In the world of weddings, trends seem to last a little longer. This is true even when it comes to picking a wedding date. April, May, June, September, and October are still traditional peak months to get married, but recently, more engaged couples are choosing a wedding date outside those months.
With 2022 being named the year of the weddings, couples are opting for off-season weddings so that they can bring their wedding dreams to life without a long engagement. January, February, March, and December are considered off-season months for many reasons (just be careful with December—hello, New Year’s Eve!). Having a wedding in a less busy month has many perks!
Venue Availability
If having an outdoor wedding was never your dream, head indoors for a warm, cozy, and romantic wedding. Many venues offer a discount in the months of January, February, and March. If they don’t offer a discount, there will likely still be other perks, such as accessing the property earlier than usual or greater flexibility with when and where you can take your pictures. You may even get a chance to use the holiday décor that the venue already has in place and incorporate it into the overall look for your wedding.
Vendor Availability
You will have more success securing the vendors of your choice when you plan an off-season wedding. Fewer weddings throughout the season means greater vendor availability. You’ll have the chance to research, review, and make a decision on the vendor of your choice at your leisure without having to compromise.
Likewise, rental companies only have so many items in their inventory! Why would you want to compete with the masses when you can have the selection of your choice? Oftentimes, vendors will run specials during off-season months, such as offering an additional hour of music or photography time. During these months, you will have more availability to negotiate your contracts.
Off-Peak Hotel Rates
Looking to book a block of rooms for out-of-town guests? Your guests will be pleased to know that room rates are generally much better in the off-season. Fewer bookings mean the hotel will be willing to offer greatly discounted room rates. Standard rooms, suites, and even meeting rooms will likely be discounted during these times. There are even opportunities for VIP room upgrades or a complimentary room for you and your new spouse on the wedding night. Rooms for rehearsal dinners and post-wedding brunches may also be available to you at a discount, with rental fees waived and food and beverage minimums reduced.
Guest Availability
Your guests will be so excited to get your invitation with a winter wedding date! It will be something to look forward to in the quieter months of the year. During the peak wedding season, guests’ schedules become packed. The good weather brings more weddings, family vacations, graduations, and full calendars. During the off-season, you are less likely to compete with other weddings and events that can jam up traffic and cause disruptions in your city, such as proms, graduations, and local festivals.
There are many great reasons to lock in an off-season wedding date, but before booking anything, you need to make sure you and your team have a backup weather plan. Before moving forward with any vendor, be sure to review their contracts and have a discussion about how they would proceed in the event of inclement weather.
