As the Holidays approach, many of you may be anticipating the joy of being engaged.   It’s an excitement like no other, but it can also be overwhelming, thinking about how to plan the wedding of your dreams.

One of the first questions you will be asked is, “Have you set a date?”  The date you choose is key to your entire event.  If you are on a tight budget there are some dates you will want to avoid and if you choose a date around a Holiday, you might find your favorite vendor already booked.  To save money, go for a Friday or Sunday wedding as many vendors will offer a reduced price on those days.   We also listed the 3-day weekends – these are great for guests who need to travel.   In our area, October is a very busy wedding month.  If fact, it ranks up with June as one of the most popular wedding months.

PLANNING THOSE 2021 WEDDINGS – DATES TO CONSIDER

January 1^st – It’s a Friday this year.  (Some of you might want to opt for a 12/31/20 end of year wedding.  And besides it will save money on taxes if you file as “Married”).  Many companies will be celebrating a 4-day weekend, so this could be a great time to say those “vows” especially if you have out of town guests invited.

January 2^nd – As easy date to remember!  What I call a Novelty Date. 1-2-2121 (Saturday)

January 9^th & 10^th – Okay – it’s not a unique wedding date, but it is an important date to mark on your calendar.  It’s our HUGE, 2 DAY BRIDAL EXPO.  This is your opportunity to plan your entire wedding in one weekend.  Look for more information on our web site at BrideStLouis.com.  Buy your tickets early so you don’t miss out on some of the great, FREE, seminars that occur at this event.

January 18^th – It’s a Monday.  A 3-day weekend for many to celebrate Martin Luther King’s Day.

January 24^th – Our Second Bridal Show of the Year at The Christy Banquet Center in O’Fallon, MO.

February 7^th – Super Bowl – If your guy is a sports fan – forget about this date!

February 12^th – Lincoln’s Day is a State Holiday in Illinois.  It’s a Friday.  (Could be a 3 Day Weekend for some.)

February 14^th – Valentine’s Day (Sunday).  Florists will be super busy, and you might pay more for those red roses.

February 15^th – President’s Day (Monday)

February 16^th – Marti Gras (Tuesday)

February 17^th – Ash Wednesday (Catholics usually don’t marry in Lent.)

February 28^th – BrideStLouis’ Bridal Show at the Foundry Art Center in St. Charles

March 14^th – Daylight savings time begins.  (Longer Days)

March 17th – For You Irish Lads. (It’s a Wednesday. Wear those kilts!)

March 20th – First Day of Spring – Vernal equinox. (Saturday)

March 21^st – Another Novelty Date (Sunday)  3/21/2121

March 27^th to April 4^th – Passover

April 2^nd – Good Friday

April 4^th – Easter Sunday.  Most couples avoid that date.  Many churches will not perform weddings the Saturday before Easter – April 3^rd)

April 11^th – Bride St. Louis’s Bridal Show at Moolah Shrine.

May 9^th – Mother’s Day.  (Be sure to check with your Mom’s about that weekend.)

May 28-29-30-31 – Big Wedding Weekend – Memorial Day Weekend.  If you are thinking about one of those dates, you need to get your contracts signed NOW.  Photographers and favorite venues may already be booked.  Vendors know that they can book these dates – so don’t look for price deals.

June 20^th – Father’s Day.

July 3-4-5 – (Saturday, Sunday, Monday) This could be a busy time for many places so get your reservations in early.  If you have folks who need to travel this could be an ideal time for them to come.  It’s generally HOT so consider an indoor wedding.

(July and August can be very hot in St. Louis.  It is best to plan for an “indoor” ceremony/venue.)

August 15^th – Bride St. Louis Bridal Show at Water’s Edge Banquet Center in St. Peters.

September 4-5-6  – Labor Day Weekend.  Book quickly if you want this date.  Good again for those with out-of-town guests.

September 6 – 8  – Rosh Hashana Begins (Monday-Wednesday)

September & October Weekends

Extremely popular in the St. Louis area.

Great time for those Wine Vineyard Weddings.

Ties with June as the most popular month.  Book EARLY for weekends in these months.

October 9-10-11 – Columbus Day Weekend.  Another good long weekend.

October 31^st  – Sunday.  Halloween.

Nov. 7th – Daylight Savings Ends

November 11^th – Veterans Day  (Thursday)

Many in the military choose this day.

November 21^st – Novelty Date Again (Sunday) 11-21-2121 (All 1s and 2s)

November 25-26-27-28 – Thanksgiving Weekend. These dates book fast.

November 28 – December 6 – Hanukkah

December 25th – Christmas (Saturday)

December 31^st – January 1^st, 2022 – End the year married!  (Friday & Saturday)

Also, be mindful of religious and cultural holidays (Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, Yom Kippur, Christmas, and Kwanzaa) when planning your wedding.  There may be restrictions at your house of worship.

And if your family is deeply involved in sports – avoid weekends with the Super Bowl, Final Four March Madness, and perhaps some local college games as well.

And finally, for number “13” fans – you have (on weekends):  February 13^th (Saturday), March 13^th (Saturday), June 13^th (Sunday), August 13^th (Friday), and November 13^th (Saturday).   This is for Friday, Saturday or Sunday events as noted.