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Planning a Wedding

UK Wedding Dates 2026 - 2028: Most Popular Dates, Events & Holidays

Headshot of Nikita Thorne, Taken by Sam Rundle Photography
Nikita Thorne Updated:
23rd of December 2025

Choosing your wedding date is one of the first and most important decisions you'll make when planning your big day. In the UK, the date you choose can affect availability of wedding venues, pricing, guest travel, and even whether your wedding clashes with major events or public holidays.

This guide breaks down the most popular UK wedding dates for 2026, 2027 and 2028, alongside key dates to be aware of before you start booking venues. Using search data from Guides for Brides alongside national event calendars, we highlight the most popular wedding dates, dates couples often avoid, and key considerations that can affect availability, pricing, and guest experience.

If you're choosing between a few potential dates, this guide helps you make a more informed decision.

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Bride and groom sat together celebrating Hindu wedding

Before You Select A Wedding Date...

Before locking in a wedding date, it's worth taking a step back and thinking about what really matters to you both. From venue availability and budget to guest logistics, seasonal preferences, and personal milestones, your priorities will help shape the right choice.

If you're still weighing up your options or feeling unsure, our guide on how to choose your wedding date walks through the key considerations in more detail and can help you narrow things down with confidence.

High-Demand UK Wedding Dates

Peak wedding season in the UK typically runs from May to September, with summer Saturdays consistently the most sought-after. These dates often come with higher venue hire costs, stricter minimum spends, and more competition for suppliers.

Off-peak and midweek dates, usually between November and March (excluding December) or Monday to Friday year-round, tend to offer better availability and more flexibility on pricing. For couples planning further ahead, these options are increasingly being considered earlier in the planning process.

From the experts
Alison Hargreaves
"Most suppliers offer the same pricing all year, perhaps with a 10% discount for quieter dates, while venues have a more complex pricing matrix depending on the day of the week and time of year. It is only a matter of time before wedding businesses use the dynamic pricing model we see on airlines, with prices increasing for dates with higher number of enquiries."
Alison Hargreaves

In December 2025, we analysed data from more than 6,000 wedding enquiries identifying a specific wedding date on Guides for Brides. Here are the top 20 most sought-after wedding dates from couples planning their weddings in 2026, 2027 & 2028.

Most Popular UK Wedding Dates for 2026

For 2026, couples are clearly locking in summer Saturdays, with late August leading the charge and easy-to-remember dates in high demand. Standout favourites include Saturday 6th June 2026 (6.6.26) and Saturday 20th June 2026 (20.6.26), both ticking the memorable numbers box. June, July and August are stacked with high-demand Saturdays, and the Saturday before the late May bank holiday ranks as the third most popular choice. If you're eyeing any of these dates, move quickly, venues and top suppliers will not hang around.

  1. Saturday 6 June 2026
  2. Saturday 20 June 2026
  3. Saturday 23 May 2026
  4. Saturday 15 August 2026
  5. Saturday 8 August 2026
  6. Saturday 5 September 2026
  7. Saturday 25 July 2026
  8. Saturday 1 August 2026
  9. Saturday 27 June 2026
  10. Saturday 18 July 2026
  11. Saturday 30 May 2026
  12. Saturday 12 September 2026
  13. Saturday 26 September 2026
  14. Saturday 22 August 2026
  15. Saturday 29 August 2026
  16. Saturday 4 July 2026
  17. Saturday 13 June 2026
  18. Saturday 4 April 2026
  19. Saturday 11 July 2026
  20. Saturday 16 May 2026

Most Popular UK Wedding Dates for 2027

In 2027, late spring and summer Saturdays continue to dominate the most popular wedding date list, with May and June firmly out in front. Dates like Saturday 22nd May 2027 and Saturday 12th June 2027 are especially in demand, while Easter-adjacent and peak summer weekends are also pulling strong interest from couples planning early. Interestingly, a Tuesday has cracked the top 11, 27th July 2027, likely driven by the clean numerical appeal of 27.7.27.

