Choose Your Wedding Date in 7 Steps

Wedding planning calendar

Now that you’re engaged, the next step is to pick a wedding date so that you can get started sending out save the date notes and looking at venues. It’s important to keep in mind that you have to find a date that fits not only into you and your fiance’s busy schedule, but the schedules of your family and friends as well. Follow our seven easy steps to pick the perfect wedding date.

1. Pick a season

The best place to start is by choosing which season in which you’d like to get married. There are pros and cons of all four seasons, so think carefully what is most important to you. If you are dead-set on having an outdoor wedding, winter weddings are out of the question. Destination wedding on a tropical island? Winter might actually be the best time for you due to lower costs. If your favorite flower is a must at your wedding, be sure to choose a time that these flowers are in season. After you’ve selected a season based on your needs, you can narrow it down further to a specific month or even weekend.

2. Consider symbolic occasions

Some couples love the idea of getting married on Valentine’s Day, Christmas or another important holiday. Others love the idea of getting married on the anniversary of their first date or of when they met. If you are thinking about choosing a symbolic date on which to tie the knot, consider factors such as budget, weather and other people’s schedules before committing to a particular date. Holidays tend to be popular wedding day choices and thus are more expensive and fill up quickly, and if you choose a holiday such as Christmas, many of your guests may have other plans. Be sure to avoid other commonly busy weekends to ensure your guests will be able to attend. If you’re thinking about marrying on your anniversary, consider the season and the day of the week this date falls on. Taking these factors into consideration will help you determine whether or not a symbolic occasion date is the right wedding date for you.

Christmas tree holiday wedding

Photo Credit: Bridal Guide

 

3. Set a budget

Weddings can be quite the expensive affair, so take the time to communicate with your partner what your expectations are when it comes to budget. There are so many things to include in your budget, such as the venue, clothing, photographer, caterer, hairstylist, makeup artist… the list goes on and on. The date you choose for your nuptials will have a significant impact on how much your venue, flowers and travel arrangements will cost. A date at the height of wedding season (spring/summer) will come with higher costs due to higher demand.

4. Ask your VIPs

Although it is nearly impossible to accommodate everyone’s busy schedule, there are certainly people that you absolutely need to be present at your wedding. These are important family members and your best friends, so ask them what their schedules are like around the time you are thinking about having your wedding. If any of them say they can’t commit to that timeframe, find another suitable option that works for all parties. Yes, this is your special day but it is even more special if your loved ones are there to share it with you.

Full wedding party

Photo Credit: Wedding Party App

 

5. Make sure you have enough time

You may have found the perfect date that accommodates everyone on which your dream venue has availability and your favorite flowers are in season, but it’s important to keep in mind there are a lot of other aspects of wedding planning that take time. Typically, couples are engaged about 13 to 18 months before officially tying the knot. This allows for plenty of time to plan the wedding and invite guests, while also strengthening your relationship with your partner by going through the process together. Be sure to give both yourself and your guests plenty of time to prepare for the wedding.

6. Consult your favorite venues and vendors

Now that you’ve narrowed the options down to a specific season or month, it’s time to start consulting your favorite venues and vendors to see what kind of availability they have. If you are certain you want to have your ceremony at your church, ask them if they have your date and time open. Other vendors to consult include your photographer, caterer, band or DJ, videographer and travel and hotel accommodations.

7. Finalize a date

If you’ve followed steps 1-6 of our list, you should be down to only just a handful of options. The final things to consider are questions such as Friday vs. Saturday vs. Sunday, when the honeymoon will start in relation to the wedding, how much things will cost for each potential option and what date works best for the most people in the bridal party. Once you’ve settled on a date, book the venue and any other vendor you’ve decided on and start sending out save the dates. Ta da! You’ve selected your perfect wedding date.

Wedding planning calendar

Photo Credit: Honey Fund

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