Choosing a wedding date is more difficult than most couples realize, considering work schedules, other family commitments, weather concerns, location and availability of buildings. Selecting the date for your wedding is simply a process of eliminating days that don’t work to identify the one that works perfectly.

Select a Season. The time of year you get married will determine a lot about your wedding, from the venue and colors to the food, flowers and the bridesmaids’ dresses. A spring wedding can mean a flowered archway, fresh flower centerpieces and pale pink and green colors. However, these same details would not work as well for a December wedding, where black and red accents look festive in a grand reception hall with a fireplace and twinkle lights. Figure out what time of year you will be getting married and select a range of dates that fit within that season.

Determine Location. If you’ve always had your heart set on getting married in that quaint rock church on the outskirts of town, call them immediately to see what dates they have available. Popular venues such as gardens, churches and reception centers fill up quickly, especially in late spring and early summer. Don’t forget to check on a place for both the wedding and the reception if they will be in two separate locations. Once you find out what dates are available, you can narrow down the list to choose a wedding date.

Family Events. Check with everyone in your family to find out any major family events that would upset or otherwise interrupt your wedding. If your sister’s baby is due at the first of June and you want her to be your matron of honor, choose a date well before or well after her due date. Other family events might be your parent’s silver anniversary, a big work conference or another wedding.

Work Schedule. Look at the work schedule for yourself and your fiancé. Make sure there is no trouble in taking the time off that is needed for wedding plans and a honeymoon. If your fiancé has his yearly audit scheduled for a certain time, steer clear of choosing a wedding date near that high stress event.