Planning Basics: Dates to Avoid in 2006 and 2007

So you've just said "yes" and now the calendar is wide open! Kind of. Here are some dates you that you might consider "wedding blackout" dates. 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 16, 2006
January 15, 2007

President's Day (always a Monday)
February 20, 2006
February 19, 2007

Memorial Day (always a Monday)
May 29, 2006
May 28, 2007

Independence Day
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Labor Day (always a Monday)
September 4, 2006
September 3, 2007

Columbus Day (always a Monday)
October 9, 2006
October 8, 2007

Thanksgiving (always a Thursday)
November 23, 2006
November 22, 2007

Religious Holidays
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 9, 2006
April 1, 2007

Easter Sunday
April 16, 2006
April 8, 2007

Passover (begins at sunset the night before)
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Rosh Hashanah (begins at sunset the night before)
Saturday, September 23, 2006 thru Sunday, September 24, 2006
Thursday, September 13, 2007 thru Friday, September 14, 2007

Yom Kippur (begins at sunset the night before)
Monday, October 2, 2006
Saturday, September 22, 2007

Hanukkah (starts)
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Christmas
Monday, December 25, 2006
Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Kwanzaa
Tuesday, December 26, 2006 thru Monday, January 1, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007 thru Tuesday, January 1, 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 in 2005, when it falls on a Saturday.

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. In 2006, April Fool's falls on a Saturday.

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, 2006
May 13, 2007

Father's Day
Ditto for dad.
June 18, 2006
June 17, 2007

Halloween
Avoid it if you're terrified that someone might actually show up in costume.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Days of Remembrance
Historically significant days may cause a conflict of interest for some guests.
September 11: In 2006, it falls on a Monday.
December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: In 2007, it falls on a Friday.

Super Bowl
If you don't live in Detroit or Miami, 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 5, 2006, Detroit, MI
February 4, 2007, Miami, FL

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, April 1 and Monday, April 3, 2006, Indianapolis, IN
Saturday, March 31 and Monday, April 2, 2007, Atlanta, GA

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.

 

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