Jewish Wedding Dates to Avoid in 2027

Which Jewish wedding dates to avoid in 2027? The short answer: by halacha and custom, Jewish weddings are not held on Shabbat and festivals, during Chol HaMoed (the intermediate days of Pesach and Sukkot), on fast days, during most of the Omer period between Pesach and Shavuot, and during the Three Weeks in summer. In some periods Ashkenazi and Sephardi customs differ. Below you will find the 2027 dates, based on the Hebrew calendar and on the official list published by the Jerusalem Religious Council, plus what is possible at a liberal Jewish wedding.

Why Are Some Dates Off Limits?

There are three main reasons. First, kiddushin is not performed on Shabbat, as the Shulchan Aruch rules (Orach Chaim 339:4). Second, “one does not marry during the festival” (Orach Chaim 546:1), so weddings are not held during Chol HaMoed either. Third, periods of communal mourning and fast days. The Shulchan Aruch records the custom not to marry between Pesach and Shavuot until Lag BaOmer, because the students of Rabbi Akiva died in that period (Orach Chaim 493:1), and rules that weddings are not held from Rosh Chodesh Av until the fast of Tisha B’Av (Orach Chaim 551:2). The Rema adds that Ashkenazim are strict from the 17th of Tammuz.

The 2027 Calendar, Period by Period

These dates follow the Jerusalem Religious Council’s wedding times list for 5787 (Hebrew) and the Hebrew calendar. The list applies to the Jerusalem marriage office, so check with your own local Rabbinate if you are registering there.

Fast of Esther

Monday, March 22, 2027. A fast day, so no weddings according to the list.

Pesach and Chol HaMoed

The first day of Pesach falls on Thursday, April 22, 2027. According to the list, no weddings from 16 to 21 Nisan, April 23 to April 28, 2027.

The Omer

Sephardi custom: no weddings from 16 Nisan to 18 Iyar, April 23 to May 25, 2027. Weddings are allowed from the morning of Wednesday, 19 Iyar, May 26, 2027.

Ashkenazi custom: allowed from 22 to 30 Nisan, April 29 to May 7, 2027. Not allowed from 2 to 17 Iyar, May 9 to May 24. Allowed on Lag BaOmer, from the night of 18 Iyar until sunset, May 25, 2027. Not allowed again from 19 to 29 Iyar, May 26 to June 5, except the night of 28 Iyar and Jerusalem Day, June 3 to June 4, 2027, which are allowed by decision of the Chief Rabbinate Council.

Shavuot

Friday, June 11, 2027. No weddings on the festival.

The 17th of Tammuz and the Three Weeks

The fast of the 17th of Tammuz falls on Thursday, July 22, 2027. Ashkenazi custom: no weddings from 17 Tammuz to 10 Av, July 22 to August 13, 2027. Sephardi custom: allowed from 18 to 29 Tammuz, July 23 to August 3, 2027, and not allowed from 1 to 10 Av, August 4 to August 13, 2027. Tisha B’Av falls on Thursday, August 12, 2027.

The Autumn Holidays of 2027

According to the Hebrew calendar: Rosh Hashanah falls on Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3, 2027; the Fast of Gedaliah on Monday, October 4; Yom Kippur on Monday, October 11; the first day of Sukkot on Saturday, October 16; Chol HaMoed Sukkot from October 17 to October 22; and Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, celebrated together in Israel, on Saturday, October 23, 2027. The Jerusalem wedding list for 5788 has not yet been published, so check it once it appears.

Shabbat and Saturday Night

No weddings on Shabbat or festivals. According to the Jerusalem Religious Council list, the Jerusalem office also does not hold weddings on Saturday nights or on the night after a festival.

Ashkenazi and Sephardi Differences at a Glance

The main differences are in the Omer and the Three Weeks. In the Omer, Sephardim begin holding weddings only from the morning of 19 Iyar, while Ashkenazim have some permitted days before and after. In the Three Weeks, Ashkenazim are strict from 17 Tammuz, Sephardim from Rosh Chodesh Av. When partners come from different traditions, sit down together and decide what matters to your families.

What About a Liberal Jewish Wedding?

I officiate during the Omer and during the Three Weeks, as well as on Fridays before Shabbat and on Saturday nights after Shabbat. I do not officiate on Shabbat itself. If you are considering a date that falls on a fast day, a festival or Chol HaMoed, let us check it together. If some relatives keep these customs, we can find a date that respects them too. More answers are on the Reform wedding questions and answers page.

For a closer look at the Omer, read my guide to a Sefirat HaOmer wedding.

Tips for Choosing a Date

• Check the Hebrew date first, then book the venue.
• If you plan to register through the Rabbinate, check your local office’s list.
• A Friday wedding ends before Shabbat begins, so plan the chuppah time with that in mind.
• Guests flying in from abroad may not know these customs, so mention the Hebrew date on the invitation.
• Ask parents and grandparents whether a family custom matters to them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we get married on Lag BaOmer 2027?

According to the Jerusalem list, Ashkenazim may marry from the night of Lag BaOmer until sunset, May 25, 2027. Sephardim may marry from the morning of 19 Iyar, May 26, 2027.

Can Sephardim marry during the Three Weeks?

According to the list, Sephardim may marry from 18 to 29 Tammuz, July 23 to August 3, 2027, but not from Rosh Chodesh Av to 10 Av.

Does a Reform rabbi officiate on these dates?

It depends on the rabbi. I officiate during the Omer and the Three Weeks, on Fridays and on Saturday nights, but not on Shabbat.

In Summary

The 2027 calendar includes several periods when, by custom, Jewish weddings are not held, with differences between Ashkenazim and Sephardim. It helps to know them in advance and decide what matters to you and your families. Found a date you love? You are welcome to check availability with the rabbi.