  1. Saturday 22 May 2027
  2. Saturday 12 June 2027
  3. Saturday 29 May 2027
  4. Saturday 17 July 2027
  5. Saturday 26 June 2027
  6. Saturday 15 May 2027
  7. Saturday 7 August 2027
  8. Saturday 4 September 2027
  9. Saturday 1 May 2027
  10. Saturday 14 August 2027
  11. Tuesday 27 July 2027
  12. Friday 30 July 2027
  13. Saturday 21 August 2027
  14. Saturday 19 June 2027
  15. Saturday 5 June 2027
  16. Saturday 10 April 2027
  17. Saturday 24 July 2027
  18. Saturday 27 March 2027
  19. Saturday 10 July 2027
  20. Sunday 20 June 2027

Most Popular UK Wedding Dates for 2028

Wedding dates in 2028 show a strong preference for celebrations in the summer, particularly June and August. Couples also gravitating towards dates with clear numerical pattern. Wednesday 8th August 2028 (8.8.28) stands out as a particularly memorable option, alongside a cluster of popular late spring and summer Saturdays that are likely to book quickly. We're also seeing midweek dates appear in the top 20, suggesting that couples planning further ahead feel more confident about considering a weekday wedding.

  1. Saturday 10 June 2028
  2. Saturday 20 May 2028
  3. Saturday 16 September 2028
  4. Saturday 3 June 2028
  5. Saturday 12 August 2028
  6. Saturday 22 July 2028
  7. Saturday 17 June 2028
  8. Friday 9 June 2028
  9. Saturday 26 August 2028
  10. Saturday 15 July 2028
  11. Tuesday 8 August 2028
  12. Friday 4 August 2028
  13. Saturday 23 September 2028
  14. Friday 25 August 2028
  15. Sunday 25 June 2028
  16. Tuesday 1 August 2028
  17. Monday 7 August 2028
  18. Saturday 29 April 2028
  19. Thursday 22 June 2028
  20. Wednesday 19 July 2028

Bride and groom walking down aisle

Wedding Dates Couples Often Choose to Avoid

Some wedding dates are popular for all the wrong reasons. Superstition, travel disruption, and major national events can all affect guest experience and availability.

Superstitious Dates

  • 2026: Friday 13th September, Friday 13th December
  • 2027: Friday 13th August
  • 2028: Friday 13th October

Some people are also superstitious about getting married on Valentine's Day. While February 14th may feel like a romantic option as well as convenient for remembering your anniversary date, studies led by the University of Melbourne found those who marry on February 14th are 37% more likely to split due to the motive of the commitment being swayed by impulse.

Bride and groom throwing confetti

Major Sporting Events to Consider

If your guests are fans of sports or you're a sporting fan yourself, sharing a date with a sporting event might not be the best option. On your wedding day, you may be wanting all of the attention on you, rather than your guests sharing their time between you and the live broadcast on their phones. Additionally, if you've chosen a pub wedding venue that shows these events in their public spaces, you may find the space to be busier than usual.

On the other hand, you could simply embrace the date and the clash by celebrating your wedding at one of the many sporting venues that are licensed for weddings.

Key Sporting Events in 2026

2026 is a year to approach carefully, especially if you're a sports fan or trying to avoid UK sporting clashes. Several major international events land right in the middle of peak wedding season, and we've also flagged UK-hosted fixtures that could drive up local accommodation prices for your guests if you marry nearby.

  • 8th February - Super Bowl
  • 5th February - 14th March - Six Nations Rugby
  • 6th February - 15nd March - Winter Olympics and Paralympics
  • 26th April - London Marathon
  • 12th - 19th July - The Open at Royal Birkdale (Southport)
  • 16th May - FA Cup Final
  • 30th May - UEFA Champions League Final
  • 31st May - Women's FA Cup Final
  • 11th June - 19th July - FIFA World Cup
  • 12th June - 12th July - ICC Women's T20 World Cup (Hosted at venues in Birmingham, Bristol, Lancashire, Leeds, London and Southampton)
  • 16th - 20th June - Royal Ascot
  • 29th June - 12th July - Wimbledon Championships
  • 2nd - 5th July - British Grand Prix at Silverstone
  • 23rd July - 2nd August - Commonwealth Games (Glasgow)
  • 29th July - 2nd August - AIG Women's Open (Lancashire)

Key Sporting Events in 2027

While 2027 is quieter than 2026 in terms of global tournaments, several major annual events still fall within peak wedding months.

