The instant you post your first engagement photo on social media, you are sure to have a flurry of friends and family members asking, "So when's the big day?" Do they think you planned your whole wedding before you even popped the question?

Picking a wedding date may not be  easy! We understand that you're under a ton of pressure so, naturally, the best advice we can think of is... relax and take your time. Ultimately, the decision is up to the two of you, no matter how many unsolicited opinions you receive on the matter. The process of setting a date will look different for each couple. Here's how to pick a wedding date that's perfect for your dream wedding. 

Consider Symbolic Dates

Chances are, there are numerous dates that have personal significance to you or your spouse-to-be. Think about getting married on the same date that you first met, or the anniversary of when you made things couple-status official. Some couples choose dates that have cultural significance, while others go so far as to get married on a favorite holiday.  

Narrow Down the Season

Before you pick a specific date, figure out the season you want to get married in. Seasons play a huge role in setting the tone and ambiance for your big day, and can have a great symbolic impact on the entire experience. 

Do you envision yourself being married among the blooming wildflowers of spring, or amid a cascade of falling autumn leaves? Maybe you've always wanted an outdoor summer wedding, or perhaps a cozy winter lodge wedding with snowy mountains as your backdrop. Once you decide on your season the other details will fall into place. 

How Long Should Your Engagement Be?

The length of your engagement is closely tied to your wedding planning timeline. Many couples like to plan their wedding a year in advance, but that's not for everyone.

How far out you want your wedding date to be should depend on how long you want to enjoy this particular chapter of your life, but also on whether you're the type of person who likes to plan things quickly, or likes to take their time on every detail.

Are There Dates You Want to Avoid?

There's nothing worse than accidentally booking your wedding on a major holiday (or Superbowl Sunday). You might also want to skip certain periods of the year, like finals week or even the week leading up to the tax deadline.

Start by marking off dates on the calendar that you most want to avoid, and go from there. Think about local events too; you probably don't want to plan a wedding during the same week there's a festival in town. 

Decide How Much Input You Want From Others

Friends and family will always be eager—sometimes a little too eager—to offer opinions and advice when it comes to picking a wedding date. It's up to you to decide how much influence others have and to set healthy boundaries if necessary. 

It's also up to you to decide how much you can accommodate the needs and wants of others if there are certain dates on which they won't be able to attend. If a parent, grandparent or sibling can't make it on a certain day, that's worth considering. But it's a slippery slope, so be careful about making too many concessions.

Budgetary Considerations

It would be a mistake not to take your budget into account when deciding on your wedding date. Everything from the cost of accommodations to your venue rental and photographer can change depending on the date and the season. 

June, September and October are the busiest wedding months, and also the most expensive. December and February aren't far behind, mostly because of couples who want to get married around Christmas or Valentine's Day. If you want to save a little money, March, April and November are your best bets. It's also worth considering the day of the week. Weekday weddings tend to cost much less than weekend weddings.

Venue and Vendor Availability

Before you start sending out save-the-dates, first make sure your dream wedding venue is available on your preferred date. If not, you may have to be flexible, either with the venue or with the date. 

Availability of your preferred photographer, caterers, florist and other vendors is an important consideration too, and the size of your wedding will be a factor. If you're planning a small ceremony or a micro wedding, you'll have much more flexibility when it comes to picking your dates.