Now that you are engaged, it is time for you and your future husband to set the wedding date! Whether you are planning a destination wedding or a celebration near home, it can be a difficult decision as there are many things to consider.
If you want the perfect fairytale wedding, allow yourselves plenty of time to prepare, which should ideally be between nine and twelve months. You can choose a symbolic date or a holiday that is important to both of you, but have in mind that it should be convenient for your guests and that your preferred venues and services are available. If you have a favourite hotel or restaurant, photographer, florist or some other supplier, don’t forget to check if they are already booked before you make your final decision. Picture the mood of your wedding and choose the ideal time and place for the event you have in mind.
Choose a season
While spring, summer and autumn are the most popular seasons because of the favourable weather, selection of flowers, and wide range of charming outdoor locations, winter weddings are considerably cheaper and it is much easier to book venues and find service providers. The choice depends on how you envisioned your big day, but the size of your budget is very important too. Weigh your expenses and pick a season that corresponds with the location you have in mind. If you are dreaming of a romantic wedding in the idyllic countryside, with fresh air and scented flowers, spring is ideal for you, while moody and colourful autumn landscapes are also very attractive. Summer is perfect for beach and winery weddings, while winter is great for celebrations in cosy mountain resorts and destination weddings.
If you are planning a destination wedding, you need to do research on your desired location to find out what kind of weather you should expect and what the options for your wedding date are. You should also make sure that you and your partner will be able to take time off of work, especially if you are planning your honeymoon right after the wedding.
Consider choosing a symbolic date
Imagine how romantic it would be choose an important anniversary and tie the knot on the day you met each other or went on your first date! You can pick a wedding date which is meaningful to you and your families and see if you can arrange to get married on a specific day. You can also pick a holiday like Christmas, New Year or Valentine’s Day, but remember that your friends will have to choose between celebrating with you and spending time with their loved ones.
Check prices & availability
If you are on a tight budget, getting married in the middle of the peak season could be too expensive for you, so you should search for cost-effective solutions such as choosing Friday or Monday instead of a busy Saturday, or moving your wedding date to winter months. Make a list of your favourite venues and check their prices, but also calculate other expenses which may vary depending on the time of year.
Even if you are not limited by your budget, you need to check if your favourite venues and services are available on that day. If you want to book a popular photographer who is busy on that day or demand that your bridal bouquet should be made from seasonal flowers which are not in stock, perhaps you will want to reconsider your choice of date.
Think of your VIP guests
Finally, don’t forget that your most important guests must be able to attend your wedding. Make a list of your VIP guests and call your parents, grandparents, best man and maid of honour to check if they have any prior commitments and if they are free to take some time off around that period. This is especially important if you are planning a destination wedding and you want them to accompany you on that special journey.
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