Orthodox Church Wedding Dates 2026
In 2026 there are no church weddings from 22 February to 14 April (Great Lent and Bright Week; Easter 12 April), on 1–14 August, 14–21 November, 20 December – 6 January, 29 August or 14 September. That leaves 33 Sundays and 38 Saturdays (Saturdays — confirm with the parish).
2026 wedding calendar
- Weddings held
- Check with the parish
- No weddings
Next to each month: Sundays with weddings and Saturdays outside the forbidden periods.
Periods without weddings
- Ignazhden to Theophany (20 December – 6 January)1 – 6 January
- Great Lent (Cheesefare Sunday to Bright Tuesday)22 February – 14 April
- The Dormition Fast (1–14 August)1 – 14 August
- Beheading of St John the Baptist (29 August)29 August
- Exaltation of the Cross (14 September)14 September
- Nativity Fast — 14 to 21 November14 – 21 November
- Ignazhden to Theophany (20 December – 6 January)20 – 31 December
Folk beliefs
- 2026 is not a leap year, so the leap-year superstition does not apply.
- A Bulgarian saying warns against May weddings ("marry in May and toil all your life").
These are folklore, not church rules — they do not change the calendar above.
Frequently asked questions
When are weddings not held in 2026?
In 2026 there are no church weddings on: 1 – 6 January (Ignazhden to Theophany); 22 February – 14 April (Great Lent); 1 – 14 August (The Dormition Fast); 29 August (Beheading of St John the Baptist); 14 September (Exaltation of the Cross); 14 – 21 November (Nativity Fast — 14 to 21 November); 20 – 31 December (Ignazhden to Theophany).
When is Orthodox Easter 2026, and when do weddings resume?
Orthodox Easter 2026 is on 12 April 2026. Weddings resume on Wednesday of Bright Week — 15 April 2026.
How many suitable wedding days are there in 2026?
33 Sundays that can host a wedding and 38 Saturdays outside the forbidden periods (check Saturdays with the parish). The most suitable weekends fall in May, October, July.
Is 2026 a leap year?
No — so the Bulgarian folk superstition against leap-year weddings does not apply.