Setting the Date - Wedding Dates to Avoid in 2009 and 2010

So you’re ready to set the date and want to pick one when all your nearest and dearest will be available and enthused to share in your wedding day. This list of 2009 and 2010 blackout dates will help you avoid booking a wedding date that may inconvenience you and your guests. We’re not saying that any of these days are off-limits, (and if you’ve got your heart set on one of them - go for it!), but you may want to check around before setting your wedding around the following dates.

Days of Religious/Cultural Observance

Christian

Palm Sunday Weekend

• April 5, 2009
• March 28, 2010

Easter Sunday Weekend

• April 12, 2009
• April 4, 2010

Christmas

• Friday, December 25, 2009
• Saturday, December 25, 2010

Sundays
Some churches may not host a wedding during the day of rest. Check with your congregation to be sure.

The Month of December/Early January
December is a busy travel month for most Christians, so think twice before hosting a December or early Januarywedding if many of your guests will have to travel. 

Jewish

Rosh Hashana

• Sundown on Friday, September 18, 2009 until nightfall on Sunday, September 20, 2009
• Sundown on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 until nightfall on Friday, September 10, 2010

Yom Kippur (begins at sundown the night before)

• Monday, September 28, 2009
• Saturday, September 18, 2010

Passover (begins at sundown the night before)

• Thursday, April 9, 2009
• Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Hanukkah (begins at sundown the night before)

• Saturday, December 12, 2009
• Thursday, December 2, 2010

Friday Evenings and Saturdays before sundown
Jewish sabbath

Muslim

Sacred Month of Muharram

• Thursday, December 17, 2009 – Friday, January 15, 2010
• Monday, December 6, 2010 – Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Sacred Month of Ramadan

• Thursday, August 20, 2009 – Saturday, September 19, 2009
• Tuesday, August 10, 2010 – Thursday, September 9, 2010

Kwanzaa

• Begins Saturday, December 26, 2009 through Friday, January 1, 2010
• Begins Sunday, December 26, 2010 through Saturday, January 1, 2011

Holidays/Three Day Weekends

You don’t necessarily need to avoid these holiday weekends, but be sure to consider their pros and cons.  On the pro side: You’ve got an extra day for celebration, which makes hosting a Sunday event (a good way to save money) a possibility.  On the con side: Travel and lodging costs may be higher, and many guests may already have conflicting plans on these holiday weekends. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (always on Monday)

• January 19, 2009
• January 18, 2010

President’s Day (always on Monday)

• February 16, 2009
• February 15, 2010

Patriots Day (Massachussets/New England regional, always on Monday)

• April 20, 2009
• April 19, 2010

Memorial Day (always on Monday)

• May 25, 2009
• May 31, 2010

Independence Day

• Saturday, July 4, 2009
• Sunday, July 4, 2010

Labor Day (always on Monday)

• September 7, 2009
• September 6, 2010

Columbus Day (always on Monday)

• October 12, 2009
• October 11, 2010

Thanksgiving (always on Thursday)

• November 26, 2009
• November 25, 2010

New Year’s Eve

• Thursday, December 31, 2009
• Friday, December 31, 2010

New Year’s Day

• Friday, January 1, 2010
• Saturday, January 1, 2011

Other Major Holidays

Valentine’s Day
It may be the most romantic date for a wedding, but your floral bill will be through the roof. 

• Saturday, February 14, 2009
• Sunday, February 14, 2010

Mother’s Day (always on Sunday)
Just make sure Mom’s OK with it before booking this date. Florists will charge more for this day too

• May 10, 2009
• May 9, 2010

Father’s Day (always on Sunday)
Same goes for Dad

• June 21, 2009
• June 20, 2010

Halloween
It could be the perfect date for a theme wedding or costume party if that’s your desire, but remember that families with kids may not want to miss out on trick-or-treating.

• Saturday, October 31, 2009
• Sunday, October 31, 2010

Major Sporting Events

Super Bowl

• Sunday, February 1, 2009, Tampa, FL
• Sunday, February 7, 2010, Miami, FL

World Series

• Wednesday, October 28, 2009 through *Thursday November 5, 2009 (*if Game 7 is necessary).

Final Four/March Madness

• Saturday, April 4, 2009, and Monday, April 6, 2009, Detroit, MI
• Saturday, April 3, 2010, and Monday, April 5, 2010, Indianapolis, IN

Potentially Unlucky Days

Friday the 13th

• Friday, February 13, 2009
• Friday, November 13, 1009
• Friday, August 13, 2010

Ides of March

• Sunday, March 15, 2009
• Monday, March 15, 2010

Days of Remembrance

September 11

• Friday, September 11, 2009
• Saturday, September 11, 2010

Pearl Harbor Day

• Monday, December 7, 2009
• Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Daylight Saving Days

You may not want to risk guests or, even worse, your vendors showing up an hour early or late:

• Sunday March 8, 2009 – Daylight Saving Begins
• Sunday, November 1, 2009 – Daylight Saving Ends
• Sunday, March 14, 2010 – Dalight Saving Begins
• Sunday, November 7, 2010 – Daylight Saving Ends

Space Fills Up Quickly!
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or Call
(434) 985-3633.