Selecting Your Wedding Day

THE MONTH

Choosing your wedding date is the first decision you and your fiancé make together. Whether you choose a date for sentimental reasons such as the day the two of you first met, or whether the date is chosen for practical reasons, keep in mind that you'll need six to eight months to plan a formal wedding. A small, intimate gathering can take about three months to organize. June is still the most popular month to be married in, followed closely by August, July, May and December. Discuss honeymoon plans with your fiancé and be mindful of the time of year your favorite resort spot will be "in season." Consider also the time of year most convenient for you and your fiancé to be away from school or work

THE DAY

Though Saturday is the most popular day of the week, a wedding may take place any day accepted by religious custom. Friday evenings are also becoming popular and are an advantage for a long weekend" honeymoon. Whether daytime or evening, the ceremony may be formal or informal. If the evening wedding is formal, however, it is strictly so, and the entire wedding party must be in formal dress. Six o'clock is the dividing hour for the afternoon and evening ceremonies. Morning weddings are favored at high noon or half~past twelve. Because of customs of some churches, nine and ten o'clock ceremonies are equally desirous. The afternoon wedding at four or four-thirty is popular, although many are held as early as three or three-thirty. Evening weddings are at eight or eight-thirty and in some areas of the country, as early as six and as late as nine.

THE HOUR

Once you have an approximate time of year for your wedding in mind, check with your clergyman. Some religions discourage marriages on certain days. You may find your favorite church or synagogue already booked. Discuss the conflict with your clergyman. Perhaps you can be married at a different time of day than you originally planned (in the morning or evening, for example) Check with the person (banquet manager, caterer) who handles receptions at your preferred site to see what dates are free. Only you and your fiancé can decide if you would rather choose a different date if a particular site is unavailable, or if you prefer to stick with your original date and investigate other places and services. The availability of the hall you select, the church where the ceremony will be performed, and the attendants you'd like in your wedding party, must be determined before the date can be considered 'set."