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Updated Oct 02, 2024Is a Friday the 13th Wedding Bad Luck? What You Need to Know
Make your own luck with a Friday the 13th wedding.
Choosing the perfect wedding date is serious business. It needs to align with your VIP guests' availability and that of your dream wedding vendors. It's also great if the date feels extra special. Be it a date that holds a significance, or a date that is known to be lucky. Enter: A Friday the 13th wedding. Yes, the superstitious date is a great day to tie the knot. Think of the wedding hashtag possibilities such as #SuperstitiousSoulmates or #LuckyInLove. If you're considering getting married on Friday the 13th, keep reading for the scoop on etiquette, tips and wedding planning ideas.
In this article:
- Is It Okay to Get Married on Friday the 13th?
- What Is the Meaning of a Friday the 13th Wedding? Superstitions
- Is It Bad Luck to Get Married on Friday the 13th?
- Friday the 13th Wedding Ideas
- Friday the 13th Wedding Tips
Is It Okay to Get Married on Friday the 13th?
Absolutely! Having a Friday the 13th wedding is actually quite lucky. In numerology Friday the 13th is a number 4 day (1+3 = 4), which professional numerologist Novalee Wilder says imbues the day with the energies of change, transformation, rebelliousness and healing.
"It could give the couple the sense that they are on a journey of healing together," Wilder says. "That it's them against the world or that their union is a step out of old conventions and into something unique and new." So if these energies feel aligned for you, then a Friday the 13th wedding is a perfect fit. Wilder adds that Friday is also connected to the planet Venus which rules love.
From a logistical planning perspective, Diane Kolanović-Šolaja, owner and creative director of Dee Kay Events, agrees that you can definitely get married on Friday the 13th. However, she notes that there may be an increase in cost due to the number of couples who also want to book a Friday the 13th wedding. This means it may be tricky to book a venue or vendors. So don't assume it's a less expensive day for a wedding.
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What Is the Meaning of a Friday the 13th Wedding? Superstitions
So why is Friday the 13th considered taboo? And why all the Friday the 13th wedding superstitions? The history of its significance varies depending on the source. Kolanović-Šolaja says it may stem from Holy Thursday, known as the Last Supper, where Jesus and 12 apostles shared a meal and the next day he was crucified. Therefore, Friday and the number 13 were deemed unlucky.
Is It Bad Luck to Get Married on Friday the 13th?
Whether getting married on Friday the 13th is lucky or unlucky is subjective. "I find Friday the 13th lucky since it happens so infrequently, but if you think it's superstitious, it will become that," Kolanović-Šolaja says. "What you believe will be, so keep it upbeat and it'll be fine. You make your luck. You found each other. That is a one out of eight billion (current world population) chance that you are alive and fell in love. That's pretty darn lucky."
In other words, Friday the 13th can be a lucky wedding date so there's no need to add it to the list of wedding dates to avoid.
Friday the 13th Wedding Ideas
Need some planning inspo? Keep scrolling for images of genius and gorgeous ideas and ways you can tap into the Friday the 13th wedding theme on your special day in both big and small ways.
1. Castle Venue
Is there anything more romantic than getting married in a real-life castle? We think not. It's a great way to create a very unique, enchanting and mystical atmosphere. On The Knot Marketplace, you can filter by type of venue and yes that includes castles.
2. Moody Invitations
If you're not sure what vibe to go with for your Friday the 13th wedding invitations, we suggest embracing the moody wedding aesthetic. Think dark, rich colors such as purple, black and dark red and opt for gothic-inspired fonts. Look to The Knot Paper for more ideas.
3. Sultry Ambiance
It's only fitting that a wedding on a superstitious day features a mysterious energy flowing through it. You can accomplish this with dark-colored flowers, draping and candlelight.
4. All-Black Wedding Cake
If you want to go all out with a Friday the 13th wedding cake, we suggest going with a very non-traditional but also very glamorous all-black tiered cake. It'll surely be a showstopper.
5. Lucky Cake Topper
Photo: Jayd Jackson Photography
You can also have fun with the cake topper. If dark, rich shades are not your thing, you can still tap into the spirit with a Friday the 13th wedding cake topper that celebrates luck. This is a great moment to add a subtle touch of the theme.
6. Lucky Friday the 13th Wedding Favors
Photo: Studio EMP Photography
Send your guests home with some good luck as well by gifting them an item considered lucky as a wedding favor such as an elephant tealight holder.
7. Themed Dessert
Create an eerie (and delicious) atmosphere with a liquid nitrogen ice cream station. Your guests will be delighted.
8. Dark Makeup
Brides who want to embrace the darker hues can also do so with their makeup. Think crimson lipstick and smokey eyeshadow. Add a tiara into the mix for an extra edgy touch.
9. Movie-Inspired Menus
This couple pulled inspiration from the film "Friday the 13th" with a menu that nods to the movie's blood-splattered vibe. This is a perfect example of a way you can sprinkle in the theme without making it the focal point of the wedding.
10. Black Wedding Dress
Another way to embrace the spooky theme is by ditching the white dress for a stunning, regal black wedding dress. Add red florals for a romantic pop of color.
Friday the 13th Wedding Tips
If you and your partner are really digging the idea of getting married on a superstitious date (remember, you make your own luck!), the next step is putting plans in motion. Here are some tips to keep in mind, including how to embrace the Friday the 13th wedding theme.
Plan Far In Advance
Because there is only a limited number of Friday the 13ths each year, Kolanović-Šolaja says you'll definitely want to plan things far in advance to ensure you get first dibs at the venue and vendors you want. Also, when it comes to how to plan a Friday wedding in particular, she recommends keeping in mind how that will affect your overall wedding plans. For instance, is it possible for your guests to take off work on Thursday for the rehearsal dinner and Friday for the wedding? You can use a tool like The Knot's free wedding planning checklist to help keep you organized as you make plans.
Embrace the Friday the 13th Theme
If you're going to do a Friday the 13th wedding, one option is to take the theme head on and have fun with it with some of the above Friday the 13th wedding ideas. However, if that's not your style, Kolanović-Šolaja says you can also opt to sprinkle some hints of Friday the 13th instead. The possibilities are endless. Her suggestions include putting $1 scratch-offs in welcome bags or having a total of 13 people in your wedding party.
Hire Niche Vendors
Another way to boldly or subtly embrace the Friday the 13th wedding theme is by hiring unique, niche vendors that aren't often traditional at weddings but play to the moody, mystical theme. For example, you can hire a tarot reader, palm reader or a magic mentalist as entertainment during the cocktail hour, Kolanović-Šolaja says. Pro tip: You can find great options via The Knot Vendor Marketplace.
All that said, you don't have to lean into the Friday the 13th wedding theme. If the lucky date alone appeals to you or it just so happens to work out logistically as the best wedding date for you, that's perfectly fine too. Remember it's your wedding and you can do things your way.
