Planning Tips: Selecting your Wedding Date

Dates to Avoid in 2007 and 2008

Congratulations! Now you’ve said “yes” and the calendar is wide open! Sort of. Below are some dates you that you might consider “wedding blackout” dates. Perhaps you will think twice before scheduling your wedding at these times.  

Holiday Weekends

Holiday weekend wedding have pros and cons. You’ve got an extra day for the festivities (and recovery!), plus it’s easier to host the affair on Sunday, which is often less expensive than Saturday events. However, costs of travel and hotels may be higher. Also, having your wedding on a holiday weekend might adversely affect your guest list. Some families have standing holiday weekend plans or traditions that they’d prefer not to have disrupted.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (always a Monday) 
January 15, 2007  
January 21, 2008 
 
President’s Day (always a Monday)  
February 19, 2007 
February 18, 2008 

Memorial Day (always a Monday) 
May 28, 2007 
May 26, 2008 
 
Independence Day 
Wednesday, July 4, 2007 
Friday, July 4, 2008 
 
Labor Day (always a Monday) 
September 3, 2007 
September 1, 2008 
 
Columbus Day (always a Monday) 
October 8, 2007 
October 13, 2008 
 
Thanksgiving (always a Thursday) 
November 22, 2007 
November 27, 2008

Religious Holidays

Try to be mindful of religious holidays (yours and 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 1, 2007 
March 16, 2008 
 
Easter Sunday 
April 8, 2007 
March 23, 2008 
 
Passover (begins at sunset the night before) 
Tuesday, April 3, 2007 
Sunday, April 20, 2008 
 
Rosh Hashanah  
In 2007, begins at sunset on Wednesday, September 12 and last until nightfall on Friday, In 2008, begins at sunset on Monday, September 29, and lasts until nightfall on Wednesday, October 1

Yom Kippur (begins at sunset the night before) 
Saturday, September 22, 2007 
Thursday, October 9, 2008 
 
Hanukkah (starts) 
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 
Monday, December 22, 2008 
 
Christmas 
Tuesday, December 25, 2007 
Thursday, December 25, 2008 
 
Kwanzaa 
Wednesday, December 26, 2007 thru Tuesday, January 1, 2008 
Begins Friday, December 26, 2008

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, especially when it falls on a Saturday.

Notable Holidays

April Fool’s Day 
If you and your fiancé are jokesters at heart, this could be the perfect wedding day for you. If not, choose another day.  
 
Mother’s Day  
Make sure your mom is ok with sharing this weekend with your wedding — but it could be the perfect opportunity to honor her. If you do choose it, at your day-after brunch make a toast to all the mothers in the room. 
May 14, 2007 
May 11, 2008 
 
Father’s Day  
Ditto for dad. 
June 17, 2007 
June 15, 2008 
 
Halloween 
Avoid it if you’re terrified that someone might actually show up in costume.  
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 
Friday, October 31, 2007

Days of Remembrance

Historically significant days may cause a conflict of interest for some guests. 
September 11: In 2007, it falls on a Tuesday; Thursday in 2008.  December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: In 2007, it falls on a Friday; Sunday in 2008.

Super Bowl

If you don’t live in Miami or Glendale, 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 hubby are diehard pigskin fans and can’t bear to miss the big game for your honeymoon. If in doubt, steer clear of these dates: 

February 4, 2007, Miami, FL 
February 3, 2008, Glendale, AZ

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: 

Saturday, March 31st and Monday, April 2nd, 2007, Atlanta, GA 
Saturday, April 5th and Tuesday, April 7th, 2008 San Antonio, TX

Other Dates to Avoid

College reunions and/or homecoming, big conventions in your city (call your local chamber of commerce), and any annual charity events that involve your family or close friends.