Wedding day: a strange title for some, unusual for a few, but common for Asian families. How do you choose your wedding day? Is it difficult to know how to begin choosing? Well, the simple answer is - choose a day when that you think will be a good day. It could be a bank holiday, weekend or evening. If we are considering weather, we choose summertime, or at least the time of year when the weather is supposed to be best. I have not seen many weddings in the spring, which is rainy season in India, because the majority of events take place in the back garden or in the street. In England we can have our wedding in summer, but the next thing you know, the rain could be pouring down. But it doesn't matter since the venue is indoors.

We Indians are strong believers that when we choose our wedding day, we have to take many things into consideration. We need to think of timing, because in the Hindu religion, the time of the year and month has great significance, and in the Muslim faith, certain times will have to be avoided because of Ramadan.

In India, particularly in small villages, the date for a wedding is chosen by gathering a group of people from both sides of couple. They will avoid certain dates if there are exams for the children taking place, festivals, bad weather, guests coming from abroad, cricket match finals, new Bollywood film releases, days when the electricity will be cut (in small villages the power is cut for one whole day each week). Other factors are the caterers availability, and also the amount of time needed for the journey home of the groom. And the most important factor of all is what is suitable for the bride. It is better for her if the wedding does not clash with her monthly rest.

If you are planning your next wedding event, and you are inviting large volumes of people of the Muslim faith, then when you choose the day you should take the following into consideration: Ramadan, Friday morning, Edd day, Hajj time. It is always best to check on the internet whether there are any festivals coming up for any Asian faith, any national events, football matches, IPL or test cricket matches. I'm sure you will find one almost everyday, because India is a country that likes festivals and likes to celebrate. But I'm sure that after careful consideration, you will choose the best day you can. Good Luck.