There are many factors to consider when it comes to planning a wedding, from the number of attendants to the invitation list; types of flowers to cake flavors; color palettes to décor, music and food. But perhaps the biggest decision to make is when to celebrate the big day.
Depending on the locale, different times of year may be busier than others, making it hard to secure the couple’s preferred date. If you’re running into roadblocks consider spring, which is quicky becoming the new statement season for weddings.
Not only is spring a terrific time of year in terms of nature reawakening from her winter slumber, but it’s the shoulder season for many destinations, which in turn means couples may be able to access better room rates for their guests, better pricing, and an overall better value compared to peak summer and fall dates.
“Summer and fall dates often book far in advance and require little incentive for venues to sell,” explains Nicole Silver, Owner and Creative Director, Nicole Silver Events. “In the spring, properties are motivated to attract business earlier in the season, which opens the door for more competitive pricing, flexible minimums and added value that simply isn’t available during peak months.”
“Spring is considered a shoulder season in many destination markets, which means properties are balancing strong demand with availability,” says Charley Izabella King, President, Bluebell Events. “Hotels and venues are often more willing to offer competitive pricing, favorable minimums, or added value because they’re eager to secure business before peak summer and fall dates fill naturally.
“Couples often get more for their budget — not necessarily a ‘cheap’ wedding, but a smarter spend with elevated outcomes,” she adds.
Flexibility with Destinations
To that end, destinations may also be more flexible and amenable to offering added value during the spring shoulder season, like upgraded welcome events, extended room blocks or even enhanced experiences.
“We often see hotels offering concessions such as more complimentary items at welcome receptions, upgraded room categories for the couple, extended room blocks without attrition pressure, or added experiences for guests,” King says of weddings planned in the spring. “In peak season, those perks are rare because the hotel knows the rooms will sell anyway. In spring, they’re motivated to say ‘yes.’”
Silver says she sees increased flexibility in the spring, too, saying, “properties are far more willing to customize and enhance offerings when demand is slightly softer.”
Adding to that flexibility and amenability, King explains that spring sits in a strategic window during which properties are focused on filling inventory and building momentum into the high season.
“That motivation often results in better responsiveness, more creative proposals, and a genuine willingness to collaborate with planners to craft something special,” she adds.
Increased Flexibility with Vendors
It's not only destinations that may have more availability and flexibility in the spring, but vendors like photographers, florists and even wedding planners, too, especially if “you ask them early enough,” says King.
“Spring dates generally offer greater availability across top-tier vendors, especially those who book solidly during peak season,” says Silver. “Couples often have access to their first-choice creative partners without needing to compromise or rush decisions, especially in locations like Colorado where wedding season is typically seasonality.”
Planning a spring wedding may also mean fewer crowds, which may translate into a more intimate and elevated guest experience. King thinks this is one of the most underrated benefits of the season.
“Fewer crowds mean guests experience the destination at its best — restaurants are easier to reserve, excursions feel more private and the overall pace is calmer,” she says. “That intimacy translates directly into a more luxurious and immersive experience for everyone attending.”
Silver adds that not only do fewer crowds and quieter destinations in the spring mean more personalized service, but easier logistics and a more relaxed, elevated experience for guests.
“It allows the celebration to feel intentional and immersive rather than competing with peak-season traffic and congestion,” she says. “This is typically important in areas like Mexico or Italy.”
Not only that, but guest travel may be more affordable and smoother in the spring, which Silver says can significantly improve the guest experience and reduce overall travel stress, especially for destination weddings. The result? It’s likely everyone arriving at the celebration in good moods and ready to fête the couple.
“Airfare is often more favorable [in the spring] than summer peak pricing, and airports tend to be less congested, which makes travel feel less stressful,” says King. “Guests appreciate that the trip feels accessible rather than overwhelming, especially for destination weddings where attendance is a meaningful investment.”
A Winning Combination
“Spring offers a unique combination of financial value, creative flexibility and experiential luxury,” says King. “Weather is often ideal in many destinations, natural landscapes are at their most beautiful, and couples benefit from a calmer planning process with more attention from venues and vendors alike. It’s not just about saving money, it’s about achieving a more refined, intentional and luxurious wedding experience.”
Of spring weddings, Silver says they often benefit from “fresh seasonal menus, beautiful natural light, and a sense of renewal that feels incredibly romantic. From a planning standpoint, couples gain more flexibility, more attention from vendors and a stronger value proposition — all while creating an experience that feels elevated, intentional and thoughtfully timed.”
Spring Weddings at ALHI Hotels
With an exceptional collection of luxury hotels and resorts across the globe, ALHI has the idyllic fit for couples’ spring weddings. Here is a sampling of options.
The Joule
An urban oasis, The Joule, a boutique hotel in downtown Dallas, is housed in a neo-Gothic building built in the 1920s, formerly the Dallas National Bank. Wedding celebrations at The Joule range from intimate affairs of 20 to all-out bashes for up to 400 guests in one of the ballrooms. The 30-foot-tall Eye sculpture is the focal point of a reception on the surrounding turfed lawn.
The Broadmoor
Escape the busy spring ski season at Colorado’s ski resort destinations by planning the big day at The Broadmoor, welcoming guests to Colorado Springs since 1918. The iconic resort boasts numerous options for all sizes of weddings throughout its 5,000 acres, including the Lakeside Terrace next to Cheyenne Lake with mountain views; afterwards hold a reception in the Lake Terrace Dining Room.
Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces
Drawing from a blend of the Southwest’s Native American, Mexican, Spanish and American Western cultural and historical influences, weddings at Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces in New Mexico, are as unique as the couples they celebrate. Host the ceremony in the flower-filled Pool Side Garden before adjourning to the San Rafel Ballroom, complete with Spanish décor, for an intimate reception of up to 100 guests.
Keswick Hall
Keswick Hall near Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains is an idyllic respite away from the buzz of the Eastern Seaboard. Here, couples and their guests enjoy a luxury resort where elegance meets extraordinary comfort not only in its accommodations, but public spaces, dining and experiences. While bridal parties pamper themselves with holistic treatments in the spa, guests can play each other in a golf or tennis tournament before gathering for the “I Dos.”
One&Only Palmilla
Couples who land on blue for their color palette will want to take a look at One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, sitting between incredibly blue skies and the vibrant azure sea. Ceremony locations range from the resort’s sandy beach to a white-washed chapel and an oceanfront ballroom. After the reception, the couple can retreat to their private villa to reflect on the day.
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