How to Choose a Wedding Date
The day you’ve been dreaming of since you were a little girl has finally come. Your partner has asked for your hand in marriage, and so the planning begins. The first step in planning your wedding is choosing when it will take place. A lot of consideration goes into picking the season, the month and of course — the day.
Planning your wedding day is both stressful and exciting but worth all the effort you put in to make this day perfect. While every couple is different, there are a few tips to make this process as smooth as possible. Follow this guide to learn more about how to choose the perfect wedding date for you.
What to Consider When Choosing Your Wedding Date
There are many factors to consider when picking your wedding date. Many couples choose to have a long engagement period so they are able to enjoy spending quality time together while planning the wedding.
Creating a Timeline
An important aspect of planning your wedding is establishing a timeline. Your timeline will consist of decisions such as determining your budget, booking a venue, deciding on a menu, and finding the right vendors. Keep in mind that each of these should be organized in advance to increase the likelihood of booking your top choice.
Determining a Budget
When planning your wedding, you need to prioritize to stay on track. Before deciding on anything, you need to determine a budget. Take a look at your savings and determine how much you are willing to spend. Different couples have different preferences, so the breakdown of costs may vary.
A recent study reported that the average wedding reception costs approximately $22,500 for the year 2021, which is a slight drop from the average of $23,000 in 2019. These numbers may help you allocate your costs, but the price of your wedding will depend on your guest list and venue.
You may look into hiring a wedding planner if your budget allows for it. Having someone else take care of the wedding responsibilities may be beneficial for various reasons. Wedding planners can help you:
Reduce stress
Stay organized and on track
Save money on vendors
Stay within your budget
Plan according to your vision
Problem solve
Coordinate day-of activities
While there are many perks to hiring a wedding planner, you may find that you want to do these tasks yourself. After all, for some people, planning is the best part.
Some crucial steps in planning your wedding are creating your guest list and researching potential venues, since your date will depend on venue availability.
Can Your Venue Accommodate You?
An important choice you have to make is how many people you want at your wedding, or better yet, how many people you can afford.
You need to determine a budget that aligns with the number of guests you and your spouse want to invite. Then, evaluate whether the venue is large enough to accommodate the reception. You should also keep the location in mind. For example, if it’s a destination wedding, not all guests may be willing to travel.
When it comes to choosing a venue, it may be a good idea to pick an outdoor venue to prevent overcrowding. You can also choose a quaint venue for a smaller, more intimate, crowd.
What Month/Day is Special to You?
The months of August, May, June, September, and October are peak wedding seasons. This means the most popular times of year for weddings are in the summer and fall. The season you choose helps set the mood for your wedding and helps you decide on a theme.
There are several ways to choose your wedding date. Many people pick a date that is symbolic to them. For example, the first day you met, the day you became a couple, an anniversary, the day you moved in together, your first holiday together, etc.
The time of year you get married is also an important element to consider. It may not be enough to simply choose your favorite season. There are other things to consider, such as the weather, the mood and the colors, for instance. However, be sure to check your calendar so that you avoid picking a day that many of your guests wouldn’t be able to make.
Do You Believe in Luck?
Luck plays an important role for many people when choosing a wedding date. For superstitious couples, there is a list of facts from fashion to food to consider.
Wedding Foward compiled a list of the luckiest wedding dates in 2021 according to the month and when there is a full moon. A full moon is a very popular moon phase for couples because of the various traits it symbolizes, such as passion, ambition, and energy. It is believed that these traits will persist throughout the course of your marriage if you marry on the day of a full moon.
If you believe in luck, read below to see some wedding date ideas that may help you and your spouse choose a day that brings your marriage good fortune.
For the year 2022, here is a list of lucky dates for each month:
January: January 7, January 11, January 23
February: February 4, February 5, February 22
March: March 3, March 14, March 20
April: April 1, April 11, April 20, April 11
May: May 3, May 6, May 23
June: June 8, June 14, June 17
July: July 8, July 11, July 21
August: August 5, August 7, August 8, August 19
September: September 1, September 8, September 25
October: October 7, October 8, October 18
November: November 11, November 25
December: December 4, December 18
Most Common Days to Get Married
Based on data collected from multiple websites, the most common day of the week to get married is Saturday. 5.3% of couples get married between Monday and Thursday and about 94.7% of couples get married on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Getting married during weekdays isn’t as common because people are usually busy with work. While weekday weddings aren’t as popular, it might be favorable to choose a weekday to increase the likelihood of booking all your top-choice vendors.
Best Day of the Week to Get Married
In the U.S., it’s common for weddings to be held on the weekend. However, since the outbreak of the pandemic, many individuals have been able to work remotely, opening up their schedules to allow for greater flexibility during the week.
The day that a couple chooses to get married is entirely up to them, but it may help to look into some of the advantages and disadvantages of choosing a particular day of the week:
Sunday
A Sunday wedding is a popular choice for several reasons. For starters, Sunday weddings are more affordable than Saturday weddings, yet they fall on a weekend. You may also have an opportunity to spend more time with your guests by starting the celebration on Saturday.
