Ready to start planning? Before you put down a deposit, check this list of dates you might want to steer clear of when booking your wedding.
Holiday Weekends
Holiday weekend weddings have pros and cons. You've got an extra day for the festivities (and recovery!); plus, it's easier to host a Sunday wedding, which is often less expensive than a Saturday one would be. However, costs of travel and hotels may be higher. Also, having a holiday wedding might adversely affect your wedding guest list. Some families have standing holiday weekend plans or traditions that they'd prefer not to disrupt.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (always a Monday)
January 16, 2012
January 21, 2013
Presidents' Day (always a Monday)
February 20, 2012
February 18, 2013
Memorial Day (always a Monday)
May 28, 2012
May 27, 2013
Independence Day
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Labor Day (always a Monday)
September 3, 2012
September 2, 2013
Columbus Day (always a Monday)
October 8, 2012
October 14, 2013
Thanksgiving (always a Thursday)
November 22, 2012
November 28, 2013
New Year's Eve
Monday, December 31, 2012
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Religious and Cultural Holidays
Be mindful of religious and cultural holidays (your own and those of your guests) when planning your wedding. There may even be restrictions at your house of worship as to whether you're allowed to marry at these times.
Palm Sunday
April 1, 2012
March 24, 2013
Easter Sunday
April 8, 2012
March 31, 2013
Passover (begins at sunset the night before)
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Tisha B’Av (begins at sunset the night before)
Saturday, July 29, 2012
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Rosh Hashanah (begins at sunset the night before)
Monday, September 17, 2012 until nightfall on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Thursday, September 4, 2013 until nightfall on Friday, September 6, 2013
Yom Kippur (begins at sunset the night before)
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Hanukkah (begins at sunset)
Saturday, December 10, 2012 until nightfall on Sunday, December 16, 2012
Wednesday, November 27, 2013 until nightfall on Thursday, December 5, 2013
Christmas
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Kwanzaa
Wednesday, December 26, 2012 until Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Thursday, December 26, 2012 until Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Costly Holidays
If you're looking to marry around Valentine's Day, be wary of your floral bill, especially if you've got your heart set on red roses -- they're likely to be more costly than at any other time of the year. Likewise, reception sites often charge a higher fee for a New Year's Eve wedding.
Notable Holidays
April Fool's Day
If you and your fiance are jokesters at heart, this could be the perfect wedding day for you. If not, choose another day.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Monday, April 1, 2013
Mother's Day (always a Sunday)
Make sure your mom is okay with sharing this weekend with your wedding -- but it could be the perfect opportunity to honor her. If you do choose it, make a toast to all the mothers in the room at your postwedding brunch.
May 13, 2012
May 12, 2013
Father's Day (always a Sunday)
Ditto for Dad.
June 17, 2012
June 16, 2013
Halloween
Avoid it if you're terrified that someone might actually show up in costume. (If you love the idea of it, get our top Halloween wedding ideas!)
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Days of Remembrance
Historically significant days may cause a conflict of interest for some guests.
September 11, Patriot Day: It falls on a Tuesday in 2012 and on a Wednesday in 2013.
December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: It falls on a and a Friday in 2012 and on a Saturday in 2013.
Super Bowl Sunday
If you don't live in the host city and are marrying on the Saturday rather than the Sunday of Super Bowl weekend, then the big game shouldn't affect your wedding too much -- unless you and your husband are diehard pigskin fans and can't bear to miss the big game instead of leaving on your honeymoon. If in doubt, steer clear of these dates and cities:
February 5, 2012, in Indianapolis, IN
February 3, 2013, in New Orleans, LA
Final Four/March Madness
Everyone loves the excitement of college b-ball (and betting on it!). Keep your sports fans at bay by avoiding these dates and cities: Saturday, March 31, 2012 and Monday, April 2, 2012, in New Orleans, LA and Saturday, April 6, 2013 and Monday, April 8, 2013, in Atlanta, GA
Quirky Dates
10/11/12 falls on a Thursday
12/12/12 falls on a Wednesday
11/12/13 falls on a Tuesday
Other Dates to Avoid
College reunions and/or homecomings, big conventions in your city (call your local chamber of commerce), and any annual charity events that involve your family or close friends.
-- Justine Lorelle Blanchard
See More: Wedding Planning Basics , Just Engaged?