Traditionally, the wedding industry in the United States defines engagement season the period between Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day. First things first, you should know that 40% of wedding engagements occur between those two dates. With many of the most popular months to give an engagement ring being squeezed into the winter months, we are sure you will recognize many of these most popular dates. In addition, the holiday season often provides the perfect time for that element of surprise when giving a diamond ring.
Engagement Season Dates
The popularity of these months for popping the big question is not surprising to Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo for a couple of reasons. During this festive season, many family members and friends are home and it is the best time of year to create that special moment. Couples have the opportunity to share this special time and the engagement with family and their closest friends.
Additionally, there are a lot of holiday decorations, cheer and festivities to set the mood. This festive period is certainly the most popular time for a romantic proposal during family gatherings. What better way for everyone to share in the holiday spirit and admire your perfect engagement ring.
We have seen photos from our grooms-to-be popping the question on popular engagement dates in front of the illuminated Christmas tree in front of City Hall in Center City, Philadelphia. We have also seen proposals happen at the Christmas Village in Love Park! The holiday lights and decorations leave limitless opportunities to create the perfect backdrop for a memorable proposal.
Engagement Season and Major Holidays
We are well aware of this ever-so-popular time of year to get engaged. Typically, it begins on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Usually, we are booked with bridal appointments and often have a waiting list to try on wedding dresses during that time of year. This just lends to the fact that Thanksgiving tends to kick-off what is known as “engagement season”.
A few years ago, COVID changed things a bit with regard to the days and places chosen to propose to your fiancé in 2021 and 2022. Fortunately, COVID is all behind us, and public places, restaurants and festivities have all opened up again; we are seeing a more normalized trend for days and places for marriage proposals.
Each year, the most popular days to get engaged may change slightly. But, there are always those days that we see year-after-year (think New Year’s Eve proposal!),
Engagement Season – 2023 – 2024 Survey
Based on a survey of our brides and grooms from the 2023 and 2024 engagement season; we found the following days to be the most popular days to get engaged. This is during what the wedding industry defines as engagement season:
- Valentine’s Day
- Saturday Before Christmas
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- New Year’s Eve
- New Year’s Day
- Two Saturdays before Christmas
- December 23rd
- Thanksgiving Day
Many consider Valentine’s Day the most romantic day of the year and that is clearly a lucky day for the engaged couple. Year after year, we find a Christmas proposal a very popular day. In fact, the entire Christmas period seems to be one of the right time of year to offer good news. And what better gift than to get a fiancé for Christmas?!
A couple of runner up days to get engaged that were not in what is considered engagement season were:
- Birthday
- Anniversary of the day the couple met
- 4th of July or Independence Day
Another big day for getting engaged is July 4th. We think summer vacations or summer months are great way to celebrate these new beginnings. July 4th is an ideal time to get engaged and may be a better time for outdoor proposals due to the warm weather! Again, no surprise to us because we always experience many more bridal appointments around the 4th of July holiday and immediately after it. Independence Day is certainly prime time for engagements and is a good time because you have built-in fireworks on the Fourth of July, clearly a romantic setting!
One last engagement date that we have heard about from many brides and grooms is to propose on the couple’s first date anniversary. Quite a memorable date that is important to anyone in a serious relationship.
Certainly there are many days of the year that are a wonderful time to propose, but truthfully, you don’t have to get engaged during the most popular season of the year. There are certainly external factors that determine when someone pops the question. Your special day chosen can be all times of the year and does not have to be one of the most common dates. This is one of the most important decisions of your life and we believe that any date is a great time to get engaged.
Once you are engaged, celebrate! Perhaps a party, luncheon, or happy hour. A zoom call with cross-country friends and family. However you do it, your loved ones want to wish you happiness and joy during this special time.
You will choose a venue: You may have one in mind already, or you may want to tour multiple. Important to remember that there are popular wedding months that book up much faster, but they usually carry a premium price. If if you want a venue that is out of your budget during these popular months, ask what they offer on a Friday or Sunday, or what specials there are for winter months. Winter weddings are magical!
Our Couples Wedding Months 2025
Next is booking the date: In 2025, the most popular wedding date is 05/25/25, and who doesn’t love a spring wedding?! In the last 12 years, October has always been our busiest wedding month. This year, May is in the lead! Once you have your venue and date – it’s go time!
Wedding planing is exciting and fun! In our Wedding Guides you will find everything you need for Brides, Grooms, Mothers, & Fathers! You will make memories that will last the rest of your life. We could not be happier for you!
What do you think is the perfect opportunity for popping the question? Submit your idea to us and tell us about your love story and engagement date. You may just be featured by Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo in one of our blogs! may just be featured by Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo in one of our blogs!