Choosing the Perfect Wedding Date

I think one of the hardest things about planning a wedding is choosing your perfect wedding date. Every year you have 365 choices (or 366 if it’s a leap year like 2020!) and to be completely honest you really can’t go wrong with any of them. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind when choosing your wedding date! 

Perfect Wedding Date Basics

From considering travel arrangements to yearly holidays, choosing the perfect wedding date can feel like a daunting task if you’re not head over heels for a specific day.

Holidays

Starting with the obvious is the holidays. For some people (like me) who straight up want to invite everyone and their brother to celebrate, choosing to get married ON a holiday is PERFECT because it will automatically narrow down who will and who won’t make the trip. However, holidays can pose a few complications for family traveling to your wedding as gas, plane tickets and accommodations can be more expensive around the holidays. When the majority of your guests are local, holiday weekends are great because most people will have an additional day off.

Venue Availability and Capacity

If you’ve found your perfect venue, you’ll need to plan around their availability. Because venues tend to book quicker than any other vendor, it’s a good idea to book them early, especially if you have a specific date in mind. One thing to keep in mind is outdoor venues in the PNW, tend to only operate during the late spring and summer months (April/May to October). Falling in love with an outdoor venue means you may be limited to a certain time frame. Indoor venues may be limited on their capacity, but if you find someplace you truly love, limiting your guest list will be worth it.

Vendor availability 

Say you found the perfect caterer, but they only have spring dates available? This may impact your choices for wedding dates (provided you’re willing to work around your favorite vendors). In the event you find your favorite vendors first, I recommend asking them for their availability prior to visiting your choice venues. Sometimes it works best to contact them the day of your walkthrough, and ask for 2-3 dates they’re available to ensure you’re able to get one of them! 

Local Supply Availability

In the last few years there’s been a wonderful shift in weddings, and more focus is being put on sustainable and local supplies. For instance, when you opt for a farm to table catering company, the menu will change based on your wedding season. Local florists will tell you that sticking to flowers available during your wedding season will save you money, and be easier to get. A few exceptions tend to be roses during the month of February, when the demand goes up to accommodate Valentine’s Day.

Perfect Wedding Date Timing

The timing of your wedding will generally determine the look and feel of your wedding due weather and availability of various things (like florals or farm to table eats). Want warm summer vibes? You won’t want to get married in December, unless you’re headed to a tropical destination. Below are my notes from the last ten years of weddings!

Winter weddings | December 21st to Mid-March

Winter weddings are some of my favorites, but they are definitely some of the most challenging weddings! The complete opposite of summer weddings, sunset during the winter is as early as 3:00 on the shortest day of the year. This means you may have to start your portraits super early if you’re set on an outdoor location. 

Speaking of, Winter in Washington is cold, wet and likely raining (sometimes snowing!), which means there are other factors to keep in mind when you’re choosing a location. For outdoor portraits purchase clear umbrellas in case of rain and be sure to plan for a first look in a well lit area. If your venue has somewhere with large windows, these will offer beautiful light until sunset on most days! 

Spring weddings | Mid-March to Mid-June

Spring weddings are another favorite of mine, because the flowers start to bloom and the weather warms to the perfect temperature (a mild 65 degrees for this lady is perfect!). The unfortunate part of spring weddings is allergies tend to flare up, so invest in some allergy meds and be sure to take care of yourself to avoid those spring colds! 

Days tend to be longer during the spring, but the sun still sets as early as 7:00 pm. If you’re choosing not to have a first look, you may want to plan an earlier ceremony (3:00 pm is pretty ideal) to make sure you still have beautiful golden light for your romantic portraits. Clear umbrellas will come in handy during the spring months as well, since it’s almost always 100% chance of rain. 

Summer Weddings | Mid-June to Late September

Light lovers unite! Summer weddings boast drop dead gorgeous lighting, super long days (sunset at almost 10 pm on the longest day of the year!) and warm temperatures! While it still rains during the summer, those freak showers are fewer and farther between. I highly recommend planning a few moments right around sunset to slip out of your reception and snag some extra portraits. Or use the sunset to your advantage for your getaway! 

A few things to keep in mind: Temperatures climb ridiculously high during the summer. Have plenty of water and ice on hand to keep your guests cool. Also, in relation to the temps, those wedding gowns can get HOT AND HEAVY. Consider a light weight, flowy reception dress to change into after your first dance. You’re still going to look amazing and you’ll feel a whole lot better if you’re not dragging a whole bunch of dress around. 

Fall Weddings | Late September to December 21st

These are my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE weddings of all time. The leaves are changing color, the air has a wonderfully refreshing crispness to it… and the colors… oh the colors. Burgundys, purples, oranges and bright reds give fall weddings that fresh feeling. Halloween is a popular theme, along with all the cheery Christmas decor that follows in November and December. 

Temperatures drop during this time, so I highly recommend finding a cover for outdoor portraits. Check Etsy for “winter wedding capes” to find some beautiful pieces that will keep you warm without taking away from the look of your wedding dress. A shawl and some fingerless gloves will give a bit of an edgy vibe, while still allowing you to show off your manicure. 

Your Perfect Wedding Date

Last but most definitely not least, remember: This is YOUR day. If you really want a winter themed wedding on July 27th, by all means GO FOR IT. Just because something isn’t in season, doesn’t mean you can’t do it. It is your day at the end of all this!