One of the first things you have to do when planning a wedding is to choose a wedding date. It might seem like a relatively simple decision but there are lots of factors to take into account before sending out those ?Save The Dates?.
Once you?ve said ?yes?, it?s tempting to rush down the aisle as soon as possible. But weddings can?t be planned overnight so when deciding on a date, make sure you have enough time to organise the day you really want. Venues, churches, bands and photographers all get booked up in advance, and wedding dresses can take up to six months to be made, so do a bit of research into them before grabbing your diary. Conversely, you can have too much time and find yourself losing momentum with all the preparation. As a guide, most couples allow themselves between one and two years to plan their big day.
Day Of The Week
Traditionally, most marriages take place on a Saturday but with the increase in competition for top venues, many places are offering Sunday or weekday weddings. You can often book these at shorter notice and they?re usually cheaper than the high-prized Saturdays, making for an attractive option. Just keep in mind that if you do decide on a weekday or Sunday, many guests might find it harder to attend due to work, family or religious commitments.
The School Holidays
Expecting lots of little guests on your big day? It might be worth making a note of the school holiday dates, especially if there?s travelling involved. If you do decide on a date in term time, avoid exam periods (January, May and June) so your younger guests can really relax and enjoy the occasion.
A Special Day
It?s nice to choose a date that has a special meaning for the pair of you. It could be the date you first met, that he proposed on or some other date that has a significance to you both.
Venue Availability
If you?ve got your heart set on a particular venue, church or band, check their availability before committing to a date. There are potentially 365 days of the year that you could tie the knot but you might have to be flexible if you have strong feelings about venues and entertainment.
