More Holiday Wedding Tips - The Hidden Holidays & The Etiquette of a Holiday Wedding

This is Part Three of my series on holiday weddings.

I thought I was being thorough in my holiday coverage, but Elegala has a whole list of minor holidays to avoid in 2009 and 2010, including Christian holidays that change every year (eg, Palm Sunday, Easter), Postal Holidays (MLK, Columbus Day), Mother's Day, Labor Day Weekend, Memorial Day Weekend, and even Superbowl Sunday (unless you want a lot of unhappy groomsmen!)


The people at Elegala warn brides away from these dates, but in my experience, some choose these dates on purpose. I even had a bride book me for Mother's Day weekend this year. I called around and most of my favorite venues--Deejays Banquet Halls, Brier Creek, all the hotels--were booked up, some for Mother's Day parties, but some for other weddings! Poor moms! I ended up marrying her under a lovely tent in her cousin's back yard. At least she didn't have to pay Mothers Day prices for flowers.


Some brides choose three-day weekends like Labor Day, Memorial Day, and even Columbus Day on purpose, assuming that a three-day weekend for their guests means better turn-out. In my twelve years of counting RSVPs, I haven't found that it makes much difference. I've also noticed that there tend to be more last minute no-shows to holiday weddings, so be prepared for that.


There is a lot of debate about whether or not it is polite to marry on a day that most people would prefer vacationing or just relaxing. I don't feel that any wedding date is "rude" since nobody is required to attend a wedding. Rude behavior would be pouting or throwing a fit when Uncle Ted decides to go on his annual fishing trip with his family instead of going to your wedding. Any bride who chooses to marry on a holiday must bear in mind that some of those nearest and dearest to them will be unable to attend or choose not to.