  • 14th February - Super Bowl
  • February - March (dates TBC) - Six Nations
  • 8th - 11th April - Golf Masters
  • April (date TBC) - London Marathon
  • May/June (date TBC) - UEFA Champions League Final
  • May TBC - FA Cup & Women's FA Cup Final
  • June (date TBC) - Royal Ascot
  • Late June to Mid-July (date TBC) - Wimbledon Championships
  • July (date TBC) – British Grand Prix at Silverstone

Key Sporting Events in 2028

When planning a UK wedding in 2028, it's important to check the wider sporting calendar.

  • 13th February - Super Bowl
  • February - March (dates TBC) – Six Nations Championship
  • 6th April - 9th April - The Masters Tournament
  • April - (date TBC) - London Marathon
  • May (date TBC) - FA Cup and Women's FA Cup Final
  • May / June (date TBC) - UEFA Champions League Final
  • June (date TBC) - Royal Ascot
  • Late June to Mid-July - Wimbledon Championships
  • 14th July - 30th July - Summer Olympic Games
  • July - British Grand Prix at Silverstone
  • August - AIG Women's Open

Bride and groom embracing underneath sparklers

Religious Holidays and Holy Dates to Be Aware Of

When choosing your wedding date, it's worth being mindful of major religious holidays and holy periods that may affect guest availability, venue rules, or ceremony options. This is particularly relevant if you're planning a faith-based wedding, getting married in a religious building, or inviting guests who observe specific religious calendars.

Some venues, especially churches, may restrict weddings or decorative elements during certain periods, while guests observing religious holidays may be unable to attend or travel.

Below are the key religious holidays and holy dates to be aware of when planning a UK wedding in 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Religious Holidays and Holy Dates in 2026

  • Ramadan - Tuesday 17th February - Wednesday 18th March
  • Lent - Wednesday 18th February - Thursday 2nd April
  • Eid al-Fitr - Friday 20th March
  • Passover - Wednesday 1st April - Thursday 9th April
  • Easter - Sunday 5th April
  • Yom Kippur - Sunday 20th September - Monday 21st September
  • Diwali - Sunday 8th November
  • Hanukkah - Thursday 7th December - Friday 15th December

Planning considerations: Lent can affect church weddings, with some churches limiting ceremonies or décor until after Easter. Ramadan may impact guest attendance or evening celebrations for those observing fasting.

Religious Holidays and Holy Dates in 2027

  • Ramadan - Sunday 7th Feb – Monday 8th March
  • Lent - Wednesday 10th Feb – Thursday 25th March
  • Eid al-Fitr - Tuesday 9th March
  • Passover - Wednesday 21th April – Thursday 29th April
  • Easter - 28th March
  • Yom Kippur - Sunday 10th October – Monday 11th Oct
  • Diwali - Friday 29th October
  • Hanukkah - Friday 24th Dec – Saturday 1st Jan 2028

Planning considerations: Easter-adjacent weekends can be popular but may limit availability at religious venues. Late December weddings may overlap with Hanukkah celebrations for some guests.

Religious Holidays and Holy Dates in 2028

  • Ramadan - Friday 26th January – Saturday 25th February 2028
  • Lent - Wednesday 23rd February – Thursday 6th April 2028
  • Eid al-Fitr - Sunday 26th February 2028
  • Passover - Wednesday 5th April – Thursday 13th April 2028
  • Easter Sunday - Sunday 9th April 2028
  • Yom Kippur - Wednesday 27th September – Thursday 28th September 2028
  • Diwali - Tuesday 17th October
  • Hanukkah - Tuesday 12th December – Wednesday 20th December 2028

Planning considerations: With Easter falling in early April, spring weddings may coincide with religious observances. As always, check venue policies and guest availability before confirming dates.

