Choosing a Wedding Date

Picking the Date

How do I pick the perfect wedding date?

While it can be tempting to just grab a calendar and point, there are a few more strategic factors to use as you narrow down the dates to your very special day.

Special (to you, as a couple) day

The day of your first date.  Your grandparent’s anniversary.  The day you met.  If you have a day that was instrumental in getting you to the altar, or a day that means a lot to both (or one) of you, circle that day on your calendar.  Start calling ceremony and venue sites (or a wedding vendor such as a photographer or caterer—someone you really want) to nail down your date and location for your big day.

Family attendance

We know what you’re thinking and no, you don’t have to give into every family member request.  You don’t have to wear your grandma’s dress or hire that random musician they assure you is “a sure bet.”  But if you have a special family member (or group of family members) who is only available during a certain time of the year, ask them what month or days they are available to make sure they can come to the most important day of your life.

Favorite Season

Holding your wedding during a certain season has a perk:  it gives you a series of dates (not just one date) to choose from for your special day.  If you love the autumn leaves, glistening snow, or the fun of summer, pick a date that gives you the chance to celebrate it in your wedding photos and wedding atmosphere.  If you don’t care which day of the season you get married on, ask your favorite venue (or venues) which dates they have available during the peak season months.

Budget-friendly

Peak wedding days and months come at a premium for wedding venues.  If you want to trim dollars off your budget, consider a wedding date that is off-season, usually between January and March.  Similarly, the most popular day of the week for weddings, Saturday, tends to be more expensive than other days.  If you have your heart set on one of the most popular wedding months—June, September, October, and August—host a Friday night or Sunday event to get a lower rate.  For a significant savings off peak months, set your wedding date for a Friday or Sunday.

Venue Availability

If you have dreamed of a certain venue or area to get married in for years, call your venue and ask for a list of available dates.  From there, you can use our close-your-eyes-and-point method or narrow your options based on the season, favorite wedding vendor, budget, work schedule, or a special date.

Your favorite wedding DJ (or caterer or…)

It’s not unusual for couples to start planning before they officially start planning their wedding.  If you have a particular wedding caterer, photographer, or DJ you absolutely have to have, call and ask for available dates. Once you have the list of available dates, don’t procrastinate; the best wedding vendors’ calendars fill up quickly.

Professional Schedule

Nothing can make a bride and groom crazier than trying to manage the final stages of wedding planning and a busy professional schedule during peak season.  If you are in a profession with a marked busy and non-busy season, choose a wedding date during your off-peak season to make sure you can really enjoy your wedding day.

Health

The health of a bride and groom, or the health of another family member, can play a key part in choosing your wedding date.  If you are worried that you may have to move up or move back your wedding date, ask your wedding venue about their policies concerning dates before you sign on the dotted line.

 Length of Engagement

Every bride and groom is going to have a different answer to how long they want to be engaged.  Do you want to enjoy your engagement?  Would you rather be married now?  Think about the question, and add it to the list of topics you need to discuss with your fiance before the fun of wedding planning begins.

Contact Us for more great wedding date tips.