Choosing a Wedding Date... such a hard decision!!
So you said YES!!! That's the easy part; the very first choice you have to make after that is to pick a date... holy cow, why is this such a hard decision?...?...? Some couples go months without having made this decision and I know you think you may be the only couple who haven't come to a conclusion on that date, but you are far from being alone in this portion of the wedding planning. So don't fret over it. If you're like me, you make a list... okay, okay, I actually made several lists, then scrapped those and started new lists!
The first few things I thought about were time of year because this would have a big impact on the type of wedding I wanted. Outside venue, so you have to pick the warm months; or summer time being tornado season, maybe winter would be better... and that's how the fight started!!... just kidding, kind of! I also kept thinking about the honeymoon even before the wedding date was chosen because, again, warm months for a nice warm honeymoon... or a winter wedding so we can go somewhere tropical for the honeymoon, UGH!!
Don't despair, maybe a bit of light reading will help you choose a date. Or at least give you a few things to think about in your decision making process.
From 'The Wedding Playbook', here are a few areas of thought:
1. Sentimental value
Options include your grandparents’ or parents’ wedding date, the date you first met, when you started going out or the date of your proposal.
2. Milestone marker
A date that would mark your 5th, 10th, 15th, etc. year together.
3. Forget-Me-Not
A number sequence that is easy for you to remember, e.g. 5/5 or 11/12.
4. Bon voyage
The best time of year to travel to your honeymoon destination.
5. Ideal weather
If you’re planning on an outdoor wedding, when will it be most pleasant for a garden ceremony or open air reception?
6. Family availability
What timing works best for the people most important to you? Do they have holidays, pregnancies or health limitations to consider?
7. Favorite flower
When is your favourite flower in season? Choosing your wedding date to suit will increase the chances that this beautiful bloom can be included in your arrangements.
8. Supplier availability
Found a dream venue or vendor? Keep your date flexible to guarantee a booking!
9. Work commitments
When will you have the right amount of leave available, or be able to take time off work?
10. Piggy bank
When will you have enough savings for what you would like to do?
11. Done deal
You can snap up special rates at certain times of year.
12. Lucky number
Do either of you have a number of special significance you would like to include? Adding, subtracting or dividing your lucky numbers to create your wedding date is also an option!
13. Public holiday
Many guests will already have the time off, or love the idea of a recovery day on a long weekend.
14. Breathing room
Do you want to spread out events like birthday, anniversary and seasonal celebrations?
15. Favorite time of year
Do you love the idea of roaring fires and cozy corners, or is spring more your style? If you feel a connection to a particular time of year, why not make it extra special with the addition of your wedding!
Sometimes practical considerations will win over a romantic idea, and that’s perfectly okay – the date you choose will become special and significant once you are married!
And just think, this decision making process may be a great way to get your 'first argument' out of the way early, LOL!
Donna Jean Nethery
Love, Laughter, & Happily Ever-After