There are so many factors that can go into selecting a wedding date, but at the end of the day you and your fiancé should choose the time of year and date that just feels right. Perhaps it’s the day you met, or another date that holds special meaning.
Tip: While Saturdays are generally the most popular day of the week for weddings, you may also want to consider booking a Sunday afternoon or Friday evening wedding. Because there is such a demand for Saturday evening dates (especially during wedding season), those days are generally more expensive to book, and vendors may not be as willing to offer any kind of discounts for their services. Also note that having a wedding over a long weekend (Labor Day or Memorial Day weekend, etc.) can drive up prices as well since you may have to pay waitstaff, hotel employees or other vendors more for working over a holiday.
First, start narrowing down potential choices by answering the following questions:
- Which year do you plan to get married in – this year, two years from now?
- Which season do you and your fiancé like best?
- Is there a time of year that may be easier for a majority of your wedding guests to book travel and attend your wedding?
- What day of the week do you envision your wedding taking place on? A daytime, or an evening wedding?
Here are some ideas to help narrow the choice of season:
winter weddings
- Incorporate festive greens, ornaments or holiday lights into your wedding decor for a warm, romantic atmosphere
- Use candles at your ceremony or reception
spring weddings
- An early spring wedding when everything is just beginning to bloom is a wonderful symbolic start to your new life together
- Add extra touches of fresh flowers or greens throughout the wedding location
- Consider serving light, healthy food to your guests to mark the arrival of spring
summer weddings
- Have a wedding in the mountains, by the beach or under a tent at a private estate
- If you want to create a more casual (but still elegant) atmosphere, a shady, relaxed wedding can do just the trick
- Offer abundant fresh fruit, grilled fish or other summertime treats to your guests
fall weddings
- Incorporate rich, warm colors into the ceremony and reception
- Use foliage, pumpkins or other autumn decorations
- Look for a venue that has a wood-burning fireplace, or use candles to add even more warmth to the season