The first step on the road from “yes!” to “I do” begins with setting your wedding date. If you’re wondering how to set a wedding date, or what factors you should consider when choosing the day, you’re in the right place. There are 7 key things you should keep top of mind when selecting the date of your wedding:

1. The Venue’s Availability

  • Wedding venues sometimes book up to a year or more in advance, especially in more popular locations. This means that the venue of your choice may not be able to accommodate any date you want.
  • If you have your heart set on getting married at a particular venue, it’s important to be flexible and allow the venue’s availability to set the day you’ll ultimately wed.

2. The Season and Weather

  • The time of year you opt to get married has a big influence on your big day, from what you wear to how you decorate.
  • Consider the pros and cons of each season and the types of weather that is typical in your area around that time frame (Florida winters look a whole lot different than Wisconsin winters, after all).
  • For extra insights into how to choose your wedding month, see choosing wedding month.

3. Dates and Anniversaries That Are Special

  • Many couples look to sentimental dates when deciding when to wed, such as:
    • Important anniversaries and milestones in your relationship
    • Wedding anniversaries of couples you admire
    • Birthdays of close friends or family members
  • Tying the knot on a date that has special meaning can lend extra significance to your day and make it all the more special.

4. How Your Date Impacts Overall Wedding Costs

  • While weddings have traditionally been hosted on Saturdays, more and more couples are opting for Friday, Sunday, or even week day weddings to cut costs. Here’s why:
    • Non-Saturday dates are in less demand.
    • Vendors are typically willing to charge lower rates for their services on non-peak days.
    • Weddings on other days of the week often have a smaller guest lists (because it’s harder for some guests to attend).

5. The Schedules of VIP Guests

  • If the absence of particular guests would make or break the celebration for you, be sure to consult their schedules when choosing your wedding date.
  • Also make sure to consider life events for members of your family or key wedding party members.

6. Your Wedding Aesthetic or Theme

  • Time of year is even more important to consider if you’re going for a look that has strong seasonal ties, such as a wildflower-filled garden party or a celebration decked out with snowflakes and boughs of holly.
  • If your wedding day has an overarching holiday motif, make sure select a wedding date that will make your grand vision make sense.

7. Busy Times of Year and Local Events to Avoid

  • Selecting a wedding date that falls during a busy time of year (like the holidays) comes with challenges:
    • It be difficult to book a venue and vendors during the holiday season.
    • Price tags may be higher due to high demands for non-wedding parties and events.
    • Holiday weddings can lead to many of your guests being unable to attend due to conflicts.
  • The same goes for big local events, including festivals, concerts, and game days. Make sure to consider both when you set your wedding date.

Whatever date you choose for your wedding, remember that it’s going to be an event you’ll cherish forever. Here’s to an amazing wedding day and many anniversaries to come!