Congratulations, you’re engaged! 

What an exciting time! We also know wedding planning can be overwhelming, so where do you start? By choosing your wedding date in Brown County, Indiana!

It’s typically the first big decision you need to make before you can start planning all the details of your special day. Ready to kick off your wedding planning and pick your future anniversary?

Here are 8 questions to consider when choosing the perfect date to say “I do” in Brown County:

1.) How much time do you need to plan your wedding?

The average engagement length is 12–18 months. A longer engagement gives you plenty of time to mark everything off your wedding checklist like finding and ordering a wedding dress (can take 9–11 months) and booking a venue (many are booked over a year in advance).

Don’t want to wait that long? Consider a shorter engagement if “you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible” (to quote “When Harry Met Sally”). There are pros and cons to both engagement timelines!

2.) Are there any special dates for you as a couple?

Want to tie the knot on the anniversary of a significant milestone in your relationship? Do you have a lucky number together? Or is there a numerically unique date you’d like to have (like 10/25/25) or maybe a palindrome date that reads the same forwards and backwards (like 6/20/2026)?

Just remember picking a specific date that is sentimental to you will likely limit your venue options. And numerically unique dates are popular, so you’ll be competing with many other couples and could face more expensive pricing.

3.) What is your preferred season of the year?

Consider: 1) Brown County’s climate, especially if you want to get married outdoors. 2) The seasonality of your favorite flowers. 3) The theme and vibe you want: a floral spring wedding, a sunny summer wedding, a vibrant fall wedding, or a winter wonderland wedding.

In Brown County, it’s no surprise that couples love to walk down the aisle in the fall, our favorite season. And the same is true across the country—fall is currently the most popular wedding season of the year with October being the most popular month.

4.) Where do you want to honeymoon?

Doing a little research on the weather patterns of your top honeymoon choices might help you decide when to get married. You don’t want to plan to travel during hurricane, typhoon, or monsoon season!

5.) Is your budget better suited for peak or off-peak dates?

Peak wedding season in the U.S. is May through October, making prices higher as well as venues and vendors harder to book due to high demand. On the other hand, choosing an off-season date will save you money and offer more availability.

It can also help you avoid the crowds. While the fall is our top wedding season in Brown County, it’s also the busiest time of the year when visitors come in droves to see our beautiful peak leaves, so that’s something to keep in mind.

Regarding days of the week, Saturday is the most popular but also the most expensive, so Fridays and Sundays have grown in popularity. And some couples are even opting for weekday weddings!

6.) Do you want a holiday-themed wedding?

Envisioning a Christmas tree, a heart-shaped wedding cake, or Fourth of July fireworks at your wedding?

One pro: Some holidays fall on long weekends, making it easier for out-of-town guests to attend. Two cons: Some guests may not want to travel to a wedding on their holiday weekend, and you may face higher prices too.

7.) What dates should you avoid?

Think about public and religious holidays; major sporting events like Super Bowl Sunday and the Final Four; and big local events like concerts, festivals, marathons, and graduations.

Getting married on these dates will likely affect your budget, the availability of venues and vendors, crowds/traffic, and your guests’ availability and travel costs.

8.) Are your VIP guests available?

Who are the people who must be there when you get married? We’re talking about your immediate circle: parents, siblings, and your wedding party (or simply your Maid of Honor and Best Man).

Consider checking if they have any date conflicts to ensure you pick a date they can all attend. However, once you select a date, don’t budge.

Once you consider these questions, start researching wedding venues and vendors and check their availability. If you already have a dream venue in mind or you find one you love but they’re booked on the dates you are interested in, go back to your calendar and see if you have any flexibility. The same goes for any vendor you really want to secure like a favorite photographer, wedding planner, or live band.

Choosing a wedding date doesn’t have to be difficult. By knowing what matters most to you—a specific date, a desired season, a preferred venue or vendor, etc.—you’ll figure out the perfect day to say “I do” and can start spreading the news with save the dates, a wedding website, and invitations!

Your next step: Download your FREE Wedding Guide and start exploring Brown County’s venues, vendors, and more!