Once you get engaged, the first question everyone asks you is "Have you set a date yet?" Now, before you go out pick a wedding day out of thin air, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
NUMBER ONE: You and Your Family's Schedules
No, I don't mean that you need to run your potential wedding date by everybody you are inviting to your wedding, but I do recommend running it by your immediate family. This way you can ensure those closest to you don't have any major conflicts you aren't aware of; meaning you will have peace of mind in selecting your wedding day.
NUMBER TWO: Holidays
Of course there are the obvious holidays, such as Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, but what about the less obvious ones? You know, holidays such as Mother's Day, Labor Day and Super Bowl Sunday. Believe it or not, there can be additional costs associated with these smaller holidays. For example, plane tickets and hotel rooms are going to be more expensive over long weekends, such as Labor Day and Memorial Days, and flowers are going to be a lot more expensive around Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.
NUMBER THREE: Is Your Ideal Venue Available?
Before you set your wedding date in stone, be sure to find out if your ideal venue is available. In order to make this process easier, I suggest either picking 2-3 dates that would work well, or a date range. This way you have more flexibility as you search for the perfect venue.
NUMBER FOUR: Weather
Regardless of where you are getting married, weather can play an important role in selecting your perfect wedding date. If your entire wedding will be taking place inside, then you don't have to stress too much about weather, but if any part of your wedding will be taking place outside, then you may want to keep it in mind.
Now, most people solely think about 'bad' weather; you know, those extra rainy and snowy months. While nobody wishes for rain on their wedding day (except my weirdo husband! :) ) I want to encourage you to take it a step further and to also think about those extra hot days. Sitting outside and then dancing in 120 degree weather isn't comfortable for you or your guests.
NUMBER FIVE: Day Of Week
While Saturday is the most common day of the week to get married, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays are gaining popularity. Now why would anyone choose a day other than Saturday? It opens up possibilities if your dream venue is booked, and often times it is cheaper than a Saturday and can be a great cost saver.
