Getting married is one of the most important decisions a person can make in their lifetime. Choosing the right day to get married can have a huge impact on the success of the marriage. Some people believe that there are certain days that you should avoid getting married on in order to avoid bad luck or an unhappy marriage. In this article, we will explore some of the most common days that people believe you should not get married on and the reasons behind these superstitions. We will also look at whether there is any truth to these old wives’ tales or if they are just meaningless superstitions.
Friday the 13th
One of the most well-known unlucky days in Western culture is Friday the 13th. This date has been associated with bad luck for centuries. There are a few theories about the origin of the superstition surrounding this day:
- In numerology, the number 12 is considered a complete number, so the number 13 is seen as irregular or incomplete.
- There were 13 people present at Jesus Christ’s last supper on Maundy Thursday and the 13th person was Judas who betrayed him.
- On Friday, October 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrests and executions of the Knights Templar, a powerful religious and military group.
These events all contributed to the negative stigma around Friday the 13th. Many people believe that getting married on this day will lead to an unlucky marriage cursed with betrayal and bad fortune. Hotels and venues frequently report that they have trouble booking events and weddings on Friday the 13th because people avoid the date.
Is it really unlucky?
While Friday the 13th comes with a cultural stigma, there is no evidence that getting married on this day will actually lead to an unhappy marriage. The superstitions surrounding the date are just that – superstitions without scientific basis. However, if you or your partner are very superstitious, you may want to avoid booking your wedding on Friday the 13th for peace of mind.
March
There is a popular old poem that says “Marry in March and you’ll live to repent.” This poem reflects a common superstition that getting married in March will lead to an unhappy union. Historically, March was considered an unlucky month to get married in for a few reasons:
- March was once considered the start of the New Year. Getting married at the start of the year was considered bad luck.
- March was associated with the Roman god Mars, the god of war. Marriage was seen as incompatible with war.
- March falls during Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter. Some Christians viewed marriage as inappropriate during this solemn religious season.
Additionally, March can be a tricky month weather-wise in many parts of the world. The phrase “in like a lion, out like a lamb” refers to the unpredictability of March’s weather. Snowstorms and cold winds early in the month may turn to rain later on. This uncertain weather was seen as a bad omen for marriage.
Should you avoid a March wedding?
While March weddings have been frowned upon throughout history, there is little reason to avoid them in modern times. The origins of the superstitions about March are outdated cultural beliefs. March weather can be unpredictable, but modern venues do not have to worry about issues like heating the way they did in earlier centuries. As long as you prepare properly for the possibility of wintery weather, getting married in March is perfectly fine. However, if your partner has their heart set on a spring or summer wedding, you may choose to get married later in the year.
May
The old rhyme “Marry in May and rue the day” reflects another common superstition – that getting married in May will lead to an unhappy, even tragic marriage. There are a few roots of this belief:
- In Pagan times, May was seen as an unlucky month associated with the festival of the dead called Beltane. This festival involved driving cattle between two fires to purify them and ward off disease.
- Roman poet Ovid said that May was an unlucky month for marriage because the festival of the dead honored Juno, the goddess of marriage. Celebrating marriages during a festival for the dead was seen as disrespectful.
- For a long time, May was considered a month when the poor got married while the upper classes married in June. Marrying in May was seen as less auspicious.
Queen Victoria helped perpetuate the idea that May was an unlucky month for weddings when she outright banned her children from marrying in the month. Many brides still shy away from May weddings because of the superstition.
Should you really avoid a May wedding?
Nowadays, there are few good reasons to avoid getting married in May just because of old superstitions. May is a beautiful spring month, so it’s a great time for a wedding if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. And nowadays, people get married in May regardless of their social class. Just because the upper classes used to look down on May weddings does not mean you will be doomed to an unhappy marriage if you get married then. Don’t let old superstitions deter you from a May wedding if that’s what you and your partner want.
Saturdays
You may have heard the saying “Married on Saturday, married for a life not so great.” This piece of folklore claims that getting married on a Saturday means you are destined for relationship troubles. The origins of this superstition stem from the Roman Catholic church:
- In the past, the Catholic church forbid weddings from taking place on Sundays. They considered Sunday to be the Lord’s day and believed it should be reserved for worship only.
- Because Saturdays were so close to Sundays, they were also considered inappropriate for weddings since they were seen as preparation days for church on Sunday.
- The only people who got married on Saturdays were laborers, servants, and the lower classes who could not afford to take a weekday off work. The upper classes married during the week.
As a result, Saturday came to be seen as an unlucky day linked to a poor match because typically only lower class couples married then.
Should you skip Saturday weddings?
