After a couple becomes engaged, one of the first things that they want to do is set a wedding date. This can be easier said than done, because of all the factors that must be taken into consideration. There are some times the year that you might prefer over others, and certain dates that are definitely off limits.
If someone asked you what day should absolutely be avoided when choosing a wedding date, what would you answer? Christmas, or maybe Thanksgiving? Those are good guesses, but the one day of the year that should be avoided above all others is Superbowl Sunday. Think about it - all of the male guests and half of the female guests will be sneaking out of your reception trying to get an update on the score of the game. That is, if you can even get any guys to attend a wedding on that date!
Scheduling your wedding during the NFL playoffs is not much better, by the way. And be aware that there are playoff games on Saturday nights. I once attended a wedding that took place while a game was in progress - we spent half the evening peeking into the guard's station at the reception venue to check on the game! It is easy enough to find the dates and times for the Superbowl and playoff games online, so if you are thinking about a January or early February wedding, plan accordingly.
Christmas and Thanksgiving are also tricky times for a wedding. The only way that it could work is if you plan a late afternoon Christmas day wedding, inviting only close friends and family. Occasionally couples choose December 25th when they have family members who would be in town only for Christmas day, but really it would be much better to plan for the 26th instead. You also might find that your church might not be able to accommodate a ceremony on Christmas day.
There are other dates that might come with some drawbacks. For superstitious brides, Friday the 13th is a date to avoid. Some couples would not dream of being married on Halloween, while others would find it to be great fun. Valentine's Day is a matter of personal preference - on the one hand it is a romantic date, but on the other hand, a Valentine's wedding might be a little bit cheesy. Planning a wedding for February 29th, if it is a leap year, could be a fun idea, as long as your future husband won't use it as an excuse to only celebrate your anniversary every fourth year!
Auspicious dates would include the summer solstice, your parents' anniversary date, or the birthday of a loved one who has passed away. There are all sorts of other great reasons to select a particular day for your wedding. If you have a lucky number, maybe you would like to be married on that date. Brides who love a specific flower should also take that into consideration when deciding on a time of year for their ceremony. Although your favorite flower might be available out of season, they can be prohibitively expensive, and there is a chance that the quality might be poor. So if you must have lily of the valley in your bouquet, you will want to be a May bride.
Weather plays another big factor in determining the best time for your wedding. Let's say that you envision a destination wedding on a tropical beach. You imagine yourself in a flowing chiffon gown with funky keshi pearl custom bridal jewelry exchanging your vows on a sunny shore. That is a wonderful idea, but what if a hurricane blows your whole dream away? Ah, this would be a reason to avoid planning a destination wedding during hurricane season, which runs from June 1st - November 30th in the Atlantic. Besides, wouldn't it be more of a treat to escape to the sunshine in the middle of winter?
Some couples love a particular season, and having their wedding during that time will just feel right. Sure, June is the most popular month, but what if you love the crispness of fall, or the cozy feeling of a winter wedding in front of a roaring fire? The reason can even be based on fashion - there are brides who are so enamored with the idea of wearing a fur stole and glamorous crystal custom bridal jewelry that a summer wedding is simply out of the question. And of course, if budget is a concern, having an off-season wedding will be more affordable.
Be sure that you choose a date for your wedding that will also make a good anniversary date. If you schedule your nuptials on your birthday, for example, would it make both events feel more special, or would one end up being overlooked? Whichever date you decide on, be sure to book your vendors early, because the popular dates and venues will fill up fast!
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