Wedding Planning - Important Dates For 2010

You've just said "yes" and now the calendar is wide open!  Here are some dates that you might consider wedding "blackout" dates for 2009 & 2010. Think twice before scheduling your wedding at these times.

Holiday Weekends

Holiday weekend weddings have pros and cons. You've got an extra day for the festivities (and recovery!) and it's easier to host the affair on Sunday, which is often less expensive than a Saturday event would be.

However, costs of travel and hotels may be higher. Also, having your wedding on a holiday weekend might adversely affect your guest list. Some families have standing holiday weekend plans or traditions that they'd prefer not to have disrupted.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (always a Monday)

January 18, 2010

President's Day (always a Monday)

February 15, 2010

Memorial Day (always a Monday)

May 31, 2010

Independence Day

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Labor Day (always a Monday)

September 6, 2010

Columbus Day (always a Monday)

October 12, 2009

October 11, 2010

Thanksgiving (always a Thursday)

November 26, 2009

November 25, 2010

New Year's Eve

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Friday, December 31, 2010

Religious and Cultural Holidays

Be mindful of religious and cultural holidays when planning your wedding. There may even be restrictions at your house of worship as to whether you're allowed to marry at these times.

Palm Sunday

March 28, 2010

Easter Sunday

April 4, 2010

Passover (begins at sunset the night before)

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Tisha B’Av (begins at sunset the night before)

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Rosh Hashanah

In 2010: begins at sunset on Wednesday, September 8, and last until nightfall on Friday, September 10

Yom Kippur (begins at sunset the night before)

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Hanukkah (begins at sunset the night before)

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Christmas

Friday, December 25, 2009

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Kwanzaa

Begins Saturday, December 26, 2009 through Friday, January 1, 2010

Begins Sunday, December 26, 2009 through Saturday, January 1, 2011

Costly Holidays

If you're looking to marry around Valentine's Day, be wary of your floral bill, especially if you've got your heart set on red roses. They are likely to be more costly than at any other time of the year. Likewise, reception sites often charge a higher fee for a New Year's Eve wedding.

Notable Holidays

April Fool's Day

If you and your fiance are jokesters at heart, this could be the perfect wedding day for you. Thursday, April 1, 2010

Mother's Day (always a Sunday)

Make sure your mothers are okay with sharing this weekend with your wedding, it could be the perfect opportunity to honor her. If you do choose it, make a toast to all the mothers in the room at your postwedding brunch.

May 9, 2010

Father's Day (always a Sunday)

Ditto for Fathers.

June 20, 2010

Halloween

Avoid it if you're terrified that someone might actually show up in costume.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Days of Remembrance

Historically significant days may cause a conflict of interest for some guests.

September 11: It falls on a Saturday in 2010.

December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: In 2009, it's on a Monday, and falls on a Tuesday in 2010.

Super Bowl

If you don't live in Florida and are marrying on the Saturday rather than the Sunday of Super Bowl weekend, then the big game shouldn't affect your wedding too much , unless you and your husband are diehard pigskin fans and can't bear to miss the big game instead of leaving on your honeymoon. If in doubt, steer clear of these dates:

Sunday, February 7, 2010, Miami, FL

Final Four/March Madness

Everyone loves the excitement of college basketball. Keep your sports fans at bay by avoiding these dates:

Saturday, April 3, 2010, and Monday, April 5, 2010, Indianapolis, IN

Quirky Dates

10/10/10 falls on a Sunday

Other Dates to Avoid

College reunions, prom and/or homecoming and big conventions in your city.  Call your local chamber of commerce.  Also remember any annual charity events that involve your family or close friends.

Thank you for taking the time to read our guide.  Please visit our store to see fabulous wedding flowers, bouquets and accessories.

Have a fabulous wedding!