Congrats, You're Engaged! Now What?

October 19, 2024

The question has been popped, the ring is sparkling on your finger, and you're basking in the warm glow of your new engagement. As the initial excitement wears off, reality starts to sink in – you have a wedding to plan! Where do you even begin?

Planning a wedding is no small feat. It involves making hundreds of decisions, big and small, that will shape the look, feel, and experience of your big day. From setting a budget to choosing venues, suppliers, colours, and everything in between, the to-do list can seem endless and overwhelming.

Amidst the whirlwind of wedding planning, one of the most crucial decisions you'll make is selecting your date. This simple decision will be the driving force behind nearly every other decision in the process. Your date will determine venue availability, wedding season, potential guest list conflicts, and so much more. That’s why smart couples put significant thought into this first big step.

Why Setting the Date is a Critical First Step

Deciding on your wedding date is a crucial early step in the planning process because it serves as the anchor for nearly every other decision and logistical element. Your date impacts venue availability, supplier bookings, guest availability and travel logistics, attire choices, floral designs, and even menu options based on seasonality.

By determining the 'when,' you provide the planning timeline for venues, suppliers, and your wedding party. Popular venues can book up one to two years in advance, so selecting your date early is essential for venue availability. Suppliers like photographers, DJs, florists, and caterers also start accepting reservations 12–16 months prior, so your date allows them to mark their calendars accordingly.

The date also lets your guests make any necessary arrangements for travel and accommodation if it’s a destination wedding or if many attendees are coming from out of town. Providing ample notice helps maximise the number of loved ones who can clear their schedules to celebrate with you both.

Additionally, your wedding date impacts the overall aesthetic and ambience. The season and local climate influence your colour palette, attire, floral choices, food and drink offerings, and whether indoor or outdoor venues are preferable. Getting the date solidified allows you to start visualising and making decisions aligned with the desired vibe and experience.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Date

One of the biggest factors in setting your wedding date is seasonality. Spring and autumn tend to be the most popular times to tie the knot, with mild temperatures and beautiful natural scenery. Summer weddings can be lovely but potentially sweltering depending on your location. Winter celebrations offer a cosy, romantic vibe but may require contingency plans for inclement weather.

Venue and supplier availability is another crucial consideration. In-demand venues can book up a year or more in advance for prime dates like Saturdays in peak seasons. If your heart is set on a specific location, you may need to be flexible with your date. Key suppliers like photographers, florists, and caterers also tend to get booked early for those coveted spring and autumn weekends.

Holidays and other occasions can impact date selection as well. Rates may be higher for venues and suppliers around major holidays like New Year’s Eve. At the same time, a holiday wedding can be enchanting if you embrace festive themes and décor. Cultural celebrations or community events could affect guest attendance. And you’ll want to avoid conflicting with other big family events like reunions or major milestones.

For many couples, choosing a date with personal significance adds meaningful symbolism. Perhaps you’ll go with your first date anniversary, parents’ or grandparents’ wedding date as a sweet tribute, or a special numerical pattern you’re drawn to. Just keep in mind that venues may charge premium rates for 'lucky' dates like 10/10/2025.

Finally, don’t forget to factor in your VIP guests’ availability, especially if you have many out-of-towners. Giving plenty of advance notice helps ensure key loved ones can make it. You may even want to send a preliminary guest list a few potential date options to gauge availability before locking anything in.

Popular Wedding Months and Seasons

Certain months and seasons tend to be more popular for weddings than others. The peak wedding season typically falls during the late spring through early autumn, with June, September, and October being among the most sought-after months. However, each season offers its own unique pros and cons.

