Holiday Weekend Wedding?

xoxob · October 2009

I feel like my fiance and I are having a heck of a time trying to set a date. When we were planning for September 2010 - the first three locations I called were already booked up. (We got engaged just in September of this year) Now, call me a stickler but I have always wanted a September wedding. I found the location - it's perfect and affordable. They're already booked up for September 10, 2011 and September 17, 2011.Is it absolutely monstrous of us to have a wedding of Labor Day weekend? I worry that the last weekend in September will come with a significantly higher chance of fowl weather.We live in New York, but the wedding is going to be in Connecticut and Steve is from Philadelphia so a lot of people will be traveling - can we pass it off as a: now you have an extra day to recover courtesy?

danieliza1127 · October 2009

We got married on Labor Day weekend 2008 and my best friend got married Labor Day weekend 2005. Both worked out great. A lot of our guests were really happy since they had that Monday off, they could stay longer on Sunday or go home and Sunday and have Monday to relax and enjoy. We had a few declines from people who had other plans but they were friends of our parents and we didn't really care if they were there or not. Our nearest and dearest were there and had a great time.

laurenclaire1386 · October 2009

I would think a wedding over Labor Day weekend would actually make it easier for guests to attend. A lot of people have off work on Labor Day. I don't think it's a terrible idea at all. And you mean foul weather. Unless you're worried about a flock of birds ruining your wedding.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · October 2009

I've been to several Labor Day weddings. Even though it's my Dad's birthday and we had a summer house we used to use for holiday weekends, we still went. I'd just send out STDs for it, probably 8 months in advance. Most people with children won't have a vacation planned, since that's back-to-school time, but they might have to skip out on something else.FWIW, I'm having my wedding Columbus Day weekend. But not as many people have off for that.

fangsiting · October 2009

You would wait an entire extra year just to have a September wedding? Why is a September wedding so important?Personally, I wouldn't mind, but I don't have any holiday traditions for Labor Day. Your guests might. Just be aware of that.

cmhershey · October 2009

H's cousin had her wedding Labor day and it was perfectly fine. If you do book, you should send out STD's to give your guests a heads up that it is on a holiday weekend.

buttaflai · October 2009

One of my best friends got married during Labor Day Weekend this year. It was fine! Send save-the-dates and people will plan accordingly.

danieliza1127 · October 2009

Oh yeah, I wouldn't wait until 2011 to get married just so it could be in a certain month, but to each their own I suppose. Two years is a long engagement.I sent save the dates in January for a Labor Day weekend wedding, just fyi.

kebmtm071605 · October 2009

It depends on the holiday for me. Labor Day is a tough one. A lot of people have standing traditions and family vacations. Also, those with kids...either their kids have JUST started back at school or are starting the Tuesday after...it's just a really busy time. Add that to the fact that traffic sux Labor Day weekend and hotel rates are usually higher.

ootmother2 · October 2009

You're not in a resort area so there won't be three night minimums for hotel stays.NYC is also dead on Labor Day weekend so you might even get better rates while everyone is off at their beach house

xoxob · October 2009

Thank you every one - saves the dates will be mandatory.I did mean foul, for sure - although in New England you can never trust those birds.As far as a 2 year engagement - my desire for a September wedding is only one of the reasons we are waiting until 2011 - and those reasons will probably lead to more etiquette planning questions in the coming months. The fact that the venue I want apparently requires a 2 year wait just reinforces my decision to wait.

tidetravel · October 2009

Weather is a concern regardless of the time of year. Many people choose a holiday weekend thinking their guests will have an extra travel day, so it's easier. That extra travel day often comes with higher airfare and hotel costs. In addition, Labor day isn't a "major" holiday (thanksgiving/christmas/new years), and many people won't automatically have the day off anyway.

drbwedding · October 2009

I got married labor day weekend this year. It was fine. we invited 144 people. 120 rsvped yes and all showed. We made sure to send Save the Dates to the people that we absolutely wanted to be there. Those went out in January. Guests were actually thrilled to have an excuse to be in Chicago for a long weekend.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · October 2009

Tide, I actually think Labor Day, like Christmas, New Years, and Thanksgiving Day (and Memorial Day and Fourth of July) is one of those federally mandated holidays, so offices are closed. If people work jobs with odd hours, they'd need to take off for a wedding, regardless.xoxob - In the NYC metro area, a 2 year engagement is the norm, I think, because venues fill up so fast. I was inordinately obsessed with having my wedding in October, so I understand!

tidetravel · October 2009

You're right MrsMery. I realized after I posted. Either way, there are a lot of people that don't get holidays off, so one shouldn't assume it would be beneficial for everyone. OP - I wasn't saying don't do it, just giving you things to consider when you make your decision.

tidetravel · October 2009

Also, make sure you consider Sundays too. You're not limited just to SATs (unless your venue isn't open on SUN). You will probably also save some money on the venue and/or other vendors, since it's not as popular a day for weddings.

SarahPLiz · October 2009

I'd say think about your guests and if your destination is a high-traffic are on Labor Day or that time of year. My friend's FSIl is getting married on Labor Day in Hawaii (DW). Everyone is ticked that they have to pay premium holiday rates for accomodations and flights.

ExpatPumpkin · October 2009

Airfare is higher for that weekend, and so are hotels. BUT, if most of your guests would be driving, AND if you'll have a reasonably-priced hotel block, AND if you won't be too dissappointed that some OOT guests won't make it, why not?

carrieoz_76 · October 2009

We thought about September 2010 right around Labor Day weekend, but we have GM with a kiddo starting school the day after Labor Day (literally his first day ever - kindergarten) and the GM and his wife probably couldn't have been gone over Labor Day weekend.If you have friends or family w/ kids, it can be hard to be gone that weekend because they're super busy with school starting. Especially if attending the wedding involves travel. So you'll just have to decide if you're ok with them possibly not attending.

xoxob · October 2009

We aren't inviting anyone who needs to fly. I think there will be a lot of car pooling and public transportation (we are planning on having a van pick people up at the nearest train station a few times, giving people options for what train to take, etc...hopefully that will work out). The location isn't on the shore, so as far as hotel booking the holiday shouldn't make that much of a difference in costs. It's inland and if the leaves were all turned and spectacular that would probably incur more costs. Also, we're planning on paying for our BP's hotel - they will stay in the mansion, so we're paying for the rooms anyway.Everyone has given me a lot to think about and I appreciate it. I think we may go for it!

Leah&Christian09 · October 2009

We got married Memorial Day weekend. (Labor Day would never have worked for us, our family has standing plans). It worked out great. Most of our guests had to travel, but they were driving. Most of them ended up staying until Monday, and my parents hosted a cookout on Sunday afternoon. The hotel was in the city, so it was actually less expensive than it would have been the weekend before.

bharnett · October 2009

We got married over labor day weekend. Started on 9/4 & ended on 9/5. When we booked the date, we were well prepared to get a lot of regrets from those who usually travel for holiday weekends. Just have to deal. It was the weekend we wanted, and it worked out. Trust me...if they want to be there, they will. If not, more food for you.

)

tash_rn · October 2009

A friend of mine just did this and it was fine. Just understand that in doing it some people may have labor day traditions they are unwilling to change and won't come and some people may not be able to afford it because traveling on a holiday weekend is more expensive. However there are plenty of others who may not normally be able to attend but because it's a holiday weekend they'll be able to because of the extra time off work. Totally up to you. As long as you understand the implications and don't get upset if some people can't come because of the holiday I think you're totally fine.

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