Alright ladies, I have calmed down a bit since my last question, thanks in large part to your thoughtful responses.
I have tried to avert my attention to something else, and tried to think about some wedding planning.
My fiance and I set a date yesterday. We chose May 28, 2011, which is Memorial Day weekend. Do you see any problems with having a wedding on a holiday weekend like this? We kind of thought it might be good because people usually have that extra day off on Monday, so it would be a nice long weekend. We also thought it would be a nice time to celebrate an anniversary, with it usually being near the holiday/long weekend.
I did wonder if maybe things would be more expensive due to the holiday? But then, also thought the contrary... we are thinking of having an outdoor reception at home, and there are lots of holiday sales too...
Any thoughts?
Yeah!! It looks like for the most part, this is a good day!!
Regarding travel/lodging, we are having a rather small get together, and no one we will be inviting will be traveling long distances. Fortunately for us, our families/friends live in rather close proximity to us. The date is not important, so to speak, but we plan to have an outdoor reception at my home, so we need to plan for a time of year that the weather would permit such a thing (bearing in mind it can rain anytime). As for moving the date to Sept. 2010, we'd LOVE to have it in Oct. 2010, but just can't swing it financially by then. So Sept. 2010 is definitely out of the question. And lastly, I do not feel that we are dishonoring any soldiers lost in battle by celebrating a wedding 2 days before the holiday. I have both family and close friends who were lost in war, and personally, I think they'd like us to be married whenever we want. And lastly, ok, I know I said that already, but I thought of one more thing, we both already know we always have that holiday off from work. It's standard, not seniority based. I always enjoy 8kidsdad's responses, even if I don't always agree! Always well thought out... :)
The only problem I see with this is graduation, is there anyone close to you that might be graduating? Other than that, I think that's a good idea; Congratulations!
Plane flights will be more expensive, but yes you have an extra day. I got married on Thanksgiving weekend. It was more expensive for us because we had to entertain an extra day, but it was fun! A few people could not come due to the holiday because they worked in retail and holidays are just too busy.
We had our wedding on Memorial Day weekend and didn't have any problems. Do be prepared that some people may not come to the wedding because they have plans since it's a busy travel/holiday weekend.
We didn't pay more for anything because it was a holiday weekend.
Well, it will be great for some who have extra time off and can travel to your wedding, but others will have different plans in place. Many people go to the beach or camping or somewhere on Memorial Day weekend. I say -have it whenever YOU want it, and just know that there is no one perfect date that will work for everyone!
I'm a wedding photographer and the things to think about are this:
1. Plan and book all your vendors early. You're not the only bride thinking about how great that date is. :) Bridal shows make everything so much easier
2. Know that some vendors (though not all, and it depends on your local market. The East is notoriously expensive) do raise their prices for choice weekends, especially those which will take them away from their prime family time. I don't do this, but often think I should.
3. Make sure you have a back-up plan in case of rain. I'm shooting a wedding this weekend that has to be moved indoors because of the rain, and I live in a very dry place.
Congratulations!
my niece was married on memorial day weekend. and the families never even gave it a second thought!! go for it!!
I like to travel. Its almost always more expensive during a holiday. Hotels, cruises, flights are all in short supply and therefore more expensive.
I don't know how long you or your finance have been at work Some times holidays are given off based on senority. If you haven't been there long enough you may not be able to get the time off to celebrate in future years.
Memorial Day is to remember those that DIED in service to America. Wrong symbolism for a wedding.
If the date isn't real important, I'd move it up to the March or April. Or even the 14th of Feburary, the most famous date for those in love. (If it was me I'd get married in the latter half of September, 2010.)
Congratulations and good luck to you and yours.
Go for it i beleive this is the cheaper way out to all around. There are memorial day sales all over and it would be great in my book. As far as the long weekend it would actually give a reason to take off work for a longer period of time for that weekend as well :) good luck to you and your fiancee
I think that weekend is fine! For some reason the freinds and family I have that had weddings around this time all did theirs the week before or after Memorial Day. I would have definitely preferred them to have done it over the three-day weekend so it was less time off work for me.
