3 Simple Rules for Planning Holiday Wedding

I just got engaged and am trying to set a wedding date. My fiance and I are thinking about getting married next year, sometime around Thanksgiving or Christmas, but people have warned us that getting married during the holidays can make planning more difficult. Is that true? --jenr

our experts say:

Dear Jen:

Think about the magic of the holidays: The whole country is decorated to the hilt; uplifting music plays at every turn; the sound of jingling bells and ho-ho-ho's fill the crisp, nippy air; and almost everyone's a little kinder and gentler. How can you go wrong getting married during this time of the year? We say, ignore those who naysay your holiday-time plans. Clearly, they don't realize that the few obstacles that come with having a holiday wedding are far outweighed by the benefits. Here they are:

• Start early. Getting married during the holidays shouldn't pose any problem at all, as long as you give yourself more than enough time to plan (read: start now!). Florists, bands, photographers, caterers and other party pros are extra busy this time of year, so make sure to book them early. Keep in mind, too, that because wedding pros are in such demand, you probably won't be able to negotiate fees. Be sure to book your ceremony and reception sites early, too. And find out how they will be decorated. Chances are that most venues will already be decked out with all the holiday trimmings, which means that you won't need to spend much on decorating them for your affair. The only potential glitch: If you don't like white lights, poinsettia and other traditional holiday decorations, you may want to search for a less decorated venue.
• Give guests a heads up. When planning a holiday wedding, it's also a good idea to notify guests of your wedding date well in advance, in case they have long-standing holiday plans that they need to break in order to attend your celebration. And then there's the issue of out-of-town guests having to pay top dollar for airfare, hotel rooms and other travel expenses. The earlier you tell them the date, the easier it will be for them to find travel bargains. You can ensure your out-of-town guests get a good rate on their hotel by reserving a block of rooms early.
• Use the holiday theme to enhance your big day. Once you've decided on a holiday wedding, take advantage of the season's festivities! You could have your first dance to "White Christmas" and dance with your dad to "I'll Be Home for Christmas." As for favors, you could give out seedling evergreens or Christmas cookies, or give each guest a tree ornament with your name and wedding date painted on it. As for flowers, nothing is prettier (or cheaper) than a room full of poinsettias, which come in a variety of colors and instantly dress up a room. Your groomsmen could wear boutonnieres made with mistletoe. And don't forget to strategically hang some mistletoe above the main entrance or somewhere above the dance floor.

As you can see, having a holiday wedding adds to your planning possibilities. We're getting excited for you already. Enjoy!

The Wedding Women

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