Picking a Date

nebbiolo

So, we've found a venue that has a couple options for a Sat eve wedding in June or July next year. There a couple dates that we can't do, but other than that, I'm not sure how to pick THE date. I thought about contacting photographers and DJs to see who has availability and then deciding, but not sure how far down that path we want to go. So my question is, how did you girls pick your date?

kls114

I am a teacher so we wanted to make sure that we had enough time after school ended  before the wedding & enough time after the HM so that I wasn't rushed right back into school.

I would check with a few vendors that you are interested in. For instance, we had our photographer booked before we finalized our venue. We knew right off the bat with our photographer. So maybe contacting a few & seeing what their availability would be & base it off of that.

What venues are you looking into?

What about vendors??

Karebear852k3

If your venue is available on a couple of days in the season that you want, just pick a date that works for you.  If you start looking into other vendors now and try to base it on that, you are just going to confuse yourself (ie. "this vendor is available X but not Y and that vendor is avaiable Y but not X")....pick a date that works for you and your FI, plus it will make choosing vendors that much easier

FI and I chose our date because we met in June 2001 and June 22, 2001 is our original anniversary of the day we officially started dating.  Factor in the fact that we both love summer and the beach and it was pretty much a no-brainer that June was our month .  We got engaged October 2009 and are paying for the wedding ourselves, so we couldn't do this past June (2010), so June 2011 it was.  We wanted to get as close to June 22nd as possible (unfortunately June 22nd doesn't fall on a weekend until 2013 boooo lol)  and the venue we decided that we liked was booked for June 18th, and we didn't want to wait until June 25th, and June 4th is FFIL's birthday, so June 11th worked perfectly.

wrdgirl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_picking-date?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:a2ce1714-0ae7-40b4-b37d-7abd035572ebPost:894f3c17-7502-48b7-91a9-f3b0ae2ba57c">Re: Picking a Date</a>:
[QUOTE]FI and I chose our date because we met in June 2001 and June 22, 2001 is our original anniversary of the day we officially started dating.  Factor in the fact that we both love summer and the beach and it was pretty much a no-brainer that June was our month <3.  We got engaged October 2009 and are paying for the wedding ourselves, so we couldn't do this past June (2010), so June 2011 it was.  We wanted to get as close to June 22nd as possible (unfortunately June 22nd doesn't fall on a weekend until 2013 :( boooo lol)  and the venue we decided that we liked was booked for June 18th, and we didn't want to wait until June 25th, and June 4th is FFIL's birthday, so June 11th worked perfectly.
Posted by Karebear852k3[/QUOTE]

The beginning part sounds like a lot of Math XD

I would choose the venue with THE date and then go from there.  It is much easier to pick other vendors once u have the venue chosen because well you need a venue to hold the wedding - that's my logic

Edit: Oops I guess I didn't really contribute to the question lol  We first chose our date by picking a month.  We knew summer months will be the busiest AND the hottest and after sweating in his suit during his sister's wedding in July 5 years ago he didn't want to go through that again.  I personally had no preference, just as long as it's not freezing cold and I get to wear a strapless gown lol  And we didn't want to wait too long so we chose 1 year after our engagement - April 2011 (I was engaged April 10 2010).  And this is also sort of off-peak month so we were able to use the vendor's schedule and we started with venue first and the rest came along later.

Karebear852k3

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_picking-date?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:a2ce1714-0ae7-40b4-b37d-7abd035572ebPost:b4d5abff-5cd6-49a2-8620-e7192ad879df">Re: Picking a Date</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Picking a Date : <strong>The beginning part sounds like a lot of Math XD</strong> I would choose the venue with THE date and then go from there.  It is much easier to pick other vendors once u have the venue chosen because well you need a venue to hold the wedding - that's my logic
Posted by wrdgirl[/QUOTE]

Haha it did get a bit wordy!  Oops, it made sense in my head....basically we tried to stick to as close to our original date as possible (without going over - Price Is Right style lol)

Vanessa630

There were only a few months that worked with my grad school schedule.  I've always loved June (which still isn't IDEAL for my school schedule but I'm making it work).  We had almost the whole month to choose from and I tried going as late in June as possible for the weather, which I'm prepared to accept either way since June can be 50 degrees or 80 degrees.  

