We spoke with three families who told us what it really takes to inherit and keep a family business alive. They run a decades-old Chicago barbecue sauce brand, a Greek bakery, and one of the last fabric-flower businesses in New York.

(Sponsored by Edward Jones)

• After traveling to all 50 states, I've come across some charming cities to visit in the winter.
• Healdsburg, California, and Aspen, Colorado, feel especially magical during the holidays.
• I also love visiting Park City, Charleston, and Boulder for cozy winter vibes.

When it comes to winter travel, there's nothing quite like visiting a picture-perfect town with charming local shops, friendly faces, and festivals for every occasion.

After visiting all 50 states, I've discovered that some cities feel like Hallmark movies in real life — especially during the holidays. Here are some of my favorites to visit for cute winter vibes.

Boulder, Colorado, is full of cozy shops and restaurants.

As a Boulder resident, I may be biased, but this Colorado city feels made for a Hallmark movie. Downtown, the pedestrian-only Pearl Street is lined with local shops, cozy restaurants, and every outdoor-gear store you could imagine.

During the holidays, the streets twinkle with colorful lights, and frequent festivals, art markets, and a festive parade bring the town to life.

Towering above it all, the Boulder Star on Flagstaff Mountain — a massive illuminated landmark visible from miles away — casts a magical glow over the city, making the season feel truly special.

Healdsburg, California, is stunning during the holidays.

Healdsburg, California, is one of my favorite small towns in the country.

The downtown area is perfectly walkable with boutique shops, tasting rooms, and cozy cafés centered around a gorgeous town square.

I especially love visiting during "Merry Healdsburg," the tree-lighting event where Santa appears, the whole town comes out, and there are carriage rides, live music, and a holiday market.

Throughout the season, various holiday events and decorations create a storybook winter wonderland at every turn.

Aspen, Colorado, feels like a winter wonderland.

I love visiting Aspen, Colorado, year-round, but the holidays have a way of making the whole town feel magical.

I always enjoy wandering the pedestrian-only streets, with charming (and upscale) shops and restaurants against the dramatic mountain backdrop. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to ski.

Each year, I make it a point to watch the Snow Polo Championship, which spectators can easily access from downtown Aspen. Whether you attend as a ticket holder or a free spectator, it's a truly unique holiday experience.

Park City, Utah, truly feels like the set of a Hallmark movie.

I love visiting Park City during the holidays. There's something special about seeing the snowy streets and lights while walking along the historic Main Street, with its charming Western shops and upscale restaurants.

Skiing in the area adds to the magic, and all the festive decorations and seasonal events make it feel like the perfect winter escape.

Charleston is beautifully decorated during the holiday season.

In my opinion, there's nothing quite like visiting Charleston during the holiday season.

Strolling along the Battery and getting lost along the historic cobblestone streets of the French Quarter and South of Broad, I'm surrounded by pastel-colored homes, wrought-iron balconies, and beautifully decorated architecture that looks like it was made for a holiday scene.

The cozy shops, cafés, and hidden courtyards add to the magical atmosphere. I love shopping for holiday gifts, stopping into special Christmas pop-up shops, and admiring the over-the-top decor and festive lights that seem to cover every surface downtown.

Bayfield, Wisconsin, is a quaint town with cozy Midwestern vibes.

Situated on the shores of Lake Superior, Bayfield, Wisconsin, is filled with historic brick storefronts, cozy cafés, and local boutique lodging, all with a welcoming Midwestern vibe.

During Christmas in Bayfield, twinkling lights line the streets, local shops host craft markets, and festive events make the harbor area feel friendly, magical, and almost surreal.

Vail, Colorado, is a must-visit during the holiday season.

This brings the total to three Colorado towns on my list, but Vail is worth it. With twinkling lights lining the European-inspired architecture, cozy shops, and mountain views around every corner, visiting seemingly transports me to the scene of a movie.

