So, he popped the question and you said “yes!” Now, it’s time to get into the nitty gritty of planning your wedding. Of course, you should plan your wedding at your own pace based on your own unique needs, but many brides- and grooms-to-be begin their planning by setting a date.
Many venues book anywhere from 12-18 months in advance, so the sooner you can decide on a date, the better. From there, it’ll be much easier for you to book other vendors and services for the big day, such as your photographer, caterer, and DJ.
Consider Your Budget
Believe it or not, a good place to start in selecting a wedding date is by considering your budget. Many venues have what’s considered to be “peak” and “non-peak” seasons, and it’s much cheaper to book during those “non-peak” times due to the lower demand. Generally, peak season is during the summer and fall, so if you’re on a tighter budget, you might consider getting married during the winter or spring.
Or, if you’re set on getting married during peak season, consider holding your wedding on a non-traditional day of the week, such as a Friday or Sunday.
What About Your Career?
Another thing you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing a wedding date is yours and your partner’s professional lives. Are there certain times of the year when you’re very busy and overwhelmed with work? Maybe you work as a tax consultant, so you get very busy around April each year; you might want to consider scheduling your wedding around that.
Or, maybe your partner is a teacher who has summers off. Perhaps a summer wedding would work out well, since he or she will have more free time to dedicate to wedding planning than during the school year.
Ponder Significant Dates
Finally, think about some significant dates in yours and your partner’s lives. Would any of those work as a wedding date? For example, you might consider holding your wedding on the day of your dating anniversary, or you might want to get married on your own parents’ wedding anniversary. Of course, if you’re set on a traditional Saturday wedding, you’ll need to make sure that whatever date you choose actually falls on a Saturday—which can be tricky.
These simple considerations will get you started on the path to choosing a wedding date that’s both significant and practical for you. From there, you can get to the fun part: planning the details of your special day.
