April Weddings
Is getting married in April a good idea? For many, it is. March, April, and May are the spring months in the U.S. Therefore, these are the perfect time for an outdoor ceremony.
In April, spring emerges from the cold of the winter, bringing about welcoming weather to hold your special day. Unless your wedding date gets a conflict with calendar dates like St. Patrick’s Day or Easter, then this time of year should be perfect for tying the knot.
What to Expect in April Weddings
There are a good number of nuptials that happen in spring and for a good reason too. Spring months are loved dearly for the mostly good weather after a lonely winter. Your friends and family will undoubtedly want to get out and celebrate this special day with you. The problem is that this wedding season comes with a bit of a gamble.
The reason is that spring weather can be so unpredictable. You cannot be sure if during your wedding it will be sunny and warm or suddenly cold and raining. However, it can be indeed a beautiful day if you can land on one of spring’s warm, flowery days. One thing to expect if you set your wedding date in April is that there is going to be fierce competition for venues, vendors, and price.
Benefits and drawbacks of a spring wedding
Tying the knot in spring has a lot of benefits. Some of them include:
- Beautiful spring décors, such as fresh greenery, uncommon blossoms, and pastel colors
- More attendants on your wedding with more family members and friends available during the spring break
- Best wedding ideas available for an indoor or outdoor wedding
Of course, there are also some disadvantages to this wedding season. Some of these are:
- Unpredictable weather during spring in most U.S. areas and other destinations
- Pricing for wedding venues and vendors rise because it is the peak wedding season. Thus, the competition is tight
- Prices for destination weddings and honeymoon trips increase because of the holidays
- Booked venues and vendors due to advanced spring wedding dates
If you can plan your wedding well, then you can avoid the drawbacks and make the most of the benefits of the spring season.
Tips to Make the Best of Your Spring Wedding
Whether it is a destination wedding, a garden, or a church one, knowing about the problems you may encounter is a must. That way, you can have a proper wedding planning session that anticipates anything that could wrong. Also, wouldn’t you want a perfect day for the start of your married life with your partner? If that is the case, then below are some tips to help plan your spring wedding.
Spring Weather
In the U.S., the spring weather is dramatically different in various parts of the country. If you are in the north, early spring still has a lot of cold days. Sometimes, there are even snowstorms. In the south, the daily temperature is usually around the 70s. Of course, the temperature in different states is also quite unusual and not always the same.
For instance, the weather is perfectly mild in Texas during springtime. An April wedding here means you don’t have to suffer from the dreaded heat. On the other hand, the tri-state area in New York City usually has chilly temperatures and gray skies during spring. This weather condition continues till around June.
In some parts of the country, like Portland and Seattle, spring has more rain than sun. Since the spring season in the U.S. is not the same in all places, it is always best that you play safe. Even when you know the forecast on your wedding day, ask your guests to prepare a wardrobe in case of bad weather.
Spring Holidays
One thing to keep in mind if you plan to have your wedding in April is the spring holidays. There are a few days that could be potential hiccups to your ceremony. If you plan your special day on any of these dates, then you will have to fight for accommodations and flights, especially for destination weddings. So, keep in mind the following dates below.
- Mother’s Day – 2nd Sunday in May
- Father’s Day – 3rd Sunday of June
- Memorial Day – Last Monday of May
- Palm Sunday – March or April
- Easter – March or April
- Passover – March or April
When planning for a spring wedding, it would be wise to save the date in advance to avoid the hassle.
It is spring, so when it comes to flowers, you have plenty of choices. Everything is in bloom this season – tulips, peonies, hyacinths, daffodils, and more – and you can get them easily too. One of the reasons why spring is a great time to tie the knot is the fact you also have other non-traditional options for wedding décors.
Besides flowers, you have herbs, dogwood, moss, wheatgrass, cherry blossoms, and more. This is great because by using in-season flowers and décors, you can save a lot. In addition, the blooms will be fresher, which will make your April wedding even better. It is recommended that you talk with your wedding florist in advance to find the vibe that suits the theme of your ceremony.
Some of the blooms you can use for your spring wedding include:
- Amaranthus
- Peonies
- Ranunculus
- Baby’s breath
- Eucalyptus
- Succulents
- Cherry blossoms
- Daffodils
- Tulips, and more
Some people would think that since spring is the time for Easter, you can only use the shades associated with it. That is not true, of course. Unless you really choose to use the Easter palette, then you have a lot of other hues to pick for your wedding day. April has a lot of wedding-worthy colors that will make your special day extra special.
Some of the best shades associated with spring include red, pink, violet, blue, white, and yellow. Pastels are standard, but you can also choose more vibrant color combinations. Selecting a specific time of the year does not mean you also need to be specific in your wedding colors. So, nothing should stop you from choosing the shades you want.
Wedding Menu
Spring’s rising temperatures mean that you will have to deal with hot, humid weather. During the cocktail hour, you can keep the guests fueled and feeling fresh with some refreshing drinks. Some ideas for that include white wine with seasonal fruits and fresh lemons, which is a standard drink for a spring wedding party.
Another favorite drink for the cocktail hour is flavored martinis, such as mango and watermelon. The best thing about this is that you can match them to your wedding shades. As for the meals for the reception, it is a good idea to use in-season veggies. It is best to discuss this with your caterer so you can pick the best ingredients that are available.
Using lighter flavors is a popular wedding cake trend for spring weddings. Instead of the dark chocolate or red velvet cakes, more brides and grooms prefer vanilla, lemon, or raspberry for cakes and icings. It is also a common trend to add other sweets like Belgian waffle bars, mini cheesecakes, dark chocolate cupcakes, and chocolate-flavored fruits.
As for garnishing the cakes, you can dress it up or down with succulents or fresh flowers instead of frosting. You can also craft realistic delicate flowers from rice paper to decorate the cakes without the risk of them wilting under the heat. The best cake artists can make these flowers just as lovely as the real thing, so nothing to worry about that.
Wedding Attire
A wedding in spring means more options for your wedding attire. For a wedding dress, you can choose to have higher hemlines and lighter fabrics. Of course, you can still pick the formal styles if that is what you want. Spring just gives you more flexibility so that you can have a more memorable wedding.
As for the bridesmaids and groomsmen, they can have more comfortable attire. This depends on the weather, though, so better think of some wardrobe accessories. It will be a good idea to have rain boots on hand (for long bridesmaid dresses) and clear umbrellas. Shorter and lighter dresses are great if you have the wedding in late spring when it tends to get really hot.
For the groomsmen, lighter suit jackets or no jackets are ideal if the wedding date is likely to have rain. It is great that at spring weddings you have many options for wedding attires like suspenders, rolled sleeves, sneakers, and more. If you just have a getup in case of rain, then you will be good to go.
Conclusion
As you can see, April is one of the best months that you can schedule your wedding day. Although there are some drawbacks, it is much better than the wet or cold season. If you just plan it right, you can have a fantastic spring wedding where all your loved ones can attend. If you decide to tie the knot in April, then now is the time to start looking for more wedding ideas.