I love the festive energy around the ice skating rink, where families and friends gather. Plus, I always have to stop by the Four Seasons for an elevated cup of "haute chocolate."

• Rob Reiner leaves a legacy on the big screen, thanks to classic movies like "When Harry Met Sally…" and "A Few Good Men."
• He and his wife died of an apparent homicide in their Los Angeles home on Sunday. He was 78.
• Here are the eight movies that define his career.

Rob Reiner leaves behind a body of work that won't soon be forgotten.

From comedies such as "When Harry Met Sally…" and "The Princess Bride" to classic Stephen King adaptations like "Stand by Me" and Misery," Reiner's storytelling mastery delivered some of the most memorable movies released in the 1980s and 1990s. And I didn't even mention the gripping drama "A Few Good Men."

Here are eight of Reiner's most memorable films.

"This Is Spinal Tap" (1984)

Being the son of Carl Reiner, a pioneer in onscreen comedy, and having acted in variety shows for most of his youth, eventually playing Michael "Meathead" Stivic on "All in the Family," throughout the 1970s, Reiner never had a problem being on screen.

It made him the perfect straight man opposite Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer in this comedy, which he also directed, about a fake band going on tour.

Essentially creating the mockumentary genre with the movie, Reiner plays a director named Marty Di Bergi who chronicles the US tour of the English rock band Spinal Tap.

The movie went on to become a cult classic. Guest has since taken the mockumentary reins, going on to create his own classics, such as the 2000 film "Best in Show" and the 2003 film "A Mighty Wind."

"Stand by Me" (1986)

Reiner adapted Stephen King's novella "The Body" for his sophomore directing effort and demonstrated that he can do much more than comedy.

This coming-of-age tale about a group of friends who set out to look for a dead body made stars out of its lead characters — Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, River Phoenix, and Wil Wheaton — and decades later, you can find many similarities in the character development in Netflix's "Stranger Things."

"The Princess Bride" (1987)

Shifting to the fantasy genre, Reiner crafted a love story that has only grown in popularity.

Cary Elwes plays Westley, a swashbuckler determined to reconnect with his true love, played by Robin Wright, who is a princess set to be married.

Along the way, Elwes teams with the likes of Mandy Patinkin, Andre the Giant, and Billy Crystal to complete his quest.

"When Harry Met Sally…" (1989)

Reiner collaborated with screenwriter Nora Ephron to make one of the greatest romantic comedies ever.

From the fake orgasm in the diner scene to the romantic conclusion when Harry (Billy Crystal) finally professes his love to Sally (Meg Ryan) on New Year's Eve, any rom-com that has worked since is because it has used elements that originated in "When Harry Met Sally…."

"Misery" (1990)

A year later, Reiner would once more turn to Stephen King to prove he can do more than comedy.

James Caan plays a novelist who is held captive by an obsessive fan played by Kathy Bates.

The movie would be a sensation and lead to Bates winning an Oscar, marking the only time an Oscar has been awarded to a King adaptation.

"A Few Good Men" (1992)

Aaron Sorkin adapted his 1989 play for Reiner's next movie, which would go on to be nominated for four Oscars, including best picture.

With an all-star cast that includes Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, and Kiefer Sutherland, this courtroom drama focuses on a hotshot attorney (Cruise) trying to exonerate two Marines charged with the murder of another Marine.

The movie concludes with a showdown between Cruise and Nicholson, playing the Colonel at the base where the murder took place, that is highlighted by the now-famous movie line by Nicholson: "You can't handle the truth!"

"The American President" (1995)

Reiner and Sorkin would team up again for this lighthearted political drama, in which Michael Douglas plays a widowed President of the United States who falls for a lobbyist, played by Annette Bening.

The movie went on to be the spirit animal for Sorkin's beloved series "The West Wing," which aired from 1999 to 2006.

"Albert Brooks: Defending My Life" (2023)

One of Reiner's final directing efforts was this documentary on his good friend, Albert Brooks.

