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 18, 2010
January 17, 2011
Presidents' Day (always a Monday)
February 15, 2010
February 21, 2011
Memorial Day (always a Monday)
May 31, 2010
May 30, 2011
Independence Day
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Monday, July 4, 2011
Labor Day (always a Monday)
September 6, 2010
September 5, 2011
Columbus Day (always a Monday)
October 11, 2010
October 10, 2011
Thanksgiving (always a Thursday)
November 25, 2010
November 24, 2011
New Year's Eve
Friday, December 31, 2010
Saturday, December 31, 2011
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
March 28, 2010
April 17, 2011
Easter Sunday
April 4, 2010
April 24, 2011
Passover (begins at sunset the night before)
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tisha B’Av (begins at sunset the night before)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Rosh Hashanah (begins at sunset the night before)
Wednesday, September 8, until nightfall on Friday, September 10, 2010
Wednesday, September 28, until nightfall on Friday, September 30, 2011
Yom Kippur (begins at sunset the night before)
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Hanukkah (begins at sunset the night before)
Thursday, December 2, until nightfall on Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 21, until nightfall on Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Christmas
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Kwanzaa
Sunday, December 26, 2010, until Saturday, January 1, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011, until Sunday, January 1, 2012
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.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Friday, April 1, 2011
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 9, 2010
May 8, 2011
Father's Day (always a Sunday)
Ditto for Dad.
June 20, 2010
June 19, 2011
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!)
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Monday, October 31, 2011
Days of Remembrance
Historically significant days may cause a conflict of interest for some guests.
September 11, Patriot Day: It falls on a Saturday in 2010 and a Sunday in 2011.
December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: It falls on a Tuesday in 2010 and a Wednesday in 2011.
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 7, 2010, in Miami, FL
February 6, 2011, in Arlington, TX
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, April 3, and Monday, April 5, 2010, in Indianapolis, IN
Saturday, April 2, and Monday, April 4, 2011, in Houston, TX
Quirky Dates
10/10/10 falls on a Sunday
9/10/11 falls on a Saturday
11/11/11 falls on a Friday
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?