15 creative ways to choose the perfect wedding date
You said “yes!” to marrying the love of your life. First of all, congratulations are in order. Second, get ready to dive into wedding planning headfirst! If you recently got engaged, you’re likely already getting inundated with questions from family and friends about when the wedding will be.
Whether you’re settling in for a longer engagement or hoping to tie the knot as soon as possible, choosing a wedding date is the first major decision that informs the rest of your planning. But how do you choose a wedding date? There are several factors to consider when selecting your future anniversary, from venue availability to ideal weather conditions and more. It’s an important decision that shouldn’t be rushed, but at the same time, you’ll want to secure your date with enough lead time to plan your dream wedding and give guests plenty of advance notice to mark their calendars. Read on for our list of tips and ideas for how to choose a wedding date that’s right for you, and then get excited to share the news with elegant save the dates and beautiful wedding invitations to match.
Table of Contents
1. Sentimental value
When choosing a wedding date, consider dates that hold specific significance to you or your relationship. Your wedding anniversary will be special no matter what, but it’ll be a sweet bonus to share it with any meaningful relationship milestones such as the day you first met, the night you shared your first kiss, or even the anniversary of the day you got engaged.
Or perhaps your parents’ or grandparents’ wedding anniversary holds sentimental value. Sharing your wedding anniversary with other fond memories is a great way to honor your inner romantic—and what’s a better occasion to do so than a wedding?
2. Venue and vendor availability
One of the most important factors to consider in wedding planning is the “when?” But right up there with it is the “where?” It can vary from couple to couple whether you want to pick a wedding date or venue first, but if you have a dream location in mind that’s only available on a certain date or range of dates, that will play a significant role in the rest of your decision-making. Reach out to venues early on in the process to get an idea of their availability, and incorporate that into your wedding date selection.
Additionally, if you have caterers, a band, or other vendors that are must-haves for your wedding, reach out as soon as possible to get an idea of their schedules before you set the official date. Once you have a venue selected, browse our Paperless Post wedding invitations and filter by venue to find a design that sets the tone for anything from rustic barn weddings to intimate backyard ceremonies. Set an RSVP deadline with your invitation as well to help relay the exact headcount your vendors may need, and enable Guest Questions to gather meal preferences and dietary restrictions to share with the caterers.
3. Wedding budget
Weddings can certainly be pricey, and realistically, financial considerations will play a role in selecting your wedding date. Mapping out a rough budget early on in the planning process will help you assess both the timing and location choices you’ll be making. For example, some venues may offer discounts during off-peak seasons (the busiest months—and likely the most expensive at many venues—are typically June through October). There may also be financial benefits to booking a Friday or Sunday wedding date rather than a Saturday. But if a Saturday wedding is a non-negotiable for you, you’ll want to plan your overall budget and timing around that—perhaps by booking further out or considering a smaller venue.
We know that wedding planning can be stressful and expensive, but if you plan smart, book early, set a convenient date that helps cut costs, and save money by sending digital wedding invitations, the process will be that much easier to navigate.
4. Time of year
Have you always pictured a summer wedding on the beach? Perhaps your dream wedding involves a romantic winter carriage ride through the snow. Choosing your ideal season may help you narrow down the options significantly when deciding how to pick a wedding date, whether you’re hoping for a sun-soaked ceremony with a crisp spring breeze or picturing a breathtaking backdrop of beautiful fall foliage. The season your wedding takes place will also affect other considerations like décor, attire, venue (outdoor vs. indoor), and even your menu, so if you’re planning around the scenery in your wedding photos, ideal weather conditions, or month you envision your dream wedding within, choosing your wedding season is key.
With Paperless Post’s wedding invitation collection, you can filter our designs to browse by season to find the invitation that reflects your wedding’s ambiance perfectly.
5. Family availability
Choosing a wedding date may come down to finding a time that works best for the most important people in your life. If you can’t picture saying “I do” without sharing the moment with your parents, siblings, cousins, or any family members who mean a lot to you, consult with the loved ones you want by your side on your big day to figure out a date that everyone will be able to plan around. Giving everyone plenty of notice when you do send out wedding invitations will also help ensure everyone you want in attendance will be available to make it the best day ever.
6. Wedding party’s preferences
In addition to actual relatives, we know how important your chosen family is in celebrating this day. Your best friends have likely been there to witness your romance blossom since day one, and their presence, either in the audience or standing up at the altar beside you, will make the day so much more special—and fun! Planning your wedding date around the availability of the friends you can’t picture your special day without can help narrow down your options. And once you’ve set the date and are ready to send out wedding invitations, include a Wedding Party Block with your Paperless Post invitation to introduce everyone to the bridesmaids and groomsmen whose friendships mean so much to you.