Reiner, who is also in a lot of the movie speaking with Brooks, recounts the comic's legendary career from being the go-to stand-up comic for Johnny Carson to becoming a renowned director himself ("Real Life," "Modern Romance," "Defending Your Life," "Mother").

• Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, died on Sunday in an apparent homicide.
• This son, Nick, has been charged in connection with their deaths.
• In 2016, Business Insider interviewed Rob and Nick about their movie, "Being Charlie," which is based on Nick's past drug addiction.

Editor's note: Business Insider published an interview with Rob Reiner and his son Nick Reiner in May 2016 about their movie, "Being Charlie," which Nick wrote and is based on his experiences with drug addiction. On December 15, 2025, Nick Reiner was arrested one day after his parents, Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home.

For the last 30 years, Rob Reiner has been best known for directing movies like “Stand by Me,” “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally,” and “A Few Good Men.” The titles have brought joy to millions.

But the Reiner household hasn't been all happy. The legendary actor/filmmaker’s son, Nick, 22, has been battling drug abuse since his late teens.

Most families would want to keep that part of their lives as hidden from public view as possible. But Reiner admits that, even at the darkest moments of his son’s addiction, he thought of making a movie. Yet it was too painful to put pen to page and begin a script.

Interestingly enough, his son came to the same realization as a means to rehabilitate.

While at a rehab center in Los Angeles four years ago, Nick befriended fellow addict Matt Elisofon. The two began writing about their challenges with addiction and the people they met at rehab. Eventually they came up with a script for the movie “Being Charlie” (in theaters Friday), which they asked Rob to direct.

The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last September to a sold-out crowd.

It’s a mix of drama and comedy that focuses on an 18-year-old named Charlie (played Nick Robinson of “Jurassic World” fame) as he struggles with addiction to heroin and cocaine. As Charlie jumps in and out of rehab, the aggravation of his actor-turned-politician father (Cary Elwes) grows, and he doesn’t know how to help his son.

“It was a real corrective emotional experience,” Nick Reiner told Business Insider following the TIFF screening about making the movie.

It took “Being Charlie” four years to get to the screen (in that time Nick has been sober), evolving from a half-hour comedy, then an hour dramedy that was rejected by the TV networks, to finally a feature film.

According to Rob Reiner, what the project lacked in its early development was telling both the father's and son's sides.

“It needed what he has been through but also what we had been through,” Rob told Business Insider, referring to himself and his wife, Michele, who was sitting beside him.

Nick and Elisofon were by Rob’s side throughout filming. According to Rob, the script was tweaked daily to make the scenes more true to life.

“I relied on him,” Rob said of his son. “He’s the heart and soul of the film.”

One of the biggest adjustments came while shooting the film’s ending, in which Charlie and his father finally have a heart-to-heart.

Rob and Nick couldn’t find the right tone. After constant rewrites, they finally felt they had something a few days before shooting the scene. It’s a gripping moment when both the father and son open up to each other like they never have before.

The Reiners compare getting the ending right to the whole experience making the film.

"We were healing as we were going along," Nick said. "And it all doesn’t happen overnight. Certain things we hadn’t dealt with for a while but we were able to through this movie. It didn’t fix everything, but it really tapped into — "

Nick paused to find the words, then his father, sitting across from Nick, finished for him.

"It forced me to really have to understand what he had been going through for a long time," Rob said.

This story was originally published on May 16, 2016. It has since been updated.

• Ukraine's long-range drones struck a Russian oil platform in the Caspian Sea, a security source said.
• It's the third time in a matter of days that Ukraine has attacked oil platforms in this area.
• The attacks mark a new chapter for Ukraine as it expands strikes on Russia's energy sector.

Ukraine has hit Russian oil platforms in the Caspian Sea with long-range drones three times in a matter of days, a security source told Business Insider on Monday.

