I Do Abroad

September has become a peak month, for weddings and for flights. The value, and the new direct routes, are moving to April and October.

24%

of UK adults now plan to travel in September, up from 17% in 2023 (ABTA Travel Trends 2026). September already carries 12% of UK weddings, against August’s 17% (Bridebook 2026).

What is changing

The old shoulder season is full. eSky reported September bookings up 57% year on year, led by Spain, Greece and Italy (Euronews, 26 August 2026). That pushes up guest flights and leaves fewer quiet dates at the venues couples want.

The airlines are moving the season outwards. For summer 2027, Jet2 has extended flying into April on routes including Leeds Bradford to Chania and Heraklion, Birmingham to Heraklion and Kalamata, Bristol to Chania and Edinburgh to Reus, and into October on Pula, Verona, Halkidiki and Kefalonia (Travel Extra, 6 September 2026).

Why it suits a wedding abroad

April and October give you warm days, softer light, venues with dates to spare and, for the first time on several routes, direct flights from regional UK airports. For guests outside London, that is the difference between a day of travel and a morning.

Seafront wedding ceremony set on the lawn at Castell de Tamarit near Tarragona, Spain
A ceremony above the sea at Castell de Tamarit, near Tarragona. Reus is the closest airport.

Venues in our collection that fit

Castell de Tamarit set for a seafront ceremony

Castell de Tamarit

Tarragona, Spain

A coastal castle on the Costa Daurada. Reus, the nearest airport, gains an April service from Edinburgh in 2027.

View Castell de Tamarit
Castello Odescalchi above Lake Bracciano near Rome

Castello Odescalchi

Lake Bracciano, near Rome

A historic castle above a volcanic lake, an easy run from Rome for an autumn wedding.

View Castello Odescalchi
I Do Abroad Top Tip

Pick your airport before your date. Check which regional UK airports fly direct to your destination in April or October 2027, then choose the week that suits the most guests. The venue will usually have that week free.

Which of these trends is your day?

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Sources: ABTA Travel Trends 2026 (2,001 UK adults). Bridebook, The UK Wedding Report 2026 (monthly share of weddings). Euronews, 26 August 2026 (eSky September bookings). Travel Extra, Jet2 expands summer 2027 flight programme, 6 September 2026. Updated 27 October 2026.