The holidays are a joyous time of year, and weddings are among the most fun parties a couple can host. What better way to celebrate your love than by combining these festivities? Holiday weddings are the perfect time for friends and family to gather. And depending on the holiday you choose, each day offers different decor and seasonal food options. Planning a holiday wedding typically requires a few additional steps compared to planning your wedding for any other time. Delve into the quick rules to remember when hosting a holiday wedding.
Set the Date Early
You probably already know which holiday you want to tie the knot on—it’s either your favorite or one that’s important to your love story. Create a guest list and send out the save the dates as early as possible. With a traditional wedding, you should send save the dates at least 6 months before the big day; for your holiday wedding, sending your invitations 8 to 12 months prior is best. This gives guests more time to make travel accommodations and plan how they’ll spend the rest of that holiday time.
Everyday Bride Tip
If many of your friends and family live out of town and confirm they’ll be at your big day, you should reserve a block of rooms in a hotel to ease their travel planning. Knowing how many people will need a room is crucial to understanding what to do and avoid when booking hotel blocks, as you can then determine how many rooms to reserve.
Establish a Budget
No matter what time of year your wedding is, you need to establish a budget before you tour venues, hire caters, or send out invitations. When your big day is during a festive time of year, prices generally increase due to additional competition for vendors and lodging. Start looking at vendors as soon as you set your budget so you can hire your team as early as possible.
As you select a holiday for your wedding date, evaluate the prices for the following:
- Florist
- Caterer
- Baker
- Venue
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Wedding planner or day-of coordinator
Keep in mind that vendors charge more for holiday weddings because, just like many of us, the day is essential to them. If they have to work during this time, they want and deserve appropriate compensation.
Everyday Bride Tip
Since your wedding could potentially be more expensive due to the holiday season, you may have to make sacrifices in various areas. Analyze your list of expenses and determine which elements aren’t as essential so you can properly allocate your money.
Incorporate Holiday-Themed Decor
Every wedding needs decor to personalize the venue so it reflects the married couple. When you get married on a holiday, it’s best to select decorations that capture the festive spirit of that day. To save money on decorations, shop at local craft stores or buy decor items in the off-season when they usually sell at a discounted rate.
For instance, if you get married on or around Halloween, you could incorporate pumpkins and spooky decor, such as ghost figurines. If you’re having a winter wedding, you can buy decorations centered around the holiday you celebrate.
Pick Out Delicious Food
Many holidays have specific foods that are associated with them. Thanksgiving, of course, means enjoying some turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberries. Meanwhile, gingerbread cookies or cake topped with a decadent cream cheese frosting is a must-have during winter holidays. Be sure to review what your venue offers as you plan your menu, as some locations require you to use their in-house catering.
Deciding on the right menu is an important rule to remember when hosting a holiday wedding because food is a key component of social events. During the holidays, we often enjoy specific foods or meals that we might only have on that day each year. When you serve specific foods at your wedding, you can emphasize your love story and the holiday.
Respect Guests’ RSVPs
When your wedding is on or right around a holiday, some guests may RSVP “no” because they already have plans or family traditions in place. Remember that their “no” is nothing against you; rather, it is a matter of how they want to spend their holiday. The holiday you choose is a special time of year for everyone, and some people have traditions that they hold dear.
A Final Note
Getting married during a holiday season makes your big day feel even more special. Everyone is already in a festive spirit, which can make you feel even more loved as you tie the knot with your favorite person. However, a holiday wedding is generally more expensive than it would be if you were to get married on a different day. Plus, more guests may reject your invitation simply because they have holiday traditions they’d rather not miss.
If getting married on a holiday is your dream, nothing should stop that from happening. So get ready to plan your special day and say “I do” to the person you love most.
