Special October date to see thousands of weddings - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

Couples choose all kinds of ways to get married. Some go to Las Vegas, some say 'I do' while skydiving. This year, couples are hoping a certain date will make their ceremony special. It's a date that only comes around once every thousand years: 10-11-12.

Melissa Barton works at one of the places many women consider paradise -- a bridal store.

"It's so much fun. Every single day you get to work around amazing gowns and dress women up in the gowns of their dreams. Awesome job," said Barton, who works at David's Bridal.

October usually is not a busy month, but this year is different. Barton says many more weddings will be done on October 11, or 10-11-12.

"We actually estimate about 4,000 brides will get married this year on that date, so that's a huge increase from last year on 10/11. And really we know that 43 percent of brides are choosing to get married on an iconic date," said Barton. "Brides have planned in advance, they know what they want to do and if that date is that important for them, they're absolutely going to make it work and so will their families and friends."

Lakendra McDowell met her future husband through her cousin. She moved to Atlanta and they have been together ever since. She says she was determined to marry her fiance, Tay Starks, on an iconic date.

She first considered getting married on 12-12-12.

"And I said I didn't want to get married that close to December," said McDowell.

She thought about 11-12-13.

"Ok, well, then I don't want to put the date off again, you know. I don't want to get married next year," said McDowell.

So she settled on 10-11-12.

"This way my fiance, he has no way to forget his anniversary, ok? You got married 10-11-12. It's just that simple," explained McDowell.

The iconic wedding date also represents a growing trend of weekday weddings. Although inconvenient for family and friends, a lot of venues and services are more readily available, which could mean lower prices.

McDowell chose a beach wedding in Destin, Florida with only close family. But more than the date, she says they'll never forget the moment.

"They're all excited. It's a blessing," said McDowell.

On 12-12-12, it's estimated that 5,000 brides will marry, compared to 485 on the same date last year. That's a 939 percent increase. For more information on David's Bridal, click here!