How to Choose the Best Moon Phase for Your Wedding Ceremony

Moon phases: Meaning & Symbolism When Choosing a Wedding Date

 

The moon doesn’t just pull the tide – many believe it guides our entire lives! This celestial body is aligned with our physical body; a powerful cosmic force that may shift our moods and shape our desires.

 

With this in mind, it may be wise to consider the moon and its influence when choosing a wedding date, especially the moon’s position in the cosmos relative to the Earth and Sun.

 

The daily dance between these three companions – Moon, Earth, and Sun – is responsible for the moon’s eight phases, as it waxes and wanes from new moon to full moon and back again. 

 

Each moon phase is known to have its own personality, and comes with its own superstitions and predictions. In Pagan Witchcraft and other earth-based spiritual practices, the moon is a source of power to be harnessed during spellcasting and rituals, like handfastings and weddings. 

 

Moon phases represent different things in different practices, including times of growth or healing, new beginnings, or dark magic. And some moon phases are considered more auspicious than others (or more lucky or unlucky than others), and marrying during these dates may welcome more of what you want into your marriage. 

 

Related: 5 Great Reasons to Ask a Friend to Officiate Your Wedding

 

We look at the meaning and symbolism of each moon phase below to help you decide the best moon phase for your wedding. Whether you’re planning a moon themed wedding (with decorations from each natural moon phase), or want to hold your wedding during a specific time of the month to cultivate a desired outcome (like a full moon wedding, waning moon wedding, etc.), this simple guide can help. 

 

But remember this as you read the insights below: there is no wrong day to get married. This information is only intended to educate, entertain, and inspire you; ultimately, you should always follow your heart and instincts when choosing the best wedding date for your marriage ceremony. With love as your guide, you can’t go wrong! 

How to Use the Moon Phase to Choose the Best Wedding Date:

 

Consider which energies and values you want to welcome into your marriage, then find the moon phase that best aligns with your intentions. For example, what is important to you in your relationship? Do you value honesty, adventure, financial abundance, or sexual passion? Do you want a bond that will last a lifetime, or is your love grounded in the present and open to evolution? What energy will balance out you and your partner’s differences, and amplify your strengths?

The phases of the moon (this diagram not include the new moon, which is hidden in shadow). (Photo: Delpixart / iStock)

 

Moon Phase Meanings & Symbolism on the Wedding Day

New Moon Wedding

 

New moon meaning

 

We can’t see the moon during the new moon phase, because it’s positioned directly between the Sun and the Earth, hidden in shadow. The new moon is a time for setting intentions, gathering dreams for the future, deciding what you wish to manifest, and creating space for new beginnings. The new moon is quiet and introspective, a moment between inhale and exhale, filled with potential and promise.

 

New moon magic on the wedding day

A new moon wedding is the ideal time to set your intentions for marriage and share your dreams for the future. To harness new moon magic, include an intention-setting unity ritual in your wedding or handfasting ceremony, such as exchanging heartfelt vows that describe what’s important to you in your relationship and your hopes for the future. Or, sit next to your partner and write down your most exciting plans for the next year, five years, or ten years of marriage. Manifest the marriage you want using the power of the new moon!  

 

Related: A Modern Wiccan Handfasting Ceremony and Script

New Moon Dates 2025

 

1/29/25: January 25 
2/27/25: February 27
3/29/25: March 29
4/27/24: April 27
5/26/25: May 26
6/25/25: June 25
7/24/25: July 24
8/22/25: August 22
9/21/25: September 21
10/21/25: October 21
11/19/25: November 19
12/19/25: December 19

 

 

Waxing crescent moon weddings promise good things to come!(Photo: m-gucci / iStock)

 

 

Waxing Crescent Moon Wedding

 

What does waxing mean in moon phases?

Before we dive into the waxing crescent moon spiritual meaning, let’s look at what it means scientifically in the night sky! The moon is ‘waxing’ as it grows larger and brighter, approaching fullness as it reflects more light from the Sun. The moon ‘waxes’ as it passes from the new moon to the full moon phase. 

 

Waxing Crescent Moon Meaning 

This thin, bright curve of light in the night sky promises good things to come! The waxing crescent moon symbolizes growth, hope, reconstruction, recovery, and the spark of a new beginning. 

