While there's no scientific basis, May is traditionally considered the unluckiest month to marry in Western folklore, stemming from Roman and Victorian superstitions about the dead and general misfortune, with the saying, "Marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day,". However, some cultures and religions have their own unlucky periods, like certain times during Chaturmas in Hinduism, while others see May as blessed.
Months Bad for Weddings
There is not a single month believed to be bad to get married. Rather, there are two – May and July. The 'not in May' wedding superstition goes back to Roman times when it was considered the unluckiest month for a wedding.
January tends to be the least popular month to say I do in. Why? The frosty weather, shorter days, and the post-Christmas spending ban after an expensive month makes it an unlikely choice for wedding dates.
Chaturmas (Four-Month Period) – A time of religious observance when marriages are discouraged. Shraadha (Pitru Paksha) – A period for honoring ancestors, which is considered inauspicious for new beginnings. Adhik Maas (Extra Lunar Month) – This additional month occurs every 2-3 years and is not ideal for weddings.
In some traditions, June is considered the luckiest month to tie the knot, stemming from Roman times when the month was named after Juno, the goddess of marriage and the well-being of women. In Irish culture, it's considered lucky to marry during the harvest season, as this period symbolizes abundance and prosperity.
The 2-2-2 rule for marriage is a guideline to keep a relationship strong and connected: have a date night every two weeks, a weekend getaway every two months, and a week-long vacation every two years. This system encourages regular, intentional quality time, breaks from routine, and deeper connection by ensuring couples prioritize each other amidst daily life, work, and family, preventing stagnation and fostering fun.
Historically, January tends to be the least popular month to get married.
Inauspicious dates
In some traditions, there are certain unlucky dates and superstitions that people try to stay away from. Dates like Friday the 13th or, in Irish cultures, the leap year day which falls on February 29, are believed to bring bad luck to couples.
The "30/5 minute rule" for weddings is a time-management strategy: expect things that usually take 5 minutes to take 30 on your wedding day (like getting dressed due to distractions), and plan for 30-minute buffers before major events, while conversely, anticipating guests might arrive 5 minutes late to key moments. This rule builds crucial flexibility into your schedule, preventing small delays from derailing the entire event and creating breathing room for spontaneous moments, ensuring a smoother, less stressful day.
The most popular wedding months on the calendar tend to be June, October, and September. May and August aren't too far behind. Regional events and cultural preferences may sway your feelings when choosing your wedding date, and there's nothing wrong with an off-season wedding!
The 777 rule for marriage is a relationship guideline to keep couples connected by scheduling specific, regular quality time: a date night every 7 days, a night away (getaway) every 7 weeks, and a romantic holiday every 7 months, often without kids, to foster intimacy, reduce stress, and prevent routine from overtaking the relationship. It's about consistent, intentional efforts to prioritize the partnership.
Unlucky Wedding Dates
If you're superstitious, you might want to avoid any Friday the 13th dates. There's nothing to say that getting married on Friday the 13th is actually unlucky, but if you're someone who's particularly superstitious, here are all the Friday the 13th dates within the next four years.
I've been helping couples in the context of marriage counseling for about a decade and a half. In that time, I've noticed something: the prime number years of relationships are often the hardest (i.e. 1, 3. 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29…)
According to English folklore: Wednesday is the luckiest day to marry and Saturday is the unluckiest. An auspicious rhyme from English folklore rules: "Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday best of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, Saturday for no luck at all."
No Peeking. You've probably heard that it's bad luck to see your fiancé on the wedding day before your ceremony. The reason being that, back when marriages were arranged, the bride and groom weren't allowed to see or meet each other at all until they were at the altar.
Incorporate a Family Heirloom
Wearing or carrying a family heirloom is a meaningful way to connect with your heritage and invite good fortune. It could be a piece of jewelry, a handkerchief, or even a locket with a photo of loved ones who can't be there.
Follow the four golden rules – don't lie, keep your promises, argue productively and always play nice – and your relationship will never go anywhere but forward.
The groom's family traditionally paid for all costs associated with the rehearsal dinner and honeymoon, wedding day transportation, and the officiant. The groom also paid for the bride's engagement ring, wedding ring, and groomsmen gifts. It is also common for the groom's family to pay for the alcohol at the reception.
When the officiant doesn't review the ceremony with the couple beforehand, it can create major issues. Names are sometimes pronounced wrong or mixed up. Plus, it takes away from the uniqueness and personalization of the ceremony. It would not hurt to rehearse several times.
The 2-2-2 rule is a relationship strategy designed to help couples maintain closeness by creating regular moments of connection. The concept is simple: every two weeks, go on a date; every two months, plan a weekend getaway; and every two years, go on a longer trip together.
Life decisions made prior to age 25 can be problematic because they're made without a fully developed ability to reconcile moral and ethical behavior. In other words, teen and very young marriages are typically doomed to fail.
1. Lack of Honesty. Often when we think of honesty, notably honesty in marital relationships, we think of a very tangible “where were you last night” kind of honesty. While this is obviously critically important, there are many other kinds of dishonesty that can destroy marriages.
The 2-2-2 rule for marriage is a guideline to keep a relationship strong and connected: have a date night every two weeks, a weekend getaway every two months, and a week-long vacation every two years. This system encourages regular, intentional quality time, breaks from routine, and deeper connection by ensuring couples prioritize each other amidst daily life, work, and family, preventing stagnation and fostering fun.
Whether you're 40, 60, 102, or somewhere in between, it's never too late to get married. "Ultimately, the choice to marry at any age should hinge on personal readiness, compatibility with one's partner and individual circumstances," says Davtyan.