Wedding Help: How to Pick a Wedding Date

One of the first things that newly engaged couples needs to do is to set a date for their wedding. For some couples, this can be a quick and easy decision, but for others, it can be difficult to even know where to begin the process of deciding on a wedding date.

Pick a Wedding Date: What Season?

The first question to address is what season you want to get married in. Of course, late spring and summer is the most popular wedding season because of the beautiful weather and the abundance of fresh flowers available during those seasons. However, other seasons have their benefits as well.

For example, many wedding and reception sites will give discounts for holding a wedding in an off-peak time of the year, so you could save some money with a fall or winter wedding. In addition, there are some fun themes that can be used in weddings during the fall and winter, such as a fall theme around pumpkins, or a winter theme that puts to use festive berries and holly.

Pick a Wedding Date: Consider Family and Friends' Schedules

When I was planning my wedding, one thing I had to take into account is that my sister's soccer team was going on a big trip to Scotland during the second half of the summer, and I wanted her to be my maid of honor. Therefore, that ruled out any wedding dates during that portion of the summer.

In addition to checking with immediate family for any date constraints, consider the schedules of your close friends as well. If many of them are in college and grad school in different parts of the country, you would get better attendance with a wedding during summer vacation.

Pick a Wedding Date: Check Pastor Availability

If you are set on having a particular pastor or other ordained figure officiate your wedding, you will need to check with that person to see when they are available. Many times they will be booked to officiate other weddings already, or may be planning a family vacation of their own. The pastor's availability will put limits on the dates on which you can get married.

Pick a Wedding Date: Check Wedding Site Availability

One kind of obvious way to help you pick your wedding date is to figure out where you would like to hold your wedding. Many popular sites are booked at least a year in advance, and if you would like to get married at one of those during peak season, you may have to either wait a year, pick a different site, or consider having your wedding on a Friday.

Pick a Wedding Date: Consider The Date Itself

Lastly, before settling in on a date, consider the actual date. If you hate the number 13, but you are looking at getting married on June 13th, that could be reason to change to a different date. Also, if you are getting married near one of your birthdays, keep in mind that this will put your anniversary right near that birthday for the rest of your lives, and one or the other celebration might get lost in the shuffle. Your wedding date is important, so make sure you pick a good day!