Spring (March–May)

Pros:

Mild temperatures in many regions
Blooming flowers and lush greenery for beautiful outdoor settings
Symbolism of new beginnings and fresh starts

Cons:

Potential for rain showers
Competition for venues and suppliers during peak months like May

Summer (June–August)

Pros:

Warm, sunny weather ideal for outdoor ceremonies and receptions
Long daylight hours for extended celebrations
Summer holidays for many guests, making travel easier

Cons:

Peak demand and pricing for venues and services
Potential for extreme heat or humidity in some regions
Conflicting schedules with graduations, holidays, and family holidays

Autumn (September–November)

Pros:

Cooler temperatures and lower humidity levels
Stunning foliage backdrops in many areas
Availability and pricing may be better than peak season

Cons:

Potential for rain or early snowfall in some regions
Shorter daylight hours as the season progresses

Winter (December–February)

Pros:

Potential for lower rates and increased availability
Cosy, romantic atmospheres with fireplaces and twinkling lights
Festive holiday ambience for December weddings

Cons:

Cold temperatures and potential for inclement weather
Conflicting schedules with holidays and school breaks
Fewer outdoor options in many regions

Ultimately, the best season for your wedding comes down to personal preference, location, and weighing the various pros and cons. Being open to different times of year can also provide more flexibility in securing your desired venue and suppliers.

The Venue Factor: Availability and Lead Times

One of the biggest factors in setting your wedding date is venue availability. Popular wedding venues can book up a year or more in advance, especially for prime dates like Saturdays in peak season. As a general rule, the more coveted the venue, the further ahead you’ll need to reserve your date.

Venue pricing can also vary significantly based on when you get married. Saturday nights are typically the most expensive, with Friday and Sunday weddings being more affordable options. Weekday weddings offer the best rates but may be difficult for out-of-town guests. Many venues also charge premium rates for peak months like June, September, and October.

If you have your heart set on a particular venue, it’s wise to inquire about date availability very early in the planning process. Venues will be able to provide a realistic timeline for when you need to book and pay deposits to secure your preferred date. Don’t get discouraged if your top-choice venue is already booked for the upcoming year – getting a head start for dates 12–18 months out can increase your options.

Remaining flexible on your dates can also help you score significant savings on venue and supplier costs. Being open to a Friday or Sunday date, or avoiding peak season altogether, may make that dream venue affordable. With a bit of compromise, you can have an incredible wedding at a lower price point.

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London Diamonds

5.0

979 reviews

Alex E

1 month ago

Verified

A perfect company to deal with. Personal service and I feel like I've had amazing value for money. I will be recommending you to friends. And the most important thing is she said YES! Thank you!

H F

3 months ago

Absolutely fantastic company - visited their website with an idea in mind but not really knowing anything about rings, sizes etc. Registered my interest via a form and within a few minutes was contacted by Miranda who was unbelievably helpful. Sent through some beautiful designs that matched the look I was going for and also helped massively with choosing the size - which in the end couldn’t have fitted any better! At no point was there any push or rush to make a sale, the team were genuinely interested in helping make sure the right choice is made. The ring itself is exceptionally beautiful, i was sent a video by James after it was made to make sure I was happy with it and was then sent to me on a day of my choice - My fiancé was lost for words and hasn’t stopped receiving compliments on how nice it is! Incredibly glad I went with this company and cannot speak highly enough of the quality and the service provided by London diamonds!

Clarissa S

Not the cheapest in London, but definitely high quality and the lifetime guarantee has already come in handy when a stone fell out. While they're solid at the basic designs lots of brides ask for, they also made a great bespoke male engagement ring that is nothing like anything I've ever seen before or since. My husband still gets lots of compliments on it over a year later. Thank you, Maggie!

David C

London Diamonds was recommended by a friend and I couldn’t be happier. From an initial phone consultation to delivery of the ring, and a resize, Miranda and James have been brilliant and delivered a beautiful product and first-rate service. My fiancée loves her new ring, though my photos don’t do it full justice! Thank you so much for making something that is rather difficult a very easy process with excellent advice. Highly recommend.

Adam G

5 months ago

Put plainly, you simply have to purchase your engagement ring or diamond jewelry from James and the team at London Diamonds. Truly unrivaled customer service and amazing products. I was speaking back and forth with James for about 6 months, he never pushed a sale and was always happy to help / educate me on the market. Ended up with the perfect engagement ring which my partner was delighted with. On top of that, their after-care service continues, they’re always happy to help and are top draw with any issues. I don’t usually write Google Review but I genuinely could not recommend them any higher.

