As your wedding photographer I'm glad to support your preparations. The right date makes sure everything comes together on the big day, from the light to the budget to the people who should be there.
1. How soon after the engagement?
There's no fixed rule here. Some couples savour the engagement and take their time planning, others start right away. In the German-speaking region an engagement lasts on average 12 to 18 months.
2. The most popular months
In demand above all are Saturdays from May to October. If you celebrate outdoors and want to dodge hot temperatures, it's best to leave out late July and August.
3. The quieter months
Late November to January are less in demand. That doesn't make these weddings any less beautiful. A winter wedding has a charm all its own, and often more availability with venues and vendors.
4. Holidays to rather avoid
With a larger guest list including distant relatives and friends, it's best to avoid family-oriented holidays like Christmas, Easter, Whitsun, Assumption Day, All Saints’ Day and New Year.
5. Holidays that can work
New Year’s Eve and the days between Christmas and New Year are popular dates, and for good reason: they bring a special festivity and let you celebrate the start of your marriage in a singular way.
6. The date and your budget
The date affects the budget. Many venues and caterers adjust their prices seasonally; in months with lower demand the costs are usually lower.
7. Your very own VIPs
Everyone has people who simply must be there. Before you fix a date, make sure it works for parents, close friends and other important people.
8. Avoid big events and trade fairs
If much of your party travels from afar, finding accommodation gets harder if a major event is on in the city that same weekend. A quick look at the events calendar is worthwhile.
9. Other weddings in your circle
If another wedding with a similar guest list falls in the same year, for instance a sibling’s or a cousin’s, leave enough space between the two dates.
10. Enough lead time for planning
An ideal planning window is 12 to 18 months. That gives you time to plan and carry out every detail carefully, without ending up under time pressure.
For a ceremony via the “Traumhochzeit in Wien” office (MA 63): +43 1 4000 09570, traumhochzeit@ma63.wien.gv.at. Slots include Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri at 16:00 and 18:00, Sat at 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00, none on public holidays. From the first working day in May, reservations for the whole following year are possible.
Once the date is set, the time before it gets exciting. An engagement shoot is the loveliest way to capture it.
