Picking your wedding date is one of the first decisions you’ll make as a newly engaged couple. And once this date is set… Well, it’s the ultimate deadline! There’s (usually) no rescheduling – so this is it, and it’s full-on wedding planning mode from here on out.
But with 365 days to choose from, how are you meant to choose? Well, here’s our four-step guide to narrowing things down so you can pick that one perfect date.
1. Think Seasonally
Let’s start nice and broad with four options: spring, summer, autumn or winter. What do you want your wedding to look like? And what kind of vibe are you going for? A formal wedding can be done indoors at any time of year – but if you’re hoping for a garden party, it’s probably best to stick to the summer months. If in doubt, think about what you want your pictures to look like. Are you imagining photographs with a backdrop of autumn leaves or spring tulips? Do you see yourself and your guests wrapped in fur stoles or wearing shorts and summer dresses? This is an easy way to get an idea of what time of year you’re aiming for.
2. Who Has To Be There?
Sure, your wedding is about you and your partner – but it’s also having the most important people in your lives around you as you take this step together. Before you commit to a date, check that your most important guests will be able to make it. You don’t want to send out save the dates, only to find that none of your nearest and dearest can attend. This is especially important if you have guests travelling in from abroad as they’re likely to have more restrictions on when they’ll be able to fly.
3. Weekend or Weekday?
Once you’ve worked out the time of year and blocked off any “no-go” periods, you can start looking at specific dates. Most weddings are still held on Saturdays, giving your guests the day after to relax before work on Monday. That said, Saturday isn’t the only option and it’s increasingly common for couples to choose other days of the week – especially as this often means bagging a bargain. If you have your heart set on a venue that’s just that bit too expensive, consider a weekday wedding – and you could nab your dream venue for a price that won’t give you nightmares!
4. Work Your Priorities
Do you decide your date then pick a venue that’s available then? Or do you find your perfect venue and set a date based on their availability? It’s all about what’s most important to you and your partner. Our advice is to stay as flexible as possible. There’s no point deciding you must get married at 4pm on 8th August if nowhere’s available – but there’s also no point booking your dream venue if no one can come! Sit down with your partner and come up with a list of must-haves to help guide your decision.
Follow these four steps and you’ll have your perfect date picked out in no time! And to make things even easier, try using our Venue Search Tool to find your wedding venue – our wedding venue directory is the biggest (and the best!) in the UK.
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