Today I wanted to touch on the subject of your Wedding date.
What is already, for most, an expensive event, can become even more costly depending on the time of year you choose, to the time of day you set your ceremony, but also the day of the week you choose!
These seemingly minor details, can in fact, hugely effect the outcome of your planning details, from the prices of your venue rental, to which vendors might be available, and more.
As we’ve touched on this subject in a few other posts related to our Budgeting and Timeline sections, many Wedding vendors book about 1 year in advance for dates. With Venues, Photographers and Mobile Makeup/Hair often booking the first and fastest due to high demand.
Today I’m going to break these details down even further for you…So lets get to it shall we?
Time of Year – What month is best?
As we’ve mentioned in a few posts now, there is no such thing as an “off season” anymore!
Many bride’s ask this question to vendors in hopes that magical “discounts” will appear. This is often not the case at all; Just as your perfect wedding day might be held in June or August. Another bride’s prefect day might be in December or January. Some bride’s might prefer a Saturday wedding, where as another might choose a Monday…
The busiest portion of the year for all Bridal related vendors is April through October!
June and September are often very popular, and can cost you more due to the demand for dates available!
Remember many bride’s seeking these 2 months are hoping for sunny, yet “Not too hot” weather options.
June is also GRAD MONTH For most areas (and often starting in May too!), thus service providers like Mobile Makeup/Hair and all Salon locations often see triple the volume of clients, so finding those available is often far more limited. As are venue options and banquet halls due to the grad dinners taking place!
July and August are the BUSIEST Months of the Entire year. They are the first to book/close for just about EVERY Wedding vendor you seek to book, often at minimum 1 year out!!
I can’t tell you how many client’s we sadly have to turn away each season that are seeking Makeup/Hair services, due to us already being booked with other brides, typically from 3-6 months prior. Many of these clients are just starting to contact people in May for an August wedding, then left scrambling, frantic and stressed, once they find out no one is available… Most of us are already closed for the year by around March! Those of us specializing or with higher client traffic, reputable workmanship or awards won, etc. book up very fast, so if you have your heart set on a particular artist, best to book them early!
Months that are often less busy are the months of January, March and November. Vendors than would normally require a minimum booking requirement, may be more lenient to smaller orders and/or booking needs from brides with smaller parties or set-up needs.
However, many PHOTOGRAPHERS specifically, start running their Holiday specials during the fall months, for family sessions, boudoir and more, so dates for them can often be limiting in months like October, November and December.
Months that can often prove challenging for finding low cost options
Months such as February and December can often be far more costly due to Valentine’s day, Christmas and other holidays within.
With that, costs often go up on everything from Cakes, to Floral and more.
Also something to remember, you are now basically competing with other couples and COMPANIES, For venue rentals due to holiday staff parties taking place!
Bad Timing
The weekend before tax time can often leave you with lowered guest attendance. Many may not have the funds to attend, or may need the extra time to work on their taxes.
Back to school time; Again, those with children heading back to school might be more limited on available time and money.
Around the holidays; Weddings right before Christmas can also have an effect, as many friends might be heading out to visit with family at this time of year.
Day of the Week
Mondays through Thursdays can often be far cheaper in cost! Not just venue rentals either.
We’ve seen a HUGE Rise in “weekday” weddings, especially during the Spring/Summer months.
Many people have holiday time, so taking off a day from work for most people is a totally do-able option.
The past few years we’ve seen a ton of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday weddings!
Thursdays are gaining in popularity too, as many tend to have evening, cocktail style, or boat cruise weddings. Weddings taking place in the evening or after work – Guest will often take the Friday off and get to enjoy a long weekend too!
Not to mention, for those with out of town guests attending, Hotel and Flights are often also far cheaper during the week!
Yes, I know, most bride’s envision that prefect sunny Saturday afternoon wedding. But for those looking to save some money, the drop in pricing can, for some places, be extensive, were taking like $1500 to $600 type of drop.
Holidays and/or long weekends can be DOUBLE the original pricing. Much like working your regular job on a holiday. Many vendors due charge a holiday fee!
Weekends: Saturdays can typically cost more than a Sunday wedding date as they are considered a main day, some venues boast upwards of a $3-5,000 difference just between your choice of these two days!
Time of the Day
Breakfast is often the cheapest meal of the day, again of course, depending on how extravagant you like to take things…
We saw a number of couples this year opting for earlier morning ceremony times like 9am, followed by elegant brunch or lunch style set ups with omelet stations, fresh fruit platters, chocolate fountains, pastries and more.
Ceremony times 11am to 3pm are the most in demand time frames, thus limiting vendor options since majority of client’s aim within this time frame.
Where you book
Look into choosing and booking a multipurpose venue. If you are able to plan out both your ceremony and reception at the same location, you stand to save additional costs on everything from site fees, transportation costs, double set up/take down fees and more.
Final tips:
Many vendors and companies do raise rates at year end in preparation for next year’s seasons, inflation/business costs and so forth. Those clients that do their research and connect with their top ideal vendors they wish to have for their wedding day, can often score pricing/packages before they go up and all switch over for the new year – Saving them even more, but still getting exactly what they originally sought out without having to compromise quality, needs or budget!
Engagement season! – November through February – It’s the holidays, and engagements over Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentines day …..well, they take over. Not to mention bridal clients are often off work/school for the holidays and can get some planning done!
This is often when Bridal vendors see close to 60% or more of their bookings set in for the following season! Many of us receive hundreds of emails from newly engaged client’s looking to secure their dates and/or get this years current pricing options. Thus sadly those who wait out to long, by then, often most of the year is now fully booked!
I hope this post helps you out a bit more in finding and choosing your perfect fit for your chosen wedding day.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Vancouver Bridal Hub 