Deciding on the Date

Which Day of the Week?

The most popular day is, of course Saturday since it is the only day of the week when most people are not working and ministers and registrars are available. As the most popular day, you may find that Saturdays in your chosen venue are booked up for months, so you will need to plan ahead if you choose this day.

You may find that many of the services you want on your wedding day are less expensive, or offer more choice, midweek. Providing the guests who are of most importance to the bride and groom can attend, a midweek wedding is something worth considering, although it will probably decrease the likelihood of the attendance of 'extras' such as a choir, bellringers or musicians.

Which Date?

The exact date needs to be chosen with care. In the first place it must coincide with available dates and times at the venue where the wedding is to take place, and with the availability of the minister or registrar who will conduct the service. Secondly, it must fit it with availability of the reception venue - many popular reception venues are booked up even further than the wedding venues themselves!

You will also need to take other things into account when choosing the date. Make sure your chosen date will not clash with another wedding or event that will have guests in common.

You should also check that there are no major sporting events planned for that day that might draw your guests attention away - One bride unwittingly chose a Saturday that turned out to be a deciding match for England in a World Cup, and found that she had lost half her guests - all the men were huddled into the Reception venue's TV lounge watching the game - including the groom!