After getting engaged, one of the first things that you and your fiancé should do is set a wedding date. From booking a venue to hiring a catering service and photographer, all wedding planning-related activities will revolve around this date.
The 6-Month Rule
A good rule of thumb is to give yourself a minimum of six months to plan your wedding, so take this into account when setting a date. Choosing a date earlier than six months may force you and your fiance to rush the planning — and that’s never a good idea.
Season
Couples should consider the season when choosing a date for their wedding. If you’re planning to have an outdoor wedding, you may want to stick with the spring or summer months to avoid the cold weather. According to Brides.com, however, the winter months of January, February and March are the “off season” for venues, meaning venue rentals and their respective services will typically cost less during this time of year.
Weekday vs Weekend
Traditionally, most couples choose to get married on the weekend. This is due to the fact that many people work during the weekdays, so guests will have an easier time attending if your wedding is scheduled for a Saturday or Sunday. However, there’s no rule stating that you must get married on the weekend. If you’re planning a destination wedding with just a few of your close friends and relatives, for instance, perhaps a weekday will work.
Symbolism
Are there certain dates that you and your fiancé cherish? If you are both Irish, for instance, then perhaps you’ll want to get married on St. Patrick’s Day. Or another idea is to get married on the date when your fiancé proposed. To others, these dates may just be another day of the week. But to you and your fiance, there’s deep meaning behind them, making your wedding day even more special and memorable.
Venue Availability
Here’s a scenario to consider: you and your fiancé have chosen a wedding date, but when go searching for a venue, you realize the venue you want is already booked for that date. While you can always choose a different venue, another option is to change your date. Assuming you haven’t sent save-the-dates or invitations yet, changing your date will allow you to stay with the chosen venue.
Days to Avoid
There are are certain days of the year on which couples should avoid getting married. According to TheKnot, couples should avoid saying their “I do’s” on the weekend before taxes are due. Other days to avoid for your wedding may include Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, New Year’s Eve, and Thanksgiving.
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