In the most recent attack, drones struck a platform at the Korchagin oil and gas condensate field, causing damage at the facility and forcing it to halt production, said the source in the Security Service of Ukraine, who was only authorized to speak anonymously to discuss sensitive military developments.

The drone attack is the latest against Russia's energy sector, a critical source of income for Moscow that helps fuel its war efforts in Ukraine. Kyiv has ramped up its deep-strike campaign on key oil and gas facilities and is now targeting infrastructure in the Caspian Sea, hitting activities there for the third time in less than a week.

The source in the SBU, Ukraine's main internal security agency, said that drones struck the Filanovsky oil production platform last Thursday, marking the first time Kyiv had caused damage to Russian oil infrastructure in the Caspian Sea.

The following day, Ukrainian drones struck the Filanovsky platform again and also hit the Korchagin platform. The SBU source said that the attacks caused damage at both facilities and forced a suspension of operations.

The platforms are owned by Lukoil-Nizhnevolzhskneft, a subsidiary of the Russian energy giant Lukoil. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the drone attacks. Additionally, neither Russia's defense ministry nor its US embassy responded to requests for comment.

The SBU source said that the agency is working to deny Russia the critical revenue from its energy sector, which helps finance the war in Ukraine. They said that the Filanovsky deposit is one of Russia's largest, with an estimated 129 million tons of oil.

"No Russian object working for the war is safe regardless of its location," the source said, according to a translation of their remarks shared with Business Insider.

The repeated targeting of the two Caspian Sea oil platforms appears to signal a new shift for Ukraine as it continues to strike Russian oil and gas infrastructure.

For months, Ukraine has mostly carried out attacks against oil refineries, ports, and other facilities across Russia. However, in recent weeks, Kyiv has expanded these operations beyond land and intensified its strikes on maritime targets.

Just before the three strikes in the Caspian Sea, Ukraine used its naval drones packed with explosives to attack three tankers allegedly belonging to the Russian "shadow fleet," a collection of hundreds of vessels that Moscow uses to move oil and circumvent sanctions on its energy exports.

Ukrainian officials have described the campaign against the Russian energy sector as "long-range" sanctions. The deep-strike campaign has been a bright spot for Kyiv in this war as Moscow's forces continue to make slow but costly gains on the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has repeatedly urged its international partners to do more to prevent Russia from exporting oil and earning cash to fuel its invasion.

• Ukraine's internal security agency said it used an underwater drone to damage a Russian submarine.
• The agency described the attack as a first, potentially signaling a new chapter in drone warfare.
• Ukraine has long been using naval drones to target Russian surface ships.

Ukraine carried out a first-of-its-kind attack on a Russian submarine using underwater drones, Kyiv said on Monday, revealing a new use for its explosive-packed uncrewed systems.

The Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, said it executed a "unique special operation" using an underwater drone to strike a Russian Kilo-class submarine at the Black Sea port Novorossiysk, damaging and disabling the boat.

The SBU, Ukraine's main internal security agency, disclosed that the attack involved the employment of its "Sub Sea Baby" drones, which appear to be an underwater version of the Sea Baby naval drone Ukraine uses to target Russian surface vessels and port infrastructure.

The SBU said in a statement that the submarine was equipped with four launchers for Kalibr cruise missiles, which Russia regularly fires at Ukrainian cities.

The security agency did not specify when the operation took place, but it said it was carried out in coordination with the Ukrainian navy. The SBU published footage that appears to show the moment the underwater drone impacted the submarine, causing a large explosion.

Neither Russia's defense ministry nor its US embassy immediately responded to requests for comment.

The Kilo-class submarines are diesel-electric boats that have been in service since the 1980s. Russia has dozens of active subs, which make up one of the largest submarine fleets in the world.

The SBU said a Kilo-class submarine costs around $400 million, but the agency added that sweeping international sanctions would make it notably more costly for Russia to build a replacement.

The submarine attack marks the latest against Russia's naval force in the Black Sea. Since the start of the war, Ukraine has employed drones and missiles to damage and destroy dozens of warships and other vessels.

