Choosing your wedding date is far more nuanced than simply marking a random day on the calendar.

This pivotal decision can significantly impact everything from your budget to your guest list, and ultimately, the entire atmosphere of your special day.

Selecting the right date requires careful consideration, thoughtful planning, and a deep understanding of various contributing factors.

Here are some do’s and don’ts to help you with your decision.

THE DO'S: SETTING YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS

1. Do Consider the Season Carefully

The season you choose can dramatically transform your wedding experience. Spring offers a magical backdrop of blooming flowers and mild temperatures, making it ideal for outdoor and garden weddings with soft, natural lighting. Summer provides extended daylight hours and warmth (or heat, if you’re here in Texas), great for beach celebrations and outdoor festivities where guests can enjoy sunshine and longer evenings. Autumn brings a romantic palette of rich, warm colors and comfortable temperatures, creating stunning opportunities for vineyard or rustic-themed weddings with dramatic natural backdrops. Winter weddings offer an intimate, magical setting with potential for breathtaking snow-covered landscapes, often accompanied by lower venue and vendor pricing that can help if you’re hoping to manage costs.

2. Do Prioritize Family and Friend Availability

Before definitively selecting your date, you’ll want to check the availability of your closest loved ones. This means having preliminary conversations with immediate family members and your potential wedding party to understand their schedules and potential conflicts. One of them could have a major work commitment looming ahead, or there could be another family event in the works. Clear communication will improve your chances of having the people you cherish most with you when you exchange vows.

3. Do Research Local Events and Seasonal Patterns

It also would be wise to investigate local events, festivals, conferences, and seasonal patterns that could impact your wedding plans. Avoiding major local events can prevent complications with travel and accommodations, and understanding tourism seasons in your region will allow you to anticipate potential price increases and availability challenges. In our region, for example, hotels tend to fill up each winter in anticipation of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

4. Do Explore Meaningful Date Connections

Many couples find profound significance in selecting a date with personal meaning. This might involve choosing the anniversary of your first date, the moment you got engaged, or a date that has ties to your family history. While these considerations shouldn't be the only factor, they can add a deeply personal touch to your wedding date selection.

5. Do Look Into Venue Availability and Pricing

Your dream venue can be a pivotal factor in date selection. Popular wedding locations often require booking 12 to 18 months in advance, so flexibility and early planning are essential. You should be prepared to adjust your ideal date if a particular venue captures your imagination.

Not only that, but comparing pricing across different days of the week and seasons could reveal unexpected opportunities for savings. Non-Saturday wedding dates, for instance, can often provide more affordable options without compromising on your wedding experience.

THE DON'TS: PITFALLS TO AVOID

1. Don’t Forget Budget Constraints

Wedding dates can have a dramatic impact on overall expenses. Peak wedding season, typically spanning late spring to early fall, often comes with premium pricing for venues and vendors. Weekend dates consistently cost more than weekday celebrations, and holiday weekends can further escalate expenses. Be prepared to compromise, whether that means adjusting your date or reassessing your budget expectations.

2. Don’t Dismiss Climate and Weather Challenges

Weather can make or break an outdoor wedding celebration. Thorough research into typical weather patterns for your chosen location will be important. This is particularly important if you’re interested in an outdoor wedding, or if you live in an area prone to natural disasters during certain times of the year.

3. Don’t Rush Your Decision-Making

Selecting a wedding date is not a decision to be made hastily. Give yourselves ample time to discuss, research, and explore multiple options. Rushing to set a date increases your risk of making a less-than-ideal date choice.

4. Don’t Fail to Consider Cultural and Personal Significance

Beyond practical considerations, you should be attuned to cultural and personal significance. This means checking religious and cultural calendars, considering family traditions, and being mindful of potential scheduling conflicts with significant events. While maintaining your personal preferences, it's important to approach the date selection with sensitivity and respect for family expectations.

Selecting your wedding date is a delicate dance between practicality and personal meaning. It calls for open communication, thorough research, and a willingness to be flexible.

You could say that your wedding date is the first page of your married life's story. So choose with care, plan with love, and above all, enjoy the beautiful journey of creating a day that is wonderfully yours.

 The Bell Tower on 34th, one of Houston’s leading wedding venues with a chapel, is committed to helping recently engaged couples realize their wedding vision.

Our venue, a short drive from downtown Houston, is designed to provide seamless transitions from ceremony to cocktail hour to wedding reception.

Contact us to schedule a visit.

The Bell Tower on 34th

901 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018

(713) 868-2355