Fall in Love with the Venue, Not the Date

February 27, 2025
Weddings

Once you’re engaged, the first thing you should do is pick your wedding date, right? I mean, you need that date before you can move forward with just about any other part of the wedding planning process. On the contrary—the Spruce Mountain Ranch team highly recommends a different approach.

“When couples first reach out to schedule their wedding, about 50% of them have a specific date in mind,” said Kristin Steiner, Spruce Mountain’s Marketing Coordinator.

In many cases, such couples are met with disappointment when they learn the date they’ve envisioned is unavailable. It would be much easier for couples to choose the “where” before deciding the “when.”

Common Misconceptions About Booking a Wedding Date

Couples often think they can book a wedding 6 months out, but that’s simply not the case.

“If the couple is inquiring more than 12 months in advance, there is a great chance we will have availability,” said Sarah Merrow, Spruce Mountain’s Business Manager and Estate House Manager. “Typically, if the couple tours within 12 months of their desired date, our team has the problem-solving skills to help adjust the couple's desires to fit within the limited availability of the venue's dates.”

So, how far in advance should you be booking wedding venues and vendors?

“A good rule of thumb is to give you and your partner at least 15 months prior to your date to book your dream vendor team,” Merrow said.

But even when you begin coordinating with venues well ahead of time, there’s still no guarantee your ideal wedding date will be available at your preferred venue.

“A common misconception is that couples think they need to get married in the summer and also on a weekend, specifically a Saturday,” Steiner said. “We host weddings and events every day of the week, all year long.”

At Spruce Mountain Ranch, most couples choose to get married between May and November. In fact, pretty much every Saturday within that time range is booked at least 15 months in advance. Of those months, June through September are the most popular.

“I think very few couples need to get married on a specific date,” Steiner commented. “Unless that date is special or momentous in some way, then being flexible with your wedding date and season can allow you to book a venue (as well as all of your other vendors) in a timely way and possibly with cost savings.”

In many cases, couples have greater luck booking their wedding in the “off-season” (from November to April) or on less popular days of the week (Monday through Thursday).

Prioritize What Matters Most: The Wedding Experience

“Nobody is going to remember the date on a calendar,” commented Ryann Olme, Spruce Mountain’s Senior Property Manager. “They will remember the experience and the actual day itself.”

And your venue plays a big role in determining the kind of experience you and your guests will have on your special day.

“Location, Location, Location! It is what sets the tone and feel for the entire day,” said Tara Ames, Owner and Operator of Spruce Mountain Events. “It also allows a couple to save on décor trying to replicate a venue that does not fit their vision. If you are open to an alternate date, you will get what you want, without the work and expense.”

In our experience, couples who come to initial venue meetings with a clear vision of their wedding day end up with a much smoother planning process than couples who haven’t put too much thought into their vision.

“Couples should go into the venue selection process with the overall experience in mind. Not just the date or one or two important things,” said Ryann Olme, Spruce Mountain Senior Property Manager. “Think of the overall experience and everything will work out way better in the planning process and day of.”

When it Comes to Venue Selection, NEVER Settle!

Over the course of your engagement, there will be plenty of times you’ll have to make compromises. But your venue should not be one of those cases.

“The wrong venue can make you feel disconnected and rob you of the vision you had always dreamed of. The right venue will set the tone and overall feeling and aesthetic you are trying to achieve,” Ames said.

If scheduling a weekday or off-season wedding is necessary to ensure you get the wedding of your dreams, the choice seems clear.

“It's important for couples to be flexible with their date because settling for a subpar venue with subpar vendors is not what you want to remember about your wedding day,” Olme said. “Even if you have to move the date a little, you want the perfect day of stunning surroundings and amazing food and drinks.”

Benefits of Off-Season Weddings at Spruce Mountain

Spruce Mountain Ranch is breathtaking and available year-round, 7 days a week. However, the off-season and weekdays open up a slew of available dates.

There are several benefits of booking during these less popular wedding days:

Better Pricing: You can get an excellent venue for a great price!
Vendor Availability: Popular vendors will also be more available (and less expensive).
Guest Considerations: An off-season wedding gives guests a nice break from attending back-to-back weddings in the spring and summer.
Winter Beauty: Breathtaking, cozy, and romantic, winter weddings are rapidly increasing in popularity here at Spruce Mountain Ranch.

“Winter weddings are magical at Spruce Mountain Ranch,” Ames said. “The warmth of candles and fireplaces, snow crystals on the beautiful evergreens, and the thousands of additional twinkling lights highlighting the property create a very surreal and romantic setting.”

Ending Thoughts

So, what’s our suggestion?

Find a wedding venue that you absolutely adore, and go from there.

“Inventory is limited and, unless you are able to be flexible on a date, in many cases you may have to wait years to tie the knot,” Ames said. “Be prepared with a vision, and then honor that vision by seeking a venue that naturally fits. Rather than having ‘a date,’ pick a season and then be open to a day within that season.”

Your Dream Wedding Awaits!

Looking for a wedding venue that you’ll love any time of year? Take a peek at our wedding gallery for a snapshot of the year-round beauty of Spruce Mountain Ranch or book a tour to view our event spaces yourself.