How to Choose Your Wedding Date
Trying to choose your wedding date can feel like a minefield. Will it rain? Will it be too hot? Too cold? Too busy? Have I left enough time to get the vendors I want?
There are lots of factors to consider, and although the below is written with South East Queensland/Northern NSW locations in mind, I am happy to give a second opinion for any area in Australia or beyond.
Most Popular Day of the Week to Marry
Unsurprisingly, Saturdays are the most popular day to marry. However, since I started as a Celebrant in 2011, I’ve noticed an increase in weekday weddings. Some venues provide a discount for these, which could account for this increase. I find that couples wanting an elopement or intimate type wedding often choose a weekday to do so.
My bookings are closely replicated to the findings by the wedding website, Easyweddings.com.au, who, in their 2018 Annual Wedding Industry Report, found the most popular days to marry in Australia are:
Saturdays (62%)
Friday (14%)
Sunday (10%)
Thursday (5%)
Monday (3%)
Tuesday (3%)
Wednesday (3%)
Most Popular Months to Marry
You don’t need me to tell you that Australia is a big country, and wedding season varies, depending on where you are.
In Queensland and Northern NSW, there’s a peak in April, July, August, September, October, early November and then starts to tail off during the hotter months. Upon saying that, I’ve noticed a rise in bookings in May and June (which, incidentally, would be my chosen time of year to marry).
It’s Like Ra-a-aiiiiin On Your Wedding Day…
If there’s one thing you cannot control on your wedding day, it’s rain. Let’s face it, no-one really wants a tropical storm on their special day, but, if you have your heart set on an outside wedding, it’s worth thinking about a plan b, just in case.
January, February and December are our wettest months where it can be up to three times more likely to rain than our driest months, which are August and September. If you’re a statty fan, check out the figures here.
Too Hot? Too Cold?
There’s hot, and there’s too hot. There’s cold, and there’s too cold. But holding a wedding during the warmest months shouldn’t be discounted outright. There’s some ways you can look after your guests to ensure their comfort is looked after which you can read about here.
There’s also lots of spectacular venues which offer the comfort of an indoor ceremony with air conditioning, and some of my favourites in Brisbane include Lightspace, High Church and The Joinery
[Photo l-r by Stories by Ash, Lover of Mine]
As mentioned, I love Brisbane winters. After 26 years living in England, I think our winters here are perfect.
Even in the evening in the midst of winter, the average temperate drops barely below 10 degrees Celsius. However, if you’re holding your ceremony further West, you may find it can get into the single figures. Forewarning your guests is a must and who doesn’t love a good fire-pit or two for your guests to warm themselves up around?
How Far in Advance?
You’ve decided what time of year to marry, and now you need to start checking availability of your chosen venue, photographer and Celebrant. If you’re looking to hold your wedding in a popular month and on a popular day (eg: a Saturday in September) you’ll need to book as soon as possible to get your first choice of suppliers. You can read more about this here.
And Finally
You may choose a date because it has a specific significance. It might be the anniversary of your getting together, or it might have a nice ring to it. Dates like May the Fourth are often popular with Star Wars fans. Round sounding dates like 1/9/19 are very memorable. But above all, choose a date that works for you. Like all wedding planning, try not to get too caught up in what others think. It’s your day, so do it your way.
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