Setting the Date

The 'ring is on the finger' and its time to set the date for your special day.  You have 365 days to choose from in any 12 month period.

The best thing to do when choosing your wedding date is to do some homework before you commit to a date.

Venue
If you have your heart set on a venue, check availability and that the price suits your budget.  Some seasons or days of the week are charged at premium prices.  You could even consider a weekday, as weekend rates are often much more expensive.  Even the time of day impacts on your price for a venue.  When I was married five years ago, my lunch reception was $50 a head cheaper than dinner.

Season & Theme
Would you be willing to be married in the middle of a snowy winter?  If not, rule out that part of the year for your big day.  Do you love the idea of spring flowers and new beginnings?  If you are going to be married outside, is summer the best time for you?  Are you a sports fanatic who needs to attend some football Grand Final, or the Superbowl?

Family
If you have family coming from overseas or if someone you want at the wedding is going overseas, or will be having a baby, you need to get some indication of expected dates.

Money
I nearly forgot to add a very important point.  Weddings cost money, and if you are paying for the day yourselves, you need to work out a budget to save towards this.  My husband and I paid for our own wedding....or should I say, my husband paid for our wedding.  We had to take our time to save to get everything the way we wanted.

Work
Does your work year get crazy busy at tax time, end of month or in certain months.  You need to know when you can afford to take leave for your wedding and honeymoon.

Ultimately the date is a decision that you and your fiance will have to make, but if you consider the above, you will have one less issue to deal with, and hopefully less stress on that day of days.