How to Pick Your Ideal Wedding Date

Consider these important factors before making your final decision.

Pastel Wedding Invitation With Illustrated Landmarks

Photo by Jose Villa

Step one: Get engaged. Step two: Plan a wedding. Step three: Live happily ever after. If only it were that easy! Before you can get yourself from step one to step three, you and your partner will need to put in quite a bit of work. One of the first things you'll need to do? Find a wedding date, which is arguably the most critical task on your wedding planning to-do list—after all, every single element of your celebration depends on it. 

In addition to being very important, choosing a wedding date can also be very stressful. The good news? With our expert-approved tips, this essential task doesn't have to be overwhelming. Give yourself some time and space to figure out what you and your partner want from your wedding, then sit down together and make a plan.

The Right Time to Choose a Wedding Date

The sooner, the better! Yes, take time to revel in your newly-engaged bliss, but most wedding planners advise choosing a date as as early as few weeks after that important question is popped—if that feels impossible, the pros also note that it's perfectly acceptable to give yourself a few months to start planning, but they caution that—depending on when you got engaged—doing so could limit your ability to tie the knot in a certain season or even year.

The reason why you want to choose a date ASAP? “This timeframe helps couples, and their families clarify a vision, understand costs, and make informed decisions while maintaining the excitement of their engagement,” says event planner Chris Weinberg. If you have a dream venue in mind, you’ll want to act fast to save your spot. “Booking early is essential, especially for popular venues and dates, as they tend to fill up quickly.”

Meet the Expert

  • Chris Weinberg is the founder and CEO of Chris Weinberg Events, a Florida-based event planning company.
  • Sasha Dutta is the CEO and founder of Fierce Events, a bespoke wedding planning company.
  • Amy Abbott is a luxury destination wedding planner based in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
  • Chelsye Harp is the owner and designer of Intrigue Design & Events in Charleston, South Carolina.

Event planner Sasha Dutta agrees, saying she often advises couples choose a date one to two months after the engagement, especially if you want to get married a year to a year-and-a-half after getting engaged. 

Bride in White Dress and White Coat Laughing With Groom in Black Suit in Grassy Field

Photo by Sasithon Photography

How to Choose Your Wedding Date in 7 Steps

Before you arbitrarily select the first wedding date offered to you by your preferred venue, consider these expert-approved tips for choosing the right day for the celebration.

Consider any meaningful dates.

You won’t forget your anniversary if it’s your partner’s birthday, the day you went on your first date, your parents’ anniversary, or another sentimental nod to your life together. “Choose a date that has sentimental value to you. It can be in the month of your current anniversary—that's what I did and I love it,” says Dutta. 

Consult your wedding VIPs.

You want your nearest and dearest with you on your wedding day, so make sure they’re available on your desired date! Ask parents, grandparents, godparents, and best friends before solidifying your date. “Avoid major holidays or busy travel weekends, which can impact attendance. You want your closest family and friends there, without any travel hassles,” advises wedding planner Amy Abbott.

Align on your desired season.

Have you always dreamed of a sunny spring wedding or a cozy winter celebration? Your desired season will be a huge factor in choosing a wedding date; just remember that the seasons with the most “dependable” weather, like fall in the Northeast, tend to be more popular than those that can be more temperamental, like early summer or winter in the same region.

That being said, the "best" season—at least in terms of weather—will vary greatly from region to region. In the South, for example, winter tends to be a popular time of year to tie the knot, as temperatures are more comfortable.

Factor in any major holidays or events.

If you schedule your wedding around Thanksgiving or Christmas, you’ll probably get a few “No” RSVPs from guests who can’t swing it amidst the hustle and bustle. Budget can factor in, too. “While holiday weekends can be convenient for guests traveling from afar, they often come with higher travel and accommodation prices, which could impact guest attendance,” says event planner Chelsye Harp. “Choosing a date outside of major holiday weekends can make it easier for loved ones to attend and reduce the logistical hassle and expense for everyone involved.”

It's important to check if your wedding locale will be hosting any big events on or near your wedding date. The Super Bowl, for example, can shutter an entire city, so tying the knot that same week in the same location might be a costly mistake. Even smaller events, like local 5Ks or popular concerts, could pose a similar problem.

Similarly, if you know that someone you’re close to is getting married around the same time, it might not be a bad idea to consider another date; this will help you avoid wedding fatigue, both for yourself and your guests. 

Call around to your desired venues.

You can’t get married without a venue. Make a list of a few top picks and call around to see if they have availability on your desired date or what their other openings look like. “Popular venues often book up 12 to 24 months in advance, especially for peak seasons, so availability may influence your date selection,” explains Harp. “Securing your dream venue requires flexibility with dates, or alternatively, choosing a less competitive season if your date is non-negotiable. Checking venue calendars early on ensures that you have more choices rather than making compromises later.”

Consult your budget.

You may not have an entire wedding budget all planned out, but knowing approximately how much you want to spend can help guide your date choice. “Off-season months can work better for couples with a smaller budget,” says Dutta; because they’re not as popular, venue and vendor costs may be lower, making a January or February wedding in the Northeast worth it for your pocketbook. You may also want to get married on a Friday versus a Saturday for extra savings.

Look to the stars.

If you’re into astrology, why not consult the cosmos for a little guidance? Check out your yearly horoscope or plan your wedding based on your zodiac sun or moon sign to help you determine an ideal time of year to tie the knot.

Bride in Lace Wedding Dress and Veil Feeding Cake to Groom in White Tuxedo

Photo by Keila Bottiglieri with Abby Jiu Photography

The Most Popular Wedding Months

June through September reign supreme for outdoor weddings, given the (typically) beautiful weather, says Abbott. Of course, this depends on where you live; different regions of the United States have different climates, so consider general weather patterns in your area when choosing a wedding date with the best weather.

Dreaming of a destination wedding? You may have more flexibility with your date. “In tropical destinations, couples now look from October through July to enjoy stunning scenery and ideal weather. That means prime destination months go far beyond the traditional peak seasons for stateside weddings,” Abbott shares. 

Bride in Long Wedding Dress Walking by Ocean With Groom in White Tuxedo

Photo by Lauren Fair Photography

The Least Popular Wedding Months

Months with extreme weather, holidays, or high travel costs are less popular, says Harp. “In the U.S., January and February are often avoided in colder regions due to unpredictable winter storms, which can hinder travel and create logistical issues,” she says. “Meanwhile, July and August can be challenging in warmer regions like the South or Southwest, where high temperatures and humidity can be uncomfortable for outdoor ceremonies.” If you want to save some cash, it could be worth booking your wedding in one of these months, though you’ll want to be prepared for inclement weather.

For tropical destination weddings, avoid August and September, which Abbott says “are generally off-limits for many tropical destination weddings due to hurricane season.”

Related Stories