There's a lot to like about the idea of getting married over Memorial Day weekend (or any other federal holiday, for that matter). It comes with the added bonus of an extra day to recover next to your spouse at the tail end of the big event.
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But when you set your sights on a holiday weekend, you're competing with a full array of plans your guests might have already made. The good news is that you can mitigate this with extra planning.
The Holiday Weekend Timeline Shift
I don't need to tell you that holiday weekends like Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the 4th of July are precious commodities many people like to fully plan for.
Vacation rentals around the country's most popular travel spots can fill up 12-18 months in advance, while travel costs soar significantly. In other words, if you want guests to attend your wedding, things like invitations and save-the-dates need to go out far sooner than if you were getting married on a random Saturday in April.
| Communication Milestone | Standard Wedding Timeline | Holiday Weekend Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| VIP Heads-Up Text | 8 to 10 months out | 12 to 14 months out (or immediately upon booking) |
| Save the Dates | 6 to 8 months out | 9 to 12 months out |
| Formal Invitations | 6 to 8 weeks out | 10 to 12 weeks out |
| RSVP Deadline | 3 to 4 weeks out | 5 to 6 weeks out |
The VIP Heads-Up
Close family members and friends you want in your wedding party should usually be the first to get the "skip the cookout" text. I would highly recommend notifying your VIPs the minute you've locked the wedding venue. Don't wait for them to receive a formal save-the-date.
When you're getting married on a holiday weekend, you can expect a small percentage of your intended guests to be unable to attend. But your VIPs are more than standard guests. I'm talking about the very small list of people you simply cannot imagine getting married without. These people need to be notified before anyone else, at least a year in advance.
Copy-Paste Text Templates
If you're not sure how to phrase your VIP text, here are a few ideas I've put together. Feel free to use these messages as-is, or adjust them to match your event.
Generally speaking, you want your text to acknowledge how big of an ask attending your wedding over a public holiday is, while emphasizing how important their presence is to you.
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Option 1: The Casual Friend Text
“Hey! We officially locked in our wedding date and venue. We are getting married on [Date] of Memorial Day weekend in [City]. We know it is a big holiday weekend, so we wanted to give you a heads-up before you book your usual camping trip. Official save-the-dates are coming soon, but please mark your calendar!”
Option 2: The Wedding Party Text
“Great news! The venue is officially booked for [Date]. Since it falls on Memorial Day weekend, I wanted to text my VIPs immediately so you can block off the time. I will share more details about the rehearsal and hotel blocks soon. I cannot wait to celebrate with you!”
Option 3: The Extended Family Text
“Hi [Name]! [Partner’s Name] and I are so excited to share that we have set our wedding date for [Date] in [City]. We realize this is Memorial Day weekend. Because we would love for you to be there, we wanted to share the date early before you make any holiday travel plans. Formal details and hotel information will follow in a few months.”
Formal Save-the-Dates and Hotel Blocks
For a typical wedding, save-the-dates are sent 6 to 8 months in advance. But if you want as many of your intended guests as possible to RSVP a resounding "yes," you want to send these out no later than 9 months prior to the date, but the 12-month mark is probably better.
You'll also want to include your wedding website along with a room block link. During holiday weekends, hotels tend to book up fast, so having a room block is basically a requirement at this point.
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Check PriceManaging RSVPs and Expectations
Despite your best efforts, you need to emotionally prepare for the decline rate. Even with a year's notice, some people won't be able to change their holiday plans. They might have long-standing family traditions, non-refundable travel plans, or simply be saving the holiday weekend for rest.
As frustrating as the declines may be, it's simply a part of the reality of choosing such a popular weekend for your wedding. On the bright side, a slightly lower headcount can actually save you a fair bit on catering costs.
Final Thoughts
Planning a wedding on a holiday weekend takes a bit more work. But the more advance notice you give your guests, the more of them will be able to join you on your big day. Most importantly, don't forget to enjoy every last bit of the process.
