The Best Months To Get Married In The Hudson Valley
We LOVE Summertime! Photo: Clean Plate Pictures
We’ve heard it on tours before. Couples who are not sure when they want to get married or flexible with their date will frequently ask, “What is the best month to have a wedding here?” Sometimes they get specific like “Which date is best for maximum fall foliage?”
To be honest… the “best” time is going to be what’s right for YOU. So the way we want to answer these questions is by giving you pros and cons for each time of year, then you can decide which is best for you. Sound good?
These lovely lilies are everywhere in July!
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First, allow us to quickly introduce ourselves, in case you are new here. We are the Preston Barn at Old Drovers Inn, a Hudson Valley wedding venue that provides ample indoor and outdoor event space, cozy accommodations, and modern amenities. We specialize in weekend weddings as we host only one per weekend and can host all of your pre and post-wedding events. We would love to connect with you about your wedding day so contact us if you already know we are the venue for you. Otherwise, you can read more about our wedding inclusions here.
In-season weddings in the Hudson Valley are from May through October. November through March is considered off-season, and April is sometimes considered off-season. We’ll start with months that are “in season”.
Late Spring/Early Summer Months- May & June
A beautiful ceremony in May! Photo: Weefan Photography
Pros:
This is the 2nd most popular time of year to get married in NY because of that fresh warm weather. The trees and shrubs are all green again, so many flowers are blooming, the grass is thriving after being dry, cold, and buried all winter, and the sun is (hopefully) shining.
There’s something about springtime that just makes people happy. Maybe it’s the sunlight, the days getting longer, or something spiritual. It’s that’s your vibe, definitely jump on having a spring wedding!
Cons:
You’ll have to compete with Moms, Dads, and Grads for your date, possibly other weddings too.
As always, the weather is unpredictable. Spring can be really tricky because sometimes those infamous April showers skip April and go to May instead. Sometimes June is insanely hot. It is safe to say it is likely to be beautiful warm weather but you should be prepared for anything if you are doing anything outdoors.
Summer Months -July & August
Saying Yes to each other and that summer sun! Photo: Pioneer Media
Pros:
The freshest salads! Photo: Wild In Love Photography
If you love sunshine and the warmer weather, these are the most likely months to get it. You get more daylight, so you can have your wedding start later in the day and enjoy that great summer evening weather during the reception, fire pit, and after-party.
People generally have more vacation time in the summer and travel costs are lower, making it more convenient for your traveling guests.
You’ll get the best summer fruits and vegetables on your wedding menu. So fresh and tasty!
There are more things to see and do in the area for an adventurous wedding weekend such as hiking, wine trails, and fairs!
Cons:
These months can be hot and humid, even in New York, but it’s not a problem that can’t be solved. Does your venue have AC? (We do!) Do they have a tent for shade? (We do!) Does the outdoor ceremony area have shade? (our canopy of trees will keep your guests cool!) Consider your guests and if they will have any issues with this.
Love the idea of a summer wedding? Check out this blog: Your Guide To Planning A Dreamy Summer Wedding in Upstate New York
Fairs and Festivals galore, in summer and fall! Photo: Alicia King Photography
Tip: Since these are popular months for vacations, send your save-the-dates early to avoid issues with someone important to you having a trip planned that they can’t change.
Fall Months: September & October
Pros:
Obviously… the beautiful foliage in the Hudson Valley is the main reason the fall books up so fast around here. Couples and their guests travel from afar to enjoy this feature.
The weather is also fairly promising with some sun, warmth, and that cool fall breeze. Of course, there is risk ANY TIME OF YEAR so always have a plan B (we had a freakishly cold September wedding once...after that, we got outdoor heaters!).
It is an amazing time of year for fire pits, food (apple cider donuts, anyone?), and exploring this beautiful area outside of the city. Great hikes with the fall foliage!
Catherine and Keith hiked before getting hitched at Dover Stone Church trail just 7 minutes down the road from the barn. Photo: Wild In Love Photography
Tip: If you want lots of color in the leaves and the cooler end of fall, go with October. If you want it a little warmer and just a little color with some greenery, take September. October will book up faster usually, but both are quite popular.
Cons:
That fall sunset, though! Photo: The Ramsdens
The competition is FIERCE. You need to book about two years in advance for many desired venues and vendors. Plus there’s the possibility of your friends, family members, or people they know snagging the same wedding date, leaving you in a war with someone you love or someone you love having to choose one of two weddings. Yikes!
Any big hunters in the family? Avoid hunting season.
Also consider that any of your guests with children have to deal with the start of school, fall sports, and possibly financial strain from all the things they need. If they need to travel, it may be difficult to get the time off.
Winter Months: November - March/April
Stunning Winter Wedding around the holidays. Photo: Villetto Photography
Pros: Yes, there are pros!
It is not a popular time of year so if there is a competition issue, well, YOU WIN!
Winter weddings can be so beautiful and there are a lot of reasons to consider it. That’s why we wrote a whole blog about it! You can check that out here but just to name a few:
They can be uniquely beautiful, the apparel is stunning, less stressful (no booking issues and no worrying about outdoor parts of the day because there aren’t any!), more budget-friendly, and if the heat is not your thing then there are definitely no worries about that. (Definitely check out our winter wedding blog if this all sounds interesting to you!)
Cons:
Risky weather (as if we even had to say it). While the weather is a risk any time of year, snow and ice can literally destroy your plans. Our advice to combat this is to just be prepared… and be realistic! Make it a weekend event so that guests are in the area early in case a storm comes on the big day. Make sure they are close to the venue, have as many of the activities as possible in one location, and/or make it a micro-wedding (we have a blog for that too), and provide transportation.
There are fewer things to do in most areas during the winter months. That doesn’t mean there is nothing though! Around our area, we have lots of places for skiing or snowboarding, and indoor wine tasting.
The choice is yours, friends! So tell us...What time of the year best suits your personality and style, the needs of your guests, and will be the least stressful?
Thank you for reading! We hope this was helpful for you to figure out the best wedding date. Once you have that figured out, if you need a Hudson Valley wedding venue for your dream wedding weekend, just fill out this quick form for more information and/or to schedule a private tour!
