Congratulations on your engagement. As you’ve probably learned, the first question everyone asks is when is the wedding date? Now you need to start planning your perfect wedding. Of course you have been planning it in your mind since you were 10 years old, but now is the time to get serious and do it for real. Approximately 6,100 weddings are held in the United States each day. That is an awful lot of planning and preparation and the very first thing you need to do is pick your wedding date. Setting the date for your big day takes much thought and investigation. To help you navigate through the planning process, consider these helpful hints for picking the date you’ll remember forever.
Budget. The most influential factor when planning your wedding is your budget. It is certainly possible to have a beautiful wedding without spending a fortune. From affordable wedding invitations for an intimate gathering of 25 to a bash for thousands of guests that includes food, drinks, flowers, a band, wedding favors and fireworks, costs can add up quickly so do your financial homework before committing yourself to a venue and head count you can’t afford.
Venue. Do you have your heart set on a particular venue for your ceremony or reception? Popular locations can be fully booked years in advance. Make some phone calls and see what is available before setting the date if you have your heart set on something special. It is becoming increasingly more popular to consider something other than a Saturday wedding and may make it easier for you when scheduling. It is also often less expensive too.
Conflicts of interest. Make sure you schedule your wedding date so that all of those you want there on your big day will be able to attend. Keep in mind holidays and events that may already be planned. Is someone expecting a new baby? Is another close family member graduating or planning a wedding of their own soon? Will school schedules interfere? How about the weather? Can you take off work for the wedding and honeymoon? Don’t forget to check with your fiance and his side of the family to select the best date possible for everyone involved.
Headcount. Will your wedding be an intimate family affair or a super-huge extravaganza? The size of your wedding really depends on your budget. Know that you may think small to begin with, but outside influences like your parents and your fiance’s parents may want a say too. If they are helping fund the event, your guest list may begin to grow larger than you anticipate. Don’t be afraid to limit the list, especially if you are funding it yourself. Before you set your wedding date, consider who you are including on your guest list. The size of your wedding will influence the chosen venues and therefore the wedding date selected.
Guest list. Will guests all be local or will many be coming in from out of town? Consider the guests who may need to purchase plane tickets in order to be at your wedding. Also take into account what responsibilities others may already have on their agendas. Allow enough prior notification so that they can find affordable transportation and clear their calendars for your big day. Sending save the date cards in advance will help insure attendance as well.
From the number of wedding invitations to buy to the table decorations required, setting your wedding date is the key to kicking off the perfect wedding preparations. Take the time to consult those who matter and do your homework so that this first major decision surrounding your wedding is the best possible one you can make. And don’t worry, whatever date you choose will be the one you will happily celebrate for many years to come.
