Traditionally, June has always been the most popular month for couples to get married. But numbers from the American National Center for Health Statistics show that July and August have been seeing more marriages than June for three years in a row now.
June as the Traditional Wedding Month
Historically, June has always been the most popular month for weddings. That is where the term "June bride" comes from. The month of June derives its name from Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage. It was anciently thought that couples who married in June would be blessed with prosperity and happiness.
Ancient Reasons for June Weddings
There were also many logistical reasons for brides to consider June weddings. Brides married in June were likely to give birth to a first child in spring (also thought to bring good luck) and recover in time for the fall harvest. During medieval times a person's annual bath usually fell in May or June, meaning that June brides still smelled relatively fresh.
Contemporary Reasons for Getting Married in June
However, these reasons aren't very relevant to couples today. Couples today may plan a June wedding because of the nice weather, in-season flowers, and the higher number of outdoor venues available. In June, there is also less likelihood of spring rain or a mid-summer heat wave. June weddings may be easier for guests to attend, since schools and universities are out of session. The summer months are better for most honeymoon destinations, as well.
Percentage of Weddings by Month
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, July and August are actually overtaking June as the most popular wedding month. In 2008 there were 216,000 June marriages and 231,000 July marriages. For the third year in a row, July has been the more popular wedding month.
Here is a breakdown of the weddings by month in 2007:
- January: 6%
- February: 6.5%
- March: 7.1%
- April: 7.4%
- May: 8.6%
- June: 10.1%
- July: 11.1%
- August: 10.4%
- September: 9.1%
- October: 9.1%
- November: 7.9%
- December: 6.7%
For the last several years, June – the traditional wedding month – has only come in second or even third in popularity. It looks as though the new most popular month for marriage is July, followed by August, June, September, and October.
Why are Other Months Becoming Popular Wedding Months?
Experts aren't sure what has accounted for the recent change in a centuries-old tradition, but believe it may be due the emphasis most people are placing on being different. Advertising and pop culture increasingly encourages people to be unique and do things their own way. Baby names are also becoming more unusual and diverse than they were a decade ago.
While it's uncertain whether June will eventually regain its title as the most popular wedding month, statistics show that trends are slowly changing for now. More and more couples are now getting married in the summer months of July and August, followed by the fall months of September and October.
Visit the Wedding Planning Resource Page for more information for brides including invitations, wedding photography, and reception planning.
Source:
The National Center for Health Statistics
Jenny Evans - Jenny Evans is a freelance writer and editor specializing in parenting and the family. She is also the Mormonism Topic Editor for ...
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