🇮🇳 India
Hindu families ask a pandit for a muhurat from the couple's horoscopes, and the season peaks from Dev Uthani Ekadashi in November to spring. Marriages are avoided in the four months of Chaturmas, and in Kharmas.
Muhurta, being writtenAuspicious dates, seasons and days to avoid: compared across 15 places
The same wedding idea in 15 places, grouped by region. Each entry is a short portrait; follow the link for the full tradition.
South Asia 2Southeast Asia 1East Asia 2Central Asia and the Caucasus 1Middle East 2North Africa 1Sub-Saharan Africa 1Europe 2North America 1Latin America and the Caribbean 1Oceania 1
South Asia
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Muslim weddings are held on any day outside Ramadan, with winter the peak because of the cool weather and the return of overseas relatives. Many families book after Eid and avoid Muharram, particularly Shia families.
Nikah, being writtenSoutheast Asia
🇹🇭 Thailand
Families consult a monk or astrologer for a lucky day and hour, and the wedding is not held in the Buddhist Lent, or Phansa, in the rains. A morning ceremony with monks' blessing is considered fortunate.
Thai wedding, being writtenEast Asia
🇨🇳 China
The almanac is consulted for a suitable day, and the 8th and 9th of any month are favoured, as are the 520 and 8 August dates. The seventh lunar month, the Ghost Month, is avoided by many families.
Tung Shing, being written🇯🇵 Japan
Couples choose a taian day from the rokuyo cycle for luck, and avoid butsumetsu, the day of the Buddha's death. Autumn and spring are the main seasons, and registry offices are busy on lucky dates.
Rokuyō, being writtenCentral Asia and the Caucasus
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
Weddings follow the harvest, with the main season in autumn after the cotton and fruit harvests, and in the cooler months. Families often avoid the fasting month of Ramadan and the days of mourning.
Uzbek wedding, being writtenMiddle East
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia and the Gulf
Weddings are often held after Eid or in the cooler winter months, and avoided in Ramadan. The big hotel weddings are mostly held on Thursdays and Fridays, and the groom's family often pays.
Islamic marital jurisprudence, being written🇮🇱 Israel and Jewish communities
Weddings are not held on Shabbat or festivals, nor in the three weeks from 17 Tammuz to Tisha B'Av. The Omer period is generally also avoided, apart from Lag BaOmer and Rosh Chodesh in some customs.
The Three Weeks, being writtenNorth Africa
🇹🇳 Tunisia
Summer is the busy season because many families return from abroad, and weddings are avoided during Ramadan. Many families hold the celebration over several days, with the henna night on the eve.
Culture of Tunisia, being writtenSub-Saharan Africa
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
Orthodox Christians do not marry in the long fasts, including Lent and the fast before Christmas, so weddings cluster in the dry season, after the main rains. Many choose the weeks after Meskel.
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, being writtenEurope
🇬🇷 Greece
Orthodox families avoid weddings in Lent, the Dormition fast in August and the Advent fast, and many avoid a leap year. Summer weekends and September are the peak.
Greek wedding, being written🇵🇱 Poland
Catholic weddings avoid Advent and Lent, which pushes most to May through September. Saturday is the favoured day, with a long party that lasts until morning.
Polish wedding, being writtenNorth America
🇺🇸 United States
The peak months are June, September and October, with Saturday the favourite day, and many couples choose a lucky number date. Off-season or weekday weddings are cheaper, and the winter holidays are popular for proposals.
Wedding, being writtenLatin America and the Caribbean
🇧🇷 Brazil
May is called the month of brides, in part because of the Marian month, though it is also said some avoid May for superstition. Weddings are traditionally held on Saturday evenings.
Culture of Brazil, being writtenOceania
🇦🇺 Australia
Autumn and spring are the favourites, with March and April the peak months, and Saturday evenings the favourite slot. Summer heat and bushfire season move many weddings out of January.
Wedding, being writtenAbout this page
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.