Most couples start with a feeling. Candlelight, long tables, golden light on a summer evening. Then someone asks “so when?” and the whole thing gets a lot more practical.

The date you choose affects almost everything else: cost, guest turnout, photos, even what you’ll eat. Here’s how I’d think it through.

Think about who needs to be there. Make a short list of the people you absolutely can’t do without. Grandparents, siblings, the friend who flies in from overseas. Then check their calendars before you pick anything. A date that suits everyone beats a date that looks perfect on paper.

Consider the weather honestly. Summer is popular for good reason, but heat can be draining, especially for older guests and anyone in formal clothes. Autumn often brings softer light and cooler air. Winter has its own charm, with cosy interiors and candles, but travel gets harder when it snows. Spring can be lovely and unpredictable in equal measure. None of these is “best.” It’s about what suits you and your guests.

Ask about weekdays and off-peak times. Saturdays in the busiest months tend to book up first, and they’re often the priciest. A Friday, a Sunday or a date outside the peak season may give you more choice and, sometimes, more flexibility on cost. Ask each place you contact how their pricing varies, since it differs from one to the next.

Check what else is happening. Holiday weekends, big local festivals, and school breaks can affect hotel prices, traffic and who’s available to travel. A quick look at the calendar for that weekend saves headaches.

Think about daylight. If photos matter to you, check what time the sun sets on your date. An outdoor ceremony at 5 p.m. in December will be in the dark. In midsummer, you might be waiting till nearly nine for golden hour. Plan the timeline around the light.

Leave a gap for the unexpected. If you’re planning many months ahead, great. If it’s closer, be prepared to be flexible. Suppliers can be booked up, and having two or three acceptable dates makes things much easier.

Give yourself enough time. Rushing is stressful, but waiting too long limits choices. Most people find that a comfortable gap lets them make decisions calmly instead of panicking.

Once you’ve got a few possible dates and a rough idea of the season, you can start looking at spaces to host your big day in Montreal with a clear picture of what you need, and ask sharper questions when you visit.

The date doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to work for the people you love.