Photo by Lacy Gabrielle Photography
Mazal tov on your engagement! There’s so much to do before the big day (start with trying out Brides Club, our ultra-supportive community for Jewish and Jew-ish brides), it can feel overwhelming to keep track of everything. That’s why I’ve condensed it all into one neat checklist, laying out the biggest tasks that need to be taken care of in chronological order. You’ll find that further down the page, but first things first – you need to pick a date!
DATES TO AVOID FOR A JEWISH WEDDING IN 2026, 2027 + 2028
Below you can see all the dates that should be avoided for your Jewish wedding in 2026, 2027 and 2028, according to the Jewish calendar.
Jewish Wedding dates to avoid in 2026
Avoid Purim: March 3rd, 2026 (at sunset) to March 4th 2026
Avoid from Passover: April 1st 2026 [from sunset] to April 9th 2026. Traditionally, no Jewish weddings take place between Passover and Shavuot except on Lag B’ Omer (that’s the date I chose for my wedding in 2013!) which in 2026 falls on 4th May (from sunset) to 5th May 2026
Avoid the 3 weeks leading up to and including Tisha B’av: July 2nd 2026 (from sunset) to July 24th 2026. Jewish marriages are not allowed during the period of three weeks leading up and including to the Fast of Tisha B’av
Avoid Rosh Hashana: September 11th (from sunset) to September 13th 2026
Avoid Yom Kippur: 20th September (from sunset) to 21st September 2026
Avoid Succot: 25th September (from sunset) to 27th September 2026
Avoid Simchat Torah: 2nd October (from sunset) to 4th October 2026
Jewish Wedding dates to avoid in 2027
Avoid Purim: March 22nd, 2027 (at sunset) to March 23rd 2027
Avoid from Passover: April 21st 2027 [from sunset] to April 29th 2027. Traditionally, no Jewish weddings take place between Passover and Shavuot except on Lag B’ Omer (that’s the date I chose for my wedding in 2013!) which in 2026 falls on 24th May (from sunset) to 25th May 2027
Avoid the 3 weeks leading up to and including Tisha B’av: July 21st 2027 (from sunset) to August 12th 2027. Jewish marriages are not allowed during the period of three weeks leading up and including to the Fast of Tisha B’av
Avoid Rosh Hashana: October 1st (from sunset) to October 3rd 2027
Avoid Yom Kippur: 10th October (from sunset) to 11th October 2027
Avoid Succot: 15th October (from sunset) to 22nd October 2027
Avoid Simchat Torah: 23rd October (from sunset) to 24th October 2027
Jewish Wedding dates to avoid in 2028
Avoid Purim: 11th March (sunset) – 12th March
Avoid from Passover: 10th April (sunset) – 18th April. Traditionally, no Jewish weddings take place between Passover and Shavuot except on Lag B’ Omer (that’s the date I chose for my wedding in 2013!) which in 2028 falls on 13th May (from sunset) to 14th May 2028.
Avoid the 3 weeks leading up to and including Tisha B’av: 1st July (from sunset) to 1st August 2028. Jewish marriages are not allowed during the period of three weeks leading up and including to the Fast of Tisha B’av
Avoid Rosh Hashana: 20nd September (from sunset) to 22nd September 2028
Avoid Yom Kippur: 29th September (from sunset) to 30th September 2028
Avoid Succot: 4th October (from sunset) to 11th October 2028
Avoid Simchat Torah: 12th October (from sunset) to 13th October 2028
Dani and David‘s Jewish wedding | Photo by Derek Preciado Photography
12 Month Wedding Planning Monthly Checklist
So now you are in the know about dates, let’s lay out the biggest tasks that need to be taken care of in chronological order. If you’d like a more comprehensive guide, you can download our Ultimate Wedding Checklist here.
I’ve used a 12 month timeline as that’s the length of the average UK and USA engagement. It’s just a guide obviously – I myself only had 6 months to plan my wedding and others will have a lot longer.
9-12 months before the wedding
- Join Brides Club, our members-only community for Jewish and Jew-ish brides to be, for tons of support, guidance, and inspo as you delve into wedding planning!
- Create a wedding folder and a Pinterest board and start collating ideas for the style of your wedding that appeals to you.
- Determine your budget and work out how expenses will be divided.
- Reserve a date (see Jewish wedding dates to avoid, above in this post) and send out a save the date. This could be beautifully designed card or e-card and set the tone for your event, or it could be a simple beautifully worded email.
- Start to envision your ceremony. Do you want it to be long and symbolic or short and sweet? Do you want to include all the traditions or just a select few?
- If you have a particular rabbi in mind, book him or her once you’ve decided on a date. If you haven’t got one in mind, find a rabbi or officiant who suits your style and spirit.
- Start a guest list and work out an idea of the number of guests you’ll have as this will generate the most accurate cost estimates.
- Brainstorm ceremony and reception ideas and book a venue.
- Decide on whether you want a wedding planner, and if you do, hire one.
- Research photographers, videographers and entertainment. The really good ones can get booked up early so be sure to commit when you find a supplier you love.
- Ensure that any band or DJ you book plays Jewish wedding music.
- Research caterers and decide if it’s important for you to have a kosher menu or a non-meat ‘Jewish friendly’ ‘inoffensive’ menu.
- Start thinking about your wedding dress and enjoy the experience of shopping and finding your dress!
