Choosing the perfect wedding date requires a bit of luck, intuition, and research! While a fun easy-to-remember date may be ideal, the time of year, availability of family or vendors might not work with you. Here are a few things to consider to help you think through all your options before making your decision final when choosing your wedding date.
How to Choose Your Wedding Date in Jacksonville, FL
Popular Dates & Months
It’s good to educate yourself on the popular dates and months, especially in the Jacksonville area, ahead of time. This way if you want a wedding on that day or during that time, you know to plan well in advance (at least 16 months), so you still have a great selection of vendors and wedding locations open.
The busiest month to get married in October, and this has stood true nationwide since 2016! People love hosting their wedding ceremony outdoors (nearly 50% and rising!), and the semi-cool weather in the fall helps make this doable. September has been the next top wedding month, putting the autumn season at the top as the most popular season for couples to get married.
Here are a few popular weekend wedding dates that would be memorable (and fun) for an anniversary!
- 8.21.21 (Saturday, Repeat Day and Year Numbers)
- 9.10.21 (Friday, Sequential Numbers)
- 9.11.21 (First Saturday after Labor Day Weekend, Patriot Day)
- 10.10.21 (Sunday, Repeating Numbers)
- 12.11.21 (Saturday, Palindrome Date)
- 1.22.22 (Saturday, Repeat Day and Year Numbers)
- 2.12.22 (Saturday, Repeating Numbers)
- 4.2.22 (Saturday, Repeating Numbers)
- 6.21.22 (Tuesday, Summer Solstice, longest day of the year)
- 7.8.22 (Friday, Sequential Numbers)
- 9.9.22 (Friday, Repeating Numbers)
- 9.10.22 (Saturday, Sequential Numbers)
- 10.22.22 (Saturday, Repeating Numbers)
- 11.11.22 (Friday, Chance, Coincidence, or Spiritual Meaning, Repeating Numbers)
Consider Your Season and the Weather
With fall being the busiest time of year for weddings, you can expect limited availability if you’re reserving vendors within 12 months, and sometimes even slightly higher prices. The summertime is quite the opposite, being the slowest time for weddings, resulting in better availability and pricing from wedding vendors.
While the summer is the slowest and the most cost-effective time of year to get married in Jacksonville, FL, the weather is something to factor in. With daily showers and thunderstorms, it will be hard to have an outdoor wedding, so backup options indoors are essential. You could also have a completely indoor wedding as well! We don’t even want to speak this into existence, but hurricanes are also something to consider when planning for a summer wedding. Hurricane season runs from June through November but is typically calmer once it gets to the fall months. Having your wedding in the thick of summer means you run the risk of a hurricane coming through, your guests unable to attend, and maybe even having to cancel the wedding altogether if it gets too bad-especially if you are having your wedding on or particularly close to the beach. Ask your venue about backup options and protocol for inclement weather for peace of mind. We aren’t saying your summer wedding will for sure line up with the timing of a hurricane, but Mother Nature does her own thing! You can never be too careful.
Ask about Family’s Availability
You want to make sure your wedding date works for the most important people invited. Make sure you plan around any other big dates in the family coming up. Consult your military family members, and also anyone expecting a baby. Teachers have specific schedules as well. Out-of-town guests may have some input on what date works best for them. You may not be able to make everyone happy, but getting an idea of what works best can help a TON when choosing your wedding date!
Budget-Friendly Days To Get Married
It may be a given that choosing a day besides a Saturday is going to be better for your budget, but many venues will also discount during slower months as well. In short, your budget-friendly days to get married will be during the slower season, or on Sunday (potentially excluding the Sunday before long weekend like Labor Day or Memorial Day). Weekday weddings are also very common in Jacksonville, FL, and will have discounts as well!
Reserve Your Date
If you’ve made it here, you have the research aspect down, now just don’t forget to follow your intuition when choosing which date feels best for you and your partner, and lock that date in with your venues first! We’re throwing all the lucky stars your way that you land your top wedding location and vendors! Interested in reserving your date for photography, videography, DJ, photo booth, or lighting with us? Contact us to see our availability and get a quote for your big day.