How to pick a wedding date

One of the most significant days of your life is your wedding, which you will commemorate every year for many years to come. However, how does one choose the ideal wedding date?

Read on to learn about the ins and outs of choosing a wedding date, from common sense factors to looking to the stars for inspiration.

How to choose a wedding date: where to begin

Finding a wedding date that works for both of you is the next big step in your engagement now that you have a ring on your finger and your heart is racing. When you start organizing your wedding, keep the following points in mind:

How soon should you pick a wedding date?

If you recently got engaged, you may be ecstatic and eager to prepare as soon as possible. But feel free to pick a wedding date immediately, depending on how long you want your engagement to last. Before you start preparing, don't be afraid to take a moment to appreciate being involved!

However, when preparing and sending out invitations, choosing the date as soon as possible is often advisable. Giving guests around six months' notice to organize their travel and lodging is considered courteous, particularly for destination weddings or weddings during the hectic holiday season.

What is the most popular month for getting married?

According to The Knot's annual survey, October, September, and June are the most popular months to be married. Everyone has different reasons for picking a wedding month, but these are probably well-liked because of the pleasant weather and picturesque surroundings of early summer and fall. To avoid the high demand, choosing a date as soon as you're ready is good if you have your eye on a popular month.

What's the most popular day of the week for a wedding?

The most common day of the week to be married is unquestionably Saturday. Due to its ideal weekend placement, guests can arrive on Friday night and depart on Sunday with minimal disruption to their usual business and personal commitments. But just because it's the most popular doesn't mean that other days of the week aren't also fantastic options, and they're frequently less costly.

What to consider when picking a wedding date

When you and your partner are deciding on "I do" dates, bear the following points in mind if you're feeling analytical:

Seasonality

You may have an image of a particular season in mind when you first envision your dream wedding day. You've always imagined a rustic outdoor wedding with fall foliage, or perhaps spring is your favorite season. Selecting a specific season is a brilliant place to start when choosing a wedding date.

WEDDING THEME 

Your wedding season may also be influenced by the concept you have in mind. An autumn wedding may be your first choice if you want a wedding with warm, rusty reds. Similarly, you should pick a winter wedding date if you're attracted to frosty shimmer and cool champagne hues.

FLORALS AND DECOR

Your wedding date may be influenced by your wedding theme and the types of flowers and other decorations you envision for the event. Although some flowers are only available during certain seasons, you can increase the number of dates you can go on by choosing designer artificial flowers, which have all the charm of the real thing but are more adaptable.

NAVIGATING WEATHER

Mother Nature occasionally has different ideas about the weather on your wedding day, even with the best-laid arrangements. You can reduce the hazards by being aware of local weather trends and steering clear of the most severe periods of the year. Have an indoor backup plan in case of those sneaky storms!

Preparation time

Returning to the length of the engagement, the time required to prepare your decorative elements should be considered when deciding on the wedding date. Wedding preparation involves a lot of things, from choosing meals and locating providers to printing invitations and setting up flowers. Give yourself some leeway so you may enjoy the process and lessen your pre-wedding stress.

LAST-MINUTE WEDDING PREP

It would help if you allowed yourself time to prepare, regardless of whether you plan to elope, have a little courthouse ceremony, or simply want to get married as quickly as possible. Consider purchasing prepared artificial floral bouquets and arrangements to add beauty to your wedding day while freeing up your time to concentrate on other crucial duties if you think the sooner, the better.

LEAVE TIME TO DIY

Making your wedding décor can be pretty fulfilling, but if you decide to do it yourself, give yourself enough time to organize, find materials, and create. If you're a do-it-yourself bride, consider using fake flowers to express your creativity without exceeding budget. Our designer flower boxes provide you with all the resources you need to create a distinctive wedding décor with a personal touch while allowing your creativity to run wild.

Budget and affordability

Being adaptable with your wedding date occasionally significantly impacts your finances. If you choose a wedding date during the busiest part of the "wedding season," remember that due to the increased demand, costs for everything from vendors and rentals to hotel and travel may increase. The day of the week also affects the cost of your wedding; sometimes, Fridays or Sundays are less expensive than Saturdays.

Schedules of family and friends

You cannot imagine your wedding day without some of the individuals in your life. Before deciding on a wedding date, do an informal survey to be sure your VIPs will be present to join the celebration. Knowing ahead of time will make it easier to accommodate their schedules with the least amount of disruption because they may already have other significant life events scheduled.

Venue and vendor availability 

You'll probably need to adjust your wedding date to accommodate the availability of that stunning historic mansion in your hometown if it's a must for your wedding location. Being open to alternate dates or even other years will help you secure your preferred spot because wedding dates in the most popular months of June, September, and October typically book up first. Remember to sign up for a cancellation list because dates can suddenly become available again!

