With the climate in the UK being what it is, it’s easy to see why so many couples aim for a summer wedding, but with the demand for the perfect summer date so high, would an “out of season” wedding be the perfect option for you? Here we are going to look at the pros and cons of each of the four seasons and try to establish which is the best month to get married for you.

In this post, we will explore the main wedding marquee ideas and thoughts you should be thinking about when choosing the right time of year for your wedding reception.

To avoid confusion, we are going to stick to the metrological calendar to reference each of the seasons.

The Best month to get Married - Spring – 1st March – 31st May

With blooming flowers, the days growing longer and the nights ever shorter, it always seems to boost people's mood as they look forward to warmer temperatures ahead. Spring is a time of renewal and growth, and there are many ways you can incorporate this theme into your wedding marquee. 

You could choose a venue with a garden or outdoor setting, and decorate with spring flowers and greenery. You could also use spring colours, like pastels and muted shades, in your wedding party attire and decorations. If you're having a spring wedding, you could even serve refreshing cocktails or mocktails that are inspired by the season

This time of year typically sees the start of the main festival season in the events calendar however the weather can be unpredictable. We’ve seen everything from snow and wind to Mediterranean temperatures during this season so it’s essential to always have the measures in place to ensure your event goes off without a hitch. 

Larger entrance porches and cosy chill-out areas are always popular wedding marquee ideas during spring as you can’t guarantee that the weather will be pleasant enough to enjoy the outside space. Having this extra space allows all the guests to feel comfortable as the marquee welcomes the increased number of attendees for the evening's celebrations.  

With weather and temperature being so unpredictable, the flooring choice is important, we would recommend a solid wooden floor with or without a new cord carpet in the colour of your choosing.

The evenings can feel short so it’s important to think hard about your lighting choices for the evening's celebrations as these will be more of a feature than say a summer party where you can still have sunlight past 9 pm. For other wedding marquee ideas relating to lighting, you can see our other post here.

Spring Wedding Marquee Ideas Summary

• Location (wildflower meadow)

• Consider flooring options

• Lighting to be more prominent

• Blackout star cloth in Dance Area

• Possible need for heating

Best Month to get Married - Summer – 1st June – 31st August.

These are traditionally the months that hold the best weather for the British climate however this can be a little temperamental at times. With hours of unbroken sunshine, the evenings remaining light until late and increased temperatures, it's easy to see why this season holds the most popular months to host a wedding reception.

We also associate the Summer season with holidays, celebrations and time to do what you want to do. This combined with schools having a summer holiday break always gives this time of the year a much more “family time” feel to make the occasion extra special and memorable.

Marquees during this time of year are traditionally covered in clean ivory or white linings and have as many window walls or clear panels to help maximise the views out over the landscape. Having more window walls also gives you the option to open up the sides of the marquee which not only helps to bring the outside in but also helps with ventilation on warm sunny days.

The popularity of clear roof panels has certainly increased in recent years however it's best to proceed with caution when designing your wedding reception marquee. Under direct sunlight, the marquee can become very warm so it's advised to use these panels sparingly, or in the reception or dance floor areas.

Having these panels over the dining area looks spectacular however could become uncomfortable and very bright for diners. You want your reception to be remembered for the right reasons. You can learn more about the pro’s and con’s of Clear roof panels in our blog post here.

Summer Wedding Marquee Ideas Summary

• Location (hilltop with views that stretch for miles)

• Maximise the windows including gable

• Use clear roofs with caution

• Ensure the outdoor space is sufficient for guests to enjoy the surrounding

Best Month to Get Married - Autumn – 1st September – 30th November

Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons to choose for a wedding as the combination of somewhat mild temperatures, changing colours of the landscape and stunning natural lighting can set the scene for a cosy and romantic wedding marquee reception.

With the oranges and browns of the changing landscape, a more rustic, country feel to your reception will complement the time of year perfectly. Again, we stress the importance of lighting, especially when you can reap the benefits for longer as the nights start to pull in. Lighting up the treeline or border of the wedding marquee with external flood lighting will give guests another visual reference from beyond the windows of the reception long after the sun has set. Warm light such as festoon lighting enhances the colours found during this time of year and is the perfect addition both inside and outside the marquee.

With table displays and themes often focusing more on the flowers, colours and harvested food for this time of year, rustic Oak trestle tables and natural wood chairs provide a homely and comforting setting to set the scene for the wedding breakfast.

The clear roof and window walls of the marquee can often be used as desired during this time of year with direct sunlight being less intense than in the previous months gone by. They are the perfect addition to bring the outdoors in whilst maintaining that cosy, welcoming reception for all your guests to enjoy.

Autumn Wedding Marquee Ideas Summary

• Location (Treeline backdrop)

• External flood lighting to enjoy the foliage and changing colours of the leaves

• Temperature is normally good enough to still enjoy the outdoors

• Clear roofs are the perfect addition

Best Month to Get Married - Winter -  1st December – 28th February

Although one of the least popular months to marry from a wedding marquee standpoint, the winter season provides a unique offering that none of the others can deliver.

Winter brings Christmas and Christmas brings celebration. It’s a time of year that most people look forward to and is centred around Family, partying and coming together so why not use this to your advantage and stage the perfect celebration for everyone to enjoy.

The festive season provides the perfect theme to incorporate into your wedding reception and we all know, you can never go over the top when it goes to Christmas and New Year. The more decorations, props, lighting, and games the better. It all adds to what this time of year signifies and why it’s the perfect time to get together and celebrate in style. 

You need to prepare for a marquee reception at this time of year. A solid wooden floor, heating and plenty of space inside for all your guests to enjoy the reception is imperative. We would advise combining the marquee reception alongside a manor house, castle or hotel That way you can still enjoy all the magic that you’re fully customised marquee reception has to offer as well as the grand offerings and roaring open fires of the adjoining house which is particularly nice for photos of the special day

Fairy lights are a must and it’s easy to see why they are so popular for a wedding marquee reception. We would also advise adding colour washing of the linings, particularly in blues and purples to enhance the festive feel.

Winter Wedding Marquee Ideas Summary

• Location (Manor house, Castle or hotel as a backdrop)

• Heating is imperative

• Christmas/festive vibe

• Fairy lights and colour washing to enhance the theme

• New Year’s Eve Celebrations to co-inside.

In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the best month to get married. Each season has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences and priorities. Hopefully, these wedding marquee ideas will help you to choose the perfect season for your wedding reception, and create a day that you'll remember for the rest of your life.