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How to choose a wedding date
Tips for choosing wedding date
Selecting a wedding date and time can be a momentous occasion for a newly engaged couple, or a couple who has been engaged for years but just hasn't gotten around to walking down the aisle. But, with roughly three hundred and sixty five days in a year, how are you expected to be able to just pick one, "perfect" date?
Moreover, once you set the date, how do you know what time you should book your venues for? Should you go with a morning ceremony and a reception brunch? Should you go with an early evening ceremony and a nighttime soiree that lasts well into the early morning hours? With so many decisions, it is no wonder that couples can become easily overwhelmed! So, here are some tips to help you when you are selecting a wedding date and time.
Think about a timeline.
If you just got engaged, before you pick the perfect date, you should be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get the perfect gown, your dream venue, and shed those last twenty-pounds before the big day. Timing is everything. Although some engagements may last a year to eighteen months, others will be considerably shorter, and some may even be much longer. The important thing is to consider what goals you and your future spouse are working towards and factor getting married into those plans in the way that is most appropriate and suitable for your unique situation.
Consider your budget.
Your overall wedding budget may determine whether or not you will be able to afford a particular date, considering the fact that many venues are booked solid on Saturdays well in advance. If you have a smaller budget, you may also need to be more flexible when choosing your date. Ultimately, you may have to reserve your venue(s) for a less popular day of the week, like Friday or Sunday. Similarly, some months are arguably more popular amongst brides than others; therefore, prices during these peak times can spike. If you live in a northern area with snowy winters, you may find that wedding venues drop in price during the winter months.
Moreover, certain venues may have varying fees when it comes to what time you choose to book. Brunch weddings may be less expensive than formal, sit-down dinner, evening weddings.
Sentimentality
If you've got plenty of wiggle room in your budget, you may want to select a date that has some sentimental value to you. Many couples choose to marry on the anniversary of their first day. Other couples pay homage to their parents by selecting to wed on their anniversary
date. If you are fortunate enough, the date you are hoping for will be available at your venue of choice. Otherwise, you may have to decide whether you want choose another venue, or whether you should keep looking for another "special" date.
Limit your options
If you are having trouble narrowing down the "perfect" wedding date, you may want to consider limiting your options.
Sit down with your future spouse and any VIP guests whose presence at your wedding is absolutely essential (i.e. a sibling, grandparent, or best friend since the first grade). Ask everyone to check his or her calendars for prior engagements or particularly busy plans in the future. For example, if you are an attorney with a big trial coming up, be sure that your wedding plans don't conflict with the time you'll have to spend at work. Juggling a high profile case and planning a wedding at the same time is just asking for trouble.
In addition, you may want to consider any religious limitations. Some faiths mandate that weddings cannot occur during certain days of the year. If you'd like to participate in a religious wedding ceremony, trying to hold a wedding during these off-limit times will prove to be difficult, especially when it comes down to finding an officiant.
Some brides also hate the notion of marrying on certain holidays. While some women gush over the possibility of marrying on Valentine's Day or New Year's Eve, keep in mind that these are extremely popular dates with many couples, so you may have to book several years in advance (or be extremely flexible with your venue selection) if you have your heart set on marrying during these holidays. However, be sure that you keep in mind that on days like Valentine's Day vendors, like your florist, are likely to be completely overwhelmed (and sometimes overbooked); therefore, if you want first-class service, you may want to consider picking another date.
Examine the holiday option
If you don't mind sharing your wedding anniversary with a big holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas, you may find that while there are considerable drawbacks to choosing a wedding date close to these holidays (like finding a venue that isn't booked for a Christmas party), there are also some benefits! Not only will friends and family already been in town for the holiday season, you'll also find that many people have already taken time off from work, making travel to your event much easier.
If you do mind sharing an anniversary with one of the bigger commercial holidays, consider having your wedding on another, smaller holiday some other time during the year. Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day weekends are all great options because vendors are unlikely to be busy with other events and your out-of-town guests still get the luxury of some time off from work to accommodate any necessary travel.
Furthermore, if you choose to have your wedding during a long weekend, you can either elongate the celebration, by kicking off the festivities on Friday and ending on Sunday night or Monday afternoon, or (if you are on a tight budget) you can hold your wedding on a Sunday night without worrying about your guests needing to get up for work early next morning!
Season/Style
Season and style often go hand-in-hand when it comes to planning a wedding. After all, you can't exactly have a casual beach wedding in the dead of winter. If you still have difficulty settling on a date, take a step back, close your eyes, and take a moment to envision your "dream" wedding. Are you in a strapless gown with the warm afternoon sun hitting your back? If so, maybe you should consider a summer wedding at sunset. If you love the idea of an icy winter wonderland as a theme, go with an evening ceremony and reception in December or January. The season will certainly affect your wedding's overall look and style, so if you are going for a particular kind of theme, be sure that your wedding date reflects that theme.
In addition, you'll also want to consider how the seasons will affect the weather in your area (or wherever you will be holding your wedding). Keep in mind that where you live can really influence what dates are best for a wedding. For example, South Floridians may want to consider steering clear of the Hurricane season months (from the end of July to early November).
Overall, selecting a wedding date and time might seem like a daunting task at first, but once you've decided on a budget and envisioned your "dream" wedding, you are much more likely to be able to narrow down the days of the year that fit your budget, style, and theme. No matter what, keep in mind that what is important is that you will be getting married and starting a new phase of your life on that date, so whether it is on a Friday morning in March or on a October Saturday evening, it will ultimately be special for all of the years to come from that day forth
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