How to choose a wedding date: season, weekday and the dates to avoid

It is tempting to pick a date because it looks pretty on a calendar. A better way is to treat it as a decision with consequences: the date affects the price of nearly everything, the weather on the day and whether the people you love can be there.

Start with what cannot move

• Anything that limits you: a visa, a military posting, an exam period, a pregnancy, a family event.
• The venue or place of worship you most want, because the best ones book a year or more ahead.
• Two or three guests whose presence is essential, such as grandparents or a best friend who lives far away.

What each season offers

• Spring: mild weather and flowers, but showers are likely and the most popular weekends fill quickly.
• Summer: long days and outdoor options, but the highest prices, heat, and competition with holidays.
• Autumn: warm light, harvest food and often lower prices, with the weather turning from October.
• Winter: the best chance of discounts and venue availability, but short days, travel risk and a need for an indoor plan.

Weekdays can save more than you expect

A Friday, a Sunday or even a Thursday can lower the venue fee and the price of some vendors by a noticeable amount, and popular suppliers are more likely to be free. The trade-off is that fewer guests can travel, so decide who must be there and check with them first.

Dates to look at twice

• Public and school holidays, when travel is expensive and guests are away.
• Major sporting events, local festivals and conferences, which fill hotels and raise prices.
• Religious fasts and observances for you or your guests.
• The days around exams, tax deadlines or the busiest weeks of your own work.

Before you commit

1. 1Confirm the venue and the ceremony are free on the date, in writing.
2. 2Check the date with the guests who matter most.
3. 3Look at the average weather for that week, and plan for the unlucky side of it.
4. 4Check that rooms for guests are still available nearby.

A date chosen with a little care will quietly make everything else easier, from the budget to the guest list.