One of the most important first tasks you have planning your wedding is setting the date. Setting the best possible date sounds easier than it is. Before you make your decision, there are many events and other important dates to consider. Your day will have a lot to do with cost, availability, who can attend, etc.
On average, there is 12-18 months between the engagement and the wedding day. Since there are so many components to plan for one year may not be enough time for many. Before setting the date for the big day, you should consider your friends and family members' schedules. Birthdays, graduations, vacations, and other events may prevent people important to you attend your wedding day.
Getting married during the busiest wedding ceremony months has multiple challenges. First, be prepared to pay premium for reception venues, photography services, limos, etc. In addition to hire costs, you should consider challenges based on availability. Your dream location may not be available on your dream date. May through September are some of the busiest months for weddings, if you can, you should consider getting married one of the off months. November through April gives you more opportunities to keep costs down. During the slower months, you are bound to get better service because more vendors are competing for your business.
Because Saturday is the most popular wedding day, beware that you are competing with many other brides for the same venues and services. Saturday is the most convenient day for your guests, but it offers you the most challenge and expense. Fridays and Sundays are considered the next best days and are still much more convenient than weekdays.
Like anything else in life, there will be pros and cons to any possible wedding date. Your job is to figure out the best possible date based on your needs and desires.
Quotes From Wedding Date
Wedding Planning Time
One of the first and most important questions you might ask yourself is: How much time do I need to plan my wedding? Are you the most organized person you know? Do you have any experience planning events? Are you going to hire a wedding planner? On average, the time between engagement and the wedding day is 12-18 months.
Commitments
You want to make sure your wedding date does not conflict with other important dates such as graduations, birthdays, or any other possible significant events that might prevent your friends and family members from attending your wedding. It is good to discuss the potential dates with some of the most important members of your wedding party.
Holidays
It is generally a good idea to avoid wedding dates set for holidays such as Christmas, the 4th of July. Valentine's Day is an exception to this rule. Valentine's Day is the only holiday that's a great day to get married. Many people are on vacation around the holidays, and it may be too much to ask someone to cancel their yearly vacation for your wedding.
Weekend or Weekday
Although it makes perfect sense to get married on a weekend day, you should be prepared to compete with most other brides and grooms for vendors and venues. If you plan a weekend wedding, you might have to schedule your church, reception, caterer, and other vendors as much as one year before your wedding day. Saturdays during the busiest wedding months are the most difficult to plan for since many brides are competing for the same reception and ceremony venues.
Wedding Day Expense
Popular days might be not only more difficult to book, but they might also be more expensive. Vendors might charge a higher price for more competitive dates such as Saturdays during the summer months. If you get married during the fall or winter, you may be able to get much better deals.