how to pick a wedding date

Planning a wedding is no small task. Between choosing the venue and the caterer, creating your guest list, and sending rounds of wedding correspondence, picking a wedding date may seem like a pretty straightforward task that doesn’t require too much heavy thinking. Think again! In this post, we will share tips on the best date to get married based on numerology, best dates to get married based on astronomy, budget-friendly months to get married, holidays to avoid, and other things to consider to make a well-informed decision when picking your wedding date.

Wedding Date Basic Tips

Whether you have a specific date in mind, a favorite season of the year, or no preference at all for your wedding date, here are few things to keep in mind on how to pick a wedding date:

• How far in advance should you pick a wedding date? If you’re planning a destination wedding, the rule of thumb is the sooner, the better. You should shoot for a date at least a year out. If your wedding is going to be local, it’s considerate to give your guests (and yourself) 6 to 12 months’ notice. That being said, if you’re planning a smaller wedding or micro wedding with mostly local guests, it can be planned in less than 6 months.

• Should I determine the wedding venue first or wedding date first? The short answer is to do what works for you. If you and your fiance(e) are set on a wedding venue, you can select your wedding date based on the availability of your dream venue. Keep in mind that the sooner you decide on a wedding venue, the more dates that will be available for you to choose from. However, if you and your fiance(e) are set on a wedding date and are more flexible on the venue, reach out to potential venues to explore which options are available, or review our list of unique, affordable venue ideas. While this may require you to contact many venues, the secret is once again great planning. The sooner you decide on a wedding date, the greater your chances are to find a venue that is available that day.
• Should you plan your wedding during a holiday or a three-day weekend? When picking your wedding date, it’s always a good idea to be aware of local events, holidays, or three-day weekends that may be happening at the time. All these events can cause low availability of hotel rooms, as well as increased flight fare, higher prices for services, and even lower availability from venues. That being said, if your mind is set on a Labor Day weekend wedding or a Valentine’s Day wedding, make the most of it and don’t let others stop you from having the wedding you envisioned.
• What if some of my guests are advising potential dates? Don’t weigh too heavily on friends or family members saying certain days won’t work. Pick your date, let others adapt around it, and remember that you simply can’t please everyone. After all, this is your wedding day!
• Are certain months more expensive to get married? Peak wedding season months run from June through September in the United States. It comes without surprise that wedding venues and wedding vendors are more expensive during that time of the year as demand is high. However, it is possible to save money by choosing to get married during the off-season or by getting married on a Friday or Sunday. Your budget may be a deciding factor in how to pick a wedding date.

PROS AND CONS OF GETTING MARRIED IN EACH SEASON

One easy way to narrow down the options for your wedding date is to first pick the season of the year you would like to get married. Based on the wedding theme and destination you envision, one season might make more sense than another. Maybe you have envisioned holding tulips or large sunflowers as your wedding bouquet? Make sure you do your homework and understand what wedding flowers are available during which season. Or maybe you and your fiance(e) want to get married during your favorite season, which makes your decision that much easier. Unsure what season is best? Our summary below should help.

Spring wedding

If shooting for a wedding in April, May, or June, you may want to review our other posts on spring wedding ideas and spring wedding colors.

• Pros:
  • Nature is slowly waking up from a long winter and you couldn’t ask for a prettier backdrop. From tulips to peonies and ranunculuses, spring season offers endless combinations of scents and colors.
  • With Memorial Day being the only U.S. holiday in the spring, most of your guests are likely to be in town and ready to celebrate your special day. However, keep in mind that spring break also falls during this time of the year and may affect your guest’s travel plans.
  • Spring lighting makes for beautiful wedding photos. The sunlight is soft and the sun sets later in the day allowing for a potential outdoor cocktail hour.
  • Spring has on average the mildest weather across the U.S. This gives you the option to plan either an outdoor or indoor wedding, or a combination of both.

• Cons:
  • The end of spring marks the start of the busy wedding season with venues and vendors being booked well in advance.
  • With the beginning of the wedding season around the corner, venues and vendors are in high demand and come with a higher price tag.
  • While spring has the mildest weather, it also has some unpredictable weather that you may want to take into consideration when planning your wedding.
  • Allergy season is in full blast this time of the year. So if you and your fiance(e) are very prone to allergies, it might not be the ideal time to tie the knot.

Summer wedding

If you have your eyes set on a wedding in July, August, or September, you aren’t alone! You may want to review our popular posts on summer wedding ideas and summer wedding colors.

• Pros:
  • With the longest hours of sunlight of the year, summer days are the perfect way to have an extended wedding celebration well into the night.
  • With the heat, you will want to provide accessories to make sure your wedding guests stay cool. Think cute folding fans or personalized sunglasses that can double as wedding favors, as well as colorful drink stations, and ice cream cake.
  • The abundance of seasonal produce in the summer allows you to offer more versatile menu options that are guaranteed to delight every guest at your wedding.
  • Summer calls for bright colors. It’s the perfect time of the year to express yourself with whatever color palette you love!
  • If banking on an outdoor event, your best chances of landing great weather is in the summer.

• Cons:
  • With bright sunlight comes harsh lighting, which can sometimes make taking wedding photos more challenging. Make sure to discuss your options with your wedding photographer.
  • Summer heat and humidity can be intense for a lot of people. Keep that in mind when planning your wedding, especially if it’s going to be outdoors, and provide your guests with enough refreshments and shade for them to stay cool.
  • Summer is a busy wedding season. Venue and vendor prices will most likely be highest due to seasonal demand.
  • Some of your guests may already have summer travel plans (including attending other weddings), which may lower your attendance. One way to make sure your favorite family members will attend your wedding is to give them enough notice so they can schedule their summer vacations around your wedding day.

