Image by Laura Zorman
Weddings are cause for celebration, as are holidays. This is why couples all over the world are choosing to celebrate the two together by hosting a holiday wedding. But choosing to host your special day on a holiday isn’t an easy choice. There’s a lot to consider–budget, guest list, vendor availability, and more.
If a holiday is significant to you and your partner and you’re considering tying the knot on said holiday, there are a few things to consider! That’s why we’re rounding up some of the pros and cons to make the decision easier for you–because the last thing you need is more stress while wedding planning.
Pros Of A Holiday Wedding
Feels more celebratory
One of the biggest advantages of having a holiday wedding is the celebratory atmosphere that the day carries. What’s better than saying “I do” before ringing in the new year with your close loved ones, for example? It also will make celebrating your anniversary every year that much more special.
Choosing a theme is easy
Holidays make choosing a theme and color palette a piece of cake. When we think of Christmas weddings, we think of burgundy, emerald green, and gold accents. For New Year’s Eve, you can play up the metallics with plenty of black, silver, and gold.
Holidays are also synonymous with certain foods, decor, and activities. This means wedding planning is already done for you when you lean into the theme. And the best part is that you can go as subtle or as over the top as you’d like.
Can lead to a smaller guest list
This one is both a pro and con depending on your wedding vision. We know that for some, a smaller wedding is ideal, but it feels impossible because of the long list of family and friends they feel obligated to invite. If this sounds like a predicament you’re in, a holiday wedding may be the perfect way to thin out your guest list naturally.
Image by Oakwood Photo & Video
Cons of A Holiday Wedding
Guests may not be able to attend
It’s no secret that the holidays are some of the busiest times of year for most people. If you want a large guest list with all your closest friends and family, choosing to tie the knot on the bigger family-oriented holidays (i.e., Christmas or Thanksgiving) may not be the right choice for you. Smaller holidays (such as the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve) may be a better option to ensure everyone can come.
Travel and lodging may be more expensive
The holidays are known to be the worst time for higher travel fares and pricier lodging. Everyone around the world is traveling, making it one of the most expensive times of the year. If you have a lot of guests who are going to be traveling for your special day, take into consideration the logistics of the travel.
Dream vendors may not be available
Hotels and flights aren’t the only things that get booked up quickly during the holiday season–vendors do too. Some of the vendors you want for your special day may be already booked or may be taking time off to spend time with their own families. When choosing your vendor dream team, discuss their holiday availability ASAP.
Financial strain for your guests
Not only will airfare and lodging be costly, but your guests are also likely spending a lot of money at the end of the year as is. Between buying gifts for the holidays and hosting parties, the last few months of the year are some of the most expensive. Adding a wedding to attend on top of that might be a financial burden that some can’t swing.
Image by Savanna Sturkie Photography
Tips For Hosting A Holiday Wedding
Consider making it a multi-day event
If you are going to host your special day on one of the bigger holidays, consider hosting a wedding weekend. This allows your guests to truly soak up time with one another and enjoy time in the destination if they are traveling. And because most people get multiple days off for the holidays, they most likely won’t need to take any time off of work, so they’ll be more inclined to stay longer.
Let guests know far in advance
If you are hosting a holiday wedding, let your guests know as soon as you can. Whether you tell them via physical save-the-dates or a wedding website, the more notice you give them, the higher the likelihood they’ll be able to attend. It’s also wise to book a hotel block for guests, so they don’t have to scramble to find a place to stay, which in turn will make them feel more at ease about attending.
Incorporate seasonal details to save money
Incorporating seasonal details such as food and florals is an easy way to fit with the theme, but more importantly, save you money. This could look like using an abundance of greenery for your winter nuptials or including desserts with apple or cranberries for your Thanksgiving “I do’s.” Your guests will assume that you’re leaning into the theme while your wallet will thank you.
Before you decide to host a holiday wedding, consider what that holiday means to you and your significant other. And most importantly, think about how important it is to you to have your family and friends in attendance. Once you think about these factors, you’ll be able to decide whether or not it’s the right choice for you.
If you’re thinking about planning a holiday wedding and you want to start checking out vendor availability, check out our vendor guide to help you find the dream team for your special day!
Image by Savanna Sturkie Photography
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