So you've just said "yes" -- and now the calendar is wide open! Kind of. Here are some dates that you might consider wedding "blackout" dates. Think twice before scheduling your wedding at these times.
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 wedding would be. However, costs of travel and hotels may be higher. Also, having a holiday wedding might adversely affect your guest list. Some families have standing holiday weekend plans or traditions that they'd prefer not to have disrupted.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (always a Monday)
January 19, 2009
January 18, 2010
President's Day (always a Monday)
February 16, 2009
February 15, 2010
Memorial Day (always a Monday)
May 25, 2009
May 31, 2010
Independence Day
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Labor Day (always a Monday)
September 7, 2009
September 6, 2010
Columbus Day (always a Monday)
October 12, 2009
October 11, 2010
Thanksgiving (always a Thursday)
November 26, 2009
November 25, 2010
New Year's Eve
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 31, 2010
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 5, 2009
March 28, 2010
Easter Sunday
April 12, 2009
April 4, 2010
Passover (begins at sunset the night before)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tisha B’Av (begins at sunset the night before)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Rosh Hashanah
In 2009: begins at sunset on Friday, September 18, and lasts until nightfall on Sunday, September 20
In 2010: begins at sunset on Wednesday, September 8, and last until nightfall on Friday, September 10
Yom Kippur (begins at sunset the night before)
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Hanukkah (begins at sunset the night before)
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Christmas
Friday, December 25, 2009
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Kwanzaa
Begins Saturday, December 26, 2009 through Friday, January 1, 2010
Begins Sunday, December 26, 2009 through Saturday, January 1, 2011
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.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Thursday, April 1, 2010
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 10, 2009
May 9, 2010
Father's Day (always a Sunday)
Ditto for Dad.
June 21, 2009
June 20, 2010
Halloween
Avoid it if you're terrified that someone might actually show up in costume. (If you love the idea of getting married on this holiday, get our top Halloween wedding ideas!)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Days of Remembrance Historically significant days may cause a conflict of interest for some guests.
September 11: It falls on a Friday in 2009 and a Saturday in 2010.
December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: In 2009, it's on a Monday, and falls on a Tuesday in 2010.
Super Bowl
If you don't live in Florida 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:
Sunday, February 1, 2009, Tampa, FL
Sunday, February 7, 2010, Miami, FL
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:
Saturday, April 4, 2009, and Monday, April 6, 2009, Detroit, MI
Saturday, April 3, 2010, and Monday, April 5, 2010, Indianapolis, IN
Quirky Dates
03/06/09 falls on a Friday
09/09/09 falls on a Wednesday
10/10/10 falls on a Sunday
Other Dates to Avoid
College reunions and/or homecoming, big conventions in your city (call your local chamber of commerce), and any annual charity events that involve your family or close friends.
-- Kathleen Murray
See More: Wedding Planning Basics , Just Engaged?