When Is The Best Time to Get Married in Phoenix?
A Guide from a Team of Industry Professionals
If you’re finding this guide, it’s likely because you are engaged and are in the beginning stages of wedding planning, trying to answer the million-dollar question: when is the best time to get married? We have recommendations and things to consider for the most popular wedding months here in Phoenix, and also for dates outside of the traditional wedding season.
At this point, you may have thought to yourself, “definitely not the summer months,” which is a fair line of thinking; however, did you know that a summer wedding is one of the best ways to stay on budget while still booking premier venues and vendors? The best time to get married in Phoenix comes down to the date that best fits your vision for your wedding day. And each month has its own benefits to consider before immediately saying yes or no.
First things first, Phoenix’s wedding season is the opposite of most other cities’. Across the country, late spring, summer, and late fall weddings are the most common, especially for couples who want an outdoor component; however, down here in the desert we oftentimes don’t see wedding season truly begin until late September or early October, and it lasts through the end of April or beginning of May. Because of the heat in our corner of the desert, even the end of September can bring temperatures over 100 degrees during the day. To combat this heat while still enjoying a September wedding, couples oftentimes shift their timelines around to allow their ceremony to begin just before sunset as it starts cooling off.
October
The start of October is one of our busiest times for weddings. Something about October and “spooky season” brings about thoughts of love and happily ever afters. And speaking on behalf of the wedding industry, WE LOVE welcoming couples to start their lives together during the month of October.
One small misconception we regularly see is couples thinking that the weather is immediately cooler because October marks the start of fall…and in other areas of the country, this would be true; however, here in Phoenix, October mostly means that sunset starts coming earlier. While the evenings do start to cool down mid-month, October can still have relatively high temperatures when the sun is out.
Even if your wedding is in October, it will be important to adjust your timeline (particularly for outdoor weddings) to ensure guests have some shade and refreshments to keep cool while being a part of your special day.
November
November is another busy month in the wedding season. Couples who want a stronger assurance of having cooler temperatures should absolutely look into booking their weddings during this time. For a black-tie event or a more casual celebration, November is a safe bet for your guests to wear layers without the risk of heat-related issues.
And the best part of November is that many aesthetics can make sense. Leaning more into the fall colors of burnt orange, reds, or browns? It ABSOLUTELY works! Thinking of maybe leaning into more winter blues and grays? It ALSO absolutely works. The flexibility of a November wedding in Phoenix truly is unmatched, and we look forward to the versatility of events during this month every year!
The Winter Months
December, January, and February are also incredible months to plan a wedding in the desert, not only for you as the couple but for your friends and family who may be dealing with snow and ice and are ready to witness some sunshine and desert weather. And the best part: guests joining us in Phoenix from cooler climates are happy with our 50-degree evening temperatures once the sun goes down. Additionally, the aesthetic shifts that come with doing a true winter/early spring wedding change the entire feel of the day. Vases with pillar or floating candles, cooler tones of blue and gray, and white floral arrangements create a striking contrast with the warm colors of the desert landscape.
One thing to keep in mind for winter weddings is the potential need for heat sources to keep guests comfortable. Consider renting space heaters and fire pits, or providing hot drinks such as coffee and tea to keep the celebration going all evening long.
March
March is one of the busiest wedding months of the spring because of its more reliable temperatures, longer daylight hours, and overall placement in the calendar year. We LOVE March weddings in Phoenix; however, one consideration we often have to remind ourselves of (like every year) is that the weather in March can still be unpredictable.
The spring of 2026 brought with it early hot temperatures, and we fondly remember two weddings in mid-March, both planned entirely outdoors, when temperatures climbed past 100 degrees. Luckily, we were able to pivot and work in additional time for guests to remain in shady areas, provide additional refreshments, and allow guests inside to experience air conditioning when needed.
Late Spring Months
April and May can also be beautiful months to get married in Phoenix; however, at this point we stop expecting mild temperatures and start planning around warm weather and lots of sun. We start discussing the importance of spaces available both indoors and outdoors to accommodate temperature spikes, plan the timeline around temperatures throughout the day, and work in moments for the family and bridal party to cool down and touch up hair and makeup. Neither April nor May is a bad time to get married in Phoenix. They just require some additional planning and intentional timeline building to create the best experience for everyone involved.
The Summer Months
Which brings us to June, July, and August, the hottest months of the year in Phoenix. We would never tell anyone NOT to get married in the summer, because there are a lot of benefits to a summer wedding. Availability, budget, and guaranteed desert landscapes are just a few.
While few weddings happen during these months, we have been a part of several, and we’ve seen them planned carefully without losing the magic of the Phoenix landscape. Welcoming guests and gathering them inside until five minutes before the processional keeps guests cool without compromising stunning desert ceremony photos.
Our advice for summer weddings is to work closely with your photo and video team to minimize your outside time, but still capture the uniqueness that is a Phoenix wedding.
To Answer Your Question
So, to answer your question, anytime is a perfect time to get married in Phoenix. Truly, the decision is less about “can we make this month work for a wedding” and instead becomes more about “what sort of a guest experience are we hoping to have for those who celebrate with us?”
If celebrating throughout the evening surrounded by the Phoenix desert landscape is the top priority for you, consider October or March. If giving your guests in other areas of the country an intentional destination wedding is a priority, then look at January or February. Found a ballroom that caught your attention? Then your options just got a lot more versatile!
The bottom line is there is no BAD time to get married in Phoenix; there are only times that work better and times that don’t fit as well with you and your vision.
And Don’t Forget Sunset!
And one last thing, don’t forget that at ANY time of the year, planning for the sunset time in Phoenix is going to be crucial to creating the day of your dreams. Not only does it dictate when the ceremony starts, but it also dictates when couple portraits can be taken, when family photos can be taken and even when dinner should be served. Before finalizing your timeline, work with your coordinator and photographer to ensure you check in on the sunset time for your specific wedding date and in your specific area of the Phoenix Valley.
Planning Your Photo Coverage Around the Sun
Your photography package sets how much of the day your photographer can cover, which matters when the ceremony moves later to beat the heat. Signature covers six hours, Signature Plus covers eight, and Premium covers ten, so a sunset ceremony followed by portraits and a reception usually fits best in one of the longer packages.
Signature Plus and Premium also include an engagement session, 45 or 90 minutes long, which you can schedule for a cooler month even if your wedding is in the summer. Compare our photography packages or request photography pricing.
If you want to take the guesswork out of it and want to be able to rely on a team that “gets it” regardless of the time of year, let us know! Our full-service or partial package options ensure that your photography, videography, DJ, coordination, and Photo Booth needs are taken care of and handled in a weather-appropriate manner, regardless of whether it’s December or July.
