As you progress through your wedding plans, the time has come to save the all-important ceremony date. This task seems simple enough, but there are a few things you will want to consider. While it is true that you will not be able to please everyone, do strive to settle on a date that is as close to being convenient for all.
SignificanceÂ
Don’t get hung up on emotional formalities. There is no reason that your wedding date coincide with any other significant date. Although this can be very important for some couples, do keep in mind that once married, your wedding day will have a special significance all its own. This is not to say that choosing a date happens without some measure of contemplation; however, your main goal should be to find a balance between availability of the venue and convenience for you and your guests.
The Backup Plan
Your first choice may not work for several reasons including important guests who will not be able to attend or the fact that your venue has already been booked. Your backup plan should include two or three dates to allow for flexibility.
Holiday & Celebratory Occasions Â
You want your guests to have nothing on their mind, save your wedding. Avoid selecting a wedding date that falls on religious, cultural, or national holidays, or other special events. For example, sporting events such as the Olympics, The World Series, The World Cup, or the Super Bowl, will serve up hefty competition.
‘Tis not the Season
You will also want to check weather forecasts. Does it typically rain or snow on a given day or time of year, or is there a potential for setting a high temperature record? Whatever the case, you will want to coordinate your type of wedding (garden, outdoor, specific theme) with the expected weather conditions. Remember that comfortable guests are happy guests.
Work Schedules & Life in General Â
Most of your guests will be unavailable during the traditional workweek of Monday through Friday. Additionally, some guests may be unavailable due to life events such as births, deaths, anniversaries, or other happenings. You will also want to be aware of changes for daylight savings time, as this could be confusing as well. In short, do your best to be considerate of those who are on your “must-attend†list.
Destination Weddings
Always consider the weather when choosing a destination-wedding locale. Does the country lie in the northern or southern hemisphere? For example, although the seasons are divided similarly (summer, winter, spring, and autumn), the timing of Australian seasons will be the opposite of countries in the northern hemisphere. For example, a summertime wedding in Australia would take place during the Christmas season rather than June – August in the north. This may or may not be convenient for you and your guests. You will also want to consider the time differences as jet-lagged guests tend to be cranky.
Set in Stone
Once you selected your wedding date and made the necessary arrangements to secure your choice of venue, you will want to send out save-the-date notices no less than six months prior to the wedding (eight months for destination weddings). Remember that a save-the-date notice is not your formal invitation, but rather a “heads up†so that guests can clear their calendars. This notice should contain the basic information such as your names, time, date, and location of the wedding. You will also need to include wording such as “invitation and details to follow†as well as the address of your wedding website, if you have one.
There are plenty of ways to be creative including graphic emails, photographs, magnets, custom candy, or a uniquely styled card. Enjoy this experience, as there is no right or wrong type of save-the-date notice, so long as the necessary information is included.
Best of luck!
