Let's be honest, getting married over Memorial Day weekend sounds wonderful, and there's a very good reason why it's the most sought-after wedding date. It's a three-day weekend, and you get one extra day to enjoy newlywed bliss before having to go back to work.
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As appealing as a Memorial Day weekend wedding sounds, picking it for your nuptials comes with several complications most couples learn about the hard way. For this article, I've spoken with four couples who said their "I do's" on this popular date. Here's what they had to say about the experience.
Meet the Couples
These four couples successfully planned their holiday weekend weddings all across the Pacific Northwest, and their experiences will prepare us for the checklist below.
| Couple | Wedding Location | Guest Count |
|---|---|---|
| Sarah and James | Seattle, WA | 150 |
| Maya and David | Bend, OR | 85 |
| Chloe and Sam | Portland, OR | 120 |
| Elena and Marcus | San Juan Islands, WA | 60 |
1. Your Save-the-Dates Need to Go Out Much Earlier
When planning a wedding, most couples tend to send their save-the-date cards at the 6- to 8-month mark, which is perfectly fine if you're getting married on any other weekend of the year. But people tend to make their holiday weekend plans way in advance, so if your save-the-date only gives them a few months' notice, you might find that friends and family members might have already booked other commitments.
As popular as the date is for weddings, Memorial Day weekend is also when people tend to arrange camping trips, short holidays, and family reunions. Plus, even if your guests wanted to cancel their already booked vacation rental, getting their deposits back is close to impossible.
The simple way to avoid this is to make sure you send your save-the-date cards as early as possible. I'd recommend you do it about a year in advance.
2. Hotel Room Blocks Will Be Harder to Secure
Hotel blocks are pretty standard for weddings, and many venues are happy to offer courtesy blocks for the occasion, meaning you only pay for the rooms actually used. On a holiday weekend, you're more likely to get hit by an attrition clause and still be on the hook to pay if the rooms were left empty, which is less than ideal.
But you also risk not being able to find a suitable block at all, given that most hotels, especially if you're having a wedding in a somewhat popular destination, expect to fill up at premium rates during the holiday weekend.
One way to avoid the dreaded attrition clause is to ask about "a room block release date," when the hotel releases any unused rooms to the public. Like with all other issues on this list, this one is also something you need to carefully plan around.
3. Expect Holiday Surcharges from Certain Vendors
You've probably already heard about the vendor peak-time surcharges. Most brides know that getting married in June will cost more overall than, say, in February. On holiday weekends, that applies tenfold.
OK, that might be a slight exaggeration, but federal holidays do trigger time-and-a-half pay for hourly workers, so most of your vendors will apply premium pricing. Some more than others. For instance, photographers and DJs are freelancers who set their own pricing, but your catering company relies on hourly workers.
Be mindful that the initial quote you get when signing the contract with the vendor is very likely to be revised closer to the date when they confirm holiday staffing. A good way to not find yourself surprised is to ask explicitly about "holiday premiums" or "holiday staffing fees" before you sign the contract.
4. Holiday Traffic Will Threaten Your Day-Of Timeline
One downside to coordinating a huge event with lots of attendees, vendors, and a tight schedule is how often people underestimate travel times. In my experience, some type of delay is basically expected at most weddings. When the event is happening on a public holiday, all bets are off. Most people who go away for the long weekend will either leave on Friday evening after work or on Saturday morning, meaning the peak Labor Day traffic jams are sure to clash with your wedding-day logistics.
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If your make-up artist is 30 minutes late, it can cascade into delaying your whole day. The best way to mitigate this is to pad vendor arrival times appropriately, giving them about an hour's buffer. Also, keep your wedding website updated so your guests know to expect the traffic surge. It might even be worth mentioning it on the invites.
5. Your RSVP Decline Rate Might Be Higher Than Average
No matter what you do or how close you are to someone, if you choose to get married on a public holiday weekend, a lot of people simply won't attend. Three-day weekends are a rare and precious commodity that some people save exclusively for things like family gatherings.
To give you an idea, on average, most couples can expect a decline rate of 20% for their nuptials. On a holiday weekend, the average soars to 30%.
6. Sunday Becomes the New Saturday
One positive aspect of opting for a Memorial Day wedding is that you can easily switch to a Sunday wedding, giving the whole event a more relaxed flow. It's an ideal time for a destination wedding, as your guests can arrive on Saturday, stay for the wedding on Sunday, and depart on Monday.
With no need to take PTO to attend, it makes the whole affair less stressful. Not to mention, vendors typically charge less for Sunday weddings, even on a holiday weekend.
7. Guests Will Expect a Full Weekend of Events
As your wedding is during a public holiday, your guests are more likely to expect more than the standard 4-hour reception. And while it's a good idea to include some additional hospitality items in the itinerary, you don't need to spend a fortune keeping your guests entertained for three whole days. Instead, organize something a bit more informal, like inviting your guests to drink at a local brewery on Friday, followed by brunch on Monday.
8. Local Vendors Might Be Booking Their Own Vacations
Many of your preferred vendors might simply be unavailable to work over the holiday weekend. And those who don't block out personal time during these dates tend to be booked well in advance; some top planners and photographers have their diaries filled up to 18 months before the event. Which is why I can't overstate how important it is to plan everything as early as possible.
9. Spring Weather Transitions Require Solid Backup Plans
Generally speaking, late May weather can be unpredictable. For instance, in the Pacific Northwest, you can see highs of 71 degrees one day and rainy lows of 50 degrees the next. Plus, during the evenings it can drop to a chilly 15 degrees, even if the day was sunny.
This is less of a problem if your reception venue is indoors, but if you're aiming for an outdoor wedding, I recommend making sure you book your commercial tent heaters about three months before the event (like everything else on Memorial Day weekend, these tend to book up fast).
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Check Price10. Flight Costs Will Impact Your Wedding Party
During a holiday weekend, flight rates can cost up to 50% more than normal. If any guests or members of your wedding party are coming from out-of-state, that's definitely something you need to plan for.
To make sure your guests get the best possible deal, set up a free Google Flights price alert so you can keep an eye on the fares. But generally speaking, your guests are most likely to get the best rates if they plan on booking between 3 and 6 months in advance.
11. The Extra Recovery Day is the Ultimate Silver Lining
Even though there were logistical difficulties, each couple I spoke with found that having Monday off to relax after the wedding made it worth the effort.
If you are considering a Memorial Day weekend wedding, start planning early and stay in touch with your vendors. Being organized will increase the likelihood that everything goes more smoothly.
