When it comes to choosing the perfect month for your wedding, it’s more than just about finding a date on the calendar. The best time to plan your wedding depends on factors like weather, availability of vendors, budget, and of course, the vibe you want for your special day. Whether you're dreaming of a sunny beachside ceremony or a cozy winter wonderland celebration, the month you choose can shape the entire experience.
So, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each season to help you decide when’s the best time to say I do.
Spring Weddings (March to May)
Why It’s Great:
Spring weddings are a dream for couples who want mild temperatures, fresh blooms, and the feeling of renewal in the air. This time of year offers lush gardens, romantic cherry blossoms, and the perfect balance of warmth without the summer heat.
March through May is ideal for outdoor weddings—whether you’re tying the knot in a garden, vineyard, or on a breezy California coast. Spring also brings the promise of daylight savings, so your evening celebration can be filled with that magical sunset light.
Considerations:
Spring can be unpredictable, depending on where you’re located. You might have gorgeous sunny days, but you also might have the occasional rainy spell, so be prepared with a backup plan for outdoor venues. Spring is also a popular time for weddings, so be mindful of vendor availability.
Summer Weddings (June to August)
Why It’s Great:
If you’ve always dreamed of a sun-drenched wedding with long days and warm evenings, summer is for you. The season offers an abundance of venues to choose from, especially in regions where the weather is beautiful and predictable. Plus, the summer months are prime time for travel, so if you’re planning a destination wedding or having guests fly in, it’s a convenient time to gather friends and family.
Summer weddings are especially perfect for beachside ceremonies, rooftop receptions, and relaxed, open-air events. And who doesn’t love a fun, festive summer vibe?
Considerations:
With its peak popularity, summer also comes with a price tag. It’s high wedding season, so venues and vendors may come with a premium cost. The heat can also be a factor if you’re planning an outdoor wedding, so make sure to choose a location with shade or air conditioning.
Fall Weddings (September to November)
Why It’s Great:
If you’re craving the beauty of changing leaves, cooler temperatures, and cozy vibes, fall is one of the best times for a wedding. The season brings rich, warm tones of red, orange, and gold, which can create the most breathtaking ambiance. Whether you’re hosting a rustic barn wedding or a glamorous ballroom celebration, fall’s earthy charm is perfect for any style.
The weather is typically mild in many regions, with crisp air and clear skies. Plus, fall weddings often offer a balance of peak wedding season and budget-friendly pricing, as you’re nearing the end of the busy wedding season.
For my Travis Marina couples, this is the most popular season to plan a wedding based on the favorable weather. In summer months, you can have more issues with heat waves creating fog on the bay, so for this reason, usually, fall is your safest season. Typically, you'll have warm afternoons and beautiful sunsets.
Considerations:
Be mindful that fall can get chilly as you approach November, especially in certain regions. If you're planning an outdoor wedding, consider having indoor backup options or ways to keep your guests cozy. And, similar to spring, fall can also be busy with holidays like Thanksgiving, so check for potential conflicts in travel or venue availability.
We find that in some areas in Marin County, CA, you will have microclimates, so the morning weather will be dramatically different from the afternoon to the night. Sometimes you'll have new weather trends one year that you didn't see the previous year. You want to keep your mind open, so the weather being what it is will be a happy experience for you.
Here are some photos from our weddings the last couple of years to give you a sense of what the weather was like:
April 22, 2023
May 6, 2023
July 16, 2022
September 24, 2022
October 6, 2023
These images are to give you a point of reference for what the weather can be like in certain months in Sausalito and Tiburon, CA, for wedding months. Please keep your mind open to your wedding day potentially looking different based on unique weather patterns that may occur.