Why You Should Not Get Married on a Major Holiday

While it’s certainly apropos to infuse your nuptials with a theme, selecting the day of a major national holiday to begin your married life has significant downsides and isn't for everyone. Tying the knot in the weeks leading up to such dates should satisfy your love of the festive motif, but it may also be wise to stay away from saying your vows on major holidays – and here is why:

-  Loved ones may think that your plans are more important than theirs. Though it’s true that most people will not have their plans in place by the time you set a date, that doesn’t always mean you should beat them to it by claiming that day for your own in advance. The idea of a wedding on Christmas Eve is whimsical and fanciful, but you’re essentially asking friends and family to forgo spending that time with relatives – never mind breaking their seasonal traditions – in favor of you and your beloved. Unless you’re planning on having a very small affair and your guests agree to the idea beforehand, you’re going to be taking someone away from their family or requiring them to make a difficult choice.

-  Religion/customs play major roles in people’s lives. Maybe you and your sweetheart aren’t very religious, but that doesn’t mean potential guests and bridal party members are not. An Easter wedding might sound perfectly delightful, but the day may hold a large amount of spiritual significance to attendees. Similarly, if you yourself are Christian but you have a number of Jewish family and friends, knowingly scheduling your celebration on one of the High Holy Days will cause conflict. Read up on the weekends that you’re considering to make a smart, informed decision.

-  You’ll have to share your anniversary. If you’ve ever known someone who had the arguable misfortune of being born on Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc., you’ll have a vague understanding of this phenomenon. While it may seem exciting to you now, there’s a chance you will not always feel this way. Think ahead to your fiftieth wedding anniversary; you’re much older, much wiser, ready to celebrate… and your grandkids are too busy trick-or-treating to attend your party. There will always be a general focus on the holiday – taking the emphasis off the importance of your coupledom.

While taking advantage of the long Memorial Day weekend is an intelligent bridal decision, exchanging vows on a major holiday can rattle your marital plans. While having a wedding on a holiday – especially New Year's Eve – is right for some, we love the idea of making an average day into an extraordinary one with your heartfelt “I dos.”

Opening photo by Dalal Photography