Princeton NJ Wedding Articles

Wedding Dates to Avoid 2011 - 2012

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 17, 2011
January 16, 2012

Presidents' Day (always a Monday)
February 21, 2011
February 20, 2012

Memorial Day (always a Monday)
May 30, 2011
May 28, 2012

Independence Day
Monday, July 4, 2011
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Labor Day (always a Monday)
September 5, 2011
September 3, 2012

Columbus Day (always a Monday)
October 10, 2011
October 8, 2012

Thanksgiving (always a Thursday)
November 24, 2011
November 22, 2012

New Year's Eve
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Monday, December 31, 2012

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 17, 2011
April 1, 2012

Easter Sunday
April 24, 2011
April 8, 2012

Passover (begins at sunset the night before)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Saturday, April 7, 2012

Tisha B’Av (begins at sunset the night before)
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Sunday, July 29, 2012

Hashanah (begins at sunset the night before)
Wednesday, September 28, until nightfall on Friday, September 30, 2011
Monday, September 17, 2012 until nightfall on Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Yom Kippur (begins at sunset the night before)
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Hanukkah (begins at sunset the night before)
Wednesday, December 21, until nightfall on Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Sunday, December 9, 2012 until nightfall on Sunday, December 18, 2012

Christmas
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Kwanzaa
Monday, December 26, 2011, until Sunday, January 1, 2012
Wednesday, December 26, 2012 until nightfall on Tuesday, January 01, 2013

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.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Sunday, April 1, 2012

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 8, 2011
May 13, 2012

Father's Day (always a Sunday)
Ditto for Dad.
June 19, 2011
June 17, 2012

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!)
Monday, October 31, 2011
Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Days of Remembrance

Historically significant days may cause a conflict of interest for some guests.
September 11, Patriot Day: It falls on a Sunday in 2011 and on a Tuesday in 2012.
December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: It falls on a and a Wednesday in 2011 and on a Friday in 2012.

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 6, 2011, in Arlington, TX
February 5, 2012, in Indianapolis, IN

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 2, and Monday, April 4, 2011, in Houston, TX Saturday, March 31 & Monday, April 2, 2012 in New Orleans, LA

Quirky Dates

9/10/11 falls on a Saturday
11/11/11 falls on a Friday
10/11/12 falls on a Thursday
12/12/12/ falls on a Wednesday

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.