The Most Popular Wedding Dates of 2026—and Why Everyone Wants Them

If you thought seasonality was the only thing to consider when choosing a wedding date, think again. Today’s couples are focusing less on spring blooms or fall foliage, and instead are choosing wedding dates that feel both practical and poetic. 

It’s not just about a Saturday in a pleasant month anymore. Below, bridal experts and wedding planners share the most in-demand dates of 2026 and the reasons they’re booking so quickly.

The Dates Everyone's Racing to Claim

Clear favorites among 2026 to-be-weds focus on September symmetry. Two of the most popular wedding dates this year are September 9, 2026, and September 26, 2026. 

“Looking at the wedding dates of our 2026 brides, 9/26 is the most popular,” shares Alyssa Kaine, associate designer at Grace + Ivory. “While it's always been a lovely month for weddings,” she says, “September seems to have been consistently beautiful in terms of weather these past few years and booking up more quickly.” 

This particular month tends to offer that coveted Goldilocks moment of the year: not too hot, not too unpredictable, and so many gorgeous color palettes to work with. Moreover, though, “numerology plays a big role,” says elopement planner and founder of Cakewalk, Lia Seremetis, “especially 'lucky' dates like 9/9/26, which is already in high demand.”

Such dates are considered lucky by numerology (the belief in a mystical relationship between numbers and life events) and are associated with positive energy, according to numerologists. “Dates like this are easy to remember and symbolically meaningful, which resonates with couples who are choosing to elope and keep things simple,” says Seremetis.

The "Aesthetic Saturday" Effect

In a close second are other "aesthetic" dates that are similarly symmetrical and easy-to-remember. And if they happen to land on Saturdays, demand certainly soars.

“2026 is a very unique year because there are a number of highly aesthetic dates falling on Saturdays,” says Hannah Roze, founder of Plannerd, who points to June 6, 2026, August 8, 2026, and October 10, 2026 (6/6/26, 8/8/26, and 10/10/26) as being particularly popular. “Not only do they have an incredible ring to them, but they are easy to remember as future anniversaries and provide a beautiful air of sophistication and symmetry for everything from the save-the-date to the day-of paperie,” she says.

The popularity of these "double-number" dates makes sense: It's the kind of detail that feels subtle but significant—especially when this is something you’re set to celebrate each and every year. 

The Holiday Dates Couples Can’t Resist

When a holiday lands on a Saturday, it offers two major pros for weddings: built-in energy and a ready-made theme. In 2026, planners say more couples are leaning into that advantage.

“Many Plannerd couples are gravitating towards holidays that happen to fall on a Saturday, like Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July, and Halloween,” Roze says. “This creates a naturally curated vibe to rally around, like cherry wine and candlelight in February, classic Americana in July, or gothic masquerade in October.”

Kaine agrees, adding that she’s “surprisingly seeing more Halloween weddings,” noting it as one of the dates emerging as a “close second” among her 2026 brides.

Some "Sweet Spot" Dates to Consider

A sought-after date can be special—but it often comes with tradeoffs. “Sometimes choosing a more popular date means needing to compromise or save on the budget elsewhere,” Kaine says. She also notes that the vendors you’re admiring online “are likely getting more inquiries for your date and will book up first,” meaning you need to be ready to move quickly.

And don’t forget the dress timeline. “Choosing a popular date can sometimes mean a bottleneck in alterations,” Kaine says. “More brides getting fitted for your wedding date may mean you need to lock in alterations appointments earlier than expected.”

If the most popular Saturdays feel out of reach, know that couples are also intentionally choosing off-season months, weekday ceremonies, and destination celebrations for the flexibility they offer. “Couples who choose non-Friday or Saturday dates tend to have far more flexibility, especially when it comes to locations and photographers,” explains Seremetis. “Many of our couples get married earlier in the workweek and use the rest of the week as a built-in honeymoon, which often comes with better availability and less pressure overall.” 

Roze also notes that winter weddings are having a particular moment amongst those who want to take advantage of both the seasonal aesthetic and generally better date and pricing flexibility. “The rise of 'cozy luxury' winter vibes, like velvet, faux fur, and luscious dark tones is drawing more couples to intentionally select these winter months,” she says. 

Don't Forget!

Because the best wedding date isn’t the one the internet loves most (it’s the one that fits your life and the celebration you actually want to have), Roze shares some final advice: "8/8 may look incredible on your save-the-dates, but if your key guests can’t make it work, couples should think strongly about what they value most," she says.

She recommends floating potential dates with VIPs before committing and filtering every decision through your must-haves—especially if celebrating with them is high on your list.