The holidays brought a surprise gift of an engagement and now it is time to sit down and set a date for the wedding. This will be the first of many important decisions you both, as a couple; will make leading up to the special day. This blog will hopefully steer you clear of obvious disastrous dates, but also shed some light on less obvious dates that you both might want to consider avoiding.
Personally Significant Days
Check your own calendar and your family’s calendars first. Eliminate college reunions, family weddings, anniversaries or any annual occasions that involve your family or close friends. Also consider checking for conventions or festivals in your city. Try calling your local chamber of commerce for a schedule.
Holiday Weekends
Holiday weekend weddings have pros and cons. You’ve got an extra day for the festivities (and recovery!); plus, a Sunday wedding is often less expensive than a Saturday one. Also consider the impact of a holiday weekend on your guest list: Some families have standing plans or traditions that they’d prefer not to miss. Others might recent having to pay higher flight costs and/or accommodation fees due to holiday price increases.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of January 16-18, 2016
Presidents’ Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of February 13-15, 2016
Memorial Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of May 28-30, 2016
Labor Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of September 3-5, 2016
Columbus Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of October 8-10, 2016
Mother’s Day (always a Sunday)
Ask yourself: Do you want your anniversary to fall on the same weekend as Mother’s Day when (or if) you become a mom?
Weekend of May 7-8, 2016
Father’s Day (always a Sunday)
Like with Mother’s Day, ask yourself: Are you okay with celebrating your anniversary the same weekend as Father’s Day if you decide to have kids.
Weekend of June 18-19, 2016
Independence Day (falls on a Monday this year)
Monday, July 4, 2016
Holidays
Halloween
Don’t risk someone showing up in costume!
Monday, October 31, 2016
Thanksgiving (always a Thursday)
November 24, 2016
New Year’s Eve
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Religious and Cultural Holidays
Be mindful of religious and cultural holidays (your own and those of your guests) when planning your wedding.
Palm Sunday
March 20, 2016
Easter Sunday
March 27, 2016
Passover (begins at sunset)
Friday, April 22, 2016
Tisha B’Av (begins at sunset)
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Rosh Hashanah (begins at sunset)
Sunday, October 2, 2016, until nightfall on Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Yom Kippur (begins at sunset)
Tuesday, October 11, 2016 until nightfall on Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Hanukkah (begins at sunset)
Saturday, December 24, 2016 until nightfall on Sunday, January 1, 2017
Christmas
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Kwanzaa
Monday, December 26, 2016 until Sunday, January 1, 2017
Days of Remembrance
These days are a tough call. For some these dates may be off-limits, but for others a wedding on one of these dates could make them all the more meaningful—it’s up to you to decide.
Patriot Day
Sunday, September 11, 2016
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Major Sporting Events
If you’re worried your guests might have a hard time choosing between your wedding and the big game, race, or tournament—avoid getting married during popular sporting events. Below are just a few of those prime sporting events, but seriously there are over 60+ major sporting events from The French Open to the World Series…too many to list.
So, my advice, choose your top 4 and let the cards fall where they fall. (National World Poker Tournament Jan 02 – Jan 08
Super Bowl Sunday
February 7, 2016, in Santa Clara, CA
Final Four During March Madness
Saturday, April 2, 2016, and Monday, April 4, 2016, in Houston, TX
Copa America Centenario
June 3-26
The United States will host the Copa America soccer tournament for the first time.
UEFA European Championship or Euro 2016
June 10-July 10
Kentucky Derby
Sunday, May 7, Louisville, Kentucky
Unlucky Dates
If you’re superstitious, you might want to watch out for these historically inauspicious dates.
Friday the 13th
The unluckiest date of the year.
May 13, 2016
Leap Year
Monday, February 29, 2016
