Should we avoid Sept. 8 2023 because of Labor Day?

Do you care if you get a lot of declines? I know if it were me, having all my loved ones attend would be more important than my own birthday. Maybe reach out to your immediate family, best friends, other VIPs and see if they'd be willing to do it?

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Very good point! I was just talking to my friend about this earlier and had the same thought - it's more important to me to have everyone (or as many people as possible) there for our special day than to avoid it being close to my birthday. We've both asked our families and bridal/grooms parties their thoughts and they've all said they don't mind either way, except for one who recommended the 15th. I think we're going to end up going with that date because it removes any possibilities of the holiday getting in the way.

So my personal take is that I don't know if it will really make that much of a difference... being that both dates you're looking at are on a Friday, people are going to have to take time off to attend. Whether they have to take the Friday right after Labor Day or the one after that wouldn't seem to make a big difference to me as an employer. I would go with whichever date your prefer - people who want to attend your wedding will make it happen. The only thing I can think of is if you have any guests who are teachers or in school - the earlier in September you set your wedding, the hard it could be for them to take time off/travel since it's right in the beginning of the school year.

My husband‘s birthday is four days before our wedding anniversary. He jokes that he will never forget our anniversary, because I have to remember his birthday first :-). We usually do a big celebration for both his birthday and our wedding around that time, either a short trip or a very special night out. He seems very comfortable having our wedding and his birthday so close together.

The people who want to be at your wedding will make every effort to be there. As long as your immediate family and bridal party don't have major conflicts, I would pick whatever day you want. Also remember that this date will be your anniversary forever!

My friend (who was later one of my bridesmaids) got married the weekend after Labor Day and had a decent turnout, many of whom were from out of town. My husband had a friend getting married that same weekend, and while we weren't there (we had to pick one or the other, and my friend's wedding won because hers was local), we saw from the pictures that they also had a good turnout. Not everybody travels for Labor Day, after all. In the end, you pick the date that works best for YOU and all of your potential vendors, not your potential guests.

With 6-12 months advance notice via phone call save the dates, I can’t imagine this being an issue. While some people do have annual plans for Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, just as many people don’t have plans at all nor do they do anything at that time and they would love to drop the remote control or the burger flipper and attend your wedding.

We did avoid Labor Day, just because the first couple of weeks of kids/teachers going back to school can make it a little more stressful for those families. We thought it would be nice to allow for them to find their stride before needing to try to travel for a wedding. But as others have said, so long as your "must haves" are available and don't mind, then you should be fine.

I would avoid all holiday weekends becAuse you will likely have a higher decline rate. If guests are flying in, rates around holidays are much higher.
It’s also interesting that guests say they are fine with future dates and when the date gets closer, they can’t make it. I’ve been running into this with a couple of “close” family members.

Yes not really to have your wedding on a holiday's except new year's eve because ppl like to have something too do. Well its seem like the 15th seem that ppl will be ok with coming to because some ppl are going back to work after having a l ok ng holiday weekend. And I think that its cost less on Sundsy with some venues and it's in between your birthday. My wedding October 30th is 2 weeks after my birthday 15th and 2 weeks before my FH birthday in November 13th so in the middle seems good. But it's also what date sounds good to the both of you. Happy planning