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What to Consider Before Picking a Wedding Date
Planning to say “I do”? Picking a date for your wedding might not be as simple as you think, with a myriad of elements to keep in mind. Not only do you want the perfect weather but you might have your heart set on a particular venue and want those closest to you to be able to attend. If you’re wondering what to consider before picking a wedding date, this article has you covered.
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So you’ve just announced to your family and friends that you’ve got engaged and the first response you get is “So when’s the big day?” It might seem like an easy thing to pin down but deciding on when to wed is actually a bit more involved than you might think.
Rather than just randomly picking a date off the top of your head, here are a few things you should take into consideration before you send out the invites.
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Season
Depending on where you live, the season and its prevailing weather conditions could have a big impact on the style of wedding you can have. For example, you probably aren’t going to get away with a beach wedding during the middle of winter in the northern United States, and if you’re dreaming of a garden ceremony surrounded by blooming flowers, then spring is probably going to be preferable.
Couples who are planning a destination wedding in a tropical locale need to keep in mind that the “wet” or “hurricane” season can quickly transform that paradise into a less-than-desirable scene. So carefully establish the style of wedding you want, then narrow it down to the most favorable season.
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Holidays
Linked in with the seasons are holiday periods, which may work in (or against) your favor. There’s a strong chance that family and friends will have time off work but they also might have other travel plans already locked in that will prevent them from being able to attend your wedding.
On the flip side, if you’re set on a particular holiday theme, such as a Christmas wedding, then deciding on a date in December will be much easier to pin down.
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Honeymooning
If you want to head off on a honeymoon straight after your wedding, then you need to ensure you can get plenty of time off work to embark on your travel plans. You should also ensure it’s a suitable time to visit wherever you’re planning on going and that the weather conditions will allow you to do the activities you want.
For example, an island vacation in the Maldives isn’t going to be ideal at the height of the monsoon in June. Or if you’re planning a romantic escape to Paris, the drizzly depths of winter might not be exactly what you envisioned.o plan yours right on top or (in the worst-case scenario) compete for the same day. If mutual wedding guests are flying in from out of state, they might need a couple of weeks in between wedding dates to be able to make the journey again. So always keep this in mind to ensure everyone you want to be at your wedding can be.
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Budget
The time of year and even the day of the week you want to get married can have a big impact on your budget, with venues often charging their highest rates on a Saturday when they’re most in demand. Getting married on a Friday or Sunday will probably save you quite a bit or even mid-week if you give your guests plenty of notice to get time off work.
Keep in mind that the summer months also tend to be the most popular time to get married, so it’s likely you’ll pay more for a venue during this period than you might at other times of the year.
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Timeline
Never underestimate how much planning goes into a wedding and give yourself plenty of time to get things just right, without it being one big stress. Take into account both you and your partner’s work schedules, as well as any personal commitments you have.
On average, a wedding takes about a year to plan but it can be done in a lot less time with the help of a skilled wedding planner.
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Venue availability
If you’ve got your heart set on a particular wedding venue, then you might have to work around their availability when setting your wedding date. Many of the most popular wedding venues will book out a year or two in advance, so you may need to be flexible if you’re determined to wed there. Contacting the venue will help you narrow down dates before you can factor in other considerations.
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Photographer availability
Likewise, if you really want to work with a particular photographer, then you might need to plan your wedding date around their availability. Get in touch with them as soon as you have a potential date in mind to see if they’re free, then establish a few alternative dates if you’re willing to be flexible.
If not, ask if they have recommendations for other wedding photographers in the area with a similar style for you to consider.
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Avoid other weddings
If a close friend or family member has just announced their special day, try not to plan yours right on top or (in the worst-case scenario) compete for the same day. If mutual wedding guests are flying in from out of state, they might need a couple of weeks in between wedding dates to be able to make the journey again. So always keep this in mind to ensure everyone you want to be at your wedding can be.
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Friend/friend commitments
It’s also important to check that your planned wedding date isn’t going to clash with commitments of close family and friends and prevent them from attending. If you’ve got close friends (or bridal party members) who are pregnant, try not to plan your special day around their due date.
Also, check if any family members have work/personal commitments that they just can’t get out of, such as a conference that will be taking them out of state or a big birthday celebration.
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Health considerations
If you have close family or friends who are suffering from health concerns, this may encourage you to bring forward your wedding date to ensure they can attend. Perhaps you have elderly grandparents or a close friend who’s battling cancer. If their future is not certain, you may want to be flexible with your wedding date to accommodate them.
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Conclusion
I hope you found these tips helpful. If you have any questions about choosing a wedding date, picking your venue or if I can be of help in any other way with your wedding planning, please reply back to this email.
I look forward to sharing more tips with you!
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Are you getting married and looking for a photographer?
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I’d really love to chat briefly to learn about you and your sweetheart and what you have planning for your wedding. Click HERE to schedule a free consultation by phone or video chat!!
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I encourage you to share to Pinterest or other social media!
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