It's a Date -How to Pick Your Perfect Wedding Date

It was my birthday last week (happy birthday to me) which is my one and only special day for the whole year. Mother’s Day is about my mum, mother in law and my two grandmothers. Christmas is about family and mainly the kids. Our 3rd child was born on our 10th Wedding Anniversary so even our anniversary is all about someone else.

Many people chose to share their wedding anniversary and pick a date that is already significant. For others, there are other determining factors.

Here are some things to consider when choosing your wedding date.

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SHARE
Making an already significant date even more special is popular. The groom’s birthday is a good date, unlikely he will forget. A couple last year got hitched on his parent’s 40th wedding anniversary so it was a double celebration. As l mentioned we have since had a child on our wedding anniversary though it was already the date of two cousins’ birthdays, one of which chose to celebrate her 18th birthday at our wedding. If you are looking to share a date make sure you check with the other people it affects. For instance, it might be special for you to get married on your deceased grandma’s birthday but it might be a really sad day for others.

SEASON
Everything from the theme, activities, bouquets and attire you have in mind for your wedding can be affected by the season. So whilst there is no way to guarantee it won’t rain in January, you can choose a date for a season you like. Wedding season, typically October to April in Australia, is also the busiest so choosing an alternative might mean it is cheaper and the service providers you are after might be available. Growing up on a farm l knew it couldn’t be harvest time, cropping time or shearing time so if your work is seasonally make sure you don’t pick a time when you will be super busy and unable to take time off.

SPOT
Most people have a place in mind they want to get married and the availability of the ceremony location or reception venue can be the deciding factor when choosing a date. Often Saturdays at popular locations are booking out 12 months in advance but consider asking for a Sunday, Friday evening or midweek date, usually it is much cheaper.

SPACE
Long weekends and public holidays are great for weddings especially if you have interstate travellers attending. It can reduce the amount of time off guests need to take in order to attend and give the whole occasion a more relaxed feel. It’s good to remember that people book long weekend activities in advance, so get your ‘save the date’ and invites out nice and early.

Household decorations for a Balinese Wedding

SYMBOLS
Some of the busiest wedding dates are when the numbers look good 12/12/12, 11/12/13 and 1/4/14. Valentine’s Day is always fashionable and often people chose New Year’s for the whole 01/01 effect. In many cultures particular numbers or dates are significant. The number seven symbolizes "togetherness" and is a lucky number for relationships according to Chinese tradition. May is considered an unlucky month to be married. On a recent trip to Bali l discovered that Hindu’s consult an astrologer who analyses the couple’s star signs in relation to the moon and sun before giving them lucky times and dates for their wedding. April this year was a particularly fortunate phase of the moon in Bali and l saw more than 100 wedding celebrations and even got to attend one.

arriving at the maternity ward. photo from www.stuff.co.nz

Pick a date that special to you, suits your needs and works for most.  In the end, anything can happen. Just ask the New Zealand couple last week who booked a registry office wedding for 11 days before their first baby was due only to end up in labour for the ceremony and welcoming their daughter 8 hours later; whose birthday will now forever share their anniversary.

How did you choose your wedding date?
Share, Season, Spot, Space, Symbols or Something Else?

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