Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Wedding Date in Roanoke
When it comes to wedding planning, one of the first steps that needs to happen before we can even truly begin to plan is to choose a date for your wedding. There can be many reasons that may influence the date that you decide on, such as your favorite season, or what the weather may have in store for the time of year you decide on.
Dates such holidays, anniversaries, or even symbolic dates can play a part in the decision too. What are the best seasons or dates to get married in Roanoke, VA, and why?
As many of the natives to Roanoke know, the weather in southwest VA can have a mind of its own based on the specific season that we’re in. The winters can be bitter cold, and the summers can be brutally hot. Springtime can bring romantic blooms, and autumn will be filled with crisp air and bright, color changing leaves.
Each season has their perks and disadvantages that you may need to take into consideration for your idea of your perfect wedding. Here are some of those advantages and disadvantages to consider about each season.
Winter
The winter months in Roanoke can be brisk and sometimes snow kissed, but elegantly beautiful nonetheless. Even though the trees are bare of leaves, the mountains still hug around the Roanoke valley anywhere you look! The winter months are among the least popular months to get married across the wedding industry according to Wedding Wire.
The winter season will run from the beginning of December through the end of February. The average temperatures in Roanoke, based off of a quick google search, range from an intensely cold low of 28 degrees to a high of 50 degrees.
Despite the frigid air, winter weddings can be very elegant and whimsical. Many couples lean into the wintery “vibe,” using deep navy blues and icy whites in their color scheme and theme, creating a true “winter wonderland” feel on their wedding day. This could also be the perfect time to have a Christmas themed wedding with reds and greens, holly and mistletoe, and to use Christmas trees as decor if that’s the kind of thing that you envision!
Due to the low temperatures, it may be better for you and for your guests to have an indoor wedding if your date is chosen to be during the winter months. Since the winter months are among the least popular to get married, it may be easier to find your choice of venues that have your chosen wedding date available.
Spring
Spring in Roanoke brings lots of budding dogwoods, pink and purple rhododendrons, and pollen. If everything florals and greenery is what you desire, springtime may be the best choice for your wedding date.
The spring season will run from the beginning of March until the end of May, and comes along with fairly favorable temperatures. Based off of a quick google search, the average temperatures will range from a low of 39 degrees in early March to a high of 77 degrees in late May.
These more mild temperatures can make a perfect setting for an outdoor ceremony with plenty of charming flowers, dreamy pastels, and blooming greenery. Spring can be an incredibly beautiful time in Roanoke, however, there are typically more rain days on average during this season, which is something to be mindful of if you are planning to have an outdoor wedding.
(Pro tip: making sure the venue that you book has a rain day plan is a great idea, even if you aren’t getting married during the wetter spring months.)
Summer
In Roanoke, summers can be jam packed with long, hot, blissfully sunny days. The valley is surrounded by beautifully full green trees and rolling mountains, giving a passionate and freeing feeling to your wedding day.
The summer season runs from the beginning of June until the end of August. Temperatures range on average from a low of 63 degrees in early June to a high of 88 degrees in late August (although, I definitely did see the temperature break into the low to mid 90s during the summer of 2021).
The summer season brings a busier time in the wedding industry with June ranking in as the #3 most popular month to get married across the board according to Wedding Wire. The summer months may be a good option to have an outdoor ceremony, but an indoor reception due to the heat. Photo opportunities for your photographer are plentiful due to the longer lasting days and fully bloomed greenery in the area.
Fall
If crisp air coming in with the breeze and toasty bonfires are your cup of tea, then the autumn season in Roanoke is unlike any other. The Blue Ridge Mountains are truly a sight for sore eyes during the fall. As the leaves begin to change, rich reds and bright oranges encapsulate the Roanoke valley.
The fall season will range from the beginning of September until the end of November. The average temperatures you can expect range from a low of 38 degrees in November to a high of 80 degrees in early September.
The fall months are some of the busiest in the wedding industry, as it is the most popular season for weddings. October was ranked #1 as the most popular month for weddings, and September followed very closely behind at #2 according to Wedding Wire.
With the fall months being some of the most popular, it could potentially be harder to find a venue that has your wedding date still available. If you truly want a fall wedding, consider researching venues and vendors, and begin the booking process with them sooner rather than later. Venues, wedding planners, photographers, DJs, and other vendors may not have your date available if you are looking to book with less time between your engagement and your wedding date due to the sheer popularity of weddings during these months.
(Pro tip: many vendors, especially the more popular ones in your area, could be booked out anywhere from 6 months to over a year from when you begin to look. Many vendors are currently booking well into the 2023 season. It’s best to begin looking for your vendors and venue as soon as possible to ensure that you get the vendors you exactly envision for your wedding day!)
Symbolic Wedding Dates
Choosing a date that is symbolic to you and your partner can be a great way to include your story into your wedding day. This could mean anything from the date of your first kiss, the date you first met, or the date that you began dating.
Choosing a date that is close to (or exactly matches) the day that you and your fiancé began your journey together can be a great way to pay homage to where your relationship came from, and to where it is evolving to as a couple.
Not only is it a full circle moment in your relationship, but your guests can also understand the reasoning and significance behind the date that you chose. You can help your guests understand the significance of the date you choose by tying the theme into your save the dates, wedding invitations, and even into a wedding hashtag!
Dates to Avoid
Dates to avoid can be just as important as choosing a date that you’re confident and sure of. Talk with your fiancé and weed out any dates that could potentially cause any ill feelings or negative thoughts on your wedding day.
These dates could be the anniversary of the death of a loved one in the family, the anniversary of the death of a good friend, or the anniversary of a previous relationship that should be steered clear of.
Avoiding dates like these can also be thoughtful towards your guests, as they may harbor negative feelings or sadness towards a particular date. After all, your wedding is all about new beginnings, optimism, and celebration! It should not be meant to draw out any pessimism or sadness among you or your guests.
As you can see, there can be a multitude of factors that aid in choosing your perfect wedding date. When you get engaged, take some time with your fiancé to mull over what your favorite season is, what dates to avoid, or if there is a significant date or anniversary that stands out in the journey of your relationship.
Use those topics to navigate through how you envision those factors playing into your perfect wedding day. Once you find the date that is just right for you and your fiancé, you will be able to celebrate and plan the new beginning that you are creating together!
