The Best Time to Get Married in Boston: A Guide From a Boston Wedding Photographer
Recently engaged (congrats!) and looking for the best time to get married? Let me just start here: Boston weddings? They have layers. You can get coastal vibes, brownstone vibes, and even snowy winter wonderland vibes, all depending on the season you choose.
I’m a Boston wedding photographer who’s all about the feeling and all about the planning. I’m type A, but I’ll also be crying behind the camera during your ceremony. That being said, I know how to help you narrow down the best season for your wedding that both feels like you AND makes sense with your wedding planning. That’s why I made this guide that breaks down what a Boston wedding is actually like in every season.
How to Choose the Best Time to Get Married
First, let’s talk about how to choose the best time to get married, because, while some of it is based on your general wedding aesthetic… There are also a lot of logistics that go into it!
Here are some things I always tell my couples to look at when they’re choosing a wedding date:
The weather. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, you’ll want to look at the temperature, the average rainfall, and the sunset time for each season to make sure it works with your plans. Weather can change your whole day fast, so it’s always good to have a plan around it.
Your engagement date. Typically, I tell my couples to set a wedding date that gives them at least a 9-12 month engagement, if possible! That gives you time to follow this laid-back wedding planning checklist without wanting to, like, rip your hair out.
Any holidays or travel considerations. While your wedding is, of course, for you, it can be helpful to consider your out-of-town guests’ travel plans when choosing your date. If you’re thinking about planning a wedding around a holiday, make sure people will be able to show up for it!
Any dates that are special to the two of you. Listen, I’m a sucker for anything sentimental. Maybe it’s choosing the day that you two met or went on your first date, or exactly one year after your proposal. Whatever it is, know that I’m over here actually obsessing over it.
The Actual Best Time to Get Married in Boston: A Breakdown by Season
Okay, now that we’ve talked about some things to think about, let’s get into the actual seasonal breakdown for Boston weddings. I do have to warn you, though: they’re all SO beautiful that it makes it hard to choose!
Spring Weddings in Boston
For my couples who love all things floral and romantic… Spring in Boston is a real-life dream.
The weather? Immaculate. Not too hot, not too cold.
The views? Stunning. Flowers are blooming everywhere, and I’m forever obsessed.
The wedding theme possibilities? Basically endless. It could be a pastel garden party or a super minimalist, black-and-white wedding, and I’m SO here for it.
Spring weddings always feel effortless to me. They move slowly, my couples have tons of time to be present with one another, and they feel quiet in a really romantic way! The sun starts setting later, and even though the weather can be unpredictable… It works if you embrace it.
I always picture the kind of couple who’s super sweet and so excited to celebrate with their favorite people planning a spring wedding, specifically at a garden wedding venue like The Bradley Estate (see a wedding example here) or Boston Public Garden.
Summer Weddings in Boston
Summer weddings in Boston feel electric every single time. I don’t know if it’s the golden light or the vibrant color palettes that get me, but I DO know that I’m in love with them!
The long days with warm (but not too hot) temps create the perfect energy for outdoor wedding receptions, where you dance long into the night, clinking wine glasses and belly-laughing with your favorite people. And if that sounds like your kinda day, we’re gonna get along well.
If you’re hearing the words “summer wedding” and thinking, “Ummm, no thanks,” because you’re picturing yourself melting during portraits… Don’t worry. I know the best timeline to follow and exactly how to work around the heat. I’ve always got you covered!
I see a lot of different kinds of couples go for a summer wedding: the ones who love all things coastal, the ones who are a little bold and funky, and the ones who just LOVE being outside… The list goes on! So, no matter what’s drawing you to a summer wedding, you’re in good company.
If you love summer vibes, I can sooo picture you getting married at a venue like Waverly Oaks (check out my planning guide), with a bold, bright color palette, big florals, and in a dress like Greer by Serene Bridal. A dream!
Fall Weddings in Boston
Fall vibes are forever special to me. There’s something about that sliiight chill in the air and the leaves starting to turn that gets me every time.
If you’re a self-proclaimed fall girl who lives in sweaters and has a daily pumpkin spice latte… Fall is for SURE the best time to get married. And I can actually hear it actively calling your name.