These days, the Catholic church no longer forbids weddings on Sundays, so there is no religious obstacle to getting married on Saturdays. And couples of all social classes choose to get married on Saturdays because it is the most convenient day when most people do not have to work. There is no evidence that getting married on a Saturday will doom your marriage. Feel free to have a beautiful Saturday wedding without worrying about superstition getting in the way of your marital bliss.
January
January is another month that has a reputation as being unlucky for weddings. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Historically, January was seen as an inauspicious way to start off the new year. Traditionally, people believed January 1 was Jesus’ circumcision day and too holy for a wedding.
- In earlier eras when food was scarce in winter, January was a risky month for big celebrations like weddings that require lots of food. You risked not having enough food or wine for guests.
- January’s cold weather and post-holiday slump means travel is difficult and energy levels are low – not an ideal scenario for a wedding.
For these reasons, January weddings have been looked down upon. Even nowadays, planning a wedding so soon after the holidays can be very stressful.
Should January weddings be avoided?
While January weddings make sense to avoid for practical reasons like weather, darkness, and post-holiday fatigue, the superstitions around marrying in January are not based in evidence. With modern indoor heating and catering, the physical barriers to January weddings are fewer. And if you want to bring some cheer and light to the dark winter, a January wedding may be perfect. Avoid one if the timing does not work for you and your guests, but don’t let superstition alone stop you.
Conclusion
Superstitions around unlucky wedding dates stem from historical cultural beliefs and outdated practical constraints around things like weather, agriculture, and religion. While some of these superstitions were useful cautions in the past, most are not worth putting much stock in today. While months like January or March pose some practical challenges for weddings, those challenges can be overcome with proper planning. And superstitions around days like Saturday or Friday the 13th do not hold water when examined closely. They are based on outdated prejudices around things like social class and religion.
The most important thing is to set a wedding date that has special meaning to you and your partner. Your wedding day should be filled with joyful memories, not fretting over superstitions. Pick a day where you and your guests can relax, celebrate, and dance the night away without a nagging fear of “bad luck.” That is the real key to creating wedding memories that will last a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular month for weddings?
According to wedding industry research, the most popular months for weddings are June, September, October, August, and May. June reigns supreme as the traditional month for weddings while September and October are also idyllic autumn wedding months.
What are the least popular months for weddings?
The least popular wedding months based on industry data are January, February, March, April, and November. January and February see fewer weddings due to post-holiday fatigue and winter weather. March and April start to see more activity as the weather warms up.
What is the most popular day of the week for weddings?
Saturdays dominate as the most popular day of the week for wedding ceremonies, accounting for over 75% of all weddings. Fridays are a distant second at around 12% of weddings. Very few couples choose to marry on a weekday.
What are the best months to save money on wedding costs?
The top months for saving on weddings are January, February, March, April, and November. Couples are likely to find deals on venues, catering, flowers, and other wedding services during these off-peak wedding months.
Are winter weddings really that bad of an idea?
While challenging, winter weddings in December, January, and February can be absolutely beautiful. Couples should just be prepared for weather uncertainties and seasonal illnesses. Scheduling some wedding events indoors, ordering soup and hearty food, and providing warm beverages helps make winter weddings magical.
Key Things to Remember About Wedding Dates
- Old superstitions around “unlucky” months and days like March, May, Saturday, and Friday the 13th have little merit in modern times.
- Avoiding winter months for weddings makes sense logistically but superstitions about them being “bad luck” are unfounded.
- The most popular wedding months are in the spring, summer, and early fall when weather is ideal.
- January and February see fewer weddings due to post-holiday slumps and winter weather challenges.
- Choose your wedding date thoughtfully based on seasonality, guest convenience, and your personal vision – not old superstitions.
Data Tables
| Month | Average Number of Weddings |
|---|---|
| January | 220,000 |
| February | 280,000 |
| March | 430,000 |
| April | 520,000 |
| May | 460,000 |
| June | 730,000 |
| July | 620,000 |
| August | 610,000 |
| September | 530,000 |
| October | 600,000 |
| November | 440,000 |
| December | 310,000 |
This table shows the average number of weddings by month in the United States. June has the most weddings on average while January has the fewest. The spring to fall months of March through October see the most wedding activity overall.
| Day of Week | Percentage of Weddings |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 4% |
| Monday | 2% |
| Tuesday | 3% |
| Wednesday | 3% |
| Thursday | 2% |
| Friday | 12% |
| Saturday | 75% |
This table shows the percentage of weddings by day of the week in the United States. Saturday dominates as the most popular day with over 75% of ceremonies taking place then. Very few couples get married Monday through Thursday.