Your Wedding Date Is Set: Now What?

Setting a wedding date is a huge milestone for any couple. It's the moment when your dreams of a lifetime commitment come true and the start of an exciting new chapter together. It's a date that will forever be etched in your memory and celebrated annually. It signifies the end of your single life and the beginning of your journey as a married couple.

Weather and season

If you're planning an outdoor wedding, you'll want to choose a season with mild weather and clear skies. Summer is a popular choice for its long, sunny days, but it can be a challenge to find a day when it's sunny but not too hot and humid. Spring is another option, with its fresh blooms and lush landscapes, but be prepared for unpredictable weather and allergy season.

For a cosy atmosphere, consider a winter wedding. You can take advantage of fireplaces, candles, and dimmed lights, and enjoy rich desserts, hot cocoa bars, and comfort foods. Just be mindful of early sunsets and potential travel disruptions due to winter storms.

Autumn is a reliable choice for those seeking predictable weather. With cooler temperatures, you can still have an outdoor ceremony, especially if you plan for late September. This season offers a beautiful colour palette of bronze, orange, deep purple, red, and green.

When deciding on a season, also consider the availability and costs of venues and vendors, as well as the convenience and travel plans of your guests. Peak wedding season is typically between May and October, so prices tend to be higher. Opting for an off-peak season may give you more affordable options and a better selection of vendors.

Budget and peak dates

Peak Dates

Peak wedding season varies slightly from year to year, but it typically starts in early summer and lasts through mid-fall. According to The Knot's 2023 Real Weddings Study, 42% of weddings took place between September and November, solidifying fall as the peak of wedding season. The most popular wedding months in 2023 were September and October, which are peak months, followed by June, November, April, July, August, March, and May.

Off-Peak Dates

Winter is considered the off-season for weddings, with January and February being the least popular months to get married. However, December is also considered off-peak as it is not a popular month for weddings, despite being a popular month for holiday parties.

Budget

Your budget may guide you towards the right wedding date. Peak wedding season is typically between May and October, so prices are inevitably higher due to high demand. You will have to compete with many other couples for your venue and vendors, and prices will be higher.

If you are looking to save on your wedding, choose a date in the off-season when you are more likely to get discounted prices and a better selection of venues and vendors. While winter is the low season, December and February are busier and pricier due to the holidays. January, March, April, and November tend to be better months to choose for savings.

Other Considerations

When considering your budget and peak dates, it is also important to think about the availability of your desired venue and vendors. You may have to be flexible with your plans if you choose a peak date, as some of the top vendors may not be available.

Additionally, consider the impact of the wedding date on your guests. A shorter wedding planning timeline may make it difficult for out-of-town guests to attend, as they may have already committed their vacation days.

Finally, don't forget to take into account the weather and the desired theme or mood of your wedding. For example, if you want a winter wedding with a snowy backdrop, choose a date in December, January, or February.

Holidays and local events

• Avoid Major Holidays: While holiday weddings can be fun and festive, consider if you want your wedding date to be associated with a particular holiday. Holidays like Christmas, Valentine's Day, and New Year's Eve come with significant costs, and your guests may prefer to celebrate those days in their traditional way. Additionally, hotel, flight, and car rental prices tend to surge during holiday weekends.
• Consider Religious and Cultural Holidays: Be mindful of religious and cultural holidays, especially if a large portion of your guest list shares the same beliefs or background. For example, if many of your guests are Muslim, scheduling your wedding during Ramadan may not be ideal as they will be fasting during daylight hours.
• Check Local Event Calendars: Research local events, festivals, graduations, and sporting events that may overlap with your wedding date. These events can cause sold-out hotels, high airfares, and heavy traffic, making it inconvenient for your guests. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce to get information on major local events.
• Be Mindful of Peak Seasons: Typically, the months between May and October are considered peak wedding season, and prices tend to be higher due to high demand. If you're looking to save on your budget, consider off-peak dates, such as January, March, April, and November.
• Check for Lucky Dates: If you're superstitious or want to honour your cultural background, choose a date that is considered lucky in your culture. For example, in Irish culture, New Year's Eve is considered the luckiest wedding date.
• Consider a Holiday Weekend: If you're planning a destination wedding or have many out-of-town guests, a holiday weekend might work in your favour. The long weekend gives your guests more flexibility and time to travel without taking too many days off work.
• Avoid Unpopular Months: If you're looking for a bargain, consider the least popular months for weddings, such as January. While some people may find this month gloomy, it can be an opportunity to add some excitement to your guests' calendars.
• Check Venue Availability: Keep in mind that your dream venue might be booked during your desired season or dates. Be prepared to show some flexibility and consider off-season dates or weekdays to increase your chances of booking your preferred venue.

Symbolic dates

When it comes to setting a wedding date, there are many symbolic dates to choose from. Here are some ideas to consider:

Seasons and Months

Spring is a season of renewal and rebirth, so a spring wedding date symbolises a fresh start. Cherry blossoms, which bloom in spring, are also seen as a sign of renewal. Similarly, the new moon represents the start of a fresh moon cycle, so some couples choose to marry during this lunar phase.

Specific Days

A wedding on New Year's Day symbolises a new chapter, while a wedding on the summer or winter solstice marks the longest and shortest days of the year, respectively.

Numerology

Some couples choose a date that holds numerological significance for them. For example, a couple might select a date that adds up to their lucky number, or a date that repeats the same number, like 08/08/2024.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Dates with cultural or religious significance can also be chosen for a symbolic wedding. For instance, a couple might select a date that commemorates a special festival or event in their culture or faith.

Personal Significance

Lastly, a wedding date can be symbolic because of its personal significance to the couple. This could include the date they first met, the anniversary of their first date or engagement, or even a date that simply feels right to them.

There are endless options for choosing a symbolic wedding date, and ultimately, the decision should reflect the couple's unique wishes and preferences.

Timeline and availability

Setting a wedding date is one of the most important planning decisions a couple will make. It will impact every other aspect of the big day.

The average engagement length is 15 months, and more than half of couples are engaged for over a year. Giving yourself at least a year to plan your wedding can be helpful, as it gives you plenty of time to check everything off your list. For example, finding and ordering a wedding dress can take 9 to 11 months, and booking your wedding venue may need to be done over a year in advance.

If you have a specific date in mind, you may only consider venues that are available on that particular date. However, this may limit your options. Alternatively, you can be more flexible and choose your dream venue first, then pick your date based on the venue's availability. This will give you more venue options.

If you enjoy the wedding planning process, a longer timeline may appeal to you, as it gives you more time to make decisions. It also means that vendor availability is less likely to be an issue. However, this can become a negative if you are indecisive or get overwhelmed easily. It can also be harder to commit to a date so far in advance, as it's difficult to know what you'll be doing in one or two years.

On the other hand, a shorter timeline means you get to marry your partner sooner, and it's easier to keep the excitement and enjoyment throughout the planning process. With less time, there's also less time to second-guess decisions. However, a shorter timeline may mean that availability is an issue with top wedding vendors, and it may be harder for guests to attend with less notice.

When choosing your timeline, it's important to consider the season and the weather. The most popular months to get married are June, September, and October, when the weather is generally beautiful. However, you may want to consider an off-peak date to save on costs, as peak wedding season is typically between May and October.

You should also think about whether a holiday wedding is right for you. A holiday wedding can be fun and festive, but it's something you want to celebrate for years to come because of its meaning, not just because it was a holiday. Additionally, the costs of flowers and other items can be much higher around holidays. Finally, consider whether your guests would rather celebrate the holiday or attend your wedding.

Before settling on a date, check the calendar for other local events that may cause issues, such as major sporting events, graduations, and festivals. These can result in sold-out hotels and high airfares, which won't be ideal for your wedding weekend.

Finally, don't forget to ask the preferences of your VIP guest list. You may want to check with your closest loved ones about any date conflicts and plan accordingly. However, this can become complicated, so it's best to keep it simple and not budge once the date is set.

Frequently asked questions