When should the wedding be?
Now you’re engaged, it’s time to start thinking about setting a date for the big day…
As soon as you’re engaged, one of the first things you will probably want to do is to set a date for the wedding. With your entire lives ahead of you, when should you choose?
Wedding day folklore
There are a number of superstitions concerning the day on which you are married. For starters, it’s best to avoid the thirteenth of any month.
One famous rhyme advises:
Monday for wealth
Tuesday for health
Wednesday the best of all
Thursday for crosses
Friday for losses
Saturday for no luck at all
Wedding day reality
In spite of this, most people get married on a Saturday (or a Sunday in some religions). This is generally chosen so that most guests can attend without taking a day off work. Friday is the second most popular day, especially if you’ve set your heart on a certain month and your reception venue is already booked.
It’s also worth considering the weather. If you’ve been dreaming of a sunny day, or having flowers that bloom in the summer months, choose to get married in June, July or August. Allegedly, the weather is better at this time of year…
Other popular times of year are Christmas; spring (especially April), early September and Valentine’s Day. But it’s always worth considering that on dates such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter weekend, florists are likely to be very busy, flowers are in high demand, and prices tend to rise.
Alternatively, what about choosing a date that means something to you? The anniversary of when you first met or kissed, or your parents’ wedding anniversary. Or why not your birthday, the birthday of your favourite film star, the birthday of your favourite film star’s mother? Pick a date, any date!
Date essentials
Remember, the earlier you book, the more chance you have of getting the day you want. Once you have a date in mind, you have to find out if it’s going to be possible.
There are a few things to consider.
- will the vicar/celebrant marry you on that day?
- is your ideal venue available on that day?
- have you left yourself enough time to plan and prepare everything?
- can the important people attend: parents, bridesmaids, best man, best friends and family?
- are there key guests coming from abroad? If so, is this date possible for them?
- is this an expensive time to hire venues/caterers etc (see setting out to save money)?
- can you both get the time off work for a honeymoon?
- will the weather be a problem at this time of year?
- if your wedding day is not on a weekend, can guests get time off work for it?
- (mostly for grooms) does the wedding day coincide with a cup final/ other important sporting event/ interfere with another mate’s stag do?
- (just for the brides) Does the wedding date coincide with your period?
Seasonal savings
If you are looking to cut costs on your wedding ‐‐ and let’s face it, who isn’t? ‐‐ then go for an out of season date.
The weather is never predictable in the UK, so why not go for October, November, January or March? These months will often mean cheaper hire charges, less hassle with (and cheaper) accommodation and if you go for seasonal flowers and menus, you can reduce costs all round.
If you are getting married abroad, then out of season is sensible. Popular beach wedding venues are often unbearably hot in August anyway and think how much more your wedding guests will appreciate being out of the country, out of season! Not to mention the savings you’ll make on flights and hotels…
Midweek weddings are another way to cut costs. Sometimes caterers and venues are cheaper mid‐week, or you can strike a deal. Don’t forget though, this may shorten your guest list, as invitees may need to take two or more days off work to fit in with you.
