Spotlight: Should You Say “I Do” on a Holiday Weekend?

When planning your wedding, a long weekend like Labor Day or Memorial Day might feel like the perfect fit. Built-in time off? Check. More room for guests to travel and celebrate? Yes, please. But before you commit to a holiday date, it’s worth looking at both sides of the equation, because what seems convenient for your guests may bring unexpected costs and challenges for you.

The Appeal of the Long Weekend

At first glance, holiday weekends offer a lot of benefits. Guests likely have the Monday off, giving them more time to travel, settle in, and take part in your full wedding weekend. From Friday welcome parties to Sunday brunches, it’s easier to extend the celebration without asking people to take additional time off work.

For couples planning destination weddings or hoping to create a full itinerary of events, the extra day can feel like a gift. It allows for deeper connection between guests, more relaxed timelines, and a general sense of festivity that fits the mood of a wedding.

What Couples Often Overlook

However, there’s a flip side - especially for your vendors and your budget. As Karmin Driscoll of Attitude on Food points out, many couples don’t realize that while their guests gain an extra day, vendors may be giving one up.

Holiday weekends often mean limited vendor availability, higher service minimums, and added overtime charges, particularly if an event falls on a day their business would typically be closed. What seems like a perk on paper can quickly add up behind the scenes.

And it’s not just vendor costs. Travel and lodging may be more expensive for guests due to high demand around holiday weekends. If you're hosting a wedding in a popular destination or even a busy local hotspot, hotels and flights will likely be booked far in advance and prices can spike significantly.

Timing Is Everything

If you’re leaning toward a holiday weekend, the best thing you can do is start early. Book your vendors well in advance (many are reserved a year or more out for holiday dates), lock in hotel blocks for guests, and send save-the-dates with plenty of notice. Give your guests time to plan and give yourself time to budget accordingly.

Driscoll encourages couples to weigh the full scope of a holiday weekend carefully. The extra day off might seem like an easy “yes,” but it’s important to account for the higher costs, limited availability, and the personal time vendors are sacrificing during weekends typically reserved for rest and family.

So, Should You Do It?

A wedding on Labor Day or Memorial Day weekend can absolutely be worth it, especially if you’re dreaming of a multi-day experience with all your favorite people. But it’s not a shortcut to ease or affordability. With thoughtful planning, clear communication, and realistic expectations, a holiday weekend can serve as the perfect backdrop for a meaningful and memorable celebration.