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Photo Credit: www.aweddingchapelinlv.com

There are 3 things to consider when setting your wedding date. But first, are you engaged or are you getting married? There’s a huge difference. They both indicate you got ring and were proposed to. But one has a date circled on the calendar. And until you have YOUR DATE, you are only engaged.

So you are engaged and trying to set a wedding date? What to do first? Get a venue?!? Send out “save the date” cards??? Start the guest list?!?! There’s so much to consider. And this is just the beginning. This post is about selecting a date –specifically selecting a date in east Tennessee. This blog is aimed at getting you from engaged to getting married. These are the 3 things to consider when setting your wedding date.

1. Which season?

The most popular seasons in east Tennessee are spring and fall. This is because you can have an outdoor wedding without melting or freezing. But late spring and early fall can produce unseasonably high temps so be careful. Early spring can produce snow, as can late fall. Winter and summer weddings are wonderful for their subtle tones of color. But you need to have AC in the oppressive summer heat. And you'll need heat in winter. Choose wisely.

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These are all weddings in east Tennessee from April, August, October and December.

HINT: Talk it over with the important folks - parents, close friends and others who you want to be in the wedding. This discussion  is especially helpful if you have relatives with health issues or mobility issues. A really hot or cold day can be very hard for them.

2. Which Saturday?

There are only 52 Saturdays each year. You should consider what else is happening on the particular Saturday you select. The Wedding Report indicates there were 5609 weddings in greater Knoxville in 2015. That’s a little better than 107 weddings each weekend. But some Saturdays are more popular than others. 

If you pick a Saturday in the fall when UT has a home game, be prepared for lots of issues. For starters, there aren’t enough hotel rooms from Chattanooga to Johnson City on UT home games for the fans traveling. Your guests will pay premium prices for lodging. And if you select the weekend UT does not play, be ready for every wedding pro to be booked already. Then there’s April, May, June block that is Just as full. See where I’m going?

Holiday weekends seem like they might work better because friends and family may have extra time off. But this is east Tennessee, and the Smoky Mountains are the 2^nd most popular place for family vacations after Disney World for folks driving on vacation according to AAA Travel. Nothing is worse than having to wait for guests to arrive that have found themselves stuck in traffic.

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All of these are from real weddings!!!

HINT: Check the calendar of tourism sites and social media. And ask wedding pros. When you are visiting venues or screening photographers, ask them. They’ll know for sure.

3. Venue Selection

The last issue may be dictated by your venue. Many couples have their minds set on a particular venue or type of venue. Popular venues are booked well in advance – up to a year or more. If you find the venue you want and it is available on the date you want, BOOK IT. IF you find the venue you want and it is available the weekend before or after, BOOK IT. And if you are having trouble finding venues you like, then set a date and move ahead. If don’t have a particular theme of venue in mind, set a date and move ahead. See where I am going? You need a date set before you can be getting married. Otherwise you are engaged.

HINT: Be true to you and your fiancé. Know what is most important; set priorities. And don’t be afraid to have your wedding on day not called Saturday. Friday weddings and Sunday weddings are really becoming popular for all the reasons listed above. And if you choose a weekday, then none of this matters. On a weekday you can have your wedding without any hiccups regarding availability.  

Recap

1. Choose the season.

2. Choose a Saturday in that season.

3. If you have specific venue you want, tell them your preferences.

$100 for you!!!

As always, we are dedicated to helping couples have the best wedding day possible. Mention this blog post at booking and I’ll give you either $100 cash or $100 OFF your final cost.