Setting the Wedding Date
The date you choose to marry is an integral part of the planning process and should be among the first things you decide. Until you set the wedding date, you cannot check the availability of venues, book vendors or order your invitations. In fact, ordering the bridal gown is difficult without a set day by which the dress must be ready. As with most of your wedding planning, you have much to consider before you select the day you’ll celebrate for years to come.
Cost Considerations
In the wedding industry, not all days are created equal. By far, selecting a Saturday evening costs more than a Tuesday afternoon. The same is true of certain months. Brides tend to favor May-July, September and October. Avoid these months can help your wedding budget go further.
Holiday Considerations
Setting your wedding date to coincide with a religious holiday or long weekend evokes mixed responses from guests. Some people believe it’s rude to expect someone to give up their holiday to travel to your wedding. It’s also costly because airfare, fuel prices and hotels rooms tend to increase during holiday seasons. On the other hand, your guests may appreciate being able to attend your wedding without taking extra days off work or school.
If you’re considering a holiday wedding celebration, spend extra time thinking about your guests and when they’d be most willing to attend. If you’re not okay with a low attendance rate, schedule your wedding for a different day. Also, keep in mind that holiday weddings require save the date cards, just like destination weddings. This allows guests extra time to determine if they can attend and time to save for higher travel expenses.
Sentimental Considerations
At some point in the process, take money and guests out of the equation. Think only of you and your groom. What day do you want to celebrate during your life together?
Think about the days that are most special to you. Perhaps you want to wed on the same day he proposed. Maybe there is a date that sticks in your mind as the first time you knew you were in love with each other. Even if it means you’ll schedule your wedding for a Thursday morning to coincide with a cherished memory, it will be a special occasion you’ll enjoy for the rest of your life.
