Holiday Wedding Invitations and Planning Your Wedding Around a Holiday

Planning your wedding around a holiday can be a time and money saver if you’ve got lots of out of town guests you’d like to invite. They’ll save on vacation time, too, by combining two occasions. However, it can be a lot of hassle and effort to collaborate your wedding and a big holiday gathering. A few simple steps may help you through this and guide you to your perfect holiday wedding.

Holiday Wedding Invitations
You certainly don’t have to incorporate the holiday into your wedding invitations but if you do, there are many elements to choose from. Snowflakes, cranberries and Christmas ornaments can make a beautiful tie-in on your invitation. Valentine hearts could be right at home on your Valentine wedding invitation. Think about subtle symbols of the holiday to include on your invitation. This will draw the two occasions together, but still make them feel like two separate events.

Getting Save the date and wedding invitations in the mail
You’ll need to have your plan together early, possibly even a year a head of time. Your save-the-date cards and wedding invitations should be in the mail especially early. Plan on sending out the save the date two months ahead of the invitation (at least). And make sure your wedding invitations are ready to go four to five months before your wedding is not unreasonable. This may seem extreme, but most people make holiday plans early. Remember how hectic it can get around Christmas or Thanksgiving, so get on their calendar as soon as possible.

Logistics
Make sure your wedding plans take into account typical hiccups and the added pressure of a holiday. Make your special arrangements – flowers, limo, tuxedo, hair and make-up, catering, etc. well in advance and check in with your vendors as your wedding approaches. Holidays can be busy times for everyone so you’ll need to pay extra close attention to these details. You’ll also want to make sure your vendors will be open or can deliver your goods and services in time for your wedding. Also make sure you are aware of any increased holiday rates or surcharges you may be expected to pay for holiday or near-holiday services.

Accommodations
When blocking out rooms for your guests make sure you make these arrangements well in advance, also. Room rates can fluctuate around the holidays and you’ll need to make sure all of your guests get the same rate. Also, if you don’t make your reservations in advance, you may have to take open rooms at different hotels in the area. Remember, lots of people may be coming into town for the holiday, not just your guests. Once you have made these arrangements, make sure you get your confirmation in writing. This will give you piece of mind and may be helpful should there be any miscommunication. Don’t forget to include hotel information with your wedding invitation.

Décor and your holiday theme
There is no rule that your wedding must include elements from the holiday, but it sure can be fun when it does. Mini-Christmas trees make wonderful centerpieces for a Christmas wedding. Add a mini stocking filled with a few treats and you’ve found a perfect wedding favor. Pick cornucopias for your Thanksgiving-time wedding centerpiece and accent with real mini-gourd place card holders. Red and pink roses can look great for a Valentine’s ‘I do’ and give personalized candy hearts for wedding favors. Mini-champagne bottles and noise-makers are the perfect accent for your New Year’s Eve wedding.

The Actual holiday
Your friends and family will have gathered to not only attend your wedding, but to celebrate the holiday. Don’t be surprised if your guests take a break to switch from wedding mode to holiday mode. If your wedding is set for the Friday after Thanksgiving – for example - make sure you tune into family time and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. You can transform back into bride mode on Friday. On the other hand, make sure you and your friends and family have a clear understanding of what exactly will happen if you’re all gathered for the actual holiday. Some might forego the holiday traditions in lieu of the big wedding celebration.

Anytime you can gather with friends and family is cause for celebration. A holiday wedding makes that time together even more special. Make sure you give your guests enough time to make arrangements and you’ll be glad you had this wonderful time to spend together.

wedding invitations
Wedding Invitations