Just engaged? DO NOT set a date until you have read this! Wedding Dates to Avoid in 2016, 2017 and 2018

So you are engaged! Congratulations! NOW STOP! You may have dreams of a winter wonderland wedding, a breezy summer wedding, a castle, a country house, an autumnal colour scheme or a boho festival theme. Whatever it is you dream of do not set the date until you have read this list of dates you might want to avoid.

Local or Personally Significant Days

Check your own calendar family weddings, anniversaries or other events, like big festivals or concerts in your town or city (call your local chamber of commerce), and any annual occasions that involve your family or close friends. Consider anniversaries of deceased family members or historically significant dates and how they may impact you, your friends, family and your wedding day.

Bank Holiday Weekends

Bank or Public Holiday weekend weddings have pros and cons. You’ve got an extra day for the celebrations (and recovery!). However, costs of travel and hotels may be higher. New Year’s Eve generally commands higher fees and books out several years in advance for some suppliers. Valentine’s Day or around that date may have increased floral bills – especially if you are looking for red roses! After that the summer bank holiday weekends are snapped up in a flash! Also consider the impact of a holiday weekend on your guest list – guests may have plans for weekends. Our advice – send ‘Save the Date’ cards early. It means being uber organised but will help to avoid the disappointment of missing special people on the day.

New Year’s Eve

Saturday, December 31, 2016 Sunday, December 31, 2017 Monday, December 31, 2018

Father’s Day (always a Sunday)

Same as above. Is himself happy to celebrating your anniversary the same weekend as Father’s Day if you decide to have kids? June 18th 2017 June 17, 2018

Mother’s Day (always a Sunday)

Make sure your moms are okay sharing this weekend with your wedding. Perhaps more importantly ask yourself: Do you want your anniversary to fall on the same weekend as Mother’s Day if you become a Mammy? March 26th 2017 March 11th 2018

Religious and Cultural Holidays

Be mindful of religious and cultural holidays (your own and those of your guests) when planning your wedding. There may even be restrictions as to whether you’re allowed to marry at these times.

Christmas Sunday, December 25, 2016 Monday, December 25, 2017 Tuesday, December 25, 2018 Monday, September 12 , 2016 Friday, September 1, 2017

Good Friday April14th, 2017 April 30th, 2018

Palm Sunday April 9, 2017 March 25, 2018

Easter Sunday April 16, 2017 April 1, 2018

Major Sporting Events

If your guests are die-hard sports fans avoid getting married during popular sporting events. All – Ireland GAA finals, UEFA Championships, Pro12 Rugby, Ireland International Rugby fixtures, Golf Tournaments, Cheltenham, Race Meetings, World Cups, Olympics, – if any of these events among others are significant to your guests the dates are best avoided!

Major Music Events

Concerts at Slane, Electric Picnic, Bruce Springsteen and other major touring artists and festivals have caused interruptions, delays, and panic for both suppliers and the bridal party. Even the Eurovision Song Contest impacted a wedding when the entire dancefloor cleared to the bar to wait for Jedward to appear on TV. If you are considering a date in a venue that could be affected by concert traffic, search entertainment listings to avoid unforeseen mayhem. And just avoid Jedward in general!

Unlucky Dates

If you’re superstitious, you might want to watch out for these dates. Friday the 13th The unluckiest date of the year has questionable origins. Some historians say it comes from the 13 diners who were present at the last supper, but the famous Babylon’s Code of Hammurabi doesn’t include a 13th law, which suggests this superstition is as old as 1700 BC. And it wasn’t until a successful novel titled Friday, the Thirteenth was published in the early 1900s that Friday became part of the unlucky equation. January 13, 2017 October 13, 2017 April 13, 2018 July 13, 2018 Leap Years Greeks and Romans thought that starting any new life event— from getting married to baptizing a child— in a leap year would bring bad luck. Next Leap Year: 2016 Monday, February 29, 2016 Following Leap Year: 2020 Saturday, February 29, 2020

Halloween All Hallows Eve is rooted in pagan Celtic harvest festivals which were held around the end of October. It was common belief that on October 31 – the day before All Hallows Day – the spirits of the dead would come back to haunt the living. We are not sure if it’s exactly unlucky but some may want to avoid this ghoulish day. Monday, October 31, 2016 Tuesday, October 31, 2017 Wednesday, October 31, 2018

So are there any dates left in the calendar ? Yes absolutely! And sometimes clashing with an event is unavoidable. Who knew your county team would make the final? Or that an international dignitary would shut down your route to your venue? Or that a nation would care about Jedward? Our best advice is go with the flow, be happy and cherish the memories made on your big day! We hope this post is helpful. Best of luck setting the date!

Wedding Dates to Avoid in 2016 and beyond….