this is the code for the render ad
Wedding Vows & Ceremony Discussions

Too risky to set a date without a ceremony site reservation?

Hello! I just got engaged and am starting to plan our wedding (no date yet, sometime Summer/Fall 2014).  I would really love to have our ceremony at one of three local parks, but the city will not accept 2014 reservations until December 4, 2013.  Since I am inviting people from Europe, I would really prefer to have my date picked as soon as possible so they have the most time to plan their travel/save up/etc.  Would it be too risky to pick a date (according to reception site availability)... and then go to the office as soon as it opens on December 4th and reserve the park for the ceremony?

What would you do?

Thank you!

Re: Too risky to set a date without a ceremony site reservation?

  • mlg78mlg78 member
    500 Love Its 1000 Comments Second Anniversary 5 Answers
    How about sending out announcements that just say "Fall 2014"?  They could save but many airlines won't even book that far out.
  • Whoa....wait. Do NOT send an STD without a date....you have no date until you have a venue. Give your VIPs a heads up of season and year if you must, but I wouldn't even do that on a large scale until you have a venue and date booked.
  • Yes I would not "set the date" until you have secured the actual date.  We thought we loved our first venue, had a date in mind and once we got down to sign on the bottom line we changed our minds because it was not all we thought it would be.  We found a different venue, 10x better and our "date" was not available, so we had to change the date.  This was all done 9 months before the wedding, so its not like I had save the dates or anything.  When people asked, I would just say we are hoping for early June 2013 but its not for sure yet.

    Look at their availability and have a date in mind--but do not bank on it until you have secured it. 

    Let people know we are hoping for this time, but we will not officially know until December.  Send save the dates at christmas time, which for a summer or fall wedding will be plenty of time.  (our save the dates were sent in December for our June wedding).

    I get that international people may need more notice, so at least give them a timeframe so they "save" but they likely will not purchase flights or hotels until a few months prior anyway, so you will be fine.
    image

    Anniversary
  • In Response to Re:Too risky to set a date without a ceremony site reservation?:[QUOTE]Hello! I just got engaged and am starting to plan our wedding no date yet, sometime Summer/Fall 2014.nbsp; I would really love to have our ceremony at one of three local parks, but the city will not accept 2014 reservations until December 4, 2013.nbsp; Since I am inviting people from Europe, I would really prefer to have my date picked as soon as possible so they have the most time to plan their travel/save up/etc.nbsp; Would it be too risky to pick a date according to reception site availability... and then go to the office as soon as it opens on December 4th and reserve the park for the ceremony?What would you do? Thank you! Posted by JeaMarie[/QUOTE] Personally, I would have a backup plan in case you don't get your park spot, and send out your STDs in a few months. Like, if you don't get your park, are you willing to get married at your reception venue? Also, I would keep following up with the park. We got married at a park with a Feb 1st booking date. I booked it in mid January. They said they "decided to open the reservatons system up".
  • I would ask the reception site if they'll allow you to transfer the date (if it's open).  They might let you, then you could book the reception now.

    If not, I'd wait.  Unless you want to do what cmgilpin said and book the reception with a back-up ceremony plan.  

    SaveSave
  • Thanks so much for the advice!  I wasn't planning on sending out Save the Dates, just letting my two friends from Europe know when to expect the wedding to be.  But, I suppose I could just tell them a month or something and that would probably be good enough for now.  I really appreciate all your input!!
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards