If the holidays brought a surprise gift of an engagement now is the 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 13–15
Presidents’ Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of 16–19
Memorial Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of May 25–28
Labor Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of August 31-September 3
Columbus Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of October 5-8
Veterans Day (Observed on Mondays)
November 9-12
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?
May 11-13
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.
June 15-17
Independence Day (falls on a Wednesday this year)
July 4 (Which weekend? Personally, I choose after)
Holidays
Having your wedding on Halloween could end up being pretty spooky…or not. It depends on how you feel about presidents, cartoon characters and the devil showing up for your perfect day.
St. Patrick’s Day
Saturday, March 17
Halloween
Don’t risk someone showing up in costume!
Wednesday, October 31
Thanksgiving (always a Thursday)
November 22, 2016
New Year’s Eve
Monday, December 31
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 25
Passover (begins at sunset)
Saturday, March 25
Easter Sunday
April 1
Last Day of Passover
Saturday, April 7
Yom HaShoah
Wednesday, April 11
Cinco de Mayo
Saturday, May 5
Tisha B’Av (begins at sunset)
Sunday, July 22
Rosh Hashanah (begins at sunset)
Monday, September 10
Yom Kippur (begins at sunset)
Wednesday, September 19
Hanukkah (begins at sunset)
Monday, December 3, until nightfall on Monday, December 10
Christmas
Tuesday, December 25
Kwanzaa
Wednesday, December 26 until January 1, 2019
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’s Day
Monday, April 16
Patriot Day/911
Tuesday, September 11
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Friday, December 7
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 4, Minneapolis, MN
Final Four During March Madness
March 31-April 2, San Antonio, TX.
UEFA European Championship or Euro
May 2-20
Kentucky Derby
Sunday, May 6, 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.
April 13
July 13