Fall in Boston? It’s incredible, every time. The colors feel cinematic, and the weather is literal perfection. Sunsets show off, and when you’re working with a Boston wedding photographer like me (hi!) who knows exactly how to work with them for pictures, you get a gallery that’s just as jaw-dropping as your wedding day was.
I captured a wedding with peak fall vibes at Bedford Village Inn, and if you’re even kind of thinking of a fall wedding, you won’t want to miss it. It had the most incredible energy, and I still think about it basically daily.
Winter Weddings in Boston
Hear me out: Boston winter weddings are some of my faves. I know you might be sitting there thinking, “Absolutely not,” but I promise they work really well. You can see my whole guide to why off-season weddings are some of my favorite kinds of days here!
Winter has a kind of magic that’s seriously underrated. You get so many gorgeous things: cozy indoor receptions, warm candlelight, maybe even some snow. And those pictures? Yeah. They’re worth being a little chilly for a few minutes.
My couples who choose winter weddings love it so much every single time. It feels totally unique, 100% intentional, and always really, really special. Plus, Boston has some indoor wedding venues, like The Endicott Estate, that thrive in the wintertime!
Questions My Couples Ask Me When They’re Choosing When to Get Married
Okay, we’ve talked about the seasons, so now it’s time to choose. If you have more questions, though, I get it. I’ve compiled a list of questions my couples ask me ALL the time about the best time to get married!
What is the Best Time of Year to Get Married for Lower Venue Costs?
Off-season, winter weddings will typically cost less at wedding venues. Since they’re criminally underrated, venues book fewer weddings in the winter months, so they charge less to try to fill the spots. It’s a win-win situation in my book!
What Months are Considered the Peak Season for Wedding Event Spaces?
Each venue will be different, but the peak season for weddings is typically considered May through October.
When are Wedding Photographers and Caterers Most Likely to be Available?
Every wedding vendor’s schedules will be completely different, so the best route to take is to check with them directly! I suggest booking at least a year out to have the most options for your wedding date available.
What Time of Year is Best for an Outdoor Wedding Ceremony?
The milder seasons, spring and fall, typically work best for an outdoor wedding ceremony. Spring’s weather can be slightly unpredictable, though, so I always suggest having a plan B.
When is the Easiest Time for Most Guests to Attend a Wedding?
The world moves slower in the winter, and people’s schedules usually aren’t booked with as much travel, so guests are usually more likely to be able to travel for weddings in those months. Just be careful if you’re planning close to Thanksgiving or Christmas, to make sure that your favorite people don’t have pre-existing plans!
What is the Ideal Time to Get Married for a Tropical Honeymoon Package?
If you’re basing the best time to get married on your honeymoon, you’re my exact kind of person, and I love you already.
Tropical honeymoons are so lovely, especially in the summer! I definitely recommend a summer wedding if a beach-filled honeymoon is calling your name.
What is the Recommended Lead Time for Securing a Popular Wedding Location?
As I said, I’m super type A, so my #1 recommendation will be to try to book vendors at least a year in advance, especially your venue! If you have a specific date in mind, reach out to your dream venue ASAP to see if they have it available.
Ashley Olafsson | Boston Wedding Photographer (For Any Season)
At the end of the day, as long as your day is rooted in love, connection, and presence, it doesn’t matter what the weather is like or how the sun is shining. What matters is that you’re starting your forever, and capturing the moments that make it up is my favorite thing in the world.
Inquire here, and we’ll chat about the best time to get married based on your dream wedding. I can’t wait to meet you!
Xoxo,
Ashley
Sweet Words: “Finding the right photographer was crucial for us, and from our very first meeting with Ashley, through our engagement session, and all the way to the wedding day, we knew we had made the perfect choice. Ashley is incredibly thorough, organized, and always has our best interests at heart. She’s not afraid to take charge, keeping us on track and even navigating through guests to get that perfect sunset shot! She was more than just a photographer—she was a coordinator and a friend all rolled into one.
We feel so lucky to have had Ashley as our photographer. She captured all the big moments as well as the small, fleeting details that could have easily been missed. There were so many photos from the day that we didn’t even realize happened, and we’re so grateful she was there to capture it all. Working with Ashley was by far the easiest and best part of our wedding planning. With her calm and focused demeanor, she brought the perfect balance to the hectic day. We’re already looking forward to working with her again for all of our future big life events. We honestly couldn't recommend her more!”
