How to Pick Your Wedding Date

Understanding the Importance of Choosing a Wedding Date

Choosing a wedding date is an important decision that should not be taken lightly. It is the biggest single decision that you and your partner will make as a couple, and it will have a major impact on your wedding planning process. A wedding date will determine everything from the location, the time, and even the budget of the wedding.

When choosing a wedding date, you should factor in the needs of your family and friends. You should pick a date that will be convenient for them, so that the maximum number of people can attend the ceremony. You should also consider holidays and special occasions, as this will affect the availability of the venue, the caterer, and the photographer. There may also be certain times of the year when the flowers, decorations, and gifts you want for your wedding are more expensive, so be sure to research these in advance.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Date

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right wedding date. First you should set a realistic budget and check the availability of venues and vendors.  You might find the perfect place to throw your celebration, but if it conflicts with the schedule you might have to be flexible to look for other options.

Deciding if you want a seasonal wedding could also be a big deciding factor to consider.  If you've always dreamt of a spring or summer wedding, you might have to wait months or a year in advance to plan everything out accordingly. You have to allow enough time for preparation, so depending on when the question was popped and factors like choosing a special date for you an your loved one or trying to schedule it over a long weekend for a bigger celebration could be a big deciding factor in choosing the date.

Here are some more tips that you may consider when choosing a wedding date.

1. Deciding the Time of Year for Your Wedding

Summer and fall are popular seasons for weddings because the weather is usually pleasant, but they can also be more expensive. It is also high season for weddings, so booking the right venue could become a big challenge. Winter weddings can be less expensive, but weather conditions can be unpredictable so take these tips into account. 

2. Taking into Account Holidays and Other Special Dates

Trying to figure out the most ideal wedding date can be challenging.  Not only do you have to take into account holidays and special dates personal to the couple, you also have to think about calendar conflicts such as birthdays or anniversaries.  Making your wedding day extra special by choosing a date that significant to you and your spouse to be can be narrowed once you create a calendar that shows black out days for each of you. By creating and having a visual tool to use, you may be able to choose a long weekend or avoid scheduling your wedding on or around major holidays, such as Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving, as these can be busy times for both you and your guests. 

Your guests who may have to travel from out of town should also be a factor in you decision.  You would ideally like to give them more time to plan their schedules accordingly around your wedding date, so pick a date that more people are able to attend so you can have them present in your celebration. 

3. Considering Venue Availability

Booking a venue is one of the first steps in planning a wedding, and it can set the timeline for the rest of your planning. If you don't consider venue availability, you may end up having to push your wedding date back or rush other aspects of your planning. Venues can be in high demand, especially during peak wedding season. If you don't consider venue availability, you may find that your options are limited, or that you have to settle for a venue that isn't your first choice.

Once you have secured your wedding venue, you can coordinate with other vendors, such as caterers and DJs, to ensure that they are available on the same date. This can help you avoid scheduling conflicts and ensure that everything runs smoothly on your wedding day. You can also begin planning other aspects of your wedding, such as decor and seating arrangements. This can help you stay on track and ensure that everything is organized and ready to go on your wedding day.

4. Setting the Final Date

The time leading up to the wedding can be the most stressful because you have to make sure you've crossed all your T's and dotted all your I's. Making sure everything will run smoothly will depend on how much time you've spent on planning and how many tasks you've completed so far.  By setting the final date, you are able to start the fun part of planning such as buying a dress or renting a tux, choosing the arrangements and also taste testing the meals you want to serve.  It may seem like a small task to undertake, but setting the date could finally set the tone for the rest of your wedding celebration. 

Benefits of an online wedding when picking your date

If the trouble of planning a traditional wedding ceremony is duanting, you're not alone. Many couples are opting for the ease of an online wedding instead.

Online marriage services like Courtly allow you to book last minute and even score dates during holidays like Christmas, New Year's or Valentine's day, that might not necessarily be avaiable otherwise. If you are having trouble booking a particular date or even choosing the right date because of schedule conflicts, Courtly can accomodate your preferences while saving you lots of time and money.

An online wedding allows you to get married remotely, so you can get married anywhere your heart desires anytime of day. Courtly even takes care of the paperwork for you. Onboarding only consists of basic information and a valid I.D. from you and your spouse to be. You and your loved one could be in opposite sides of the world and agree on the right time and date suited for both of you and get married easily, quickly, and affordably.

No matter what date you choose, the most important thing is to start the planning process early (unless you're opting for an online wedding).  Doing research on venues, vendors and other wedding services in advance will help you make an informed decision and save you time, energy and money.  Don't forget to include the opinion of family and friends in the process -- it will make for a truly special day.