Why You Don’t Need To Get Engaged at Christmas!
(And Why That’s Actually Better For Your Wedding Planning
After more than 15 years of working with couples as a wedding florist, I’ve noticed something interesting recently. The traditional narrative in our industry is that Christmas is the peak season for engagements, which means January is when florists (and other wedding suppliers) are flooded with enquiries from newly engaged couples eager to start planning. But I definitely think that pattern is shifting and I think it’s a positive change for everyone involved.
The Christmas Engagement Myth
Don’t get me wrong – Christmas proposals still happen, and they can be absolutely magical. There’s something special about the twinkling lights, family gatherings, and that sense of shared celebration. But the idea that Christmas is *the* time to get engaged? That’s becoming outdated in my opinion..
The wedding industry has created this expectation that puts unnecessary pressure on couples – and particularly on whoever is planning to propose. It turns what should be an intimate, personal moment into something that feels obligatory, tied to a calendar date rather than to when it genuinely feels right for your relationship.
When Couples Are Actually Getting Engaged
What I’m seeing now is that engagements happen throughout the year, often connected to experiences that mean something specific to that couple. Travel proposals have become increasingly popular – whether that’s a sunrise moment on a beach in Greece, a quiet evening in a Tuscan vineyard, or a weekend away somewhere that holds significance for you both.
I worked with a couple who got engaged whilst travelling through Italy. The proposal happened spontaneously during a beautiful afternoon in an olive grove, and when they came to talk about their wedding flowers, incorporating olive foliage into their arrangements became a meaningful way to honour that moment. That’s the kind of personal connection that makes wedding planning – and the day itself – so much more special.
But it really doesn’t have to be Mount Kilimanjaro or some elaborate cinematic moment to be meaningful. There’s this growing pressure, partly fuelled by social media, that your engagement story needs to be Instagram-worthy. Where did you get engaged? This idea that it has to be somewhere impressive, somewhere with a view, somewhere that makes people say “wow”.
My own engagement happened on a dance floor after a particularly lively evening out with friends, just after we’d graduated from university. Not exactly the polished proposal story the wedding industry suggests you should aim for, but it was perfect because it was completely us at that time of our lives. It didn’t cost a fortune, it wasn’t planned for months, and it certainly wasn’t picture-perfect – but it was ours, and that’s what mattered..
Why Getting Engaged “Off-Season” Is Actually Better
If you’re worried about missing out by not getting engaged at Christmas, there are genuine advantages to proposing (or being proposed to) at other times of year.
More meaningful proposals - They happen in moments that genuinely reflect your relationship rather than because the calendar says it’s time.
Better availability with suppliers - Couples who get engaged outside the Christmas rush often have more choice when it comes to booking their preferred wedding date and suppliers. Popular venues and florists aren’t overwhelmed with January enquiries, which means more time and attention for you during those initial conversations.
Time to think about what you actually want -There’s something to be said for not being swept up in the post-Christmas wedding planning frenzy. When your engagement doesn’t coincide with everyone else’s, you have the space to really consider what you want your wedding to be like, rather than feeling pressured to book everything immediately.
Less competition for popular dates - If you get engaged in, say, April or September, you’re not competing with hundreds of other newly engaged couples for the same peak wedding dates. This is particularly helpful for couples planning intimate weddings who want specific venues or suppliers.
If I could offer one piece of advice to couples thinking about engagement, it would be this: get engaged when it feels right for you, not when the wedding industry suggests you should. Whether that’s under twinkling Christmas lights, on a summer beach, during an autumn walk, or on a completely ordinary Tuesday – the timing matters far less than the fact that it’s *your* moment.
And when you do start planning your wedding, know that good suppliers will be delighted to hear from you regardless of when you got engaged. We’re here to help create something beautiful and meaningful for your day, whether your enquiry comes in January, June, or November!
Wishing you all a wonderful start to 2026 xx
Caroline
Wedding Flowers
If you’re planning an intimate wedding in Sussex, Surrey, Kent or beyond for 2026, I’d love to hear from you. And if you want to follow along, you can find me on Instagram/Facebook. Do also sign up to the newsletter for occasional exciting email updates!
