Labor Day is here and it usually splits people into two categories. You’re either sad to see the summer go, or you’re not so patiently anticipating those chilly fall temps and all things pumpkin spice. There are good things and not-so-good things on both sides – including whether you should have a Labor Day Weekend wedding or not! Read below for our full list of pros and cons to make sure it’s right for you and your guests!
Sunday Weddings
With having an extra day in the weekend, you don’t have to worry about planning for an only Saturday wedding. Is your dream venue is already booked for that date? Have it on Sunday instead! Or maybe you want to give your guests an extra day on either side of the wedding, Sunday nuptials are perfect for that.
Extra Day for Travel/Rest
Like we mentioned above, there’s an extra day in the weekend and there’s lots of possibilities. Like you and your guests can have two days after your wedding to relax and catch up. Or perhaps, you can give them time before and after your wedding for travel and rest.
Extended Wedding Weekend
If you’re envisioning a time that is full of wedding festivities, Labor Day Weekend may be the perfect date for you! You can have a welcome party on Friday, beach/activity day on Saturday, wedding on Sunday, and then relax on Monday. Or mix it up! It’s way easier to fit in multiple activities and events with 3 days to play!
Better Weather (Usually)
Okay, this may not apply to those of us far South because the humidity is still alive and well down here. However, for the most part, the weather is typically starting to cool down with still some warmth of summer left. Great for those of you that want that summer wedding without melting in the July or August heat.
Labor Day Plans Already
For most people, especially those with kids, this is one of the last times to sneak in a quick vacation and enjoy the summer weather. So if you do plan on having your wedding during the Labor Day Weekend, give your guests plenty of notice. That way they can plan ahead for that weekend, and also spare you from a lot of returned RSVPs with “Sorry, but I’m beaching it this weekend.”
More Stressful/Expensive Travel
Furthermore, since people are already traveling a lot this weekend, be prepared for the journey to be more expensive and probably more stressful whether that’s catching flights or just dealing with traffic. This is especially the case if you have a lot of out-of-town guests coming in or live near a major destination point.
Don’t Count on a Discount
Just because it’s not a usual wedding date (given you could get married on Sunday or Monday even), don’t expect a discounted rate from your wedding vendors. It’s still prime wedding season after all. Not to mention, it could be even more expensive because it is a holiday. You could be competing with other celebrations they typically host for the weekend, they could have a set minimum fee to make up for the business they may be losing by closing, or just because they’re having to bring in staff on a holiday weekend.
No Days Off
To add to the fact that your guests may already have plans for that weekend, be sure to account for your guests that may not get the whole weekend off like police officers, healthcare workers, etc. Sure, they may be able to request off in advance, but don’t automatically assume everyone will be available for the full weekend.
Photos by Amanda Zabrocki Photography previously featured in Serene Coastal Elopement.