Most Popular Wedding Season in California
California’s popular wedding season runs from May to October, as couples take advantage of the state’s glorious weather and extraordinary scenery. More specifically, the season is divided between May to June and September to October, when California turns into a virtual paradise. Venues range from beaches, exotic mansions, mountains, vineyards, and urban areas.
To help you plan the most enchanting wedding possible, you may wish to consider the following:
- Would you prefer an indoor or outdoor ceremony and reception? California’s wedding season offers both.
- Will high temperatures be a problem for some of the guests?
- Can you easily create a backup plan for an outdoor wedding in the event of rain?
- There will be competition for vendors during the wedding season. Will you be able to make reservations soon enough in advance to work with the vendor of your choice?
May Wedding in California
California has great weather all year round, but a May wedding offers the freshest seasonal flowers in abundance, as well as the greatest selection of dessert fruits and berries for your reception menu.
There is no bad time for a California wedding, but a weekday ceremony is likely to offer a greater selection of venues and caterers at the most reasonable price. Your guests will enjoy partaking in special California activities, such as vineyard tours, when they are less crowded.
For those guests who can get a day or two off midweek, this can serve as a memorable mini-vacation with a breathtaking ocean view or mountain range serving as a backdrop.
June Wedding in California
The month of June can bring the most soothing weather and the bluest of skies, which ensures the most carefree outdoor weddings and receptions, whether by the beach, in the mountains, or at a venue such as Yosemite Park, all of which are picturesque works of art in June. Guests can bring the entire family during this school vacation month and show the kids some of this country’s most famed sights.
June is also the month for lush, popular wedding flowers. Roses are available in a multitude of colors, as are sweet-smelling peonies and hydrangeas at the lowest prices, especially when purchased in bulk.
Please note that June’s popularity as a wedding month should encourage you to make your plans as soon as possible to be able to hire the vendors and venues of your choice. Be prepared to pay premium costs.
September Wedding in California
Many people breathe a sigh of relief when the August heat subsides, and they can look forward to the more bearable post-Labor Day temperatures. Cooler weather elevates fall to one of the most popular California wedding seasons. Of course, much depends on the location.
September offers a few long weekends and/or holidays, such as Labor Day or Patriot Day, which can be used as a mini-vacation for the guests. The good news is that a September wedding avoids the summer vacation crowds. For believers, the month promises calm and success for the happy couple. It’s an excellent motto with which to begin married life.
As is the case for spring, the fall brings its own fresh produce to the wedding menu, such as apples, pumpkins, and tomatoes. And seasonal marigolds stun with their vibrant, deep red and orange hues. Cost-effective marigolds can be combined with roses to create reasonably priced wedding bouquets.
A California beach wedding is popular throughout the year, but September opens the scenic possibilities of delightfully rustic barn and ranch ceremonies. As the evenings get cooler, cozy barns with a fireplace can be a huge draw.
Another popular wedding site in September is Napa Valley, where the aroma and sounds of grapes being harvested fill the Valley with music. Rolling hills and luxurious vineyards make for a special wedding day. And the wines are fabulous. Raise more than one glass in a toast to a happy future. Incidentally, Napa Valley is also a common and trendy elopement area.
October Wedding in California
It is difficult to beat October as the favored California wedding season month. For outdoor weddings, the air is crisp but still mild, and the foliage is stunning – it’s California at its most picturesque, a Renoir painting come to life.
October is the time for a rich color palette, from reds to burgundies to emerald green. The bride can also create a mood with black. These colors can span from clothes, florals, and decorations. Of course, pumpkin colors fit smoothly into the month, as well. The warmth of these bold colors can be accentuated by romantic candlelight for a magical ambience.
For something spectacular and unusual, October is the perfect time for a High Desert wedding with a backdrop of dramatic rocks and ridges. As the days cool, the High Desert offers a great choice of venues – such as the Desert Willow Golf Resort and the Woodhaven Country Club:
A November Wedding in California
Getting married in November is a less popular option than other months. This off-peak month can turn California’s stunning scenery grey and a bit gloomy. So, why even consider it? Because it is off-season, November can offer marvelous savings. Vendors are open to negotiations and discounts as they compete for your business. In November, while not a part of the official wedding season, you are in charge. A budget-friendly indoor November wedding might allow you to stretch your dollars for a few extras that would not be possible otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the best time of year to have a wedding in California?
Due to California’s fabulous weather and minimal rainfall, fall and spring are the ideal times for a wedding. The spring scenery is filled with colorful flowers bursting into life, while fall has vibrant foliage throughout the state.
2. What is California’s weather like for weddings?
California has 12 months of enviable climate every year. Spring is filled with mild temperatures ranging from mid-60s through the mid-70s, which is perfect for a comfortable outdoor gathering.
The temperature in June can rise to a pleasant mid-80s with longer daylight to enjoy the outdoors before the onset of the July and August heatwaves.
The fall temperature returns to the 80s, especially in October, and the crisp air provides ideal conditions for an outdoor wedding event.
California is best suited for indoor weddings during the winter months, when temperatures reach down to the 50s. There are many extravagant wedding mansions, such as Green Gables, located on top of a hill, and Mt. Woodson Castle, in which to hold a memorable wedding. California also has many elegant hotel ballrooms for the perfect winter wedding.
3. How expensive is it to host a wedding in California?
Hosting a California wedding can be a costly affair, and as we have pointed out, the seasons factor into the cost. A typical gathering at an average venue can range from $44,000 to $55,000. The same venue in a major metropolitan city, such as Los Angeles or San Francisco, can jump to $85,000. Added luxury features can force the expense over the $150,00 mark.
The logical solution to the California wedding of your dreams is to start saving early.
4. What are the requirements for getting married in California?
You need a valid marriage license to marry in the state of California. Your license remains valid for 90 days after it is issued by the county clerk’s office. Both parties are required to obtain the license in person and together. California allows for a public or confidential wedding license.
No blood test is required for the license or the wedding.
5. Who may officiate at a California wedding?
People qualified to officiate at a California wedding include priests, ministers, and rabbis of any denomination. Anyone can become ordained online through the American Marriage Ministries. Retired state judges also qualify, as do court commissioners.
Certain areas of California have a “Deputy Commissioner for a Day” program, which allows anyone over the age of 18 to officiate at just one wedding without registering. Any couple would be wise to check with the local city hall to ensure that their choice of officiant is indeed legal.
