What is the first thing you do when you get engaged? Well, (after you call all your friends and family)… You set a date! Choosing the right time of the year can be essential when planning your destination wedding. You want to keep crowds, the weather, and travel costs in mind. And a spring wedding may just be the best decision you can make when it comes to all three.
Many people dream of a summer wedding because summer is such a happy time! The sunshine, warm air, green trees, and an overall relaxing sensation that no doubt stems from years of looking forward to summer as a child! But summer in the Caribbean may not be the best choice. Spring in Punta Cana is a far superior option, and here are four reasons why!
Reason #1 To Have a Spring Wedding: The Weather is Amazing!
From March to May, the temperature stays relatively mild with average highs in the eighties. You’ll have a warm breeze most days, and only occasional spring showers (usually overnight). It’s not as hot and humid as the summertime, so it’s perfect for a destination wedding.
Yes, it’s still really warm. (It is the Caribbean after all.) But it’s comfortable. You won’t feel like you’re suffocating in your wedding dress. Your makeup is less likely to run from sweat. Your hair will be less prone to frizz (although it’s hard to avoid the humidity on the coast). And you and your guests will be loving every minute!
Reason #2: Fewer Tourists
Punta Cana is a Caribbean vacation hotspot, so there is always a healthy crowd of tourists. However, there will be fewer crowds at the resorts and on the beach if you choose to have a spring wedding. Why? Because most of the tourists arrive in the summer or the winter instead.
There are a lot of brides who dream of having a summer wedding. Almost every day in June and July you’ll see brides running around the resort. Or they decide to have their bachelor/bachelorette parties during the summer and bring the entire wedding crew.
And when school lets out in the summer, you know all those families are coming on vacation. Resorts are literally crawling with families in the Summer!
And don’t even get me started on the winter months. It’s snowy and cold everywhere else, so I totally get the need to escape. To thaw out under the Dominican sun. But everyone has that same idea. So it gets crowded. (And it’s more expensive, but I’ll talk about that later on.)
If you choose to have a spring wedding, you can avoid most of those crowds! What about Spring Break, you ask? Don’t worry too much about that. Sure, there are bound to be a few groups… but it won’t be as crazy as Cancun or Cabo. And there are a lot of resorts that don’t even allow spring breakers. If it’s something you’re really nervous about, book one of those resorts. Or check with your wedding planner to coordinate your date to avoid any potential overlap with student groups.
The only time I would recommend that you avoid is Semana Santa (or Holy Week). It’s the week leading up to Easter Sunday, and one of the biggest party weeks in the Dominican Republic. The beaches and resorts all get packed!! Now if you’re looking for a crazy vacation filled with loud music and lots of people, maybe this is actually the best week for you.
Reason #3 To Have a Spring Wedding: Better Travel Rates
It’s cheaper to travel in the spring! Seriously. Flights go down; resort rates go down, excursion costs go down, almost everything goes down! If you choose to have your wedding in the spring, then you will be saving yourself (and your guests) a ton of money! Plus, you can use that extra money towards activities and excursions during your trip; like scuba diving lessons, snorkeling, off-roading, or even a helicopter tour! There are so many great things to see and do here. You might as well have a little fun! Check out the Top Ten Activities to Do During Your Wedding Week.
Reason #4: Enjoy a Vacation While Everyone Else is at Work
This one’s pretty simple… While everybody else will be working, you will be on a beautiful vacation in Punta Cana. You’ll be posting photos of palm trees and pina coladas while your coworkers can only dream it. It may sound a little petty, but everyone deserves to treat themselves every once in a while. And probably even more important than that, it’ll be easier for you all to request off work.
Most people take their vacation in the summer or in the colder months of winter. And your boss can’t say no to your vacation request if you’re the one getting married, right? Especially if you’re the only one asking for time off that month. And this can be great for your guests too because they’ll be able to get time off too. It’ll be easier for everyone to come to your destination wedding.
So what do you say? Are you ready to have a spring wedding?
Final Thoughts
The best time of the year for a wedding in Punta Cana is in the spring. If you can have your wedding sometime between March and May, go for it! With no hesitation! The weather is amazing, there are fewer crowds, it’s cheaper, and you’ll be able to get the time off work. Spring is our absolute favorite season for weddings in the DR.
If you can’t have a spring wedding in Punta Cana, don’t fret. Thankfully, the weather here in Punta Cana is usually sunny and mild with temperatures averaging in the 80s all year round! No matter what season you choose, it’s bound to be a beautiful one.
Check out our Wedding Guide for more details about Planning a Destination Wedding.
