What to Consider When Setting a Wedding Date

YAYY!!! You just got engaged! The excitement is swirling around you, you’ve told friends and family…and they are all asking the same question:

Have you set a date yet??

There is a lot of pressure on picking your wedding date. I mean, this day will be celebrated every year for the rest of your life. It is the day you will say “I will forever” to your best friend. It is the day that the next 12-18 months of your life will be focused on! Have I stressed you out enough to keep reading? 😛

Good news, I am here to help take some of that anxiety away! Here is my list of what to consider when setting your wedding date (in no particular order of importance!).

 

When Your Favorite Vendor is Available

Many popular vendors book up a year or more in advance, so if you’re dying to have someone specific at your wedding (maybe like yours truly :P) then reach out to them and ask when they are available! This is especially true for vendors who can only work one wedding per day, like a photographer, venue, wedding planner, or hair and make up artist. I have had brides reach out to me before they pick a date with their venue to make sure that I can be there for their wedding day and I know that’s not unique to me. Don’t feel like you have to talk to vendors in a certain order, it’s your day!

 

A Significant Day in Your Relationship

You can pick a wedding date that already means something to you as a couple! Why not get married on the same day as your first date, first kiss, or the day he proposed?! That helps make the day even more special than it already is! Plus, one less important date for your hubby to remember to buy you flowers on 😛

 

Your Personal Schedules

Sometime you gotta be practical! This is how Daniel and I picked our wedding date. It might be obvious, but your schedules and normal life are very important when picking a date. If you’re a teacher, then you probably are looking at a summer or winter wedding. An accountant probably isn’t going to get married during tax season. A lot of jobs have a busier season, so getting married during a slower time makes a lot of sense! Also, consider the schedules of your absolute closest family and friends, but don’t get carried away because you can’t please everyone and you’d drive yourself crazy trying to find a date that everyone can attend!

 

Your Budget

Honestly, some days or seasons are cheaper than others so your budget is a factor. Where I live, the fall is the busiest and most expensive time of year to get married. Spring is a close second!

Also, the actual day of the week can be more or less expensive. Usually Saturdays are the most popular day to get married, therefore they are the most expensive. Getting married on a Friday or Sunday can save you some money! I am also a fan of a mid week wedding too so don’t be afraid of that 😀

 

The Weather/Season

Some areas have very real geological changes throughout the year that need to be considered when you’re picking a day. For example, if you want to get married in Florida or the Caribbean, know when hurricane season is and think about if you want to risk that. If you are looking at getting married in the Mid West, learn when tornados happen. Some parts of the world have rainy seasons and some don’t. Here in Maryland, the summers are miserably humid so if you don’t want to put yourself and your guests through that, then find a date in the Fall or Spring. Make sure to do your research especially if you are doing a destination wedding!

 

I hope that was helpful! As always, I am here to love and serve all of you as you plan the day you will become one with your best friend! Comment below if there is another topic you want for February’s For Bride’s post 🙂