Honey, I know people who have gotten married on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, Memorial Day, Labor Day...and you'd be surprised how many get married on the 4th of July which I find funny since it's "Independence Day".
I think the date you picked is perfect and even if some people can't attend for prior plans, you have about a year to make plans and give them the heads up. Three day weekends are smart, in my opinion, because you can celebrate each year and have that Monday off.
My friends had their reception at their home and it worked out perfectly.
My husband and I did that too. We had so many relatives travel a long way that we wanted them to be at our home with us and it worked out just great. We didn't have a honeymoon for almost a year later, but it was nice and I wouldn't have changed anything really. Having our loved ones so close was really special.
I think planning is a wonderful thing for you to do.
Think ahead to something beautiful and positive and you can have the wedding of your dreams on a budget without it seeming so.
I tried on a million dresses but was really tiny and nothing just suit me. The owner of the bridal store asked if I would be offended if he brought me something from the clearance rack. It fit me perfectly except the hips had to be taken in and it was exactly the style I wanted.
Things just have a way of working out.
Always remember that!
How exciting to have a date and something so lovely to look forward to!
Best wishes!
I used to be a wedding planner in the UK and we did charge a premium for holiday weekends. On the UP side people don't have to rush back to work so quickly and are more likely to let their hair down and enjoy themselves. We recently went away Memorial weekend to a lovely hotel / golf resort and there were 4 weddings whilst we were there, the sun shone and they were truly beautiful. There are always up and downsides to choosing a wedding date I personally would choose my favourite time of year or when its best to book a honeymoon - check out monsoon season etc for your chosen destination if you have one planned that can be a pain otherwise. Happy planning and Congratulations!
I had my wedding Memorial Day weekend 10 years ago. We had a lot of out of town guests and this weekend made it perfect for everyone so they had plenty of time to travel and ours was in Washington DC so most of the guests took the opportunity to do some site-seeing as well.
We planned our wedding for Labor day weekend. With the same idea that you had, other people will have time off already.
We did not get any deals though other than having it on a Friday instead of Saturday.
I don't see a problem with it. As to prices they may be but you will have to call around.
I got married Memorial Day weekend and it was great because most people could turn the trip into a mini-vacation. Congrats!
no problems.. great date! :)
My husband and I got married Jan 2 and have not regreted it. We got to make our wedding a 4 day event and included New Years/Eve holiday which made the wedding was just the icing on the cake. Everyone enjoyed it soo much. I agree with you that people will have that Monday off to recoup and relax. Also totally agree with you that each year you will know you will have a long weekend to enjoy the anniversaries - which both my husband and I get to enjoy as well.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!!
I've been invited to weddings on holiday weekends and I didn't like it. But my reasons were I rarely got time off from work and the last thing I wanted to do was give up holiday time to go to a wedding and the expense travelling on a holiday weekend. That said if you are "married" to the date, pun intended, I would definitly send out a "save the date" so people don't plan to go away for that weekend. Lucky for you no one is really travelling too far to get to you. Have fun with your plans and I look forward to your future posts on how things are progressing. Congrats by the way!
I don't see a problem with it either. I don't know anything about prices, but my cousin got married this year on May 30th! :) And it was nice to have the next day off work, as some of us traveled a little to be there. While I was only a couple hours away, we were out late!
I think its a good idea. And I think you're right...ton's of sales close to that holiday, you will probably get some good bargains! Congrats!
I had my wedding over Labor Day weekend. I love it! I always have a few extra days around my anniversary. I would recommend it!
Awww, May 28th is our anniversary :) We had the same reasoning for choosing Memorial Day weekend--that people who needed to travel for it would have a long weekend from work. For us, we had a FANTASTIC turnout of our friends and family members. Most of my family traveled 400 miles, and many turned it into an opportunity to camp in the greater Chicagoland area. It was also a CHEAPER weekend for the hotels in the Chicago area, since so much of the hotel occupancy here is based on biz travelers (especially near the airports.) We were able to book a block of 2 room suites at a 4 star hotel for $89/night.
**As for the nature of the holiday...
Soldiers sacrifice their lives for the love that they have for their families and fellow countrymen. Sounds to be in keeping with the sacrificial love that is required for a marriage to work.**
