Choosing the Date

Solitaire Trillion Sapphire in White Gold.  I know it's hot!

I got engaged April 19th, 2008 to a fabulous man.

Our first decision, as prompted by most wedding books, was to choose a wedding date.  I still had a year left of my masters degree, and was applying to medical school (which would add on another four years). With a bit of consideration we thought it would be great to have the wedding around the same time as the engagement.  We wanted an outdoor wedding so it had to be warmish.  Since we are paying for the wedding ourselves, we also wanted time to save money.  So we finalized the date

April 20th, 2013.

This would allow us plenty of time to plan, bargain hunt, and save money along the way. It also would not interfere with my schooling or his, and there would be less expectation to be Dr. Goodwin instead of Dr. Shegog (more on this later). It was a Saturday, between our two birthdays (February and July) so no build up of present buying; silly but yes I think about these things.

So here are some things to consider when choosing the date

• Who is paying? (saving money takes time)
• What else is going in the next year or so (multiple big life changes take time to prepare for)
• Do you really have time to plan a wedding (the more time you have the less you have to spend on it right now)
• Indoors or Outdoors?  (Big consideration for seasons and dress - check average forecasts for your location)
• What is there to wait for or rush for (Job changes or other big family event may call for a longer time line, Elderly grandparents may cause a rush)
• Fridays and off season is usually cheaper for everything (Photographer, flowers, DJ, name it, it's cheaper)
• Notification timing (If you really want your uncle the surgeon to come, you should give him a years notice or at least 6-8 months)
• When do you want to celebrate your anniversary (Do you really want to overlap on big holidays)
• Beliefs and Custom (Will it require you not living together and in a long distance relationship,  or do you think it is more important that everyone have the right to marry before you tie the knot?)

Still some ask "Why so long an engagement."  When we get married we will have been engaged for 5 years, and together for more than 6.  With finishing my thesis, moving to a new city, starting medical school, the last 3 years have been busy.  But we've had the time and could look for things on non-exam weekends and over breaks.  Now with 2 years to go, most of the big stuff (location, flowers, dress, food, centerpieces, etc) are done, purchased, or decided.  Such a time line has even given us time to grow our own plants for centerpieces and find some incredible deals. 

Though many, MANY of my friends have gotten engaged and married before we will, I still appreciate the time I took to plan.

The day I got engaged I sent this picture to my friends and family

So choose a date,  even a far one.  What's the rush?