Memorial Weekend Wedding...

buckettgirl

So, yesterday, we met with our Priest for the first time and were able to tentatively schedule a date for 5/28/2011.  I do not really want to get married on Memorial weekend; however the date we wanted is not available and early may is not an option d/t my FI being in grad school. Everything else is booked through the end of August and I'm not willing to wait that long or go to another church (this is my family church and I was baptized there).
I am very nervous about having a wedding on Memorial weekend.  Although my immediate family lives in the area and is fine with that day, most of our guests are from out of town and out of state; which I suppose would allow for an extra day of travel (it is a 17hr drive for my FI dad and brother).  My FI tells me not to worry, that if people can make it they will.  Our wedding will be smallish - we are still adjusting the guest list, but we are looking at around 50 invites going out.  I worry that no one will show up.
I suppose I need to send out Save the Dates since it is a holiday weekend, but I don't know how soon to do that.
This just sucks; as I feel really bad about taking up one day on a 3 day weekend (3 day weekends are precious to me, too).
Why oh why did the 21st have to be taken? argh LOL

waltzingmatilda13

Eh, it happens. I've been to a wedding on Labor Day weekend and it didn't really mess my plans up. I do think you should send STDs just in case to give your guests enough time to plan and I would send them ASAP. They usually go out 7-8 months before the wedding and you're in that window right now. I think if people really want to be there, they will make plans to show up and you just need to be understanding if they don't.

Beachy730

3 day holiday weekends are actually recommended by some people when you have a lot of OOT people because it gives them an extra travel day.  I wouldn't worry too much about it.  And honestly, you will have people that have plans regardless or vacations planned no matter what time of year it is.  We were originally supposed to get married New Years Eve this year and knew a lot of people wouldn't be able to travel at Christmas.  We had to bump it up to July and there were a lot of people who couldn't go because of summer vacations and things.  There is never a time of year when everyone can make it, so 3 day weekends are usually a better bet.

marissa_claire

Yeah, we're having ours Thanksgiving weekend and it's really just a matter of getting the message out there early.  So far, the people that mean the most to us will be there and that's all that matters.  We had one PITA uncle complain, but he probably wouldn't have come no matter when it would have been, so it didn't really matter. 

Memorial Day weekend would be nice - you could probably get away with doing it on Sunday (hello, cheaper) and that means there can be a lot of hot, fun in the sun kind of activities to keep guests busy that weekend.

emilyinchile

I wouldn't stress for the reasons PPs have mentioned. Some people will be bummed you're "taking" their 3-day weekend, but some others will be excited you're giving them an extra travel day - you can't please everyone.

I would definitely send STDs as soon as you can though, just so people get it on their calendars and can look for travel deals.

Wrkn925

I wouldn't mind going to a holiday weekend wedding.

However, I work for a company that does not allow us to take off the day before or after a holiday. 
E.g.- Memorial weekend, I have to work Friday and the following Monday (holiday), and Tuesday.
My office, however, is bassackwards, and this is not common in other workplaces.

With a guess list of 50, I'm sure they are all close relatives that will do what they can to make it to your big day.

Maybe call the ones your are particularly concerned about?

FutureMrsTR

I would just get the STDs out early so people can make travel plans as costs can be higher on holiday weekends.

ohwhynot

There are advantages and disadvantages with a holiday weekend wedding.  There will be a handful of people who can't come, but that would be true whenever you hold your wedding.  I'm sure you'll have a lovely wedding day, and the people who are traveling will appreciate the extra vacation day built-in.    Send the STDs and hope for the best - I bet it'll be better than you think. 

laurAndJer

I am 5/28/11 and about half of our guests are out of town. We wanted a holiday weekend so people could hang out a bit and not have to fly in and fly right out. I've been to a wedding on Memorial Day which was a little annoying because I had to fly out the next morning after the big party but I think Saturday and Sunday are great. 

I mailed my Save the Dates Monday morning so a bunch of people have gotten them but it might be good to start spreading the word through word of mouth.

waltzingmatilda13

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_memorial-weekend-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:30a4c815-2938-482c-8927-253070289e11Post:324ec3ac-c9f8-44a8-901d-182bbc3091e6">Re: Memorial Weekend Wedding...</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks, gals. I am definitely freaking out this week; as I have had to add to my already busy schedule the meetings with our Priest, various parish activities, an Engaged Encounter weekend; and  I still need to go dress shopping (as a plus size bride, this adds a whole other level of anxiety), figure out a weekend for engagement pics (our MOH offered to do them), and find a wedding photographer. I'm sure there's lots of other things I need to do that I can't think of.  Glad to know that Save the Dates need to get out soon - I will have to make sure FI has all the addresses from his side and make sure Mom is done adding people. Hopefully I can get them out by the end of the month. <strong>I have heard of people reserving a block of hotel rooms for out of town guests - is this a good idea? Is it possible to get discounted rates for those rooms? Or is it a huge hassle?</strong>
Posted by buckettgirl[/QUOTE]

Try not to stress out too much about getting everything done. Just make a list and check things off as you go.

Getting a hotel room block is a great idea. You usually will get a discounted rate for your guests, which could be an added incentive to come if they know they can save a little money. I think we got about 15% the regular daily rate and they served breakfast every morning so that was one less thing for our guests to have to worry about.

lmwilber

My FSIL got married this Memorial Weekend, and it was wonderful. All of my FIL from out of town were around from Thursday till Monday! People used the wedding as an 'excuse' to take a vacation. We got to spend time with the B&G then we might have if the wedding was on a traditional 2 day weekend. They got a discount from some vendors b/c of the holiday weekend, and some guests even stated that because it was a long weekend they were able to make the trip.
Bottom line, don't worry about it. If a guest uses not wanting to give up a three day weekend as an excuse, then they probable were not going to attend in the first place. Celebrate the love between you and your FH, everything else is just 'icing on the cake'

buckettgirl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_memorial-weekend-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:30a4c815-2938-482c-8927-253070289e11Post:55014356-dbee-46cc-bd33-d6737cad5fd7">Re: Memorial Weekend Wedding...</a>:
[QUOTE]wouldnt his final exams and such be the first week of May, or second at the latest?  id think he'd be done by May 14.... is that date a possibility? otherwise, it is what it is.  the folks that truly want to be there will be there, and id def send STD's ASAP. 
Posted by Calypso1977[/QUOTE]

The semester ends May 13th, so I would be finishing up wedding stuff while he's doing finals. However, our local university's graduation is May 14th and it would be probably be difficult to get rooms that weekend (everything fills up early for graduation here). Also, he works in a middle school and would like to wrap up that semester before we get married so that he doesn't have to worry about missing any work.

rknox88

I'm a May 28th bride and we have found the holiday to work in our favor. A lot of our OOT guests have commented on how convenient it will be for them to travel with the extra day.  It will all work out. We sent STD's a week ago to give people plemty of time to make arrangements. I would recommend getting yours out in the next month.

emelydiaz87

I am getting married May 29 and did this because my FI family is all from out of state and it was eaiser for them to come on a holiday weekend. I would look into room blocks soon though because they tend to fill up faster during those holiday weekends. Atleast where I live they do. I sent out my save the dates last month!! I think your good if you get them out this month or next month. GL!!! We have recieved good responses from people about having our wedding during the holiday weekend......

abbalish

We did 5/24/09, which was the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.  We had lots of out-of-towners so it worked great because it gave people a day to travel on either side of the wedding so people didn't have to take time off work.  Also being on a Sunday, our venue minimum was lower, which was nice too!