Louise P

London diamonds created the most stunning engagement ring over two years ago and it remains to wow everyone that sees it's beauty, It can't help but catch everyone's eye! James has always gone above and beyond with his service and uphold his guarantee. We have sent it back for maintenance and cleaning which arrived back looking like new. We wouldn't hesitate to use James and his team again for any piece of jewellery! Thank you to James and the team for creating something so special.

Bilal S

Best in the business

Tyler P

6 months ago

Price, quality, and customer service is second to none. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without this company. Would give 10 stars if I could!

Jason

Amazing company with great communication through the whole process! Miranda provided lots of suggestions and helped me narrow down to the perfect design, they then sourced a beautiful diamond quickly and got the ring ready against tight timelines. The resizing process was also quick and painless, London Diamonds paid for and organised a very quick delivery service to get the ring back to us in time for our holiday and my Fiancée’s birthday. I would highly recommend London Diamonds, - high quality rings with a professional service and personal touch!

Charles S

7 months ago

Great place, great price and service from start to end. Laura was really helpful with the designing of the ring, providing diamond options and information regarding the cuts and quality. Over the weeks she helped me make up my mind on the design, kept me informed and was very professional on the collection day. I think my soon to be fiance is going to love the ring. Will definitely be purchasing the wedding bands from them. If you want a good quality ring at a good price. Look no further.

Immi J

Amazing service and BEAUTIFUL rings! I have followed London Diamonds for some time now and was so excited when it came to my turn to get my very own London Diamonds engagement ring! James and the team designed my dream ring for me and were impeccable with communication and service from the start to finish with my partner, and then with me afterwards, I couldn't recommend them more!

James M

8 months ago

I wanted to take the opportunity to say just how delighted I am with the service and product from London Diamonds. Whilst planning my proposal to my partner I reached out to James from LD who was quick to come to my assistance. No pushy sales patter, or trying to talk me into something I didn’t want, instead quick and honest support and an understanding of my choice for a mined diamond, which was exactly what I needed. James kept me updated throughout the ring design and build process, answering my questions and thoughts as we went. I had planned my proposal whilst away on holiday with my partner, and due to some unforeseen circumstances, the ring was very nearly not ready in time to which James offered to fly his son out to meet me with the ring instead so the proposal was possible - it didn’t come to this but this is testament to the service James and LD deliver! My partner absolutely loves her ring and I would not hesitate to recommend LD to anyone in the market for an engagement ring. Thanks so much James and all of the LD team. J & E

LanceM 8

Fantastic quality rings and brilliant customer service. The lifetime free-resizing service was also so useful and welcomed. The team are super responsive to emails if you ever need them.

James A

9 months ago

I don’t normally write reviews however, I want to make a special thank you to Miranda, I ordered an engagement ring, having never bought a ring in my life, she made the process seamless and helped me through every step of the process. I was even sent a personal video of the ring once it was ready. Thank you Miranda and the London Diamonds team. James P.s she said yes!

DamzOn2Wheels

Fantastic service from start to finish with no pressure. James and the team were fabulous A+

Gurung A

The service of London Diamond is beyond outstanding. The quality and the designs of their diamonds are fabulous too. Special thanks to James for sorting the exquisite ring in short notice.

Misha A

11 months ago

There really is no better place to buy an engagement ring from. I always knew I wanted my ring from London Diamonds due to their excellent reviews and my fiancé had a fantastic experience. My ring is more perfect than I could have ever imagined - it is the most sparkly ring I have ever seen! Their customer service is exceptional. I recently took advantage of their free cleaning service after having my ring for over a year and I was really impressed with how quickly they returned my ring. I look forward to getting my wedding band from London Diamonds in the near future. Thank you!

