You're engaged! And the first question everyone will be asking is when the wedding is. Don't stress if you don't know yet. We're here to help with some real-world tips for how to choose a wedding date.
It's all about balancing a few factors: your schedule and those of your guests, your dreams of what your wedding will be, the venue or location you have in mind, and some fun details like dates that are already special to you or even numbers that are lucky based on numerology. Here's how to consider everything and decide.
Think About Season When You Choose a Wedding Date
Have you always dreamed of a winter wedding? Maybe you're all about a summer garden ceremony with tons of flowers growing nearby. One of the first things to consider when you choose a wedding date is the season.
The weather where you live can have a huge impact on the overall feel of your wedding. For example, if you live in a cooler climate, you probably can't easily plan an outdoor ceremony in the winter months. It's all about the look and mood you want for your ceremony.
Consider your budget when choosing a season. Summer and fall are very popular for weddings, but that can mean paying a premium for locations and vendors. If you're on a budget, the off season can help you stretch your wedding dollars further.
Narrow Down Your Wedding Date Based on Schedules
Once you have a season in mind, start looking at your schedules. This begins with you and your fiancé, but you'll also want to consider parents, siblings, friends, and anyone else you really want to be a part of your special day. Only seriously consider dates that people have open.
Think about what else is happening during that season, too. For example, you might know that May is a really busy month for you at work, so planning your wedding during that time might not be ideal. Same goes for other events that might be happening locally. You might not want to hold your wedding during the big town festival, for example.
Look at the Availability of Your Venue
Where you're going to hold your wedding is a big factor in how to choose a wedding date. If you aren't sure about your location yet, you don't need to worry about this as a factor. However, if there's a place you have your heart set on tying the knot, it's a good idea to check their availability.
Many popular wedding venues fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Getting a sense of when you might be able to get married at your chosen spot can help you choose a wedding date that will work for you. This might mean booking way out.
How soon should you pick a wedding date? There's no rush, but planning a wedding does take time. It's also important to give guests enough notice to make room in their schedules for your big day. Many couples choose a wedding date in the first few months after getting engaged.
Consider Dates That Matter to You as a Couple
If there are some important moments you've shared together on certain days or some dates that would let you honor someone in your life, these might help you decide on a wedding date. Special dates can take lots of forms:
- Your dating anniversary
- The anniversary of the day you got engaged
- Your parents' or grandparents' anniversary
- The birthday of a lost loved one
- A holiday you both love
If you choose a special date for your wedding, it's nice to put details about it in the program so guests can understand just why you chose it.
Use Numerology or Your Lucky Number to Choose a Wedding Date
You might have a number that just feels lucky or that stands for something important in your life. For example, the number three has been a part of everything from fairy tales to the world's religions, and many people consider it lucky. If that's you, you might want to get married on the third of a certain month.
Knowing how to choose a wedding date with numerology can also be useful here. In numerology, the number six is said to represent love and marriage, so if that resonates with you, you might want to get married on a date with a six in it. There are no wrong answers here; it's mostly about how you and your partner feel about the number you're choosing.
Related: Numerology Number Meanings & Messages From the Universe
Know Which Wedding Dates Not to Choose
Sometimes, knowing how to choose a wedding date comes down to knowing what to avoid. There are certain dates that really just don't work well for weddings, whether that's for reasons of luck or practicality. If you can help it, don't get married on these days:
- Holidays about others, such as Mother's Day, Father's Day, or someone's birthday
- The anniversary of a bad event in your life
- Friday, the 13th
- Culturally or religiously important days
- Days set aside for remembrance, such as Memorial Day or Patriot Day
Choose a Wedding Date for Your Perfect Wedding
Thinking about how to choose a wedding date is important for making sure your big day is everything you want it to be. Weddings come with a lot of decisions, and the date is one of the first big choices you have to make. If you choose carefully and think about all the factors that can affect your choice, you'll end up with the perfect timing for your special day.
