Orthodox Church Wedding Dates
When weddings are and are not held — under the rule of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church
No weddings in Great Lent (Cheesefare Sunday to Bright Tuesday), on 1–14 August, 14–21 November, 20 December – 6 January, 29 August and 14 September. Next period without weddings: 14 – 21 November. The nearest Sunday with weddings: 4 October.
The next Saturdays and Sundays
- Saturday 3 October Check with the parish
- Sunday 4 October Weddings held
- Saturday 10 October Check with the parish
- Sunday 11 October Weddings held
- Saturday 17 October Check with the parish
- Sunday 18 October Weddings held
- Saturday 24 October Check with the parish
- Sunday 25 October Weddings held
- Saturday 31 October Check with the parish
- Sunday 1 November Weddings held
No weddings in 2026 and 2027
- Nativity Fast — 14 to 21 November14 – 21 November 2026
- Ignazhden to Theophany20 – 31 December 2026
- Ignazhden to Theophany1 – 6 January 2027
- Great Lent14 March – 4 May 2027
- The Dormition Fast1 – 14 August 2027
- Beheading of St John the Baptist29 August 2027
- Exaltation of the Cross14 September 2027
- Nativity Fast — 14 to 21 November14 – 21 November 2027
- Ignazhden to Theophany20 – 31 December 2027
How to read the calendar
- Weddings held
- Check with the parish
- No weddings
"No weddings" are the periods in the Bulgarian Orthodox rule. "Check with the parish" marks days where practice varies: Saturdays (the canon bars weddings on the eve of Sunday), the eves of great feasts, memorial Saturdays and the Apostles’ Fast. Always confirm the date with the parish priest.
Wedding dates by year
Frequently asked questions
When does the Orthodox Church not perform weddings?
Under the rule of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church weddings are not held: in Great Lent, from Cheesefare Sunday to Tuesday of Bright Week; in the Dormition Fast (1–14 August); from 14 to 21 November and from 20 December to 6 January; on the eve of Sunday and of the twelve great feasts; and on 29 August and 14 September.
Can we have a church wedding on a Saturday?
The canon bars weddings on the eve of Sunday, so Saturday depends on the diocese and the parish. The Holy Synod tried to ban Saturday weddings outright in 2009, yet many churches still marry on Saturday during the day. Confirm with your church; Sunday is fine whenever it falls outside a forbidden period.
Are weddings held during the Apostles' Fast?
The Apostles' Fast is not on the Bulgarian Orthodox list of periods without weddings, but some parishes do not marry then either, so the calendar marks it "check with the parish".
What about between Christmas and Theophany?
No weddings from 20 December to 6 January. The Holy Synod lets a parish priest marry by exception from 26 December to 4 January without the bishop’s prior permission.
Are exceptions possible?
With the blessing of the diocesan bishop a wedding may be held on the forbidden days — except in Great Lent.
Does this apply to a civil wedding?
No. A civil marriage at the municipality follows the municipality’s schedule; the church restrictions apply only to the church ceremony.
The rules follow the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s instructions for the sacrament of Marriage; the movable periods are computed from the Orthodox Paschalion. Folk beliefs are labelled as such and never change the calendar.