 

Waxing Crescent Moon Magic on the Wedding Day

A waxing crescent moon wedding is infused with hope, fresh beginnings, and the budding dreams of a happy future together. This is a good time to marry if you’re ready to start a bright new chapter in your life, if you plan to grow your family, if you’re planning a wedding on your anniversary, or after a challenging period in your relationship that has left you even stronger and more in love. A vow renewal during the waxing crescent moon can also be a powerful choice, as your love renews itself with the rhythms of the moon.

 

Related: Universal Love, Life, and Light Wedding Ceremony Script

 

A half moon wedding brings balance, equality, and harmony to the happy couple. (Photo: Ed Williams / iStock)

 

 

First Quarter Moon Wedding

 

First Quarter Moon Meaning

 
During the first quarter moon, the moon hangs half lit in the night sky. This half moon symbolizes balance, thoughtful evaluation followed by calm action, and steady commitment. It is a time for balancing heart and mind, intellect and emotions. For seeing things just as they are, and making your next move in confidence.

 

First Quarter Moon Magic on the Wedding Day

A first quarter moon wedding or half moon wedding is a day of true partnership and comradery! You and your partner are equals, balanced forces shining brightly along the path of life. A wedding during this moon phase will emphasize your devotion to each other, the inevitable joys and challenges of life, and the constant comfort of your friendship. To embrace first quarter moon magic, your vows shouldn’t shy away from difficult truths. Speak from the heart, honor the realness of your relationship (ups and downs, flaws and all), and bask in the resilient light of love.  

 

First Quarter Moon Dates 2025

 

01/06/25: January 6
02/05/25: February 5
03/06/25: March 6
04/04/25: April 4
05/04/25: May 4
06/02/25: June 2
07/02/25: July 2
08/01/25: August 1
08/30/25: August 30
09/29/25: September 29
10/29/25: October 29
11/27/25: November 27
12/27/25: December 27

 

 

Waxing Gibbous Moon Wedding 

 

Waxing Gibbous Moon Meaning 

A waxing gibbous moon is big and bright, more than halfway illuminated, but not quite full yet. It symbolizes a time of clarifying, perfecting, fine-tuning, and preparing for the next stage. It’s a time of transition and faith as we approach the full potential and potency of the full moon. 

 

Waxing Gibbous Moon Magic on the Wedding Day

A waxing gibbous moon wedding is like icing on the cake as you begin a new life together, or renew your wedding vows! You’ve put in the work, you’ve planned and prepped, and there’s only one more thing you need to get things just right – exchanging vows. This is also an important time to reflect on your relationship and all the ways you’ve changed and grown together. Before the wedding day, is there anything you want to correct or clarify before your marriage begins, or a fresh chapter starts? Now's the time to fine-tune your love for a blissful life ahead!

 

Related: New ‘We Still Do!’ Vow Renewal Package in the AMM Store!

Full moon weddings are energetically charged, filled with desire, excitement, powerful emotions, and powerful magic. (Photo: Photo: KrisCole / iStock)

 

 

Full Moon Wedding

 

Full Moon Meaning 

The moon is at its brightest, fully illuminated during the full moon phase. The full moon symbolizes satisfaction, harmony, celebration, and the climax following continuous efforts. It is a time of deep desire and attraction, big emotions, and big plans. It is also a time for forgiveness and release, and finding wholeness in what remains. Many spiritual practitioners, including Wiccans and other witches, believe that moon magic is most potent during the full moon. 

 

Full Moon Magic on the Wedding Day

A full moon wedding is an energetic, joyful celebration of every moment that has led you to the altar, and of every day that lies ahead! Release any lingering hurts or fears you might have, and embrace emotional balance and clarity. Full moon wedding rituals might include unity candle lighting, dancing around a bonfire or campfire, casting a circle around your ceremony with crystals, meditation, moon bathing, spiritual bathing, or feet washing. 

 

Related: Fall Wedding Ceremony Script with Reading From "Harvest Moon"

 

2025 Full Moon Dates & Full Moon Names 

 

01/13/25: January 13 – Wolf Moon
02/12/25: February 12 – Snow Moon
03/14/25: March 14 – Worm Moon 
04/13/25: April 13 – Pink Moon 
05/12/25: May 12 – Flower Moon
06/11/25: June 11 – Strawberry Moon
07/10/25: July 10 – Buck Moon
08/09/25: August 9 – Sturgeon Moon
09/07/25: September 7 – Harvest Moon 
10/07/25: October 7 – Hunter’s Moon (Supermoon)
11/05/25: November 5 – Beaver Moon (Supermoon)
12/04/25: December 4 – Cold Moon (Supermoon)

 

 

Waning Gibbous Moon Wedding

 

What does waning mean in moon phases?