The asymmetrical campaign has forced Russia to relocate the bulk of its battered Black Sea Fleet from the long-held headquarters on the occupied Crimean peninsula across the region to Novorossiysk. However, Ukraine has demonstrated it can target Russian ships there as well.

The SBU said on Monday that the damaged submarine was in Novorossiysk due to the Ukrainian operations that drove the Russian Navy away from Crimea earlier in the war.

More significantly, the submarine attack appears to signal a new chapter in drone warfare. Ukraine has used naval drones, such as the Sea Baby, to strike Russian surface ships and used underwater drones to target Russia's "shadow fleet" vessels moving oil and circumventing sanctions.

However, a strike on a submarine with what has been likened to a slow-moving mine or torpedo suggests an expansion of Ukrainian capabilities.

Beyond Ukraine, Russia and NATO countries have actively developed their own underwater drone technology as militaries look to augment traditional naval capabilities with more uncrewed systems.

• Royal Caribbean has a private island in the Bahamas called Perfect Day at CocoCay. 
• The island has thrilling activities, relaxing beaches, and underwater adventures.
• I went for the first time in 2022. While I found it fun, I longed for a more authentic port stop.

At first glance, it may seem like Perfect Day at CocoCay has something for everyone. Royal Caribbean's 125-acre private island in the Bahamas is filled with thrilling adventures and relaxing beaches for vacationers.

You'll find overwater cabanas, quiet places to chill, and shorelines bumping party music. Adrenaline seekers can also experience gigantic waterslides, zip lines, and hot air balloon rides.

I visited CocoCay during my first cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas in May 2022. Although it felt like an extension of the ship, I longed for a more authentic Bahamian experience.

Welcome to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's 125-acre private island in the Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean isn't the only cruise line with a private island in the Bahamas. Carnival, Disney, and Norwegian each have their own Bahamian paradise.

CocoCay is only accessible to cruisers on Royal Caribbean ships.

CocoCay was the final stop of my seven-night Caribbean cruise.

The ship sailed out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and also stopped in Roatán, Honduras, as well as Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.

As Royal Caribbean guests step onto the island, a band greets them with Caribbean tunes.

I thought the band set the chill, Caribbean vibe as I walked off the dock.

Most attractions on the island, including the food and many of the pools and beaches, are complimentary to cruise guests.

Guests could munch on the island's burgers, hot dogs, salads, and cookies. 

But some exciting features cost extra, like the waterpark.

Other excursions, such as zip-lining, snorkeling, and hot air balloon rides, also incurred an additional price.

The island is easy to navigate, thanks to maps, signage, and color-coded paths.

Green leads to Chill Island, orange leads to Oasis Lagoon, and blue leads to Thrill Waterpark.

To get around, walk or ride a free tram to different parts of the island.

I thought the tram was a nice touch, but I preferred getting around on foot.

If you're a vacationer looking to relax, head to Chill Island, which is free to access.

Chill Island is the place to spend a laid-back day in a lounge chair in the sand. It has no music, making it the quietest beach on CocoCay. The beach is lined with umbrellas and chairs, all of which are free to use.

If you want more privacy, you can rent a daybed on the beach.

There are also over-the-water cabanas.

These floating cabanas cost $1,000 to rent when I visited.

Of course, there is a swim-up bar offshore.

Cruise ship drink packages extend to CocoCay.

For a more active beach day, check out South Beach on the other side of the island.

Here, you'll find plenty of outdoor activities, like basketball, volleyball, and even life-size billiards. 

Both beaches offer complimentary amenities, including life vests.

This could be especially useful for families traveling with kids.

Both beaches have snorkeling shacks. I was able to rent gear for $37.

I went snorkeling at Chill Island and saw some pretty cool fish.

The beaches have several shops that sell souvenirs.

I spotted T-shirts and essentials, such as sunscreen, for sale.

