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Figuring out the best time to get married in California can be a gamble, but with some prior research, you’ll have that dash of luck. California wedding seasons typically launch in early spring and last until late autumn. However, given the diverse weather conditions (from desert regions to coastal locations), any date can be ‘the one’ with the right venue.
So, let’s discuss the most popular wedding months in California and suggest potential wedding date ideas for California couples.
Criteria for picking the best time to get married in California
Instead of following trends around California wedding seasons, your date should depend on your preferences. Even couples not looking for off-season rates could discover the off-peak wedding season in California as the ideal choice. Here’s a little questionnaire to help you:
- Do you prefer holding the wedding ceremony/reception outside?
- Is the higher probability of rain a deal-breaker?
- Can you withstand heat or prefer cooler temperatures?
- Are you planning enough in advance to book a venue with more competition?
- What style do you expect? Maybe a beach wedding or an exquisite ballroom scene is your dream.
These questions already give you some idea about what you need from the California wedding weather. If an outdoor preference is not negotiable, you’ll want it warm but not too hot (meaning the summer season might not suit you). Yet, if you prefer ballrooms or even more modern locations (say, a vintage museum), you can likely have the wedding all year round.
Summer celebrations: coastal and mountain locations
Recommendations: Summer weddings in California should focus on coastal and mountain venues. Lower temperatures make these venues more convenient and comfortable for the wedding party.
Price: Booking vendors and venues in areas less affected by heat could be pricier (and have lower availability).
Best locations: Lake Tahoe, Santa Cruz, and Monterey.
Summer is frequently crowned as the official season for nuptials. However, California wedding seasons tend to skip June-August (particularly in inland and desert locations). Rising temperatures are to blame, which can be rather uncomfortable and tiring (95°F (35°C) or even 115°F (46°C)). Besides this, due to fire hazards during summer, providers could cancel your booking to protect you and your guests.
However, many couples do choose venues in the hotter locations around California. In that case, your ceremony and reception must offer plenty of shade (such as covered areas). When outside, provide water, cooling stations, and other heat management methods. Try to plan these events for the evening, or stick to indoor venues with air-conditioning.
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Fall nuptials: lower temperatures and wider venue selection
Recommendations: Fall weddings in California rejoice in the more stable weather, the beautiful copper and gold notes perfectly depicted through venues like vineyards or farms.
Price: The demand is higher, meaning the prices for vendors and venues require a bigger budget.
Best locations: Santa Barbara, Napa Valley, Gold Country, Lafayette.
Fall is one of the most beloved wedding months in California, thanks to the comfort it provides. Everything cools down, and with no overwhelming heat, outdoor venues can be considered without additional preparation. If fall weddings in California excite you, consider taking advantage of its natural beauty. More rustic venues, like Wildwood Acres Resort on Breezit, can help you create a fairytale-like celebration. Besides this example, look into farms, barns, vineyards, and other venues that appreciate the gifts of nature.
However, fire hazards are also high in the fall, so take the necessary precautions before booking.
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Spring weddings in California: a blissful yet pricy choice
Recommendations: Spring has the advantage of mild temperatures, and paints a beautiful scenery of vibrant greens and flora.
Price: With spring being one of the most popular California wedding seasons, the prices are significantly higher.
Best locations: Palm Springs, Marin County, Sierra Foothills.
Many California wedding planning tips include spring as the season you cannot go wrong with. Most happy couples won’t be disappointed if they have the budget for the higher prices. However, while you’ll likely escape the heat, rain is possible for many locations. Thus, consider if a venue has a backup indoor area for your guests to relocate. For instance, Juniper Cupertino, Curio Collection by Hilton, has indoor and outdoor options for guest entertainment.
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Winter ‘I-do’ moment: more off-peak wedding season in California
Recommendations: Winter might be the best time to get married in California for more affordable celebrations. Additionally, couples shouldn’t mind focusing on indoor venues, with the limited availability for outdoor options.
Price: Lower demand affects prices, and you can also notice more availability.
Best locations: San Diego, San Francisco, Joshua Tree, Yosemite.
California wedding venues by season usually mean sites that accommodate the expected weather. The temperatures are lower for winter celebrations, and booking outdoor venues might offer less comfort. After all, exquisite ballrooms and mansions can offer the luxury and warmth you require. Furthermore, picking venues near the mountains will give your wedding unique photo backdrops.
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Why choose California for your wedding?
California has a lot to offer even the pickiest couples. You do need to consider certain aspects (such as the heat), but the benefits can significantly outweigh them:
- Generally, California has comfortable weather nearly all year. For example, even in winter, you can pick coastal venues that should still be as warm as 50–65°F (10–18°C).
- The versatility of venues and locations for a wedding is unbeatable, and anyone can find their little paradise. Let the mountains, beaches, forests, vineyards, mansions, or more urban locations provide the perfect setting!
- The wide venue selection and all-year-round satisfactory weather let you host affordable and more luxurious celebrations. So, California can suit most budget expectations.
Conclusion
California wedding seasons last all year; some couples adapt to the heat, picking locations known for milder temperatures. Others decide between fall and spring, with both of them offering premium comfort (yet, higher prices). Finally, winter is a strong candidate for weddings, with many locations in California still offering relatively warm temperatures. Yet, if you’re set on an outdoor wedding, always consider backup plans and heat-managing solutions.
Bob Duncan is the lead writer and partner on ConversationsWithBianca.com. A passionate parent, he’s always excited to dive into the conversation about anything from parenting, food & drink, travel, to gifts & more!