Choosing a Wedding Date
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Money In the Bank
On average, weddings cost about $20,000 so it's important to consider if you're financially ready to start planning. When you begin a budget, you'll have more of an idea of how quickly you can save enough money without going into debt. Some couples need only 6 to 9 months to plan a wedding, while some require over a year to get their finances and plans in order. There is no shame in a long engagement, so make your fiscal decision based on the importance of a healthy start to the marriage (without debt incurred from the wedding).
Going Against the Grain
Once you have a clearer idea about your time frame, it's good to pin down a season that you prefer. Many couples choose Summer and Spring weddings, but it's good to consider all options. If you do choose a more popular time of year, remember to call the vendors to book the date as early as possible, as wedding locations can fill up a year or two in advance. There are advantages to choosing Autumn and Winter for your wedding and reception besides availability; these months tend to be cheaper and if you're not planning an outside wedding, it might be worth it to save some money. Winter weddings are usually the cheapest; choosing a date between the months September and May could strain your budget. It's probably best to avoid November through December because it's harder to book vendors during the holiday season. Another way to cut costs is by choosing a Friday or Sunday wedding as opposed to the more popular Saturday choice. Having brunch or lunch is cheaper than serving dinner, and having the reception during non-mealtime hours (and serving hors d'oeuvres instead) can drastically decrease your spending. No matter what date you decide, make sure to have a few back-ups depending on your location choice.
Conflict and Compromise
After you've narrowed down the season and a few dates, it's probably best to consult your family and friends. If you already have an idea of your wedding party and main guests, check to make sure everyone is available. If a few important people have big events that cannot be moved, you may have to do some rescheduling of your own. It's best to check with everyone early on so you don't get too attached to a date; even though compromising can be an annoyance, you'll be happy on your wedding day when your closest friends and family are there to support you. One more thing to think about: try not to rain
Considering Holidays
While the idea of a holiday wedding can be romantic (especially if a holiday is significant for you as a couple), it's important to realise that holiday weddings will probably impact guest turnout. For more popular holidays like Christmas, many guests may have family obligations or traditions. If you wedding party and guest list is small, though, perhaps you can get everyone on board with a New Year or Valentine's Day event. Less celebrated public holidays could be convenient because many people have three-day weekends, thus facilitating travel and the practicality of a Friday or Sunday wedding. On the other hand, though, holidays in general make travelling more crowded and expensive, so it's best if you weigh the pros and cons with your guests in mind. Don't forget that even non-holidays can still be bad times for guests (for example, if some of your guests are fervent soccer fans).
Predicting the Weather
While the idea of a winter wedding may bring to mind snow-covered trees and white lights for some, others may dread the thought of seeing icicles on their wedding day. Conversely, if you're planning a Spring or Summer outdoor wedding, there's always the possibility of rain or sweltering heat. Since you can't actually predict the weather ahead of time (especially not months ahead of time), you may want to consider purchasing wedding insurance. It can cover catastrophic events and protect your investment, so if you foresee the need and have the funds, look into this option.
If you want to get married in sunny 20ยบ weather but only have time in the dead of winter, there's always the option of heading to a warmer climate and planning a destination wedding. If you keep your wedding party small, this may actually be a cheaper option for you. And, while expensive for your guests, they might not mind going to a wedding that doubles as a vacation.
Are You Superstitious?
You may naturally avoid planning a wedding that falls on Friday the 13th or the Ides of March (March 15), and maybe even September 11th or Halloween. Just remember that bad luck can happen on any day; don't exclude an option that is otherwise right for you because the date is considered bad luck. If anything, it will increase your marriage karma to look into the face of superstition and laugh it off.
Considering Religion
If you are conscious of planning your wedding around religious observance, make sure to contact your synagogue, mosque, or church before finalising your wedding date.
- If you or many of your guests are Christian, you should avoid Holy Week, which lasts from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. Since December is a holiday-heavy month, it's probably best to avoid the month altogether. It may seem like a good idea to marry during Sunday service, but if you or your guests are very devout, you might want to avoid this Sabbath event.
- If you or many of your guests are Jewish, Friday evening and Saturday before sundown are not the best times for the ceremony. Similar to Holy Week, the 10-day period from Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur should be avoided completely. A marriage directly after Passover may be accepted in your community, but you may have to wait until after Yom HaShoah or Shavout.
- If you or many of your guests are Muslim, Shawwal (the 10th month in the lunar Islamic calendar) is a favourable time to wed while the sacred months of Muharram and Ramadan should be avoided. Since many Muslim weddings occur on Sundays, make sure to check with your mosque ahead of time about booking a date.
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