Andrew W

Excellent service from James and the team at London Diamonds. They helped me design and source an engagement ring for my partner. They didn’t push me to purchase a more expensive ring and found me exactly what I was looking for, within budget. They also resized the ring twice for free. My partner has received dozens of compliments on the ring from friends and strangers since receiving it 6 months ago. I would highly recommend London Diamonds!

Gurps R

Whilst searching for an engagement ring, Arran was excellent in understanding the style we were looking for and was able to help us design the perfect ring. Arran is very knowledgeable, understanding and creative which helped us in the design and purchase. Not once did we feel pressured to purchase a specific ring. I have recommended friends and family to deal with Arran for future purchases.

Mariya L

1 year ago

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the exceptional service provided by London Diamond Official, and I couldn't be more impressed, especially considering this was for my engagement ring. My journey with them began when I encountered an issue with my diamond ring. Despite having it resized, it still spun around my finger uncomfortably, which was particularly frustrating considering it was a special piece we acquired abroad. Thankfully, a colleague who had faced a similar problem recommended London Diamond Official to me. She shared how they went above and beyond by adding internal additional balls to her ring to prevent it from spinning. With her glowing recommendation, I decided to give them a try. From the moment I reached out to London Diamond Official, I was greeted with professionalism and warmth. James, who assisted me, proved to be an absolute legend. He listened attentively to my concerns and assured me that they would take care of the issue promptly. True to their word, the team at London Diamond Official worked swiftly to fix my engagement ring. In no time at all, they had implemented the necessary adjustments, ensuring that my ring now fit perfectly without any spinning. What's more, the entire process was a pleasure from start to finish, thanks to their excellent communication and customer care. Having experienced such outstanding service, I can't wait to entrust London Diamond Official with my future jewelry needs. Their dedication to customer satisfaction and craftsmanship is truly commendable, and I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone seeking quality and reliability in their jewelry purchases. Thank you, London Diamond Official, for your unparalleled service and for making my engagement ring perfect once again. Mariya xxx

Tony

James A huge thanks to you and the entire team at London Diamonds for making the whole process of purchasing a 5 stone platinum ring for my wife an enjoyable and memorable occasion. I am not the easiest customer to satisfy but nothing was too much trouble and would highly recommend your services to anyone in the market for a standard or bespoke item, you won’t be disappointed! Honest unbiased advice without pushing you to spend more than you intended to. You set the budget and these guys will find the best stones available for you. Once again thank you very much for your patience and the superb finished product we could not be happier 😊 T&A

Joanne F

Amazing service yet again :) Sent my engagement ring back for inspection and a polish and it has come back looking brand new. Nothing is too much trouble and I look forward to ordering my wedding band in a few weeks time. Thank you :)

f P

The experience from start to finish including aftercare was outstanding ! The expertise and friendliness of the staff was over and above, the workmanship was top class and of course value for money was fantastic. Highly recommended from us

Sophie W

amazing service, options and prices

Gareth W

London Diamonds were total professionals throughout. Not once did they pressure me into any sale choice and decisions, they just gave me honest, genuine and expert support. Particular thanks to James. The ring is absolutely beautiful. I would 100% recommend LD... And to avoid the high street chains!

Kassie B

My engagement and wedding rings are from here! My engagement ring has had to be resized and they have done this so quickly, it needs to go down one more size and they said they will do it within a few days as I live abroad and head back. The service is brilliant. Super impressed. Same with our wedding bands - both are lovely and well priced too. Thanks!

Natasha M

My husband bought my engagement ring from London Diamonds just over 3 years ago. Recently a diamond fell out of the ring and London Diamonds couldn’t have been anymore helpful. They repaired the ring, replacing the diamond, and gave it a proper clean, all under warranty so we paid £0! This service was super quick as well. We sent the ring via Royal Mail on a Thursday and received it back by the next Tuesday. I can’t say enough how fabulous the company and their team have been! We couldn’t recommend London Diamonds enough!

