Sefirat HaOmer Wedding: Which Days Are Allowed in 2027

Planning a Sefirat HaOmer wedding? Many couples who plan a spring wedding ask whether it is possible. The short answer: by the custom of most Jewish communities, weddings are not held on most days of the Omer, but some days are permitted, and those days differ between Ashkenazim and Sephardim. In 2027, for example, Lag BaOmer falls on Tuesday, May 25, 2027. At a Reform ceremony you can marry on the days of the Omer too. Here I explain where the custom comes from, which days are permitted, and the special permission that was given in Israel in 2026.

What Is Sefirat HaOmer?

Sefirat HaOmer, the Counting of the Omer, is a seven week period from the second day of Pesach until the festival of Shavuot. In 2027 it begins on the night after 15 Nisan, so the first day of the count is April 23, 2027, and it ends on the eve of Shavuot, June 10, 2027.

Why Don’t Couples Marry During the Omer?

The Shulchan Aruch writes that the custom is not to marry between Pesach and Shavuot until Lag BaOmer, “because at that time the students of Rabbi Akiva died” (Orach Chaim 493:1). The Rema adds that from Lag BaOmer onward everything is permitted. In other words, this is a custom of mourning, in memory of a tragedy in the days of Rabbi Akiva, not a prohibition from the Torah. Over the years, communities developed different customs about the exact days.

Which Days Are Permitted in 2027?

According to the Jerusalem Religious Council’s wedding times list for 5787 (Hebrew):

Sephardi Custom

No weddings from 16 Nisan to 18 Iyar, April 23 to May 25, 2027. Weddings are permitted from the morning of Wednesday, 19 Iyar, May 26, 2027.

Ashkenazi Custom

• 16 to 21 Nisan, April 23 to April 28, 2027: not permitted, because these are the days of Pesach and Chol HaMoed.
• 22 to 30 Nisan, April 29 to May 7, 2027: permitted.
• 2 to 17 Iyar, May 9 to May 24, 2027: not permitted.
• Lag BaOmer, from the night of 18 Iyar until sunset, May 25, 2027: permitted.
• 19 to 29 Iyar, May 26 to June 5, 2027: not permitted, except the night of 28 Iyar and Jerusalem Day, June 3 to June 4, 2027, which are permitted by decision of the Chief Rabbinate Council.

The list applies to the Jerusalem marriage office. If you are registering with a different local Rabbinate, check with them.

I have gathered all the dates of the year, including the Three Weeks and the festivals, in a guide to Jewish wedding dates to avoid in 2027.

The Special Permission of 2026

In 2026, because of the security situation, Israel’s Ministry of Religious Services announced a decision of the Chief Rabbis: couples who had been forced to postpone their weddings could hold them up to and including Rosh Chodesh Iyar, for Sephardim and Ashkenazim alike. The decision was a temporary measure for one year, not a permanent change of custom, and it stated that weddings would still not be held on Saturday nights. You can read the announcement on gov.il (Hebrew). At the time of writing there is no similar announcement for 2027.

Does a Reform Rabbi Officiate During the Omer?

Yes. I officiate at weddings during the Omer. The Israeli Reform movement’s wedding site also notes that its rabbis officiate during the Omer. For me, the Omer is a time of remembrance, but also of anticipation and joy leading up to the giving of the Torah. We can build a ceremony that acknowledges the tradition while celebrating your love.

Planning With Observant Family in Mind

• Talk with your family early. What looks like a problem is often solved by an open conversation.
• Choose a permitted day. If you want everyone to feel comfortable, consider Lag BaOmer, the end of Nisan for Ashkenazim, or the days after 19 Iyar for Sephardim.
• Include a moment of remembrance. Some couples add a word about Rabbi Akiva, who taught that “love your neighbor as yourself” is a great principle of the Torah.
• Think about music. Some relatives avoid listening to music during the Omer. It helps to know in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we marry after Lag BaOmer?

According to the Rema, from Lag BaOmer onward everything is permitted. But in the Jerusalem Religious Council list, by Ashkenazi custom no weddings are held from 19 to 29 Iyar, except on Jerusalem Day. By Sephardi custom, weddings are permitted from the morning of 19 Iyar.

Is there a special permission for 2027?

So far, the special permission was given only for 2026, as a temporary measure. If a new announcement is published, it will appear on the Ministry of Religious Services website.

Can we have a Friday wedding during the Omer?

I officiate on Fridays before Shabbat begins, and on Saturday nights after Shabbat. Not on Shabbat itself. If your date falls during the Omer, we will check it together.

More answers are on the wedding questions and answers page.

In Summary

The Omer is a period of differing customs, with forbidden days and permitted days. If you want to marry during it, you have options, both within the tradition and at a Reform ceremony. If you already have a date in mind, you are welcome to check the date with the rabbi.