Welcome back, dear reader, to Money & Matrimony! The monthly series where I look at the intersection of spounces and spending, and try to demystify the financial nuisances of nuptials. Basically help you make budgeting and spending money on your next wedding easier!
When I started working in weddings, I always thought back to one of my favorite memories growing up. I was 8 (I think?) years old, and my entire family got invited to our family friend’s wedding on New Year’s Eve.
And for those of you who don't know, yes, even in South Carolina (where I grew up) it gets very very very cold on New Year’s Eve. So to be attending an outdoor wedding on New Year’s Eve certainly was going to create a lasting memory.
But as an eight year old, I was SO excited to be able to stay up so late and hang out with a bunch of adults! I felt so fancy and grown up.
And since then, I always thought that I would see more of these holiday weddings in my lifetime. There have been a few (mostly on Halloween) but overall, people typically avoid holiday weddings like the plague. Sure, it might be near a long weekend with bank holidays, but a Christmas, Halloween, or New Year’s wedding? Why not?
That’s what we’ll be talking about today. Going a bit more in depth on the financial pros and cons of hosting a holiday wedding.
Pros and Cons of a Holiday Wedding
Better for the budget?
What are your plans for Christmas or New Year’s? Typically you’re going to parties at friends’ houses and/or visiting family right? Maybe going out to a club or more public party. These are typically the directions we go.
Less often will you be going to a wedding. And it shows with venues. Venues don’t expect their holiday weekends to fill up nearly as fast as other weekends. That could mean good things for your budget!
There’s less demand for the vendors or venues you’re looking for, and so they might hold an “off-season price” or more affordable price. Things to keep in mind.
Also, going to a venue that is already decked out for that particular holiday means there’s built in decor. Another save for your budget!
Deepens both the experience and memory!
I meant it when I said that that new year’s wedding left a lasting impression on me. I thought it was the coolest way to ring in the new year when I was such a little kid. So for the couple it can only mean that much more.
Future holidays when you celebrate will not just be a holiday to remember, but your anniversary, as well! Maybe it’s a holiday that you both love so much already so in this case, the memories are only deepened.
Guest List?...it’s hard to say…
I always tell couples to expect 75%-85% of the guests they invite to actually attend your wedding. If it’s on a holiday, well it’s hard to say. Certainly it depends on the holiday. For families, this could mean a larger influx than usual. Both weddings and holidays can often be built-in family reunions so combining them only means that many more cousins are attending.
Friends and guests outside of the family circle, maybe not so much on family-oriented holidays like Christmas. Halloween or New Year’s might mean more on the friends end of things that is.
Also, your venue and vendor might be less expensive, but we all know that holiday travel means more expensive flights and hotels. So keep that in mind when thinking of who you’re inviting and what holiday you want to plan around.
