Major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and some religious observances are natural occasions for families and friends to gather. As someone planning upcoming nuptials, you may have thought about combining your wedding with a holiday celebration. Many companies give holiday time off to employees, providing opportunities for celebrants to travel and participate in wedding events. Holidays also provide inspiration when it comes to décor, attire and menus. Here are some things to keep in mind as you work out the details.
Scheduling and Attending
Before you commit to tying the knot on December 25th or the fourth Thursday in November, recognize that many people make plans months, if not years, in advance. Having a wedding and reception on a major holiday may require some people to change their travel plans to accommodate your special day. For some invitees, there are longstanding cultural and faith traditions that they practice religiously on certain holidays. If they have to choose between these practices and your nuptials, they may not be able to attend. Coordinate these plans ahead of time with those you want most to participate. It may be a better idea to schedule your big day on a non-religious holiday such as Labor Day or the Fourth of July instead.
Accounting for Holiday Surcharges and Premiums
When you’re planning to celebrate on a major holiday, you must consider that you might be charged extra for venues, vendors and other essential wedding services. For many businesses, demand drives pricing, and the increased demand may drive up prices. For example, a photographer who does weddings may also have more appointments from clients that want professional photos taken as part of a celebration or anniversary. You may be competing for venue space for your ceremony as well as for the reception. Consider that travel accommodations may be more expensive given the bigger demand. On the flip side, hotel and lodging prices may be lower in some locations for certain holidays. Las Vegas, for example, is known for having inexpensive rates for Christmas that skyrocket a week later for New Year’s Eve, one of the most expensive times to visit.
Booking Early
Because of the potential demand during certain holidays, it’s critical that your must-have services be secured as early as possible. Some vendors and service providers are in high demand, so the earlier you can get on their calendars, the better. If you need to book rooms for out-of-town guests, don’t wait to make arrangements. Remember that you are competing with other people who regularly travel for the holidays. If you’re going with a venue or provider that’s especially popular, it may be booked months or years in advance. It’s recommended that you have a few alternatives just in case you’re unable to book or secure your number one choices.
Working Out Logistics
When you’re preparing to tie the knot on a major holiday, there are other logistics to consider besides travel and booking services. For instance, in many locations, there’s a significant increase in traffic before or on the day. Account for this when deciding on a start time for the festivities. There may be more drunk drivers on the road on New Year’s Eve, so you may consider scheduling your wedding earlier in the day, before the partygoers hit the streets. If you live in an area that sees a lot of tourists during the holidays, certain errands may be longer and more complicated. Keep this in mind as you flesh out the details of your big day.
Just like most observed holidays, wedding celebrations are a great time to gather with your nearest and dearest people. There are positives and negatives to scheduling your nuptials on a major holiday. If you’ve weighed all the pros and cons and still want to move forward, plan on an amazing celebration full of love and laughs.
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