How to Plan the Ultimate Labor Day Weekend Wedding
Let's face it: Getting married is like a holiday in itself. So, when you decide to pair that with an actual holiday weekend, your big day is even more special. Labor Day Weekend weddings are especially fun, because it marks the unofficial end of summer and the beginning of fall (aka wedding season!), and most people have the day off. If you and your S.O. are thinking about having a holiday weekend wedding, there are a few things you should consider when it comes to planning. We've tapped industry experts for their tips and tricks to planning a holiday weekend wedding.
In this article:
- Is Labor Day Weekend a Good Time to Get Married?
- Labor Day Weekend Cost Considerations
- Pros of a Labor Day Weekend Wedding
- Cons of a Labor Day Weekend Wedding
- How to Plan a Labor Day Weekend Wedding
Is Labor Day Weekend a Good Time to Get Married?
Simply put: If that's the best date that works for you and your future spouse's schedule and budget, then yes. However, there are a few factors to consider before deciding related to cost, potential conflicts and more.
Labor Day Weekend Cost Considerations
"As with any holiday weekend, most vendors and venues (especially resorts) are going to have a premium on minimums due to high demand," explains Natalie Good, creative director and founder of A Good Affair Wedding & Event Production. If you're thinking a Sunday wedding over a holiday weekend will save you some money, you might want to think again. "We often see clients think doing a Sunday of a holiday weekend for their wedding will save them money," says Good. "However, doing that Sunday will be at a similar price as doing it on that Saturday."
If you're having a destination wedding or, at least hosting out-of-town guests, remember they may have to fly. Flying over a holiday weekend is usually more expensive, so it's something couples should consider when deciding on a wedding date.
Pros of a Labor Day Weekend Wedding
There are lots of reasons to get married over a holiday weekend. Make sure you think about these pros while you debate your decision.
Work Schedules
Since Labor Day is a federal holiday, most of your guests likely have the day off of work, making it easier for them to travel. "It's easier to get families together since many people will already have flexibility in their schedules," explains Ariel Becker, CEO of Becker and the Co. If your rehearsal dinner is Saturday and your wedding is on Sunday, they could conceivably not have to take any time off, depending on how far they have to travel.
More Time to Celebrate
"It's a great opportunity to have a multi day event because of that extra day," says Good. If you decide to get married on Saturday, Sunday could be another great opportunity to spend time with guests before they have to travel home. You could also organize several small events and let guests decide which one they'd like to participate in. The three-day weekend makes the flow of the weeknd a lot more flexible.
Local Activities
"Depending on location, but specifically for destinations, it could be a nice time to include local festivities/activities that are going on for Labor Day weekend," suggests Good. If there's a local parade, festival or sporting event that weekend, you could turn that into a group activity for guests to attend. Think of it as one less thing you have to organize, since it's already a big weekend for local get togethers and events.
Cons of a Labor Day Weekend Wedding
You'll also want to consider some of the negatives of having a wedding over a long holiday weekend. We've laid some out below.
Higher Costs
In general, traveling, eating and staying somewhere else is much more expensive over a holiday weekend since demand is higher. "Airfare is typically more expensive [and for] hotel rooms, you won't get as good of a block rate due to high occupancy," reminds Good. If you're trying to ensure as many guests as possible can make it to the wedding, you may want to consider a weekend that isn't so travel-heavy. If you're already having a more intimate affair and don't want too many people in attendance, this might actually work to your benefit.
Crowds
If your wedding venue is a resort or a place where other people not involved in the wedding are sure to travel during the holidays, think about whether it's an issue that it will likely be much more crowded. "Overall capacity of resorts are much more crowded versus a non-holiday/peak weekend," explains Good. "[There are also] longer wait times for onsite amenities at resorts like restaurants, spa, golf, etc." If you're getting married at a country club or private venue, it might not matter as much.
Guests' Vacations
Since most people have Labor Day off, your guests might already have travel plans or even another wedding. "Guests are often invited to multiple events. Labor Day Weekend weddings are popular," says Becker. Of course, if you give them enough notice they'll know not to plan anything - but they also might prefer to use that time off to go somewhere else. Make sure that your nearest and dearest are available before locking in the date.
How to Plan a Labor Day Weekend Wedding
Planning a holiday weekend wedding has a few key differences than a wedding on any other weekend. Here are a few things to think about in terms of planning.
1. Plan in advance.
You should already give yourself a solid amount of time to plan your wedding plan, and this is especially true for a holiday weekend wedding. "Book your vendors further out than usual because it is a prime weekend," explains Good. "They will book out much quicker." As we stated above, Labor Day Weekend is a popular time to travel, which means flights increase in price, so be sure to give them the date as soon as possible. "Sending save the dates further in advance to give your guests more time to get better prices for airfare," says Good.
2. Work with a professional.
There are so many nuances when it comes to planning a wedding, and there's even more to consider when it's over a holiday weekend. For example, you might need help with your room block due to higher hotel capacities. "We highly recommend working with a professional planner who handles travel to ensure you estimate the correct amount of rooms," recommends Good. "You most likely won't be able to add extra rooms for the same negotiated rate on a later date due to high occupancy projections for Labor Day weekend." Wedding pros are trained in dealing with things like this, so you can focus on what's important: actually getting married.
3. Get creative with colors.
Since Labor Day Weekend is considered the unofficial end of summer, you can have a little more freedom with color selection. Whether you want to hold on to those final summer days or you're ready to embrace fall, your color palette on Labor Day Weekend can fit whatever profile you desire.