First of all, congratulations on your engagement! You are about to embark on one of the most important journeys of your life, but have you set the date yet? Choosing your wedding date is a very special and very personal decision for both of you, but these tips can help you narrow it down.

1. Budget

Your budget can often dictate the time of year you get married, because certain months are substantially more expensive than others! For example, June, August and September are hands down the most popular marriage months, so venue prices will skyrocket during these times. Subsequently, the day of the week you marry can also affect price; Saturday weddings carry a hefty price tag, but week day weddings are much cheaper.

2. Symbolism

Many romantic couples try to set their wedding date for a special time in their life that is symbolic to the couple. For example, the day of your first kiss, when you first said I love you, or your anniversary date are all symbolic and hold a deeply personal meaning for the bride and groom-to-be. Even if you can’t nab the specific date, you’re likely to get pretty close. Plus, it will make for a fun story in your wedding programs, if you have them!

3. Time of Year

Consider your personality and try to pick a season around that. If you love pastel colors, spring flowers and understated romance, a Spring wedding might be perfect for you! Conversely, those who prefer deep, dark jewel tones, the crunch of fallen leaves and the scents of apples and cinnamon may prefer a Fall wedding. Follow this same path of logic to determine whether your personality might match with a Summer or Winter wedding!

Selecting your wedding date isn’t a decision that should be rushed, and it is a very personal choice between you and your partner. With these tips, however, you can make choosing a wedding date a little easier!