The Best Time of Year to Get Married in Scotland | Scotland's Best Months for Good Weather | 2021

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Let's face it, no one gets married in Scotland for the weather. It's not California, we're not planning 5pm Ceremonies and anticipating guaranteed sunset Golden Hours, but in the 14 years I've been a wedding photographer, I must admit, I've had some real luck with the sunshine. Even in the winter months, the sun often appears (particularly on the East Coast) and when all else fails, you can usually rely on our climate to give almost 4 seasons in one day, but I know that when Matt and I began our wedding planning, one of the first things we considered was when might give us the best chance of, at least, a dry day.

In the end we opted for May... and we got all four seasons in the one day (almost). It did rain us off for our ceremony, which ended up taking us indoors (to the beautiful Roman Camp Hotel's library with tiny chapel) but the sun shone for our photographs afterwards in the lush gardens and grounds, so we got the best of both cosy romance and outdoor glow.

They tell you that rain on your wedding day is a sign of good luck - and there's a high chance they tell you that to make you feel a little better about it - but I genuinely don't believe there's any weather that can steal away the romance of your wedding day and so, no matter rain or shine, I always witness real beauty and special moments whether they happen under the glow of a setting sun or a large, white umbrella.

Given my experience over the years, I thought I'd give you an idea of the months I've found to be the driest, warmest and most sun-filled so far and a *top tip* for each, as well as my favourite month of the year for that 'Goldilocks' of wedding weather - just the right temperature coupled with just the right type of sunshine (when it appears).

It all depends, of course, on the location of your venue as some areas of Scotland are always going to be wetter, milder, cooler, windier or frostier than others. If you've yet to select your venue, take a look at my previous posts on Elegant Country Wedding Venues in Scotland and Unique Barn Venues, to find some inspiration and information.

Below are what I've experienced to be the best months of the year for temperate wedding weather - I hope this helps a little in your planning and if you'd like to receive more information, in the form of a complimentary Welcome Brochure, on how to build your own Bespoke Photography Collection, drop me a line now here.

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Q. When is the best month to get married in Scotland, weather-wise?

A. The simple answer... September.

September is, from what I've seen, the best all rounder. It's actually the month Matt and I wished we'd opted for in the end. Following the warmer summer months, when the peak days of July and August have taken the winter and spring chill out of the air, September tends to get a lot of dry, sunny days here in Scotland. Not only that, there's always the chance of a swift Indian Summer, when you get a lovely balmy day in September. It's often warm without being too hot and generally can be relied on to give you more of a chance of an outdoor ceremony.

Top Tip: September is less sought-after than you're more 'go-to' summer months like June and July for venues and vendors, although it's still popular, and nine times out of ten it will have a better chance of sunshine than it's more 'summery' counterparts. June and July can be much rainier here than most of us would assume at first thought.

Image: Mel and Mag's beautiful wedding day at Craigsanquhar House Estate. To contact Craigsanquhar directly, click here.

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Q. Which is the driest month to get married in Scotland?

A. Believe it or not...winter months, like late December, January or February.

Winter months aren't the most popular months for weddings and most likely because most of us would assume the weather won't be in our favour, but I've had the privilege of photographing many a winter wedding day now and, for the most part, they've been bright, fresh and pleasant. Most likely due to the fact that you're not betting on the weather in December, January or February, the sunshine appearing or a dry crisp day can feel even more special, and it's more common than you might think, especially on the East Coast where we often have dry, blue sky, frosty winter weather as opposed to wet, dull wild days.

Winter weddings obviously command a slightly different frame of thought when it comes to clothing, due to the obvious temperature difference, and with the sun setting earlier, timings are adapted to make the most of that beautiful golden glow, but ultimately, I can't deny, I have adored all the winter weddings I've had the joy of capturing so far.

Top Tip: Always make a note of the sunset time prior to the day and plan your ceremony in plenty of time before it - usually around 3 hours prior - to make the most of the sunshine for your photography.

Image: Craig and Sarah's beautiful winter wedding at home in Elie, Fife, December 2020.

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Q. Which is the warmest month to get married in Scotland?

A. More often than not... July or August.

July and August are, undeniably, our warmest months of the year and temperatures in both months can reach late 20s / early 30s celsius - funnily enough, these often tend to be the days I happen to be capturing weddings. It's easy to see why so many couples opt for these months, with gardens in full bloom and florals giving us those bright, summer tones, there's a lot to love about a summer wedding so there's not a lot I can say that could be considered a down side. The only issue is the fact that it could sometimes be considered a little too hot, mostly because we're not used to that type of heat on the regular, but as long as you have plenty of shaded areas for Grandparents and plenty of hydration on the go, your day will be a beaut. Again, rain is never completely off the cards, but if you were hedging your bets, August would be the warmest and driest of the two.

Top Tip: Always remember to include sunblock in your 'getting ready' regime on the morning of. Foreheads and the back of the neck for fellas and shoulders, arms, chests and backs for Brides are the places to pay attention to. For a non-sticky sunblock option, try Powdered Sunshine by Lush to keep the shine at bay on your day.

Image: Erin & Marc's beautiful wedding day at Camptoun House, North Berwick, August 2021. To view more previews from their day, click here.

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Q. Which is the sunniest month to get married in Scotland?

A. Besides August or September, April is often a sunny one, but beware of those April showers.

Spring is always welcome. After the winter months, when the days are now much longer and the birds are singing again, there's always a lovely fresh feeling as the sunshine returns and a wedding day in Spring can have the most uplifting feeling about it. April is perfect for this type of vibe and tends to be the time when most of your wedding vendors are coming out of hibernation so we're raring to go with the beginning a whole new season. Outdoor ceremonies are much easier and milder and although the temperatures drop as the afternoon saunters on, by that time, you're sitting down to eat and listen to your best friends get up and talk publicly about you, so you're not too fussed about what the sun is doing by that point anyway.

Top Tip: April nights are the perfect nights for sparkler send-offs (or just sparklers in general) as the daylight drops early enough for it be a really magical way to kick off your evening celebrations.

Image: Adam and Ian's gorgeous wedding day at Kinkell Byre, St Andrews. To contact Kinkell directly, click here.

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Q. When is the best time of year to get married in Scotland?

A. Most Important Answer: whenever you want to.

Planning when to select your wedding date is such a personal thing and comes down to more than just what the weather is doing so it's important to select a date that feels right for you first and foremost. There is a whole lot to be said for an Autumn wedding too; the warmth of those Autumn colours and the crispness in the air, so it really comes down to your own personal vibe.

Are you more cosy socks and roaring fires or are you Greek Island lovers who just live for the arrival of summer? If you're a little of both, that's where September comes in, but all in all it can be based on many things. An anniversary, a birthday, your preferred length of planning window. A special date for you.

Top Tip: At the end of the day, the weather in Scotland is never predictable and rain is always a possibility but it's never something to worry about. Focus only on what you can control, would be my advice, and let the rest be what it will beautifully be.

Image: Katie and David's summer wedding at Argrennan Manor House, Castle Douglas. To contact Argrennan directly, click here.

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And there we have it - those are generally the best months to get married in Scotland, from a wedding photographer's point of view. Ultimately, your wedding day is your wedding day no matter what the elements are doing, so, whatever the weather, be sure to relax, enjoy and have the most amazing time.

If you're currently planning your own wedding, for either 2022 or 2023, get in touch here now to check my availability, tell me all about your plans so far and receive a complimentary Welcome Brochure. *Only a few limited dates remain available for 2022*

All images © Jill Cherry Porter Photography 2021