Setting The Date

There are two main approaches to setting the date.  One, you can decide on a date and find sites and services that happen to be available, or, two,  you can narrow down a month or season and set the date based on the availability of the reception site and/or other wedding related services needed.  The latter assures you that you will have your wedding at your first choice facility or using your first choice photographer, caterer etc...

Choosing a date is not an easy task.  Once you sit down you will realize that there are many factors you need to take into consideration.  Holidays, relatives' & friends' birthdays, special relatives or friends  that may be away at a specific time, etc... Are all facilities and services available on the date you would like to be married? All these important things play a big role on the choice of your wedding date.

First you should figure out what church, synagogue or site you wish to be married at.  Next, choose the venue at which you wish to have the reception.  Depending on the flexibility of your marriage date, you may wish to book your wedding as far in advance as possible in order to ensure the availability of the time and date of choice.

Take into consideration how much time you feel you will need to plan your wedding. Different times of the year play a large roll in the wedding date as well.  Try to take into consideration that people plan their vacations during the summer months when children are off from school, and to take advantage of the beautiful weather. If you choose a summer month to get married, send save the date magnets out to inform the invited guests of your future plans.

After you have a date in mind, let all the people that you plan on asking to be in your bridal party know, so they can schedule their plans accordingly.  Also, inform both sets of parents in advance so that they can spread the word to friends and family so that they will keep the date open.