He ? or she ? asked, and you answered in the affirmative! Now's the time to bask in the romance, and enjoy the first phase of your new life together. But soon, you'll need a response for that timeless question: "when's the wedding?"
For some couples, it's easy ? they know just when they want to tie the knot. For others, it's less clear. After all, you have a lot of options. Even more than you might think, since it's really not necessary to get married on a Saturday. Friday and Sunday afternoons are good choices too, and less expensive.
So if you're looking at the calendar ahead and seeing a hundred alternatives, all about equally attractive, here's how to narrow them down.
Must-have venues
No matter how flexible you are, there's bound to be things you won't compromise on. Maybe it's a particular church, temple and officiant for your ceremony. Maybe it's a special venue for your reception. And there are certain indispensable guests, like your parents.
Luckily for you, putting just these three things together is bound to reduce your choices. Once you call on the church/temple, ceremony venue or reception hall, you'll probably find many dates already filled, especially if you call less than nine months in advance. Good. That makes things easier!
Must-have ambiance
But maybe you don't have a must-have venue. Maybe you just have an image in your mind of the perfect wedding. Maybe it involves falling snow, ermine mantles, a horse-drawn carriage, and a crackling fireplace. Maybe it involves stacks of shiny apples, heaped pumpkins, a scattering of leaves and the scent of cranberry-apple cider. Or delicate pastels, gossamer pashminas for the bridesmaids, and a dove release. In this case your time of year is set: all that's needed it to work out the logistics of venue, local climate and the availability of your most important guests.
Must-have flowers
Some people know exactly what floral arrangements they want at their wedding. Flowers are such an enormous part of the wedding budget, if particular ones are important to you, you might want to arrange your date around them. Unless you're an heiress, for example, you'll want to avoid buying roses for your Valentine's Day wedding. On the other hand, December and January are great months to buy calla lilies. To study flower availability charts, Google for "flower availability by month."
Must-have honeymoons
If you have your heart set on a certain destination, you'll probably find the honeymoon helps set the date for you. Chances are, some dates are good for travel but others involve the risk of hurricanes or lengthy rains.
Limited budget
For now, winter is the slow wedding season. So it's often (though not always) true that you can get a break on expenses by having your ceremony during the holidays. Brides often find that by marrying near Christmas, they benefit from already-decorated churches and don't need to add much themselves. Plus, if they shop the year before, they can stock up on decorations at incredibly discounted post-holiday sales. The trick is to avoid competing with office parties for reception venues and limousines (New Year's Eve is particularly competitive).
Another factor to consider, besides the possibility of dismal weather, is how many guests are due from out-of-town. Flying in for a holiday wedding can strain any family's Christmas budget, plus airlines often charge extra during the season.
If you need to keep expenses in check but want to avoid winter, make sure you steer clear of proms, graduation, "parents' day" at colleges, major sporting events and other local events.
"Life" dates
You might find your own life gives more guidance than you think. Are you a teacher, with set vacation times? Are you graduating from college or ending an internship? Are many of your relations students, available only during the holidays or the summer? If you're working, is your vacation time limited to a certain time of year? If many guests are flying in, will Labor Day weekend or Memorial Day weekend give them time to get acclimated and enjoy your big day? If none of these apply, is there a date that has special significance to you as a couple, such as the date you first met or first dated?
"Auspicious" dates
Many people find little extra jolt of comfort in picking auspicious days for their wedding. In India and China, this is standard practice. But even in the West, people often find it reassuring to pick numbers or dates with personal meaning. A Chinese custom is to select a date with as many even numbers as possible (such as 2-18-2006). The Irish believed that New Year's Eve is luckiest for weddings. The Romans (and consequently, modern westerners) favored the month of June. For Victorians, it was lucky to marry on the groom's birthday.
Blake Kritzberg is editor at "FavorIdeas.com." Stop by for wedding favor ideas, Save-the-Date eCards, free wedding screensaver, free wedding templates and Bridezilla's weekly adventures at: http://www.favorideas.com
spring cleaning service Glenview ..Arranged marriages have been a topic of interest for centuries.... Read More
Depending on your personal preferences and the preferences of your... Read More
Want to manage your wedding guests with style and ease?... Read More
No one has as much fun as the bride to... Read More
Thanking your wedding party with special gifts is a favored... Read More
Have you ever noticed that weddings seem to be all... Read More
The big day is fast approaching, and the energy of... Read More
Buying engagement rings online doesn't have to be confusing or... Read More
Is it to be a summer wedding or winter wedding?... Read More
The most enjoyable part of the wedding reception is the... Read More
Here are five seeds of a great marriage from grandmother.... Read More
AttendantsAttendants, include the best man, Bridesmaid, ushers, and groomsmen. Generally... Read More
It goes without saying that we all want to look... Read More
During a marriage crisis, you can feel like your whole... Read More
According to a survey conducted in 2003 by Bride's magazine,... Read More
Your wedding party is a major factor in the success... Read More
An anniversary gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More
You can rest assured that the charm of your Maui... Read More
Too many wives with cheating husbands put up with their... Read More
Weddings are memorable events couples and their families want to... Read More
Make your upcoming event the most memorable ever by adding... Read More
One of the most elegant rituals you can choose for... Read More
One of the most important steps in planning your wedding,... Read More
Marriage has to be the greatest opportunity for mindfulness on... Read More
To keep romance alive and nurture the intimacy in your... Read More
tidy up service Arlington Heights ..One of my favorite parts about the wedding, is the... Read More
Inviting your possible guests on your wedding day can be... Read More
When it comes to your wedding services alone, nobody wants... Read More
Every bride wants a fairytale wedding. Therefore, this article is... Read More
These verses of Scripture from St. Paul are commonly used... Read More
Whether we like it or not current trends in engagement... Read More
If you're getting married, a Bridal Show is a great... Read More
Marriage has to be the greatest opportunity for mindfulness on... Read More
Have you ever had to give a wedding speech? As... Read More
Give disc jockey's credit. Many of them have endured so... Read More
Over the past years I have performed at many, many... Read More
Wedding planning is a difficult task for everyone. Unless you... Read More
The best and most valuable gifts are often not material... Read More
As you reach 30 and beyond, you encounter a very... Read More
Planning a bridal shower? Maybe a dear friend or even... Read More
Fashion Trends and Popular Styles and ColorsThe Wedding Dress ?... Read More
What about this business of food for lovers? Is it... Read More
Mexico, a country rich in arts and ancient cultures and... Read More
A frustrating lack of permanence plagues modern relationships. Approximately one... Read More
Prescription for a happy marriage: one cup of tea or... Read More
As an experienced counselor, one of the questions I'm asked... Read More
Original gift ideas for your Bridesmaids and Bestman.What better way... Read More
Weddings are memorable events couples and their families want to... Read More
Details, details, details. Paying attention to details, that's what makes... Read More
Wedding day is known as the most unforgettable day in... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |