As soon as you’re engaged, the first question many people will often ask you (right after how they propose) is, “Have you set a date?” And while it seems like such a simple task, the fact is the date is essentially one of the most important aspects of your wedding. Choose the wrong day for your ceremony, and you may run into a huge array of problems. So remember these tips to choose a wedding date.
The top 3
1.) The time frame. If you want to invite 300 guests and say your vows in front of a six-foot ice sculpture, you will need to give yourself a little time to plan all of it. On the contrary, if you want to go to your local courthouse with a few close friends and family, a few months may be all you need.
2.) The season. Many couples choose to get married in the summer for various reasons, such as the ease of travel, the gorgeous blooming flowers, and the sunset wedding photos, but other seasons also hold many benefits. Wedding photos in the wintertime are simply stunning, providing a one-of-a-kind glowing, white backdrop. Winter also lends itself well to more elegant, full-length gowns, while summer lends nicely to light, airy, and even shorter dresses.
3.) Your guests’ commitments. When all my friends started getting married, we were finishing college. Many of us were attending grad school. One of my friends decided to set her wedding for the second week of September. This is a great day except for one minor issue; all her bridesmaids and her fiancé’s groomsmen were still in college, so expecting them to miss the first week of classes was a bit of an obstacle. it’s also not advised to have your wedding on a specific holiday. It’s quite a lot to ask someone to skip their yearly 4th of July family reunion to attend your wedding. Plus, holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year’s are often the only time some people even see certain family members.
Final 2 tips to choose a.wedding date
4.) The price. Venues are typically much more expensive in the summer simply because of the demand. As the demand slows in the winter months, prices tend to decline. If you want to save money on the venue, choosing a wedding date in the “off-season” might be a great way to save a couple of thousand dollars.
5.) The day of the week. Getting married on a Wednesday? Don’t expect a lot of your guests to be able to make the trip. If you plan on inviting many people, you have to make it somewhat convenient for them. A weekday wedding means they will have to take off work for the wedding itself and on the days before and after for travel.
Also, keep in mind what kind of atmosphere you want to have. If you’re hoping everyone will enjoy the “refreshments” and dancing until the wee hours of the early morning, planning your big day on a Sunday will make that difficult. Likewise, a Sunday brunch would be lovely if you’re having a dry wedding, as most guests won’t even miss the alcohol.