Before you dive into your venue search, it is important to think about when you are hoping to get married. There are a lot of things to take into consideration and the length of your engagement is just one of them! [Photo by Emily Wren Associates]
Be sure to scroll all the way down for a link to request the STP Quick Guide to Seasonal Considerations for free!
Budget
Many venues, especially those at the shore area will discount weddings that are held in “off season” months. Typically, November through March or April is considered off season. So if you have your heart set on a venue that might be just out of your budget, consider an off season wedding to cut 10-15% off your price!
Venue & Vendor Availability
If you are looking for an early summer or early fall wedding at the Shore, you may need to show some flexibility on your date depending on how far out you are booking. Many popular venues are booked for Saturdays over a year out. Often venues have availability on Fridays or Sundays though, which may also be offered at a discounted price or with a lower guaranteed guest count. Vendors also tend to book up quicker for May, June, September and Oct. If you have your heart set on a certain vendor, you can always reach out to them with your desired venues availability before finalizing your date.
Time off from Work
Think about what type of job you have and when your busiest time of the year occurs. If you are an accountant, it may not be ideal to have an April wedding. If you are a teacher, maybe a summer wedding or one during a school holiday makes sense for you. Either way, you don’t want to be thinking about work stress while you are trying to enjoy your wedding week!
Your Décor
If you love pumpkins, apples and rich fall colors, a fall wedding is the way to go! While you obviously don’t have to stick with a seasonal décor, it is good to consider the color pallets for the season and the colors you want to incorporate into your wedding party’s attire and your overall décor. Same goes for flowers- if you have a flower that you love, look into whether it is readily available all year round.
The Weather
There always seems to be some random warm days in November where couples get really lucky! While you can’t predict the weather, it’s good to think about whether or not you are hoping for outdoor photos and/or an outdoor ceremony. If you are taking a honeymoon right after and have a particular location in mind, it doesn’t hurt to check out their weather around that time of year as well.
Your Guests Accommodations
If you have a lot of guests coming in from out of town, they will likely need to look for a hotel. While there may be plenty of hotel options, the costs during peak season tend to be higher and often hotels implement a 2 night minimum stay. There are always other great rental options besides hotels though especially in the shore or other travel destination areas.
Overall, there’s a lot to consider when picking your wedding season, month and date so take your time and be sure to consider all of the options!
Want to check out our the STP quick guide to seasonal considerations? It's free! Click HERE to request it!
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