If you prefer the pool over the beach, head to Oasis Lagoon.

It is home to the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, according to the cruise line. The pool features several inviting coves and upbeat music. There's also a swim-up bar.

Next to Oasis Lagoon is Splashaway Bay, a water playground for children.

The playground resembles the Splashaway Bay found on Royal Caribbean ships. It is free for guests.

Next door is Thrill Waterpark, where you'll find the waterslides for the "big kids."

This area of the island hosts all the waterslides and the wave pool. When I visited, access cost up to $140.

Thrill-seekers also gravitate toward the hot air balloon ride that reaches 450 feet into the air.

When I was on the island, it cost up to $84 per person, but unfortunately, the winds were too high for the balloon to be used.

Back on the ship, I quickly took in a panoramic view of CocoCay before departing.

I could see some of the other 700 Bahamian islands in the distance, and I wondered what it would be like to visit them.

While I had a fun and relaxing day at CocoCay, it felt more like an extension of the cruise ship than a visit to a foreign country.

Since I'm not into the thrills of waterslides and zip lines, I would have rather spent time on a Bahamian island where I could have learned more about the culture.

But for those looking for a resort-style destination, CocoCay has it all. From sports to peaceful beaches, the island is sure to fulfill all your vacation desires.

• I made Ina Garten's and Martha Stewart's latkes to compare the two celebrity chefs' recipes.
• I preferred one chef's recipe — the simple ingredients and butter gave it a lighter flavor.
• Stewart's recipe with oil resulted in a more classic latke, but they were harder to flip.

Ina Garten and Martha Stewart are both known for their delicious recipes. Still, whose latkes are the tastiest?

As someone who has grown up celebrating Hanukkah, I've eaten my fair share of the holiday's traditional fried potato pancakes. I was curious to see how two of my favorite celebrity chefs have each made their own version of latkes.

You can read Ina Garten's full latke recipe here and Martha Stewart's full recipe here.

I taste-tested both recipes. Here's how they turned out.

I began with Ina Garten's recipe, which calls for relatively simple ingredients.

The recipe lists potatoes, an egg, flour, salt, and pepper.

I was surprised to find that the recipe called for frying the latkes in clarified butter, rather than oil. Eating foods fried in oil is part of Hanukkah tradition, so I was a bit skeptical about this change.

I began by peeling and grating the potatoes, then squeezing out the excess liquid.

I managed to cut myself almost immediately. Grate with caution.

I mixed in the egg, flour, salt, and pepper.

The resulting batter had the consistency of oatmeal.

I then started on the clarified butter for frying.

The recipe includes instructions for how to make clarified butter. You can also just buy ghee at a grocery store and skip this step.

Making clarified butter involves melting butter, allowing the milk solids to settle, and then skimming them off the top.

The process reminded me of skimming the fat off the top of chicken soup. It was easy, but it took extra time waiting for the solids to settle.

With the butter all clarified, it was time to fry.

Garten's recipe instructs using a tablespoon of the potato mixture for each latke.

The small pancakes finished cooking in minutes, and they were easy to flip.

I also loved that frying the latkes in butter didn't make my entire apartment and person smell like oil. It's a strong scent that tends to linger. These just smelled mildly like melted butter, which was amazing.

The finished products came out perfectly crispy, even though they weren't fried in oil.

Since no additional ingredients were added to the batter, the potato flavor shone through, and the buttery crust was delicious.

Paired with some applesauce — my latke topping of choice — Garten's recipe became the one to beat for me.

It didn't have the oily taste of a traditional latke, but I actually preferred the milder taste of butter.

Next, I started on Martha Stewart's latke recipe, which called for some extra ingredients.

Stewart's recipe involved twice the amount of potatoes and eggs that were in Garten's, as well as additions like grated onion and beer.

I grated the potatoes and squeezed out the liquid with a kitchen towel.

