12 of the best destinations for an October wedding

October is now the most popular month to get married, so here are the best places to go
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It’s officially summertime in the UK which can only mean one thing: wedding season has begun.

This year’s summer wedding season began with a truly special occasion; the royal wedding at the end of May which saw Meghan Markle wed Prince Harry in Windsor.

Now it seems like we have a wedding to go to every other weekend and celebrities are jumping on the warm weather bandwagon with Rose Leslie and Kit Harrington holding their wedding in Aberdeenshire, Scotland yesterday.

But, new research from the US suggests that perhaps the summertime isn’t the most popular time of year to get married.

According to data from Wedding Wire, who recently released their 2018 weddings report, they revealed that October is actually the most popular month to get married.

In fact, last year three of the most popular wedding dates were in October, with October 7, 14 and 21 all placing within the top five wedding dates of 2017. The other two most popular wedding dates were September 30 and November 11.

Wedding venue prices often skyrocket in summer which could be why there has been a slight shift in couples deciding to get married in the shoulder season. The great thing about an October wedding is that it’s still warm, but you’ve got the added beauty of the autumn foliage that can make for some stunning pictures.

If you’re considering an October destination wedding, we’ve rounded up the prettiest and best locales to get married in this autumn around the globe.

Nova Scotia, Canada

Nova Scotia Tourism

Nowhere does autumnal foliage quite like Canada and nowhere is it more apparent than in their eastern region of Nova Scotia. Let the rows of trees with red and golden leaves act as the backdrop to your postcard-perfect wedding pictures.

Skopelos, Greece

Shutterstock

Skip the tourist-heavy summer months and head to Greece on the shoulder season for a warm wedding without the crazy crowds. For something extra special, get married near the hilltop church featured in Mamma Mia, the movie on the island of Skopelos.

Seville, Spain

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Seville’s average October temperatures are around 26 degrees - not sweltering but hot enough for your perfect Spanish wedding. Find a gorgeous floral-lined courtyard for your ceremony and you’re on to a winner.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

Pixabay

The Isle of Skye’s rugged terrain makes it a perfect wedding location for the shoulder months (avoiding both the summer midges and the winter snow), but October is the best time of year for a Skye wedding as the weather is still mild. If the weather is cloudy, this only adds to the beauty of moody Skye.

Puglia, Italy

Masseria Potenti

The weather in Puglia ranges from about 17 to 21 degrees celsius in October, the perfect weather for a wedding. Why not go all-out and rent an estate like Masseria Potenti in southern Puglia for your wedding? The 16th century farmhouse has been turned into a boutique hotel and would make an excellent destination for an October wedding.

Duoro Wine Region, Portugal

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For gorgeous autumn colours and a unique wedding experience, have your wedding at a vineyard in Portugal during October. The lines of grape vines will be coloured in golden hues and you’ll have the advantage of having delicious wines at your disposal.

Hraunfossar Waterfalls, Iceland

Shutterstock / Michal Sanca

Iceland has become a go-to destination for couples looking to elope, but even if eloping isn’t on the cards, Iceland is just a short flight away from the UK making this an easy destination for friends and family to join you. Hraunfossar Waterfalls located in the west of Iceland are a collection of waterfalls that cascade into a turquoise river. Come autumn, the trees surrounding the waterfalls turn all shades of red, orange and yellow making for some stunning scenery.

Lake District, UK

Pixabay

The Lake District is, hands down, one of the most beautiful parts of the UK. But autumn is when the region truly shines. As the leaves fall from the trees and the foliage season comes to its peak, head to the Lake District for an autumn wedding you will never forget.

Sicily, Italy

Pixabay

October in Sicily means warm weather and warm seas without the hordes of tourists that visit during the summertime. In October you’ll have a bit more space to make your wedding truly magical. In Sicily you have to get married in a church or a town hall - so keep this in mind when planning your destination, also a number of the villas you can rent have a minimum stay of one week - perfect for a minimoon post-wedding.

Queenstown, New Zealand

Unsplash

Over in the Southern Hemisphere, October means it’s spring - and summer is well and truly on its way. October is the perfect time to visit Queenstown as the winter sports tourists have departed and the flowers are in bloom, making for stunning pictures across the countryside.

New England, USA

Pixabay

North America is the ultimate place for autumnal beauty and New England is their foliage capital. The northeastern region boasts some beautiful colourful trees when the seasons change - make sure you take photos at 5pm just before sunfall for some incredible ‘golden hour’ images.

Co. Mayo, Ireland

The Lodge at Ashford Castle

The west coast of Ireland is stunning in any season, but perhaps autumn is when it shines the most. Anywhere along the Wild Atlantic Way would be perfect for an October wedding, but The Lodge at Ashford Castle sits on a hill above a loch lined with golden trees which, when combined, create magic.

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