Fall wedding

The changing colors of October, November, and December create their own charm. If considering a fall wedding, we have some great posts on fall wedding ideas and fall wedding colors to spark your wedding planning.

• Pros:
  • The leaves are changing and we couldn’t be happier about it! Fall color palettes are stunning and the combinations are endless. Rust and marigold, sage and gold, or dark teal and dusty rose are only a few themes that will make your wedding decor stand out.
  • You can save on decoration by using natural elements surrounding your wedding venue. Fallen leaves as aisle runners, moss and wood as centerpieces, pine cones as table decor, the options are countless.
  • The milder temperatures of fall are a great opportunity to plan an outdoor ceremony followed by an indoor wedding reception.
  • Some wedding venues like barns, ranches, and local farms seem to be meant for fall weddings. Pumpkin patches and wineries can be the original alternative you were looking for to create that perfect fall feeling.

• Cons:
  • September is still a busy time of the year to get married, so wedding venues and vendors will need to be booked as early as possible. Without a surprise, fall is the busiest season for rustic-chic themed weddings. So if this is all you ever wanted, be sure to book ahead and look for alternative venue options that may be less costly.
  • After the spendings of summer vacation and the expenses tied to the start of a new school year, fall is often the time of the year when people’s budgets are tight. This is also a time when many people try to save for the coming end of the year expenses. September is often the month that sees the least amount of travel, as people settle back in from a summer trip and begin the school cycle.
  • Because temperatures in the fall tend to drop drastically after sunset, most couples choose a venue with indoor facilities, which can limit your venue options significantly.

Winter wedding

With holiday spirit in the air and the desire for warmth, winter is a great season to tie the knot. Plan a wedding that will warm every heart in the room. If leaning toward a January, February, or March wedding, we have some inspirational posts on winter wedding ideas and winter wedding colors.

• Pros:
  • Winter offers unique sceneries that will make for a beautiful backdrop in your wedding photos.
  • Winter is considered to be the “off-season” which means cheaper venues and vendors with more availability.
  • A winter wedding is a great opportunity to create cozy wedding decor. Give your guests blankets that can double as wedding favors, have a hot cocoa bar, and use fire as a stunning design element (think candles, lanterns, or fireplaces).
  • With the holidays around the corner, people’s work schedules often start to slow down and the festive mood is tangible.

• Cons:
  • The cold weather can get in the way of planning the wedding you imagined.
  • The holidays are wonderful but it is also where most people’s time, money, and energy will be focused on. It is best to avoid any wedding dates between December 20 and January 3rd as most people will want to spend time with their family.
  • Not only is the weather cold, but in many parts of the U.S., it is also highly unpredictable. Snowstorms and other extreme weather conditions can delay the arrival of out of town guests but also vendors who may not be able to get to your venue.
  • Due to weather, a winter wedding will most likely have to be indoors. However, if you always imagined an outdoor wedding, you could always plan for a short outdoor ceremony or step outside to take your wedding photos.

BEST DATE TO GET MARRIED BASED ON NUMEROLOGY

Numerology assigns meaning to numbers and allows you to pick a wedding date that will bring you good luck based on your and your fiance(e)’s birthdates. Whether you believe in the power of numbers or not, it is fun to understand how it all works!

First, you need to calculate your life path number, which is found by adding the numbers of your date of birth using the following formula:

Month of birth (1-12) + Day of birth (1-31) + Year of birth

For example, if you were born on March, 13th 1986, your life path number would be calculated as followed:

March: 03 → 0 + 3 = 3
13th: 1 + 3 = 4
1986: 1 + 9 + 8 + 6 = 24 → 2 + 4 = 6
Total: 3 + 4 + 6 = 13
Life path number: 1 + 3 = 4

Let’s say your life path number is 4 like in the example above and your partner’s life path number is 6. Your marriage number would then be 1 (since 6 + 4 = 10 → 1 + 0 = 1).

Once you find your marriage number, the best dates to get married will be the ones that equate to your marriage number. In the example above, wedding dates of the 10th, 19th, or 28th would all be a great date. But don’t worry, you won’t have to do endless calculations to figure out when to get married! You can simply do some research online to find what dates are equal to your marriage number, what dates are compatible with your marriage number and what dates are best to avoid.

BEST DATE TO GET MARRIED BASED ON ASTROLOGY

The moon is responsible for creating the ocean’s tides here on Earth. It is also known that much of ocean life is highly affected by full moons. For instance, some oysters open significantly more during full moons, though no one knows why. A full moon is also known to affect animals in mysterious ways. Cats and dogs seem to be a little more playful during a full moon which causes a spike in veterinary emergency room visits around each full moon. What effect does a full moon have on humans? Getting married on or near a full moon might be one way to bring extra cosmic balance to your marriage. It is after all the day when lunar energy peaks, and who wouldn’t want a little bit of extra blissfulness on their wedding day?

Here’s a schedule of the full moons for 2020:
March, 9th
April, 8th
May, 7th
June, 5th
July, 5th
August, 3rd
September, 2nd
October, 1st
October, 31st
November, 30th
December, 30th