Lauren H

I can’t thank James and the team enough for fixing my ring! After 2 years since my engagement, Monday evening I damaged my ring (what I thought was quite badly) and was absolutely gutted. After messaging James and showing him the damage, he told me that it wasn’t a problem and the team could of course sort it. On Wednesday I took the ring to the office and on Thursday it was fixed. Not only is my ring back in one piece but it is how I was given it on my engagement. Looks brand new and sparkly! Thank you team!

Andrew J

Just want to thank London Diamonds for the work they done with my engagement ring for my fiancé. I chose London Diamonds after following their business page on Instagram for a while.. Seeing the work that was displayed alone was enough for me to know that I would be using their services to create the most perfect engagement ring. London diamonds exceed every expectation I had from start to finish! The process was flawless from start to finish and I was at ease knowing I was dealing with such a reputable company. James would liaise with me regularly during the design of the ring, and continued to provide updates throughout the duration of the creation of the ring. Nothing was ever too much hassle and the holistic treatment throughout was very reassuring. I could not recommend London Diamonds enough. Thank you to all at London Diamonds for creating such a special engagement ring, my now fiancé is overwhelmed by how perfect the ring is and you have made her dreams come true. See you soon for the wedding band!

Daniel L

Amazing service from start to finish, couldn’t be happier, the ring made was beautiful. Thanks again

Luke F

I couldn’t recommend London Diamonds enough. I first purchased the most perfect diamond for my Fiancé with James back in 2020. I gave him a near impossible deadline, yet with professionalism and sheer determination to help me, he made it work. He took time to discuss the requirements, managed expectations, and ultimately found the best possible diamond quality for our budget. I have remained in regular contact since, and they have helped me replace missing diamonds on two separate occasions, free of charge & efficient at that! I cannot recommend James and the team enough.

Ryan E

Easy process with great communication, highly reccomend!

Jamie M

London Diamonds are one of the BEST companies I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. I researched a fair amount before contacting them and like many others my experience was incredible. The communication is spot on, they hold your hand throughout the development, and they made me feel part of that process. I really felt looked after from day 1. When we needed an adjustment made on a wedding ring it’s was no issue….no charge! Always happy to help solve your issue - We had a face to face meeting where everything was measured and they went above and beyond for us! James and his team really are very good people and they want the best for you. If you want to be looked after and work with a company that genuinely understands and cares about the process of buying and designing a diamond ring for your budget - then don’t hesitate and contact them! You’ll be happy you did! We are incredibly happy and grateful for everything! Cheers James! Jamie and Sarah x

Elanor B

I just wanted to send a message to say thankyou so much for resizing and sorting my ring that went misshaped. You have done an unbelievable job, you are just fantastic. I only posted my ring last week and received it back within 6 days, absolutely top tier service. You provide an outstanding service after purchasing the ring (which is not very common). Thank you so much for making my ring perfect again. You seriously are the best in the business :).

S O

This is probably the best service I’ve received from any type of business in a long while. James is knowledgeable, and educates you through the process. What floored me the most, was that we told James our budget and requirements, and he managed to find the most beautiful diamond for us, which was far beyond our expectations of spec and came way under our budget, such honesty. I would highly recommend speaking with James if you are shopping, he responds quickly and keeps you updated throughout. We will not be going anywhere other than to James for our diamonds. I know this all sounds to go to be true but I can assure you it has been a real pleasurable experience from start to finish. And everyone has complimented just how beautiful my ring is. James, thank you I’ll be back for the wedding bands and earrings!

Julie D

Wow, what a fantastic service you receive from the start of the process , right to the end. Such a great knowledge team, and the after care is something that you don’t get anywhere else, I unfortunately had an accident and badly damaged my beautiful engagement ring, I contacted James and sent my ring back , and I am speechless that they have managed to repair it , and it is now sitting back gleaming on my finger and I couldn’t be happier or more thankful. Such outstanding service.

