Should You Have Your Wedding On a Holiday?

Should you combine the celebration of a major holiday and your wedding? We explore the pros and cons. (expert advice)

Should You Have Your Wedding On a Holiday? article photo
photo by: Myrtle and Marjoram Photography

 

Many brides-to-be choose wedding dates that are free from any significant occasions so the anniversary celebration is not shared with a major holiday. However, other brides enjoy the thought of being married on their favorite holiday and combining celebrations. Should you have your wedding on a holiday? There are some advantages and disadvantages. Here are some things to consider before deciding.

 

 

Your Wedding Guests

 

If you choose to have your wedding on a holiday, will your chosen guests have issues with giving up their holiday to attend your wedding? Most individuals enjoy spending time at home with their immediate families on holidays, so consider this before combining your big day with Christmas, the 4th of July or other important celebrations.

 

If you are absolutely convinced that your wedding should be held on a major holiday but you feel your guests will have a problem with that – why not hold a celebration at a later date? This would allow your guests a choice; if spending their holiday at your wedding is no big deal, they can attend. However, if they would rather celebrate the holiday at home, they can attend the later celebration.

 

Another thing to consider with your guests is whether they would feel obligated to purchase both a wedding present and a holiday gift. Of course, you can remedy this in a tactful way on your invitations, but you don’t want your guests to feel pressured to purchase anything. You should also think about this for the upcoming anniversary celebrations.

 

 

Anniversary Celebration

 

By having your wedding on a holiday, you will be celebrating that holiday and your anniversary together every year. Is this something you want to do? For some brides-to-be, this is a charming idea – a beloved holiday and your wedding anniversary all in one. However, many other brides-to-be don’t want to share their anniversary celebration with any other celebration.

 

 

Vendor Prices

 

By having your wedding on a holiday, you will most likely pay a pricier fee for vendor services such as a DJ, catering, and wedding planners or bakers. When a vendor or supplier knows they will be working on a major holiday, the prices usually double or triple. Think about your wedding budget and whether or not you’re prepared to pay these extra fees to have your wedding on a holiday.

 

To many brides-to-be, the idea of being married on a holiday is charming and beautiful. If you’ve considered it, but you just aren’t sure – think about the pros and cons above. This will help you determine whether a holiday wedding would be perfect or just not for you!

 

Member Comments

12/06/2008 at 08:58 am

My wedding is on labor day weekend... And my list is currently 194 people--- I want to have 150. so I am really hoping that the holiday does play a role and some people can not come because of their vacations!!

I also got a lower price on the venue because our wedding is on a Sunday. :)

12/05/2008 at 08:56 pm

When DH and I got married in 2007 we were about to do the 7-7-7 thing and get married on the 7th, finding it suitable because it's "lucky" and we live in Las Vegas. When the chapels were asking for ridiculous amounts for their wedding packages, I actually was turned off.  We were offered to do the same package for more than half off on the 4th and I thought...hecks yeah, that's a great idea. Every year after we would always be together with friends and family, we would never forget it was our anniversary and we would have built in romantic fireworks! We knew that after I finished nursing school that we would have the traditional church wedding with friends and family. My mom was going away in August and June was too soon after graduation to do it. So we picked July and the 4th happened to fall on a Saturday so we thought it was a sign.

About 90% of our guests will be coming from out of town and this ensures that most of them have a holiday off that weekend and will be able to attend. I also grew up in Canada and although the 4th is not a holiday, the 1st is and so everyone coming from Canada also has holiday time that week and will be able to attend. Although I have been told by strangers (on other boards to remain nameless but I'm sure you all can figure out which one) that it's selfish for me to pick the 4th and ruin my guests holiday. Honestly, my guests are quite happy to have a reason to skip out on the barbecues one year and spend the 4th in Vegas. Only one of my guests has mentioned she has a problem with the date and that's only because it's her neice's first birthday.

Booking and planning has been without problems as well. The only thing that I couldn't get was my first choice florist because she's going out of time.

I'm really excited about my holiday wedding, and we promise that we will host the backyard barbecues in the years to come lol.

Sorry for the novel, I'm just really happy with the date that we picked, even though it is a holiday, I love love love my wedding date.

12/05/2008 at 04:40 pm

We considered having our wedding on Memorial Day. I think it depends on the holiday itself. Having your wedding on Valentines Day for instance, would probably be more guest friendly than having a wedding on Fathers Day or Mothers Day in my opinion. Christmas Eve would have been a favorite day of mine to get married if we had chosen a holiday.

12/05/2008 at 04:25 pm

My wedding is July 3rd...its a friday... I thought hotels might be hard to book bc the redondo beach (harbor area) has a firework show on the fourth...but the hotel were guests will be staying is still empty, and cheap... I have not ran into any extra expensive bc of the holiday weekend... I have actually made some great deals! So I really dont think its that big of a deal to have it on a holiday!



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