7. Travel considerations
If your wedding involves travel for you or your guests, you may choose a wedding date around the cost of flights or other accommodations during specific periods. For destination weddings overseas, make sure to provide guests even more notice for all the wedding-related events and details so they can book everything they need to without breaking the bank.
With Paperless Post wedding invitations, you’ll also be able to add a convenient Travel Block providing information and helpful details about nearby airports, train stations, and more for guests coming in from out of town. Include an Accommodations Block as well to share hotel and lodging options along with information on pricing, locations, room blocks, photos, and more.
8. Florals and décor
If capturing the ideal aesthetic is one of the more important aspects of your dream wedding, factoring in seasonal florals and other décor elements may inform the wedding date you end up going with. Do you envision a lush ceremony surrounded by lilacs or a bouquet full of vibrant tulips? This may lead to choosing a spring wedding date and planning a complementary color palette and botanical decorations. Or maybe sunflower centerpieces are what you envision at a blossoming summer wedding reception. Look into the seasonal availability and meaning of your favorite flowers for a wedding date that allows you to incorporate them with ease.
9. Your dream wedding dress
Whether you’re picturing yourself walking down the aisle in a strapless gown you’ve had your eye on for ages or you found a vintage dress you love with elegant lace sleeves, the perfect wedding dress may inform the time of year you choose for your wedding date.
Browse that Pinterest board, try on options to your heart’s content, and choose a wedding date that will make the most sense for spotlighting your dream wedding dress, or even the groom’s perfect suit (if he has his eye on a light linen option, for example, a summer date may be the most appropriate.) Whatever attire makes you both feel like the stars of the day (because you are!) can play a role in narrowing down your ideal wedding date.
10. Work schedules
As you dive into planning, it’s helpful to take a look at your work schedules before deciding on an official wedding date. If there’s a month, time of year, or fiscal quarter where it would be inconvenient for you or your employer to take time off (such as tax season for accountants or school exam season for teachers), consider this before putting any deposits down or sending out save the dates. Even if you’re not embarking on your honeymoon immediately following the wedding, it’s helpful to have the flexibility to take a few days off before and after the big day to get the final touches in order and enjoy yourself!
11. Lucky or favorite numbers
Do you have any favorite numbers or a sequence of numbers you want your anniversary date to reflect? Perhaps a specifically memorable date is appealing to you (and not just so you both remember to get each other anniversary cards, though it can’t hurt!). Consider choosing a numerically appealing wedding date, such as the lucky 13th, 11/11, or bringing numerology or Enneagram numbers into play if it appeals to you.
12. Upcoming life events
There’s no doubt that tying the knot is a major life milestone—but sometimes when it rains, it pours. If you have any other significant life events planned in the coming year or so that may interfere with being able to devote the necessary time and effort (or budget) into wedding planning, such as home renovations, starting a new job, buying a house, or moving into a new apartment, you may want to plan your wedding for a date that isn’t too close to anything that will cause you additional stress. Your wedding should bring nothing but joy into your life, so when choosing a date, try as best you can to set yourself up for a successful planning and celebrating experience.
13. Holidays and other celebrations
Proximity to federal holidays and other observances can either be a pro or con while selecting a wedding date, depending on the event and your specific guests. Long holiday weekends may make things easier for guests to travel to your wedding, ideally with enough notice to book flights before they become cost-prohibitive. However, many holidays may also cause a scheduling impasse for guests who have standing obligations or travel plans already, such as dates close to Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even birthdays of family and close friends.
Additionally, depending on your planned wedding location, be sure to look into any local events such as major sports games, marathons, and large concerts or conferences that may affect travel, traffic, and hotel availability.
14. Other friends’ or family weddings
If you or your significant other have any close friends or immediate family members who are also currently planning their wedding, it may be wise to consult them about dates they already have set or are considering before finalizing your own. Choose a wedding date that avoids any potential overlap or scheduling conflicts with weddings you know that you or your guests will also want to attend. Try to avoid scheduling your wedding back-to-back with others’ as well to help mutual guests with difficult travel logistics and costs.
15. Astrological calendar
Still searching for creative ways to pick a wedding date? Look to the stars for inspiration! If you and your spouse-to-be are the types who made sure to check your Zodiac compatibility before the first date, then consulting your horoscope to find a wedding date during an astrologically meaningful period of time may make things feel that much more magical.
Claim your wedding weekend with Paperless Post
Once you’ve decided on the perfect date, let your guests know that you can’t wait to celebrate with them! Browse our collection of save the dates and wedding invitations in any style, from simple and minimal to elegant and formal, or find inspiration with our guide to the latest wedding invitation design trends. Then, find invitations for all your wedding weekend events as well, from the welcome drinks to the rehearsal dinner to the post-wedding brunch. Set the date for your dream wedding and plan the rest with the help of Paperless Post.
Customizable designs from Oscar de la Renta, Rifle Paper Co., kate spade new york, and more.