Sam P

Could not recommend London Diamonds highly enough. Took all the hassle and stress out of the process and made it very straightforward and easy. Filled in their easy to use form online and within a matter of days a very helpful member of the team had got back to me. Always swift to respond and on hand to help with any questions/queries. An excellent service from start to finish and the ring itself is amazing and exactly what I asked for. Clearly a group of individuals who are willing to go above and beyond for you as the client.

Gary R

Exceptional service. James and the London Diamonds team were very responsive. They answered all my questions and eased my uncertainties. The ring is absolutely stunning! Overall, we are very happy and we would recommend their services. Thank you

Ella H

I would give more than 5 stars if I could! London Diamonds really can’t do enough for you. Their service is outstanding and nothing is too much trouble. My partner purchased my ring a couple of years ago and I sadly popped a diamond out of the ring. They went over and beyond to repair the ring, it came back to me polished and cleaned and looking brand new. The quality of the rings that they make and the service they provide is honestly the best that there is. Thank you again LD!

Harrison G

Buying an engagement ring is no small task, the team at London Diamonds helped me every step of the way to create the most perfect ring for my fiancée. The process was so smooth, the communication was clear and I honestly could not recommend them enough to anyone looking at buying an engagement ring. My fiancée hasn’t stopped looking at it and the compliments have been non stop. Thank you once again for making this special occasion perfect!

Satinder K

Brilliant customer service and communication the whole way through my initial first conversation with James to receiving the ring! The service was so prompt and I was well informed throughout the process. When the ring was done the delivery was very quick as well, it looks absolutely amazing and so if you’re looking for a ring I wouldn’t recommend anyone else but London Diamonds, thank you so much ! :)

kimberley B

where to start with London diamonds...... the best service from start to finish for my engagement ring. James was 100% honest and I never felt pressured into buying something I didn't want. when we collected the ring I was completely speechless it was perfect! James and the team thank you so so much for everything. my only grumble is that I can't give you 6 stars for your service 😀

Taylor M

Amazing service from start to finish with the fabulous London Diamonds company. Could not recommend them highly enough. We will definitely be coming back for our wedding bands. Thank you again.

Thanbir U

Bought a ring from these guys, top stuff is all I can say. They made it easy from the start, and kept me updated through the whole process. They provided such a bespoke and high class service, I would recommend to everyone! It was done earlier than I wanted, they are beating all the high street jewellers by far and they definitely exceeded my expectations. The ring was perfect and so was the delivery of it. Big thank you to the whole team there!

Elizabeth R

Working with London Diamonds and James has been one of the single best commercial experiences I’ve ever had. So much so that I’ve purchased additional items from them and am actively saving up for more. I have told everyone about them and am now even writing my first google review! Having a lab grown diamond was really important to me and, having stalked their Instagram page for years, I knew I wouldn’t go to anyone else when it came time to buy my engagement right. James sourced a diamond of excellent quality and in the rare old mine cut that I had never seen before on a lab grown diamond. From the very start he was transparent about pricing and timings and both were very fair and reflective of the quality and service. He communicated with me directly at every stage of the design process and made sure I was always happy. Recently I had the prong setting changed (due only to my own style preference and not at all to do with the quality of the setting) and James accepted the ring back without question or ego and turned it around in a matter of days. He’s professional, polite, upfront and responds quickly and efficiently. I always knew I was getting a fair and honest service and I truly cannot recommend them enough! We will absolutely be going to them for our wedding rings and any other jewellery we have made in the future. I now have the most beautiful ring in the world and if he doesn’t post it all over his socials, I certainly will!

Abbie C

James and the team were absolutely incredible when my fiancé was designing my ring. They responded very quickly to any queries and nothing seemed like too much trouble. No hard sell and took the time to find the correct diamond and create my dream ring! Thank you so much!

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Congrats, You're Engaged! Now What?

Why Setting the Date is a Critical First Step

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Date

Popular Wedding Months and Seasons

Spring (March–May)

Pros:

Cons:

Summer (June–August)

Pros:

Cons:

Autumn (September–November)

Pros:

Cons:

Winter (December–February)

Pros:

Cons:

The Venue Factor: Availability and Lead Times

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