Monday
If you are on a tight budget and don’t like the idea of a conventional weekend wedding, a Monday could be a good choice for you. Venues have greater availability on Mondays, making it more likely that you get your dream venue.
Having your wedding on a Monday, however, might mean some of your wedding guests will have to take off work. Some people relish the opportunity to take a day off. For others, it may be cutting into their vacation time or holiday pay.
Keep in mind that schedules aren’t as strict as they used to be. Working from home is more popular than ever, making it easier for guests to take off or bring work with them.
Tuesday
Midweek weddings are cheaper than weekend weddings but could make it more difficult for your guests to attend.
As is the case for Monday, Tuesday weddings are generally more intimate. Choosing a venue that is close to where you live will also make the travel easier for guests.
Wednesday
Wednesdays are suggested to be one of the luckiest days to get married. There’s an old Celtic poem that reads, “Monday for wealth, Tuesday for health, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, and Saturday no luck at all.”
Wednesday is said to be the best day to take off work because it breaks up the work week. Your guests might enjoy this opportunity to take a midweek break to attend your wedding.
Vendors find Wednesdays to be the best day to have a wedding because they aren’t very busy during the week. Odds are you’ll have more options of vendors to choose from and a higher chance of getting your first choice.
Thursday
Having your wedding on a Thursday definitely has its perks. For starters, there are often discounts and more availability for venues. As for guests, Thursday means the weekend is approaching and guests are more likely to attend.
Thursday weddings also allow for more wedding activities. If you chose a wedding venue outside of your hometown, having your wedding during the week can give guests an opportunity to relax and explore in the days that follow.
Friday
Friday is a great alternative for those who either can’t afford or don’t prefer a Saturday wedding. Everybody loves Friday because it’s the last day of the workweek and the start of the weekend. The end of the week allows your guests to enjoy themselves a little more.
Booking on a Friday likely means more availability. You also have the opportunity to get more creative with your wedding plans — for example, having a Friday night wine tasting.
Saturday
Saturday is without a doubt the most popular day to get married. This day is easiest for both the guests and the soon-to-be-married couple. Weekend weddings make it so that most guests don’t have to take off work and get an extra day to relax before going back to work.
It’s also worth noting that the most popular wedding dates fall on a Saturday. According to data from The Knot, over 70% of couples choose to get married on a Saturday.
Best Wedding Dates on a Budget
If you want your wedding day to be as special as possible without paying a fortune, there are plenty of options out there. Being open to having your wedding any time of year may put you at an advantage in terms of pricing.
Cheapest Months of the Year
December, January, and February are often unpopular choices because of the cold weather and holiday celebrations. It has also been found that only 9% of weddings occur in the wintertime. However, if you enjoy the cold or want winter ambiance, these months might be the perfect choice for you. Having an off-season wedding might allow you to find cheap wedding dates for the venue and cheaper travel accommodations for guests.
November is also an unpopular wedding month because of the weather, as it’s cold and near the end of hurricane season. Usually, the snow hasn’t started by this time so travel may be easier and more affordable. Additionally, in some cultures, couples don’t get married in November because it’s viewed as unlucky.
The volatility of the weather in March makes it one of the least popular, and therefore most affordable, months to get married. March is less expensive because venues and vendors’ demand is lower in the off-season.
Cheapest Day of the Week
Weekdays, in general, are less expensive than weekend weddings because they are the less popular choice. While weekday weddings are on the rise, weekend weddings are still most popular. For this reason, weddings that take place Monday through Thursday are generally more affordable due to venue and vendor availability.
Cheapest Times of Day
The time of day you get married really depends on preference, the type of couple you are, and when your favorite venue is available. If the choice is entirely up to you, you should determine how much time you’ll need to prepare for the ceremony. Usually late afternoon to early evening ceremonies work best. You’ll also want to make sure that there is a big enough gap between the ceremony and the reception so that you aren’t rushing and can enjoy your special day.
As a rough outline, there are a few options to consider:
Having an early ceremony followed by brunch. This option is affordable because breakfast food tends to be cheaper than lunch or dinner. There are many ways you can get creative with the menu to make it your own!
A wedding that takes place midday with a later reception gives you time to prepare. It also allows you to have fun with menu options like a popcorn machine, a sundae bar, etc.
Having your wedding later in the evening allows you to incorporate a cocktail party. This tends to be more expensive but can add some elegance to the evening.
Check Your Preferred Date & Time at Baywood!
Choosing a wedding date can be a stressful task. The date you choose will signify the love that you and your spouse have for one another.
No matter what date you choose, Baywood is here to help make your wedding day perfect. Baywood will ensure you stress less and enjoy more with a selection of all-inclusive and full-service packages to choose from.
If you want your big day to take place in the colder months, we offer elegant indoor locations including a ballroom and intimate wood-paneled library. If you prefer a warmer wedding outdoors, we offer a romantic veranda with views of the golf course, a ceremony garden with manicured landscaping, or a patio and tented reception area.
As one of the only premier wedding venues in Coastal Delaware, Baywood offers you the perfect location for all your needs no matter the budget.
Havee questions about our venue or services? Submit a contact form today to check if your preferred date is available and we will get back to you as soon as possible!