Scheduling a wedding can be a tricky venture. You have to navigate time off from work, graduation from school, and how long it will take you to plan the wedding. That doesn’t even take into consideration the scheduling of family, vendors, and venues. So what’s to be made of getting married around the holidays? There are some pros and cons to consider.
Pros
Decorations
Minimalists love the idea of having an already decorated venue. For example, if you get married at a church in early December, chances are that the sanctuary will be filled with evergreens, wreaths, candles or poinsettias. You might add a candle and call it good, saving a plethora of funds on decorations.
PTO
The most common reason people get married near a holiday is because they have designated time off work or school. Adding a little PTO to natural holidays maximizes your time off and the time a couple can spend on their honeymoon. Additionally, family members and the bridal party can use time off to travel to the wedding, if necessary.
Party atmosphere
Finally, people feel naturally festive around the holidays. The spirit of giving wafts through the air, people expect to attend parties, and there’s a sense of anticipation among the populace as a whole. Why not capitalize on the festive feelings by funneling them into your wedding celebration?
Cons
Limited availability
Because the holidays are a season of celebration, it is a busy season for venues and vendors. Many are booked a year or more in advance around the holidays. For example, the best San Antonio DJs will be juggling corporate parties, family events, end-of-year fundraisers, galas and weddings in December. We want to do everything, but we’re limited by our humanity.
Higher travel costs
Basic economics indicates that the greater the demand for something the more it will cost. Travelling during the holidays is the case and point. Airlines and highways report that some of the biggest travel days in the U.S. are the days right before or right after a major holiday. Airline tickets and gas prices tend to be higher during those times. So, unless all of your guests are local and your honeymoon will be delayed, it will cost people more to attend your wedding if it’s near a holiday than it would otherwise.
Blended celebrations
You want your wedding day to be special, to be the occasion people think about during that season. Having your wedding day (and the subsequent anniversaries) close to a holiday or birthday means forever sharing the limelight with another special occasion. Just ask somebody whose birthday is near Christmas. It stinks.
Tips
There are intentionally an equal number of pros and cons. It’s up to you to decide when to have your wedding. That being said, here are some tips should you decide to get married around the holidays.
- Give guest plenty of notice so they can adjust plans they might traditionally have or so they have plenty of time to find travel deals.
- Book the venue and vendors well in advance.
- Ask the venue about what decorations they’ll have up during the ceremony. You know what assuming does…