There was no one vendor that I HAD to work with at the time, since I wasn't familiar with anyone but if there is a photographer you love, I've definitely heard of people starting with their schedule and going from there.  

Also, we were pretty flexible with the Church so I didn't need to check that availability initially. Plus, we booked so far in advance (2 years) that I knew it wouldn't be booked yet. 

As ridiculous as I felt booking vendors 1 1/2 - 2 yrs in advance, it worked for us and allowed us to take our time/ not stress and have our pick of whoever we wanted. 

cgbabe229

Figure out when you'll have your period and make sure not to have it those weekends!!!

herb0622

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_picking-date?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:65Discussion:a2ce1714-0ae7-40b4-b37d-7abd035572ebPost:894f3c17-7502-48b7-91a9-f3b0ae2ba57c">Re: Picking a Date</a>:
[QUOTE]If your venue is available on a couple of days in the season that you want, just pick a date that works for you.  If you start looking into other vendors now and try to base it on that, you are just going to confuse yourself (ie. "this vendor is available X but not Y and that vendor is avaiable Y but not X")....pick a date that works for you and your FI, plus it will make choosing vendors that much easier FI and I chose our date because we met in June 2001 and June 22, 2001 is our original anniversary of the day we officially started dating.  Factor in the fact that we both love summer and the beach and it was pretty much a no-brainer that June was our month <3.  We got engaged October 2009 and are paying for the wedding ourselves, so we couldn't do this past June (2010), so June 2011 it was.  We wanted to get as close to June 22nd as possible (unfortunately June 22nd doesn't fall on a weekend until 2013 :( boooo lol)  and the venue we decided that we liked was booked for June 18th, and we didn't want to wait until June 25th, and June 4th is FFIL's birthday, so June 11th worked perfectly.
Posted by Karebear852k3[/QUOTE]

FI and I's anniversary is also June 22nd!

herb0622

FI and I's anniversary is June 22nd. We got engaged in November 2009 and thought 2010 was too early to get married as we were trying to pay off school debt and save for a house. I wanted to get married on June 22, but that wouldn't have happened unless we waited until 2012 and it was a Friday. So we looked at dates that were the 22nd in 2011. January and October were the only months. I'm not a fan of the winter, but I love the fall, so October 22, 2011 is it!

I agree with the other girls, pick a venue first and then check out the other vendors.

blipsettpr

I knew I wanted a summer wedding. We have this thing in our relationship where all the important dates are on the 9th (my birthday, his birthday, our dating anniversary etc.) So when I looked at the calendar and saw that July 9, 2011 was a Saturday I knew it was the perfect date.

christikao

At first FI wanted a summer wedding but I wanted a winter one so we compromised on fall. I wanted beginning of Oct and he wanted end of October so again we compromised on Oct 15th or 16th but our venue didn't have an opening for the 16th. At first I was really hesitant since the 15th is my brother's birthday but after talking it over with my brother and mom they told me just do it. My brother's only request is to have an ice cream cake for him at the reception. 

smore154

FI and I never really had anything in mind- we were thinking summer, but after really thinking about summer, and the prices for summer weddings- since we really didn't have a strong preference (plus as I've said before- he sweats even when its 40 degrees out) we decided on March- for no particular reason. He is finished getting his MBA part time in Dec- so we figured any time after that. Plus in March, we still get great discounts and rates.

We also booked our venue first- you can always find vendors that'll do yoru wedding. Unless you really have one in mind, I wouldnt wait to book the venue. Summer dates go fast.

ninacapricorn

December 3rd 2011 for us..right in between both our birthdays, it was orginally december 11, 2010 (we were going to elope) but HE now wants more people and the expenses are getting more and more so we decided next december.

tashala107

May 21, 2011

When we got engaged, Dec 2009 we started looking at weekends in 2011. Coming to an actual date was kinda all over the place so try to follow me haha

Our anniversary is October 21st. I have a weird liking for the number 7 so I wanted our wedding date to be on the 7th or a multiple of 7 ( I know, I'm strange lol)  All the Saturdays in May 2011 fit perfectly. We found our venue, The Barns at Wesleyan Hills. The 21st was open, so we picked it! A plus is FI won't have to remember another date!

