Wedding Events
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 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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
