Here Are a Few Things to Think About!
After the initial congratulations on your engagement have subsided, it’s time to get to work! If you’re like most couples, then the first place you’ll start is choosing a wedding date. But doing so isn’t as easy as simply selecting a date at random and going with it. There are a number of factors at play here. You’ll want to be aware of them all in order to put yourself (and your loved ones) in the best position.
Find Out When You Are Available
Right off the bat, you should be able to write a few dates off from your calendar in the next foreseeable year or so. Whether you have work obligations or a charity fundraiser you’re hosting, there are plenty of reasons you might have a weekend blocked off. While most of them certainly don’t take precedence over that of a wedding, looking into your upcoming calendar can help you narrow down your search for an available venue and date.
Find Out When Your VIPs Are Available
Who are the VIPs on your guest list? Your parents? Brother? Sister? The person writing this? Whoever it may be, you’ll want to find the dates they aren’t available, so that you can choose a date when mostly everyone is. After all, your wedding party plays a huge part in making your ceremony the joyous celebration that it is!
Consider Your Budget
Do you have several thousand in your savings just waiting to be spent on your wedding, or are you starting from scratch? Whatever the case, you’ll likely have to save thousands more. That can make a looming wedding date sound scary. That’s one reason why couples have an average engagement of 14.5 months. With over a year to plan and build your budget, you’ll have a lot less to worry about when it comes time for your big day. Need a little help in the savings department? Turn to online banks that can help you save automatically, like this one. A larger budget will give you more flexibility in terms of which vendors you speak to and which dates you can choose.
Consider the Season
Sometimes choosing your wedding season is easy. If you live in a mountainous area, you might want to factor snowy peaks or autumn leaves into your wedding pictures. Whereas, if you live in a coastal area, you might want to want to wait until the dawn of spring to underscore the exuberance of budding flowers. But there’s actually more to it than simply choosing between ideal seasons. For one, your favorite venue may be booked during your ideal season, well in advance. To counter this, try booking as far ahead as possible, or consider another season. Who knows, you might just save a whole lot of money in the process!
Consider Events in Nearby
When a large event is happening nearby, many navigable areas become bustling metropolises. This can cause a delay in transportation and push the price of accommodations up considerably. Not sure what to look out for? Most cities have an events portion on their websites—take this for example. In the end, the extra legwork you put in will be well worth it. Booking at the right time can be the difference in you and your guests paying or saving hundreds!
The staff at Historic Oakland want to help you plan your event. We are here to assist you with everything you need, from lists of caterers to choosing how to decorate the rooms, deciding on how to use our beautiful grounds or finding the best photographer. Our historic venue in downtown Columbia, Maryland will make your event one that all your guests will remember for years to come. Call us to set up a tour or see if we have availability, 410-730-4801 or email us at [email protected].