Stewart's recipe says to reserve this potato juice, let the milky starch sink to the bottom, and pour off the liquid — similar to the clarified butter I made for Garten's recipe.

I then added the eggs, a grated onion, and a quarter cup of beer.

Grated onions are standard in latke recipes — beer, not as much. I was curious to see how it would affect the flavor and texture.

After mixing everything, I scooped half a cup of batter at a time into a pan of hot oil as the recipe instructed.

The larger latkes took much longer to fry than Garten's, and they were a little more unruly to flip. I'm still trying to get a resulting oil splash out of my favorite jeans.

As that classic oily Hanukkah smell filled the kitchen, I became nostalgic for the latkes of my youth.

I could already tell that these latkes were going to be the more traditional of the two.

Stewart's recipe tasted like the standard latke you can get at any Hanukkah party.

I couldn't taste the beer, but the grated onion and the crispy, oily goodness created a sharper flavor that screamed Hanukkah to me.

Personally, I preferred Garten's take on the potato pancake, but Stewart's recipe is great if you're looking for a classic latke.

Even though they're not fried in oil — which is kind of the point of eating them on this holiday — I enjoyed Garten's latkes more because they were easier and faster to make, and they had a mild, buttery flavor that I loved. Stewart's recipe, however, is perfect for traditionalists.

Simone Migliori liked the idea of an October wedding so much she had two — a backyard elopement in 2023 and a bigger bash in 2024. Part of the decision, at least on wedding No. 1, was that it was the anniversary of when Migliori, 27, and her husband first met. But it was also because she's always wanted to get married in the fall. Both events were held in Massachusetts, and she loves the color palette and the cooler weather at that time of year. Plus, Taylor Swift has a fall aesthetic, and there's the Pumpkin Spice Latte. "I feel like Fall is the 'it girl,'" she says.

Her assessment is correct: When it comes to weddings, October is the hot way to go. Adieu to June.

The wedding website The Knot's 2025 global wedding report found that October is the most popular month in the United States to wed, as it has been since 2019. Data from Zola, another wedding planning website, shows October has been scrapping it out with June and September for the top nuptial month for at least the past decade.

"Weddings, for some time, have been in the fall, and, kind of, the conversation has finally shifted to acknowledging they're in the fall," says Emily Forrest, a Zola spokesperson. She got married in October nine years ago, thinking she was going against the grain by eschewing the spring and summer months. "I wanted to do something a bit different," she says. "It turns out that's pretty common."

It's sort of like the trend five years ago when everyone named their babies Olivia and Liam, thinking it was distinctive, only to discover on the first day of kindergarten that everyone else had the same idea. October weddings are the Sophias of marriage — beautiful, beloved, and maybe not so unusual anymore.

The June bride tradition dates back to ancient Rome and Juno, the goddess of marriage and childbirth. It stuck around in the Middle Ages because flowers were prettier at the start of summer (and could help mask some smells), and it didn't hurt that it lined up with agricultural calendars, between planting and harvest. It continued into the modern era, too, including in popular culture. The 1954 musical film "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" has a song called "June Bride." In 2009's "Bride Wars," Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway duke it out because both dreamed of getting married in New York's Plaza Hotel in June.

October weddings are the Sophias of marriage — beautiful, beloved, and maybe not so unusual anymore.

June is still a popular month to get married, but a cascade of climate, logistical, and aesthetic factors has many couples increasingly looking to the fall months. Jove Meyer, a wedding planner in New York City, puts it plainly: While some couples may want to get married in June, "there's only four weekends" in the month. And July and August are going to be too hot for many people to opt for them.

"July is just miserable to work in, and I can't imagine being a bride in a full gown and the guys in a suit and jacket outside," says Megan Niger, a wedding photographer based in Connecticut.

The next best thing used to be September, but now, especially with global warming, people are realizing that "you can have a gorgeous October wedding," Meyer says. "It's not winter. It's extended-late summer, depending on when in October you get married."

