How Far in Advance Should You Secure Your Wedding Date?
How Far in Advance Should You Secure Your Wedding Date?
From booking your wedding venue to selecting key vendors, a lot of the wedding planning process comes down to timing and availability. Choosing your wedding date should be one of the very first things you do since so many other factors depend on that one essential detail.
But exactly how far ahead of time do you need to schedule your wedding?
In short, as soon as reasonably possible.
But booking your wedding venue isn’t something you should do rashly. There are a handful of unique date-related factors to consider before you sign off on a wedding date.
What Factors Impact Your Booking Timeframe?
Venue Popularity
High-demand wedding venues require quicker action. Some of the most highly sought-after wedding venues are booked solid years in advance. Even some lesser-known venues have limited availability during certain seasons—especially if they’re set against a beautiful, romantic backdrop or nearby major attractions.
Time of Year
In Colorado—like many other places across the country—couples tend to choose wedding dates sometime between May and October. Finding an open slot within that timeframe can be a bit challenging. On the other hand, if you’re open to a mid-season (November, December, and April) or off-season (January-March) wedding, you’ll have a few more options—and you may even save a little money.
Budget Considerations
The more popular the venue, the more it’ll cost to reserve a spot. That’s why it’s so crucial to have the big money talk BEFORE deciding on a venue and date. If you have your heart set on a particular venue, make sure to budget appropriately, considering venue booking rates as well as things like damage deposits, extra services, and event insurance.
Wedding Size & Complexity
Planning a larger wedding? You’ll need to make sure to find a venue that can accommodate all your friends and family. That may mean building a rough guest list before making the date official. But remember, the sooner you set your wedding date, the more time you’ll have to iron out vendor coordination and other specific details of your event.
Vendor Availability
Perhaps you want to use the same photographer who took your engagement photos. Or maybe you heard through the grapevine that a particular local band puts on a fantastic reception performance. You’ll want to check to see whether your already-chosen vendors are available before locking in a date with your venue.
The Ideal Time to Book Your Wedding Venue
We suggest securing your venue 12-18 months prior to your desired wedding date (or even earlier if you’re hoping for a date during peak wedding season.
If you’re willing to schedule a weekday wedding or push your celebration to the off-season, you can probably afford to take the leap a little later in the game. But you’ll still want to have your date chosen well before 6 months in advance of your big day to give you time to coordinate with vendors, send out invitations, and handle any other details.
Special Considerations Before You Book
Day of the Week
Saturdays are by far the most high-demand wedding dates, closely followed by Fridays and Sundays. But a weekday wedding can be just as beautiful (and possibly less stressful). Some wedding venues even offer discounted rates for weddings booked Monday through Thursday.
Weather Patterns
Hate the idea of a blistering hot ceremony? Stay away from peak summer months. Want to avoid weather-related travel complications? Choose a venue in a location with mild year-round temperatures and minimal to moderate precipitation levels (like Larkspur, Colorado).
Wedding Theme
Dreaming of a lush garden wedding? Or a cozy celebration doused in vibrant fall hues? Make sure to give appropriate weight to your desired theme and aesthetic as you’re considering what time of year to schedule your wedding.
Guest Travel
Most couples have a select few guests they absolutely must have at their wedding. Check in with your closest friends and family to ensure your VIP guests are available on your chosen date.
Local Events & Festivals
Festivals and other large-scale events can bring an influx of visitors, increasing traffic and making it more difficult to find flights and overnight accommodations. On the other hand, you may be inclined to incorporate local events into your wedding itinerary.
Tips for Securing the Perfect Wedding Date
1. Contact venues early to ask for availability.
If possible, try to narrow down your venue options and ask for availability around 12 months prior. The sooner you reach out, the more likely you’ll be to get your first choice.
2. Consider a symbolic date.
Imagine walking down the aisle on the anniversary of your very first date or the day you met. Remember, this is the date you’ll be celebrating with your better half for the rest of your lives. You’ll want it to be a meaningful one.
3. Touch base with your VIP guests.
Double-check with your immediate family, wedding party, and any other must-have guests to guarantee your date works with their schedule.
4. Avoid notoriously challenging dates.
Stray away from holidays or other times of the year you know your guests will be busy. It’s also a good idea to avoid picking a date in the middle of crunch time in the office if you can help it.
5. Research local events & attractions.
Nearby events and attractions (like Larkspur’s famous Renaissance Festival) can impact things like traffic, hotel stays, and flights. However, they can also be a good opportunity for a fun wedding weekend. Just make sure you get a head start on booking hotel blocks.
6. Be as flexible as possible.
Going with an off-season or weekday booking can actually help guarantee an easier, smooth-sailing wedding planning experience.
7. Prioritize the venue choice.
While your wedding date is important, your venue will have a far bigger impact on the overall tone and feeling of your wedding.
8. Have backup date options.
It’s okay to come to your venue with a date preference. But come equipped with a few alternative dates in case your top choice is already taken.
9. Book your venue first (before other vendors).
Booking other vendors before your venue will just make things more complicated when you try to coordinate a wedding date that works for everyone involved. If you have your sights set on a specific vendor, just make sure to consult them before deciding on a date.
10. Triple-check your calendar.
You’d be surprised how many couples overlook their own personal schedules—especially if they are planning far in advance.
What to Do if You Want a Short Engagement
On a time crunch? Even if you doubt your ideal wedding venue will be available with such short notice, it’s worth asking if they have any off-season or weekday wedding availability. You’re bound to find at least a few date options that will work for you, albeit perhaps not quite what you initially envisioned.
Your Dream Colorado Mountain Wedding Awaits (at Spruce Mountain Ranch)
Still searching for the perfect wedding venue? Explore what makes our luxurious mountain wedding venue so special and check out our real wedding photo gallery to see if Spruce Mountain Ranch is a good fit for you.
Read more:
2024 © All Rights Reserved. Spruce Mountain Ranch Privacy Policy