HOLIDAY WEEKENDS
Holiday weekends have pros and cons to hosting a wedding. You have an extra day for the celebrations (and the recovery!); plus it is easier to host a Sunday wedding, which is often less expensive than a Saturday wedding, but the costs of travel and hotels is usually higher. Also, having a holiday wedding might actually negatively affect your wedding guest list – some families have standing holiday weekend plans or traditions that they would prefer not to have disturbed.
American Holiday Weekends:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (always a Monday) – Monday January 18, 2010
Presidents’ Day (always a Monday) – Monday February 15, 2010
Memorial Day (always a Monday) – Monday May 31, 2010
Independence Day – Sunday July 4, 2010
Labour Day (always a Monday) – Monday September 6, 2010
Columbus Day (always a Monday) – Monday October 11, 2010
Thanksgiving (always a Thursday) – Thursday November 25, 2010
New Year’s Eve – Friday December 31, 2010
Canadian Holiday Weekends:
Victoria Day (always a Monday) – Monday May 24, 2010
Canada Day – Thursday July 1, 2010
Civic Holiday (always a Monday) – Monday August 2, 2010
Labour Day (always a Monday) – Monday September 6, 2010
Thanksgiving (always a Monday) – Monday October 11, 2010
New Year’s Eve – Friday December 31, 2010
RELGIOUS AND CULTURAL HOLIDAYS
Be mindful of religious and cultural holidays (your own or those of your guests) when planning your wedding. There may even be limitations at your house of worship as to whether you are allowed to marry at these times.
Palm Sunday – Sunday March 28, 2010
Easter Sunday – Sunday April 4, 2010
Passover (Begins at sunset the night before) – Tuesday March 30, 2010
Tisha B’Av (Begins at sunset the night before) – Tuesday July 20, 2010
Rosh Hashanah – Begins at sunset on Wednesday September 8, 2010 and lasts until nightfall on Friday September 10, 2010
Yom Kippur (Begins at sunset the night before) – Saturday September 18, 2010
Hanukkah (Begins at sunset the night before) – Thursday December 2, 2010
Christmas – Saturday December 25, 2010
Kwanzaa – Beings Sunday December 26, 2010 through Saturday January 1, 2011
COSTLY HOLIDAYS
If you are looking to marry around Valentine’s Day, be wary of your floral bill, especially if you have your heart set on red roses – they are likely to be more costly than at any other time of year (unless you buy wholesale!). Likewise, reception sites often charge a higher fee for a New Year’s Eve wedding.
NOTABLE HOLIDAYS
April Fool’s Day – Thursday April 1, 2010
If you and your fiancé are jokesters at heart, this could be the perfect wedding date for you. If not, choose another day.
Mother’s Day (always a Sunday) – Sunday May 9, 2010
Make sure your Mum is okay with sharing this weekend with your wedding – but it could be the perfect opportunity to honour her. If you do choose it, make a toast to all the mothers in the room.
Father’s Day (always a Sunday) – Sunday June 20, 2010
Ditto for Dad.
Halloween – Sunday October 31, 2010
Avoid it if you are terrified that someone might actually show up in a costume. If you love the idea of getting married on this holiday then read this!
OTHER DATES TO AVOID
College reunions and/or homecomings, big conferences in your city (call your local chamber of congress to find out), and any annual charity events that involve your family or close friends.
Source: The Knot