"We see a lot more stability in October," says Mandy Connor, the owner of Hummingbird Events & Design in Boston. "If you're a bride or groom who doesn't like to sweat on their wedding day, October is a perfect timeframe for you."

Ideally, it will be warm during the day and cool off at night as people start dancing. And if it does get a little too nippy, there are a lot of decor elements, such as firepits and blankets, to incorporate.

That weather stability translates to scheduling stability, too. In the late spring and early summer months, it's hard to find a weekend that works for all the guests: School is ending, there are a lot of graduations and other competing events, and many families are setting out on their summer vacations. Depending on the locale, wedding attendees may find themselves competing with tourists in the summer months, driving up the price of airfares and hotel rooms.

"People are ready to celebrate by October," says Lauren Kay, the executive editor of The Knot. "You're like: 'It's been a minute since I've taken a vacation. Sure, I'm going to go to your destination wedding or go party with you.'"

With the rise of the fall wedding, the entire wedding calendar has shifted to accommodate. The spring is more of a wedding shower season, the summer for bachelor and bachelorette parties, and the fall for the actual big day. (Engagements have long been and remain most popular in December, around the holidays, because families and friends are around and it's got a festive feel.)

Also, to state the obvious: Fall is pretty. In many parts of the country, leaves are changing and falling, providing what many couples believe is an ideal backdrop for their celebrations, especially if it's outdoors.

Hannah Gettleman, 35, landed on October 26 for her nuptials in Chicago. The ceremony and reception will be indoors, but the photos and a cocktail hour will be outside, God (and weather) willing. "I love fall in Chicago. It's the Midwest, it's by some leaves, and I just love the vibrancy of the fall in and of itself," she says. "There are a couple of parks that we want to check out that are near the venue, so we definitely want to get the fall foliage in our photography."

Couples who want to marry during Spooky Season are going to encounter some spooky levels of competition.

To be sure, solid weather isn't guaranteed at any time of the year in any part of the world. Take it from Cameron Ruby, 33, whose San Francisco wedding was in October 2021. She and her now-husband had originally planned to get hitched in March of 2021, but they pushed it back. "The impetus behind choosing October was that in San Francisco, it tends to be, historically, the best weather of the year," she says. But there was an atmospheric river, which caused huge amounts of rain. Guests' flights were canceled and delayed. Ruby's dress got so muddy that no dry cleaner would take it. "You cannot predict the weather," she says.

October becoming a sought-after wedding month means it's getting sought-after prices, too. The Knot's data shows the average wedding cost in the US is already an eye-popping $33,000.

Meyer says October used to be more of a "shoulder season," tucked between the high and low seasons, and therefore could be more affordable. But that's changing. "It may not be a shoulder season for long," he says.

Couples who want to marry during Spooky Season are going to encounter some spooky levels of competition, which means they may have to book a year or two in advance.

"Everybody sort of clamors for them, and you'll see people say, 'I know I want September, October, but …'" says Susan Norcross, who owns The Styled Bride in Philadelphia. The hot date for next year is not quite October but instead September 26, she says, because people want to do 9/26/26.

Vendors and venues can get away with charging more amid higher demand in the fall, though prices aren't just season-dependent; they're also day-dependent. If you want to do your wedding on the cheap, your best bet may be picking, say, a Thursday or Friday, whatever the month. And if you're going after the coveted October, being open to an off day gives you a better shot at landing a date.

Couples are being very purposeful about planning their weddings nowadays. Every detail has meaning. They're embracing some traditions and eschewing others. Many are also getting married after being together for a long time, so they've pored over every detail. It turns out a lot of them have concluded they want to wed in October.

For guests, it's nice in that the fall really is less packed, schedule-wise (football fans excepted), and it's not a bad deal to space out wedding season. But it also means you should probably check your calendar — you might have more weddings on there than you'd think.

Emily Stewart is a senior correspondent at Business Insider, writing about business and the economy.