How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Date

A wedding date is one of the first and most important choices you’ll make about your big day.

Thankfully, there’s no “correct” date to get married. There’s only the one that’s right for you! ‍

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you pick out the perfect time: 

Your Budget 

To keep your spending in check, be sure to set a budget before booking your venue. 

Once you’ve established your finances, you can look  at venues and wedding packages that fit within your limit. This helps you determine a date that’s perfect for the location you’re getting married. 

For example, if the venue that’s within your price range is only available in the fall, then it looks like you’ll be having a beautiful autumnal wedding! 

Seasons

Keep in mind that wedding venues typically offer discounts to couples who get married off-season or on certain days of the week. These are dates during which your venue is less busy or “less optimal,” and therefore less expensive.

For most venues, the late winter months will be the least expensive for a ceremony. Mondays also tend to be the most affordable days to get married. 

So if you’re really trying to save money, a Monday in February is probably going to be your best friend! (Unless it’s Valentine’s Day of course.) 

If your venue doesn’t offer a discount for these dates, you should still ask about their costs. You may be able to negotiate a lower price.

Planning Time 

Also consider how long you’ll spend planning your wedding. Some couples prefer to have more time on their hands than others.

If you have plenty of time to plan, you may want to consider a late-season date to minimize the costs of hiring a wedding planner and choosing more expensive vendors. 

On the other hand, if your time is limited, you may want to choose an early-season date so you have more time to plan and book vendors within your budget.

‍Holiday Dates 

When choosing a wedding date, consider the things that matter to you as a couple. 

For example, if you plan on having a large wedding celebration, you may want to choose a wedding date near a holiday so you can include more friends and family in the festivities. (It’s more likely they’ll have time off work during a holiday.) 

That said, the cost of travel can skyrocket during the holidays, so be mindful of your and your loved ones’ budgets.

Remember: Your Wedding Date is Your Decision

At the end of the day, all the decisions you make about your wedding are personal—including the day on which you choose to get married. 

This is the date you’ll be celebrating for the rest of your life, so choose something that’s meaningful to you during the time of year you enjoy most. 

 

There’s no rush to get hitched when you plan to be together forever, so take your time selecting a time and location that’s perfect for you and your love.