Hometown or destination wedding locations

The location of your wedding also influences your wedding date selections. It would help if you planned for longer work breaks and travel schedules and hired out-of-town providers for destination weddings. If you are staying close by, you are more accustomed to the seasons, routines, and how your wedding date fits into all of that.

Booking a honeymoon

After being married, some couples decide to go on their honeymoon immediately. While taking a honeymoon trip as the newest couple is incredibly romantic, the location of your honeymoon may also influence the timing of your wedding. Avoid hurricane season if you want to unwind on a Caribbean island paradise. Or you uncover an excellent travel bargain and decide to schedule the wedding date around your all-inclusive paradise resort, booking the honeymoon before your wedding venue.

Your preferences as a couple

Sometimes, deciding on a wedding date depends on what you and your partner desire, regardless of outside factors. You don't have to overthink it; talk about what matters most to you both, then limit your alternatives to choose a date that works for you.

Other creative ways to pick a wedding date

In addition to accommodating schedules, don't be afraid to use your creativity while selecting your wedding day. Choose your wedding date creatively by tossing darts at a calendar, picking from a hat, or using some of these other methods:

Sentimental connections

There are occasions when you would like to commemorate a particular anniversary each year, and what could be more unique than a wedding to give a day even more meaning? Your wedding ceremony will make those wonderful days even more unforgettable by adding additional ties to them. Think of commemorative dates like:

• When you initially met
• The moment you formally begin dating
• The anniversary of a parent or grandparent's marriage
• The day of your engagement
• Birthdays (of you or significant relatives)

Lucky numbers

Does the fact that the clock reads 7:07 in the morning give you hope for a pleasant day? Or your significant other always plays the same lotto numbers. Incorporating a fortunate number into your wedding date is a charming and symbolic approach to wishing for good fortune in the future.

Due to their symmetry and auspicious meanings, days with recurring numbers are among the most sought-after wedding dates. The Knot reports that the most popular wedding day 2023 was Saturday, September 23. The same applies to subsequent years as well. Harmonious numerals like April 2 or August 24, for instance, are good choices for lucky wedding dates in 2024.

Another well-liked method of using numbers to help you choose the perfect wedding day is numerology, which can help you focus on the best dates and promote good vibes. Your lucky numbers are a creative and entertaining approach to choosing your wedding date, no matter how you determine them.

Symbolic wedding dates

When choosing a wedding day, considering cultural influences or even the stars is another option for unusual wedding date ideas. You can narrow down a date by using historical, religious, and spiritual traditions on the days of the week, months, and more. For instance, astrology says that weddings during the new moon are the luckiest.

Additional ways to include symbolism include floral types and color schemes. Although roses are the most common flower that evokes feelings of love, other flowers have symbolic connotations. Create a bridal bouquet bursting with vibrant flowers and symbolic meaning to take into your new marriage by combining different flower varieties, colors, and forms.

How to pick a wedding date: Favorite holidays

You can combine the customs and decor themes of the holidays, which are always occasions for celebration, into your wedding day. Additionally, certain holidays fall on long weekends, which makes them an excellent choice for friends and family who don't have much time off from work.

Long weekends, however, also increase demand for travel, lodging, and other services. Additionally, remember that certain visitors could already have customs or ongoing events for particular holidays, so make sure to provide ample notice so they can make appropriate plans.

When choosing a wedding date, take into account some of these well-known holidays as well as the available décor options:

HALLOWEEN WEDDING

A Halloween wedding is the ideal opportunity to say "I do" with a little extra boo if you enjoy a frightening wedding. Consider everything from gothic touches and gloomy colors to an extravagant costume party.

CHRISTMAS WEDDING

Since Christmas is already a time for family get-togethers, this can be a fantastic option to ensure everyone will be present to enjoy. Use snow-white sheen, pine green accents, and festive red flowers to bring in the season's charm.

NEW YEAR'S WEDDING

A New Year's wedding, which takes place immediately after Christmas, has a more festive atmosphere. Furthermore, what could be more optimistic as a newlywed couple than ushering in the new year and fresh starts? Imagine unending shimmer, gold, and champagne.

VALENTINE'S DAY WEDDING 

For a Valentine's Day elopement or small celebration with your closest friends, romantic pink, magenta, and red hues make the ideal accents. You will always have the most romantic wedding anniversary to commemorate if you choose to get married on Valentine's Day.

FOURTH OF JULY WEDDING

A July 4th wedding celebration is the perfect time for a relaxed outside barbecue and all-day party with red, white, and something blue. Furthermore, sparklers and fireworks are sure to round off the evening!