Before we dive into the waning gibbous moon spiritual meaning, let’s look at what it means scientifically in the night sky! The moon is ‘waning’ as it grows smaller, approaching the quiet shadows of the new moon as it reflects less light from the Sun. The moon ‘wanes’ as it shifts away from the full moon toward the new moon phase. This moon also rises later at night than a full moon. 

 

Waning Gibbous Moon Meaning

The waning gibbous moon symbolizes a period of reflection, gratitude, and contented rest. It is a time for planning and setting new intentions and defining new goals for the future. After the fanfare and excitement of the full moon, this is a time for being content and grateful for all that you have as you begin to make new dreams for the days and years to come.

 

Waning Gibbous Moon Magic on the Wedding Day

A waning gibbous moon wedding is a celebration of gratitude and thankfulness! You and your partner are overjoyed with all that life and love have provided for you, and you’re eager to honor these gifts alongside your friends and family. To embrace waning gibbous moon magic at your wedding, include things you’re grateful for in your wedding vows. You might put together gift bags to guests to thank them for their time and support, or treat your guests to a surprise meal or activity. This day is all about reflecting on the abundance you’ve received as you make plans for your next chapter in marriage.

 

Related: Winter Solstice Wedding Ceremony Script With Candle Lighting

 

 

The waning crescent moon is perfect for minimalist weddings and small elopements, to reflect on the past and prepare for the future. (Photo: tsvibrav / iStock)

 

 

Last Quarter / Third Quarter Moon Wedding 

 

Third Quarter Moon Meaning 

Like the first quarter moon, the moon is half full during the third quarter phase. This moon symbolizes reflection and release, letting go of energy and ideas that no longer serve us, and setting down old pain or regrets that weigh on us. The meaning of the last quarter moon phase is to release and reflect on the past to achieve balance and healing.

 

Third Quarter Moon Magic on the Wedding Day

The third quarter moon phase is a good time for a sweet and simple elopement ceremony or private wedding ceremony. Less is more! Consider eloping with a small group of close family, a quick and easy Vegas wedding, or a ‘just us’ wedding with just the two of you. You and your partner are best friends, a loving team, and you’ve made peace with anything that came before. Harness last quarter moon magic with rituals that include a red wine toast, herbs like frankincense and myrrh, or writing your own vows by hand. 

 

Related: Minimalist Wedding Ceremony Script

 

Last Quarter Moon / Third Quarter Moon Dates 2025

 

01/21/25: January 21
02/20/25: February 20
03/22/25: March 22
04/20/25: April 20
05/20/25: May 20
06/18/25: June 18
07/17/25: July 17
08/15/25: August 15
09/14/25: September 14
10/13/25: October 13
11/11/25: November 11
12/11/25: December 11

 

 

Waning Crescent Moon Wedding

 

Waning Crescent Moon Meaning 

With only a sliver of light hanging in the night sky as the new moon approaches, the waning crescent moon means a time of quiet stillness, rest, and joyful relaxation. During the waning crescent moon, we draw comfort and love close to us, gathering this warmth and nourishment inside us, as if preparing for a cozy cosmic hibernation during the new moon. 

 

Waning Crescent Moon Magic on the Wedding Day

The waning crescent moon is not generally considered an auspicious time for a wedding, because it is often seen as a time of endings (not beginnings). But this quiet energy can be beneficial for the right couples! To harness waning crescent moon magic on the wedding day, fill your wedding altar and ceremony space with symbols of what’s most valuable to you: photos of friends and relatives, mementos from past vacations together, or reminders of your personal triumphs. Then, side by side with your partner, write down one or two things you want to leave behind as you embark on marriage – such as old fear or an unhelpful habit. Thank the past for all it's given you as you step into the future!  

 

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Read next: 

 

• Wedding Numerology: The Best Dates to Get Married in 2024
   
• 5 Lucky Wedding Traditions from Around the World
   
• How to Call the Corners & Cast a Circle for a Wiccan Wedding Ceremony
   

 

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Full Moon & Bats Gothic Wedding Certificate

 

For the spooky-hearted lovers out there, this gothic marriage certificate has illustrations of the full moon & silhouettes of two black bats flying through the night sky. 

 

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Gothic wedding keepsake: Full Moon & Bats Marriage Certificate

 

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