Shortly after you’ve said yes to the ring, you will undoubtedly have moments in which someone asks when the big day is. Whether you’ve thought about this very question for years or you haven’t thought about it all until you got engaged, setting the date for the wedding is without a doubt one of the biggest decisions you will make during your wedding planning. It can set the theme and ambiance—and maybe even the cost of your big event. So, how do you choose when your wedding will be? What sorts of things will you need to take into account? How will it affect the rest of the plans? Here are a few ways to help you and your future spouse decide what time of year to get married.
Decide What Season Suits You
Sometimes the best way to choose a wedding date is just to figure out what season you love and feel the most comfortable with. Do you like to spend your days soaking up the sun by the water? If so, a summer date might be the best time of year for you. Do you daydream of wearing thick sweaters and sipping cider by the fire? Well then, it sounds like a fall wedding might be in order. Are you counting down the days until you can go skiing or build a snowman? Consider getting married in the midst of a winter wonderland. Do you love when everything blooms and the weather starts to warm up? A spring wedding might just be in your future. Choosing a season you love will make you more relaxed, which is exactly what the bride should be aiming for on her wedding day.
Choose a Significant Day
Many couples choose the time of year they get married based on a special day in their relationship (such as the anniversary of a first date), or maybe even a special day in their family (like a grandparents’ or parents’ anniversary). Some cultures, such as the Japanese, even have some days that are lucky and unlucky to get married. If you and your betrothed decide to go with a significant date, be sure to note it in your wedding program or have the minister mention it during the ceremony. Little details like this make your wedding more unique and memorable for your guests.
Choose a Holiday
If you want to set your wedding apart, consider choosing a holiday for your wedding date. A New Year’s Eve wedding could be a romantic way to ring in the year with friends and family, or maybe you could plan an Independence Day wedding that would end with a night of looking at the fireworks. There are many holidays (such as Labor Day or Memorial Day) that provide people with three-day weekends that are a great opportunity for those who need to travel to the wedding and who maybe need an extra day to recover after the festivities. While this may not work for everyone, a holiday wedding could be a fun and unforgettable way to say “I do.”
Check with the Wedding Party’s Schedule
Another way to determine what time of year you get married is to check in with the bridal party on what dates will and won’t work with their schedules. Of course, you have to ultimately decide based on what’s best for you and your future spouse, but it’s always good to have a list of dates to avoid such as around Tax Day, around the holidays, at the beginning of the school year or at a busy time in work schedules. Though you can’t accommodate everyone’s schedule perfectly, it’s always best to check with your wedding party to make sure that they can all be in attendance on the big day.
Determine What’s Best for Your Budget
The most popular months to get married are June, August, September, and October. Because of this popularity, these months will be more competitive—and therefore more expensive. Picking a wedding date during the “off season” could end up saving you some money. If you are sticking to a strict budget, this could be the biggest determiner in setting the date. However, be mindful of the convenience for you and your guests. For example, if you live in the South, it may not be wise to schedule a wedding during the dead of summer. Or if you live in the Northeast, it may not make sense to schedule a wedding during peak blizzard season.
Choose What Works for You
Whatever date you decide to go with, remember that it’s your decision. Family and friends will love to gather with you to celebrate your marriage no matter what time of the year, so be confident that whatever season you choose, it will be a great time for a wedding!
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