
This article is all about how to choose the best date for your wedding, based on seasons, costs, availability, and real-life practical factors.
Short answer: there's no single perfect date. The "best" one is the one that fits your priorities.
Key Takeaways
The best date for wedding depends on your priorities, not trends
Season, budget, and availability all play a major role
There's no perfect date, only the one that works best for you
Quick navigation // Table of Contents
What is the luckiest day to get married?
What is the best month to get married?
What are the lucky and unlucky wedding dates according to numerology?
Is Saturday the best day for a wedding?
What are the most popular wedding months of the year?
1) Why does choosing the best wedding date matter?
Choosing your date is not just about picking a day on the calendar. It sets the tone for your entire wedding.
It influences how the day feels, how easy it is to plan, and how much you'll spend.
It also affects your guest experience: travel, availability, and overall comfort all depend on timing. A well-chosen date can make everything feel smooth and effortless, while a poorly chosen one can add unnecessary stress and limitations.
Emotional and symbolic significance
For many couples, the date carries meaning. It could be the anniversary of when you met. The day you got engaged. Or simply a date that "feels right". These choices add emotional weight to your wedding. They turn a simple day into something more personal.
At the same time, it's worth asking yourself one thing: is the meaning of the date more important than the experience of the day?
Sometimes, choosing a symbolic date can make planning harder. Popular dates get booked quickly, and flexibility becomes limited.
Influence on budget and planning
Your wedding date has a direct impact on your budget. Peak seasons usually mean higher prices: more demand for venues and vendors. Less room to negotiate.
Off-season dates, on the other hand, can be more affordable and flexible.
If you're still exploring your options, it's worth checking availability early with a trusted wedding videographer to understand how quickly popular dates get booked.
The same applies to wedding photography: the earlier you decide, the more choices you'll have.
2) Ideal time of year to get married
Timing matters a lot.
Each season brings a completely different feel to your wedding. There's no universally "best" option, just different advantages.
Your choice will influence everything from lighting and colours to guest comfort and overall atmosphere. The "right" season depends on the kind of experience you want to create.
Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring
Summer is the most popular season. Long days, warm weather, and reliable conditions. Perfect for outdoor weddings. But also the busiest and most expensive.
Fall (autumn) offers softer light and beautiful colours. It's slightly less crowded, but still in high demand.
Winter is underrated. Lower costs, more availability, and a unique atmosphere. But weather can be unpredictable.
Spring feels fresh and vibrant. Flowers are in bloom, and the weather starts to improve. It's a great middle ground between winter and summer.
If you want a deeper look at how locations affect your wedding timing, you can explore real examples in our wedding portfolio.
3) How to choose the perfect wedding date?
Choosing the best date for wedding is really about balancing practical and personal factors. There’s no formula. But there are a few things that can make the decision much easier.
Start by narrowing down what matters most to you. Is it the season, a meaningful date, or guest availability? Once you're clear on your priorities, it becomes easier to eliminate options.
It also helps to stay flexible. Your ideal date might not be available at your preferred venue, or key vendors could already be booked. In many cases, adjusting your date slightly can open up much better opportunities.
Finally, think about the overall experience. The perfect date is not just convenient, it supports the kind of atmosphere you want to create.
Holidays and important dates to avoid for a wedding
Some dates might seem convenient, but come with hidden challenges.
Public holidays can increase travel costs and accommodation prices. Guests may already have plans.
Major events or long weekends can also affect availability and logistics.
It’s not that you should avoid these dates completely. But it’s worth thinking through the impact.
Weekday wedding: pros and contras
Weekday weddings are becoming more popular. And for good reason.
They are often cheaper. Vendors are more available. Venues are easier to book.
But there’s a trade-off.
Guests may need to take time off work. Travel can be more complicated.
If your priority is flexibility and budget, a weekday can be a great option.
If guest convenience is more important, weekends are still the safer choice.
4) Long weekend wedding: yes or no?
At first glance, a long weekend wedding sounds like the perfect idea:
More time to celebrate,
more flexibility,
a full experience instead of a single day.
But it's not always that simple.
On one hand, long weekends give your guests more time to travel and relax. You can extend the celebration beyond just the wedding day.
On the other hand, they often come with higher costs. Accommodation prices go up. Flights can be more expensive. Popular venues may already be booked years in advance.
There's also the question of availability. Many couples have the same idea.
So is it worth it?
If your priority is a full, extended experience, then yes. If you're trying to keep things simple and cost-effective, a regular weekend or even a weekday might be the better choice.
5) What are the cheapest months to get married?
If budget plays a big role in your decision, timing becomes even more important. Generally, the cheapest months are those outside peak wedding season. In New Zealand, that usually means late autumn and winter: think May, June, July, and sometimes August.
During these months:
Venues are more available
Vendors are more flexible
Prices are often lower
That doesn't mean your wedding will feel "less". In fact, many couples find that off-season weddings feel more relaxed and unique. Fewer bookings mean more attention from vendors, and often a smoother overall experience.
6) Factors to consider when choosing your wedding date
Choosing the best date for wedding is about balancing multiple factors. Some are practical, others are personal. But all of them matter.
Weather and climate
Weather is one of the biggest influences on your wedding day. Even if you plan everything perfectly, you can't fully control it. That's why it's important to understand the typical conditions for your chosen season.
In New Zealand, you can check historical climate data here. Knowing what to expect helps you prepare properly, especially for outdoor weddings.
Venue and vendor availability
Your ideal date might already be taken: popular venues and experienced vendors often get booked well in advance, especially during peak season. That's why flexibility is so valuable.
If you have a specific venue or team in mind, it's often easier to adjust your date than to compromise on quality.
Budget and seasonal pricing
Seasonality has a direct impact on pricing. Peak months mean higher demand and higher costs. Off-peak months offer more flexibility and better value.
The key is deciding what matters more to you: is it the exact date, or the overall experience?
7) There's no perfect date, only the right one
Choosing the best date for wedding is not about finding a universally perfect day.
It's about finding the one that fits your priorities.
Your lifestyle.
Your budget.
Your vision for the day.
Some couples prioritise weather. Others focus on meaning. Some care about guest convenience, others about flexibility.
All of these are valid.
And when everything comes together, the date becomes just one part of a much bigger story.
Because what really matters is not the number on the calendar, but how the day feels.
If you're planning your wedding and want those moments captured in a natural, cinematic way, we'd love to help document your day. Feel free to get in touch and tell us about your plans.
FAQ
What is the luckiest day to get married?
There's no universally "luckiest" day, but many couples choose dates with personal meaning or symmetry, like 08.08. or anniversaries.
What is the best month to get married?
It depends on your priorities. Summer offers great weather, while autumn provides beautiful colours and slightly more availability.
What are the lucky and unlucky wedding dates according to numerology?
In numerology, dates with repeating numbers or adding up to meaningful totals are considered lucky, while others are avoided based on cultural beliefs.
Is Saturday the best day for a wedding?
Saturday is the most popular choice because it's convenient for guests, but it's also the most expensive and competitive.
What are the most popular wedding months of the year?
In New Zealand, December to March are the most popular months due to warm weather and long daylight hours.
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 | I'm George, the filmmaker and creative partner behind Red Guy Films – I create cinematic wedding films full of emotion and meaning. I began my career in television and advertising back in 2005, and I've been telling real stories ever since. |
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