We’re in the home stretch of 2024, so it might be time to consider having an end of the year wedding. In Los Angeles, at least, it’s still warm and sunny though in the mornings I awake to a blanket of light fog in the sky that brings a strong but fleeting chill.
Although the weather soon might not be ideal for the classic LA beach wedding, it’s still a great time to get married in LA – honestly, with our weather any time of year is. Plus, there are a couple of extra benefits to an end of the year wedding that you might not have considered.
Tax Reasons
One of the most common reasons why couples like to get married at the end of the year is for taxes. If you love them you only have things to gain, right? Getting married at the end of the year can save plenty of money between the two of you.
Whether this is a good idea depends on the couple and the circumstances. Certain types of incomes are taxes differently, and marriage can affect the taxation scheme. Capital gains and real estate income, for example, are taxed differently and couples with them may benefit from a marriage before the end of the tax year.
There is no black-and-white rule governing marriage and tax deductions – some people may end up paying less while others are stuck with a higher bill at the end of the season. It may be smart to consult with your accountant before you get married for tax reasons.
Though it doesn’t seem like the most romantic reason to finally tie the knot, you need not postpone it. Many couples who get married at the end of the year but don’t have time for a larger wedding see it as their legal ceremony. This can be short and sweet with just you, your fiancé, and the wedding officiant – a few “I do’s”, sign some paperwork, and you’re good to go for when tax season comes around.
Then you can plan another wedding ceremony with friends and family when it’s more convenient for everybody. Although most people still have it in Southern California, I’ve officiated end of the year wedding ceremonies for people who planned to have their “real” ceremony in Italy or France. The unromantic end of the year wedding provides legal practicality and more flexibility for your bigger bash.
Family and Friends
On the flip side, some couples want to have an end of the year wedding because they see it as the most romantic time. There is no place like home for the holidays, or wherever else you find yourself with your friends and family. For many people, late December is the only time of the year that they find all their family and friends in one place.
When people are busy with work, school, and other commitments that send them around the city, country, or world, it can be hard to find the time and energy to gather in one place for a wedding ceremony. But at the end of the year when winter vacation comes around and Christmas, New Year’s, Hanukkah, and other holidays come around, people have a rare week free to congregate at their family hearths.
For many couples, having the people they love around is the most important part of their wedding ceremony. So the holiday season is often the best time to do it! Families and friends are always charmed when a couple gets married over the holiday season – it’s a moment of love shared between two people and witnessed by many, and it also takes the stress of carving out time for the ceremony away from the guests.
End of the Year Wedding Ceremonies
Looking to have your own end of the year wedding ceremony? Whether big or small, romantic or less so, we can help. With over four decades of experience performing beautiful wedding ceremonies in California, we can make your marriage stress-free. From offering confidential licenses to meeting you where you want to get married, we can get it done quickly and easily so you don’t have to worry.