7-7-7, 8-8-8, 2-14, we’re not talking code here. Rather, these are just some examples popular wedding dates across the country.
Last year, many noted the craze over the July 7, 2007 (7-7-7) wedding date. The easy-to-remember date, coupled with the “lucky number seven” symbolism drove couples to extremes in order to have this as the date for their nuptials. What many of these couples did not realize was that choosing a popular date meant slim pickings for everything from venues to coordinators; and for those couples who did foresee such a challenge, it meant planning as much as a one-and-a-half to two years in advance, in order to get their top picks for their wedding.
This year, 8-8-8, with its easy-to-remember date, 8 being a lucky number in Chinese belief and the sideward “8” being a symbol of infinity, has proven to be the same, with wedding-related locales and services in high demand and even in shortage.
The downside to choosing a popular wedding date is that popularity drives demand for wedding services, and service providers must stretch themselves in order to accommodate this spike in business.
Similar to the wedding event itself, there are many factors to be considered when selecting an appropriate wedding date. Not only should you consider both of your schedules, be it work or leisure, you may also want to consider whether the important people in your lives can also be present to share in your day. This may mean looking into your loved ones’ school and vacation schedules, and possibly even whether your date falls in a peak season for hotels and airlines, as peak season means pricier rates and fares for those who would be traveling to attend your wedding.
Also bear in mind that your wedding date will be one that will be celebrated for the rest of your lives — so make sure it’s a date that both of you can observe with no challenges. One example of a challenge would be having multiple events surrounding that same period of time as your wedding (think holidays and birthdays).
A not so romantic reality that occurs most often when considering a wedding date will be whether or not your choice of ceremony and or reception venue can accommodate your desired date and time.
To avoid having to visit your second, third, or fourth choices of date and time with your venue, make sure to secure it as soon as possible and send in a deposit on time. Most venues will allow you to hold a date or even several dates for a short period of time. However, without a deposit, it is a possibility that the date may be given to another couple who is willing to put money down.
Make sure to also check on what is happening around your venue on the same day as your wedding. You want to make sure you avoid any major traffic congestions or any “special” events such as the president visiting or a parade. A bad scenario could be that you show up late to your own wedding, or worse, not at all.
Think about including the season that your wedding date falls within as part of your wedding theme. A spring wedding could translate to a lovely and whimsical English country-garden theme featuring watering pail centerpieces filled with daffodils and daisies and accented with crystal dragonflies. Summer and fall weddings can provide for a wonderful fiesta ambiance under a clear-top tent with hanging lanterns and food stations that your guests can visit while they mingle. A winter wedding could include a color theme of silver and light blue and an ice luge holding martinis, flavored vodka, or other libations for your guests.
One last important point often overlooked when selecting a wedding date is whether or not the time period is “flower-friendly.” Take the month of May, for example. It has to be the best month to choose for the highly sought after, seasonal, peony flower, and the pleasant weather in May makes this month even more desirable. But May also means Mother’s Day, proms, and graduations, which drive up the cost of flowers and lei. Here in Hawai‘i, pikake is the quintessential wedding lei for brides and grooms, but fragrant jasmine blossoms, like pakalana, favor the summer months. Make sure that the flowers you want for your wedding are actually in season.
And when in doubt, ask your wedding coordinator. Coordinators can help you get the information you need to make a decision, be it flower seasonality or venue challenges.