Vikki2pay

Our date was planned around a hockey game.  (see siggy pix)

CTbride79

We knew we wanted early fall, and since FI goes on an annual fishing trip the second weekend in October every year, we knew it would have to be either Sept. 25th or Oct. 2nd.  We chose October because we liked the sound of 'ten two ten' :-)

nebbiolo

Thanks for the ideas girls! It's nice that some of you had sentimental reasons for picking a date that meant something to you.

What do you tihnk about holiday weekend weddings - like 4th of July weekend the Saturday July 2? Is this a positive for people (extra day off for travel), or a negative (takes people away from their family parties etc)?

Vanessa630

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_picking-date?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:a2ce1714-0ae7-40b4-b37d-7abd035572ebPost:8da07d87-e071-4e7e-a325-b6d00b31f903">Re: Picking a Date</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks for the ideas girls! It's nice that some of you had sentimental reasons for picking a date that meant something to you. What do you tihnk about holiday weekend weddings - like 4th of July weekend the Saturday July 2? Is this a positive for people (extra day off for travel), or a negative (takes people away from their family parties etc)?
Posted by nebbiolo[/QUOTE]

<div>That's always a good question because I see the positive and negatives of both (like you said).  For us, we stayed away from Memorial Day weekend.  That's a pretty big thing for FI's family and they always go away.  The same is true for 4th of July.  </div><div>While the extra day off is nice, you also have to think about travel.  If you have a lot of out of town guests, you're going to ask them to drive to your wedding during one of the busiest travel weekends. Also, hotel rates might be higher. </div><div>In general, I would avoid it.  But I do know of a couple 4th of July weddings and if I were a guest, I'd think it'd be fun.  I wouldn't think "how dare they!" </div>

Karebear852k3

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_picking-date?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:a2ce1714-0ae7-40b4-b37d-7abd035572ebPost:c3d495fd-658a-43e6-9f56-ad1e9134d8e5">Re: Picking a Date</a>:
[QUOTE]May 21, 2011 When we got engaged, Dec 2009 we started looking at weekends in 2011. Coming to an actual date was kinda all over the place so try to follow me haha Our anniversary is October 21st.<strong> I have a weird liking for the number 7 so I wanted our wedding date to be on the 7th or a multiple of 7 ( I know, I'm strange lol)</strong>  All the Saturdays in May 2011 fit perfectly. We found our venue, The Barns at Wesleyan Hills. The 21st was open, so we picked it! A plus is FI won't have to remember another date!
Posted by tashala107[/QUOTE]

Me too!!! haha  I love May too, so when I was growing up I always wanted to get married on May 7th, the 7's times table was the first one I memorized in 3rd grade, etc. lol

Whippet8

well...we we're down to January 16, 2010, and January 2, 2010...and the reception site told us they would deduct $10pp if we went with the 2nd. Also, the date is the same forward as it is backwards, and as a math teacher, I fell in love. haha.

01.02.2010

nebbiolo

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_picking-date?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:65Discussion:a2ce1714-0ae7-40b4-b37d-7abd035572ebPost:8e4404a7-fd65-43ca-8866-569dec0273d8">Re: Picking a Date</a>:
[QUOTE]well...we we're down to January 16, 2010, and January 2, 2010...and the reception site told us they would deduct $10pp if we went with the 2nd. Also, the date is the same forward as it is backwards, and as a math teacher, I fell in love. haha. 01.02.2010
Posted by melko4886[/QUOTE]

Love it.

cmmosley81

We picked our date my favorite way. I am a wierdo who loves even numbers and numbers that divide easily. So we are having it on 10-15-11 because it adds up to 36(even number) it divides evenly by 6(even Number). We only have 60(even) guests. We have 12(even) in the bridal party. We have 2 (even) wedding favors. and a 4(even) layer cake. I know wierd but I knew I wanted October and my birthday is the 3rd and my daughters is the 22nd so we wanted to be between those days.

cmmosley81

Sorry I forgot to add pick the venue first and the vendors after. More vendors out there then venues