(This wedding column was originally published April 2 in the April print edition of the Hendersonian.)
When’s the date? As a newly engaged couple, you’ll be asked this question countless times, and for good reason! Setting your wedding date is the first step towards making your dream wedding a reality. Until you decide on a date, it’s hard to move forward with the fun stuff like choosing a venue, picking out your dress, booking your officiate, caterer, cake baker, photographer, florist, band or DJ.
I’d never advise planning your wedding according to what everyone else wants, but it’s wise to take the schedules of close friends and family members into consideration. Keep in mind relatives’ medical conditions and treatments, pregnancy due dates, and college and professional exam schedules. Avoid your child’s birthday and the anniversary dates of family tragedies. If you’re planning a destination wedding, kids need to be off from school for traveling.
Holidays such as Memorial Day and Labor Day are popular choices for weddings and picnic receptions, and they provide an extra day off work! While it’s practical to choose these dates for family and friends’ convenience, it’s important to prioritize your own needs as well. After all, it’s your special day, and you should make sure that you feel comfortable with the arrangements.
Be mindful of tourist season, conferences, sports events, festivals, or any other special events that may be happening in town. These events can book up all hotel rooms, making it difficult for your guests to find accommodations. It’s important to keep in mind that if you schedule your wedding celebration on a religious holiday, some of your guests may have dietary restrictions and may be unable to consume certain types of food during the reception. Keep this in mind when finalizing your menu and catering arrangements.
To secure your preferred venues and vendors, consider the timing of your big day. Generally, June, August, and September are the busiest months for weddings, which means availability may be limited, and you might face stiff competition for your preferred dates and locations. Additionally, your guests may have other weddings and events to attend, which could impact attendance at your own celebration. Furthermore, August may be too hot for an outdoor wedding, especially for your older relatives. To avoid these issues, consider having your wedding during an off-season month, such as January through April. During this time, venues and vendor availability will be increased, and you’ll have a better chance of securing your preferred options. Consider having your wedding on a Friday night instead of a Saturday. This choice is typically much less expensive, and you’ll save further on honeymoon airline travel by being able to travel on a Saturday.
Many couples marrying for the second time find it challenging to take a large chunk of time off from children and jobs to prepare for a wedding and then take off for the honeymoon. Between the demands of two careers, accommodating far–flung family, and sometimes two sets of kids, setting the date can get complicated. Establish priorities. If you need to take off work the week before your wedding to pull things together, visiting with special friends, and nail, tanning, and hair appointments, think about delaying your honeymoon trip.
This is your wedding, so enjoy it. Stay true to yourself while being mindful of the people you care about. By striking a balance between your own desires and the needs of your loved ones, you can plan a wedding that creates beautiful memories for everyone involved.
My Love Note: Sit down with a calendar and select a date that will allow you the planning time you’ll need.
Pem Pfisterer Clark has been hosting the nationally syndicated radio show “Wedding Planning With Pem” for over 20 years. The show provides valuable advice, insider tips, etiquette and money-saving ideas to listeners across the country. Bill Stevens Stark is the executive producer of the show.