Choosing the date
There are no fixed rules as to how long a wedding takes to plan, however, a minimum of six months is recommended. The time it takes depends entirely on the couple, where they wish to book for the ceremony and the reception and how popular these venues are. Usually a register office does not have as long a waiting list as a church so that will take less time to organise. Engagements lasting longer than 18 months are quite unusual and the longer the organisation period, the more likely it is that stress levels will be raised, not to mention impatience.
Usually the couple will decide on a time of year first. This then enables the couple to decide on decorations, attire and other factors that could be inhibited or enhanced by the weather. Choosing the time of year may also be dependent upon a certain anniversary that is special to the couple or where is the best time of year for their desired honeymoon destination. The summer months are the most popular for weddings in England. The bride and groom must also decide when is easiest for them both to get time off work.
Once a time of year has been agreed, it is then best to discuss with family and friends as to when they are free and opt for the date that produces the best results. This is where compromise is most important as it is virtually impossible to tie people down to a single date in the beginning stages. Trying to choose a date that doesn’t clash with major sporting events, bank holidays or even school holidays when people may have other plans. Also, Christmas weddings may clash with the guests other family commitments.
Saturdays are the most popular day of the week for a wedding as it is a weekend, but Friday’s are also a good idea as many guests may be able to enjoy a long weekend. This is a much better idea than waiting a further few months for another Saturday to become available.
The next thing to consider when thinking of dates is when the venues are available. If the wedding is a religious one then a separate reception venue will need to be booked. However, many civil ceremonies are held in hotels or castles where it is often possible for both the ceremony and the reception to be held in the same venue.
Where two venues are needed it is most important to secure the ceremony venue first as the reception could be held in various venues which can be penciled in and looked at afterwards. If everything is done well in advance there should be no problem with securing the venues.
The ideal location is very hard to find, but it is worth persisting and looking around to see what fits in with the majority of the criteria. Once decided it is very important to pay the deposit as soon as possible to secure the venues.
