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 14–16, 2017
Presidents’ Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of February 18–20, 2017
Memorial Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of May 27–29, 2017
Labor Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of September 2–4, 2017
Columbus Day (always a Monday)
Weekend of October 7–9, 2017
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 13–14, 2017
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 17–18, 2017
Independence Day (falls on a Monday this year)
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
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.
Halloween
Don’t risk someone showing up in costume!
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Thanksgiving (always a Thursday)
November 23, 2017
New Year’s Eve
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Religious and Cultural Holidays
Be mindful of religious and cultural holidays (your own and those of your guests) when planning your wedding.
Palm Sunday
April 9, 2017
Easter Sunday
April 16, 2017
Passover (begins at sunset)
Monday, April 10, 2017
Tisha B’Av (begins at sunset)
Monday, July 31, 2017
Rosh Hashanah (begins at sunset)
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 until nightfall on Friday September 22, 2017
Yom Kippur (begins at sunset)
Friday, September 29, 2017 until nightfall on Saturday, September 30, 2017
Hanukkah (begins at sunset)
Tuesday, December 12, 2017 until nightfall on Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Christmas
Monday, December 25, 2017
Kwanzaa
Tuesday, December 26, 2017, until Monday, January 1, 2018
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
Monday, September 11, 2017
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Thursday, December 7, 2017
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 5, 2017, in Houston, TX
Final Four During March Madness
Saturday, April 1, 2017 and Monday, April 3, 2017, in Glendale, AZ
June 17, 2017-July 2, 2017, Russia
The United States will host the Copa America soccer tournament for the first time.
UEFA European Championship or Euro 2017
July 16, 2017-August 6, 2017
Sunday, May 5, 2017 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.
January 13, 2017
October 13, 2017
