Why Spring is the Perfect Time for your Wedding

Warmer weather, longer days, and soft spring light, as well as an abundance of blooms, mean spring is an ideal season for planning an outdoor wedding. But if you still need convincing, keep reading to discover why we think spring weddings here at The White Hart are perfect.

Lighter Days, Golden Evenings

One of the key benefits of spring weddings is that you can make the most of the longer days, from making the most of the outdoor space available to capturing truly memorable pictures in the golden light of spring evenings.Daylight saving time starts in the UK from the end of March, and daylight hours quickly extend through April and into May, enabling you to enjoy a much more relaxed wedding timeline.

If you’re keen to ensure you capture the best of the light, check out Time and Date, which provides more accurate information on sunrise and sunset times in Colchester on any given day.

Blooming Backdrops and Seasonal Flowers

Spring is the time of year when gardens start to shake off the shackles of winter and really bloom into life.

For spring weddings, this can mean more choice and better availability for your wedding flowers, but it can also reduce the need for additional decorations outside, as spring blooms and blossoms will do the work for you. One of the most showstopping spring backdrops is falling tree blossom, and for the best of the season, you should plan a wedding between March and May.

Other spring wedding blooms that can add impact to your big day include:

 Tulips: Available in a variety of colours and shapes, tulips can add a real
showstopping touch of spring to your wedding flowers. And with early (March),
mid (April – May) and late (May) flowering varieties available, it’s easy to find the
perfect blooms for your spring wedding in the UK. The RHS has lots of guidance
on which tulips flower when to help you pick the perfect blooms. 

 Daffodils: A sure sign of spring, the cheery colour and variety of daffodils can
help set the tone for your big day. With varieties flowering from February to May,
they are a safe choice for adding spring splendour to your wedding bouquet.

 Peonies: A star of late spring, peonies’ spectacular ruffled flowers are a wedding
staple.

Softer Weather, Flexible Plans

Although spring typically heralds the start of better weather, if you're planning a spring wedding, you shouldn’t rule out more inclement weather. That’s why some of the best spring wedding ideas UK include a suitable contingency plan for poor weather
conditions. This way, whether you are blessed with bright blue skies and sunshine or April showers, you know that your day will run smoothly.

At The White Hart, our striking timber-clad barn set in four acres of stunning landscaped gardens, offers the perfect solution. On warm spring days, you and your guests can make the most of our outdoor spaces, safe in the knowledge that should the weather
take a turn for the worse, you have exclusive use of our picturesque barn with traditional wooden beams and exposed brickwork. While for more intimate spring weddings, our Garden Room is bathed in light and offers stunning vistas of the gardens.

For the best guidance on what weather to expect during the spring months, check the Met Office website, which has detailed summaries of weather conditions for the past few years.

Value, Availability and Smart Dates

There’s no denying that spring weddings are popular, but demand is generally greatest from May onwards. This means that if you’re looking for the best value and availability, choosing a date earlier in the season is your best option.

March is the cheapest ‘spring’ month for weddings and can deliver bright sunny days that aren’t too warm. The downside is that March is no stranger to rain and even snow, so making sure you have a warm and welcoming indoor space is essential.

April may be a royally approved month to get married (Prince William and Princess Catherine tied the knot on 29th April 2011), but many wedding venues still class it as ‘low season’, meaning there may be bargains to be had. Other benefits of an April wedding include longer days thanks to daylight saving time, school holidays (depending on when Easter falls), and plenty of seasonal flowers to choose from. The downside of April weddings is that Easter can mean some guests may already have plans.
 
May is typically the start of the ‘high wedding season’ and according to Hitched.com, approximately 14% of UK weddings in 2024 took place in May. Temperatures generally start to rise in May, yet it’s still towards the start of the high wedding season, giving you
the chance to showcase all the latest trends first. And there are two bank holidays to take advantage of. The downside is that at many venues, prices start to jump up in May, and guests may already have plans for their bank holidays.

Our top tips for choosing smart dates in spring include:

 1: The earlier in the season, the higher the chance of savings

 2: Opting for a midweek wedding can offer considerable savings and increased
availability

 3: Don’t be put off by spring showers; just make sure you have plenty of indoor
space for guests to enjoy should the weather turn

Make a Wedding Weekend of it: Bank Holidays and Travel

If just one day doesn’t seem like enough for you, then planning a wedding weekend is smart option. Opting for a spring wedding over the Easter or May bank holidays can make it easier for guests travelling from further afield. But many couples are also now
seeing the benefit of extending their celebrations and enjoying more quality time with their guests than is possible on a single day.

Whether you’re planning a pre-wedding meal with your nearest and dearest, or a post-wedding brunch, at The White Hart, we can accommodate your wishes to ensure you get the wedding weekend of your dreams.

Why The White Hart, Great Yeldham Works So Well in Spring

If you’re searching for spring wedding venues in Essex, then The White Hart should be top of your list. Our stunning wedding barn is set in four and a half acres of immaculately landscaped gardens that burst into life in spring. Licensed for garden ceremonies, at this Essex barn wedding in spring, you can say your vows under the stars in our gorgeous garden ceremony area.

Or if you’d prefer a more traditional setting for your vows, our purpose-built venue benefits from contemporary fixings yet features the character and charm of a traditional venue, so you get the best of both worlds. From stunning wooden beams, candelabras
and exposed brick to high ceilings, large doors opening onto the gardens, and a majestic mezzanine for the ceremony, our barn offers a dramatic backdrop for your special day.

What’s more, at The White Hart, we have spring wedding packages with exclusive use for up to 200 guests, as well as smaller, more intimate wedding packages. If you’re keen to secure a date in 2026, take a look at our 2026 spring wedding packages now.

Photo Ideas That Shine in Spring

Every season offers at least one special photo opportunity, but spring weddings giveyou the pick of blossom confetti moments, blue hour couple shots just after sunset, and wet weather chic from inside the barn’s warm interior.

So, whatever the weather does, you’re guaranteed to be able to capture your day in our simply stunning setting.

How to Start Planning

If you’re keen to book an outdoor spring wedding, but aren’t sure where to start, we’ve
put together a simple planning guide:

 Narrow down your preferred venue

 Check whether your preferred month is available

 Book a showround

 Ask about the outdoor ceremony space and indoor back-up plans

 Discuss menu options

 Discuss timings to make sure you make the most of the natural spring light

 Secure your priority suppliers