"Congratulations! So When's The Big Day?"

You've accepted his proposal and now its time to share the great news with your family.  You gather everyone together and excitedly make your announcement.  Suddenly you are caught off guard by the timeless question:  "So, when's the big day?"

Ok, sure, nailing down the date of the nuptials can probably wait for a bit.  You and your spouse to be may want to spend some time basking in the glow of your engagement.  But, let's be honest, you can bask for the rest of your lives, and selecting the date of your wedding is the number one decision you'll have to make.  If you're serious about getting married (Mama is pretty sure you are), you'll have to buckle down!

For some, choosing the wedding date is very easy, but for others it can prove to be stressful and frustrating and you might find yourself lost in a maze of decisions.  This especially holds true for those that suffer from the indecisive bride syndrome.  Since choosing a date is a key component to moving forward on any of the rest of your party planning, Mama has included a few guidelines to help you narrow it down a bit:

1. Prioritize.  Discuss with your future spouse what types of things are most important to you on your wedding day.  For example, Is there a particular church or temple or ceremony that you are not willing to give up?  Or a reception site that you have your heart set on? Is the church or Synogue available on the same day as your chosen venue? Or you may have some priority guests (perhaps your parents) that will definitely have to be available for the big day.  Are thre any dates that would have an impact on the availability of family or friends? Just comparing the availability of these priority items will eliminate some of your possibilities.  Now, that wasn't so hard, was it? Just comparing the availability of these priority items will eliminate some of your possibilities.  Now, that wasn't so hard, was it? 
2. Eliminate.  There are certain days you can eliminate right off the bat .  Mama calls these the "No-No Days".  Some examples of no-no days are Holy Days, or Super-bowl Sunday.  No one wants to be at your wedding on these days, and they are now angry at you for being so selfish.  And then of course there are the bad luck days that you may want to avoid, including Friday the 13th, The Ides of March, and September 11th. 
3. Dream.  Close your eyes and envision your perfect wedding.  What do you see?  Maybe you see a warm sun setting over a calm ocean.  Or snowflakes through the window as the groom kisses the bride.  Maybe there are trees in your backdrop, with the most beautiful orange and brown leaves swaying in the crisp air.  Or an array of beautiful gardens spreading out all around you.  Open your eyes.  Guest what--You just narrowed down the season! 
4. Budget.  Yes, you guessed it, Mama's favorite budget is rearing it's head again.  Hey, if the sky is the limit you are a very lucky couple- but for many people the budget must be considered before making any decisions- big or small.  In this case, if the budget it tight, you might want to consider choosing a date that is less popular in order to get the best package out of your venue.  Choosing a Friday night, or Sunday afternoon will save you a pretty penny, but you'll also get some bang out of your budget by saying "I do" in the winter, as it is off season!  
5. Check your PDA.  You are going to have to take into account your life and all the obligations that go with it.  Are you in a job where vacation time is limited?  For example a teacher may want to plan her wedding around the days schools are closed, where as an accountant may want to avoid tax time! 
6. Find Significance.  Maybe you're a hopeless romantic and you want to choose a date that represents something special in your lives.  Some significant days you may want to consider would be the day you first met, the anniversary of the proposal, or even Valentine's day.  But, check back with guideline number 3, because you'd be surprised how much extra Valentine's day could run you! 

Mama can't tell you exactly what date will be perfect for you, but can offer you the guidelines to help make your decision as painless as possible.  Try to remember that whatever day you choose, at the end of that day you'll be married.  You'll have vowed to love and cherish each other for all the rest of your days.  So, if you really look at it, this is just one day of so many days, and although it is your day, it is still just one day.  

Did you find these guidelines helpful?  Write a comment, and tell Mama about it!