Groom being lifted alongside bride at wedding

Public Holidays to be aware of in 2026, 2027 and 2028

Public holidays are usually a popular time for couples to tie the knot, especially where there is an extra-long weekend! So, you can expect it will be more difficult to find an available date due to high demand. Your guests may have also booked time away for these specific dates way in advance. If you're not wanting to share your wedding day with a public holiday then these are the dates you need to look out for. Keep in mind that bank holidays can change, so it's best to keep an eye on the Government website to stay on top of any changes.

UK Public Holidays in 2026

  • Thursday 1st January – New Year's Day
  • Friday 2nd January – New Year Holiday (Scotland)
  • Tuesday 17th March – St Patrick's Day (Northern Ireland)
  • Friday 3rd April – Good Friday
  • Monday 6th April – Easter Monday
  • Monday 4th May – Early May Bank Holiday
  • Monday 25th May – Spring Bank Holiday
  • Sunday 12th July – Battle of the Boyne (Northern Ireland)
  • Monday 13th July – Battle of the Boyne substitute day (Northern Ireland)
  • Monday 3rd August – Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland)
  • Monday 31st August – Summer Bank Holiday
  • Monday 30th November – St Andrew's Day (Scotland)
  • Friday 25th December – Christmas Day
  • Monday 28th December – Boxing Day substitute day

Planning note: Late May and August bank holiday weekends are consistently high-demand wedding dates.

UK Public Holidays in 2027

  • Friday 1st January – New Year's Day
  • Monday 4th January – New Year Holiday substitute day (Scotland)
  • Wednesday 17th March – St Patrick's Day (Northern Ireland)
  • Friday 26th March – Good Friday
  • Monday 29th March – Easter Monday
  • Monday 3rd May – Early May Bank Holiday
  • Monday 31st May – Spring Bank Holiday
  • Monday 12th July – Battle of the Boyne (Northern Ireland)
  • Tuesday 13th July – Battle of the Boyne substitute day (Northern Ireland)
  • Monday 2nd August – Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland)
  • Monday 30th August – Summer Bank Holiday
  • Tuesday 30th November – St Andrew's Day (Scotland)
  • Monday 27th December – Christmas Day substitute day
  • Tuesday 28th December – Boxing Day substitute day

Planning note: Easter falls early in 2027, which may impact spring weddings and venue availability.

UK Public Holidays in 2028

  • Monday 3rd January – New Year's Day substitute day
  • Tuesday 4th January – New Year Holiday (Scotland)
  • Friday 17th March – St Patrick's Day (Northern Ireland)
  • Friday 14th April – Good Friday
  • Monday 17th April – Easter Monday
  • Monday 1st May – Early May Bank Holiday
  • Monday 29th May – Spring Bank Holiday
  • Wednesday 12th July – Battle of the Boyne (Northern Ireland)
  • Monday 7th August – Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland)
  • Monday 28th August – Summer Bank Holiday
  • Thursday 30th November – St Andrew's Day (Scotland)
  • Monday 25th December – Christmas Day
  • Tuesday 26th December – Boxing Day

Planning note: With Easter falling in mid-April, April and May dates may book quickly, particularly for popular venues.

Choosing the Perfect UK Wedding Date

With peak season demand, national events, and changing planning behaviours all influencing availability, choosing the right wedding date is increasingly strategic. Whether you're aiming for a popular summer Saturday or intentionally choosing a weekday or off-peak option, planning ahead gives you more control over cost, choice, and experience.

Once you've narrowed down your preferred dates, enquiring early with venues and suppliers is the best way to secure availability before those dates are gone.

Bride and grooms hand on bouquet, the brides hand has henna on it

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Headshot of Nikita Thorne, Taken by Sam Rundle Photography
About the author
Nikita is a wedding planning expert. She is the host of Guides for Brides - The Wedding Podcast and regularly speaks at wedding industry conferences and national wedding shows to inform and inspire couples who are planning their big days. She keeps on top of the latest wedding trends in design and fashion and loves to see the new innovative ideas from wedding professionals across the country. If you need practical planning advice, Nikita has been through the entire wedding planning process, so is your best contact!

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