After the Engagement: Choosing a Date

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One of the first things you should do in the beginning stages of your wedding planning is to choose a date. There are so many factors to consider when selecting the best date for you and your fiancé and many of your wedding planning selections will be based on the date that you choose. Take a look at a few of those factors below.

1. Significance. Is there a date that has sentimental value to you? Perhaps, the date that you all first met, starting dating, got engaged, etc.? Is there a date that is just cool to you? In the past many people have chosen to get married on dates that have an interesting numerical structure, i.e. 10-10-10, 11-12-13, and 7-7-07.
2. Season. Do you want an outdoor or an indoor wedding? Are you attempting to avoid certain weather conditions? Will your wedding be a destination wedding to the Caribbean? Will it be during hurricane season? Do you want your bridesmaids to wear long dresses or short dresses? There is so much to consider when thinking about the season that you want your wedding to be in, including cost of airline tickets if your guests will be traveling from different countries.
3. Budget. Are you on a tight budget? If so, you may want to consider holding your wedding during the off season. This may help you save some money on your venue and other vendors.
4. Holidays. Do you want your wedding to compete with national or even family holidays and events? Perhaps you want it to fall on the same weekend as Memorial Day since your family always gathers that weekend every year.
5. Your Schedule. Are you in a profession that has certain busy seasons or days of the week? If you are a teacher you may prefer to have a summer wedding when you are off or during one of the breaks during the school year. If you are an accountant or work with taxes you may want to avoid the weeks or months leading up to April 15.

This shortlist is definitely not exhaustive, there are so many things to consider when selecting a wedding date. After all, this is a date that you will want to remember and cherish for the rest of you life. Choose wisely!