What do you guys think about a July 4th wedding date?

Question

Since it's Independence day, do you think it would be inconsiderate to my guests? I mean that's the date I want but some reason someone thinks it's not so good. I mean Independence day is not like Thxgiving or Xmas when ppl have to be with their family and stuff. Please let me know. Thanks.

Answer 1

You're right that isn't Christmas or Thanksgiving. But the trouble with getting married on any major holiday (and Independence Day is a major holiday) is travel, in terms of both time and cost. There will be more traffic on the roads, more passengers trying to fly, the hotels will be more expensive. Ceremony and reception venues might be more expensive.

I'm not telling you to change the date. But I definitely advise you to consider the unexpected costs.

Answer 2

I don't think its rude. had a friend who got married on Sat. the 3rd this past July. just know that not everyone may make it...and if it's the date you want, then take it.

Just make sure you book a venue *early*...holiday weekends tend to book fast!

Answer 3

ugh. It's selfish. Don't do it. I went to one and was miserable. I may be a weirdo, but the 4th is my favorite holiday. I like it better than Christmas.  

Answer 4

i agree with you, this particular holiday does not normally bring families together .Besides it sounds like it could be fun, why not have the wedding and reception outdoors with some BBQ at the reception so you can kinda acknowledge the holiday

Answer 5

My fiance and I are getting married next July 4th.  We needed to get married during the summer, since we are both in school, and at first we were DEAD SET against getting married on July 4th.  We didn't want our anniversary to be connected to a holiday.  My fiance and I would hear nothing of it.  

As you can tell, we changed our minds.  First, my friend said she was getting married at the end of May so that was out and my family had already had a family renunion planned elsewhere in early August.  Tht narrowed things down.  

We settled on the 4th for a number of reasons...extra travel day for out of town people (our entire guest list is out of town people, our family is spread out over the entire country), a lot of my family is in Canada so it didn't matted as much on that side, tickets only varied about 30 dollars so that wasn't such a worry, the place we wanted only had the 4th available (which was crazy since we started planning last April!), plus the reception hall is on the 10th floor penthouse of a building that will have an amazing view of the fireworks.  

When it is all said and done, whoever is going to come to your wedding no matter what, will be there no matter what.  Those closest to you won't mind giving up a July 4th to celebrate you two starting your new lives together.  We were ok with a small wedding and have ended up planning a pretty big one (inviting 170 people, expecting 115 all traveling from 300-3000 miles away).

Edit:  July 4th is the biggest holiday that my fiance's family celebrates together.   EVERYONE goes to his grandparents including second cousins, great aunts and uncles, etc.  They are the ones that live the furthest away (the wedding is in Idaho, they are all in New York).  Yet the majority of them are traveling 3000 miles, buying plane tickets and hotel rooms, to be there with us.  I don't think that family events will hold people back, after all, this is a family event.  For friends it may be different I suppose, but all of ours said they will be there that we asked.

Edit: Amema - it would be great if the guest list would dwindle!!  I kind of wanted a small affair with just family but we both have huge family  (was wanting around 50-60 guests, 95 have already reserved rooms *sigh*)  Besides, the only friends we really invited are those we asked to be in the bridal party so I would think they will show up.  :-)

Answer 6

While people don't *have* to be with their family on July 4th, that doesn't mean its not a frequent & very common vacation time.  Think about it - if the 4th falls on Friday or monday, people can use 4 vacation days and have a whole week off.

My cousin is ALWAYS renting a shore house the week of the 4th.  She's been doing it the last 20 years.

So it could certainly put a cramp in your family's vacation plans.

I say, if that is the date you want, send save the date's a little more than a year in advance (or right away if you want 2009) and just be aware that some people won't be there because they usually are away on vacation at that time.

Answer 7

Sounds like fun to me. Most people I know don't have any plans at all for July 4. As long as you give people advance notice, there shouldn't be any problem.  

Answer 8

If people have to fly it will absolutely suck for them. The airports are crazy and often jack up the prices on any holiday, including the 4th of July. Gas rates are also always mysteriously higher the few days before and during that day.

Just something to consider.

I personally would not want my anniversary on an already-existing holiday. I like it to have its own day during the year.

Also, July 4th is a pretty big deal for us. My husband and I are both Army veterans, and his father was in the military. We all like to get together, have a little picnic or dinner, see fireworks, and say a prayer for our troops - especially those poor souls currently stuck in Iraq. It is more of a quiet day for reflection and thankfulness for us in many ways.

To Jessica: All of your friends have said, "Yes" to coming now. But it's only August. I would be interested in hearing how many actually show up. I have seen many people whose guest list suddenly dwindled WAY down right before their July 4th wedding. Good luck!

Answer 9

Honestly, because most people either spend time with family or with their "boo" having your wedding on that day could make you seem a little selfish. No offense but if your girl was getting married on the 4th and you had the opportunity to hang in Florida with your boo which would you choose? Plus if you do decide to have it that day, don't be surprised if a lot of people don't show up.

Answer 10

I think any wedding on any holiday is sort of a bad idea just because people always have plans on these days.. so it's tricky about who will be able to come- or what will be open.   You could send out a "save the date card" ahead of time to see who would be able to go or not..  

Answer 11

Independence day IS a big holiday for some people. It is a huge deal to me, and not because we party, but because my whole family has fought for for the freedom of the United States and there is great pride within that day for us.

But if that is the day YOU want, then go for it.  

Answer 12

Well depending on where you live the only thing I would be concerned with is how hot it will be.

July is the hottest month of summer.  

Answer 13

Hi.  It really depends.  Where I live that is a HUGE holiday!  There are many, many family gatherings, class reunions, etc. duirng the whole week of July 4th...at least where I live.  Many people DO travel for family get togethers for the 4th.  

It is really your call, though.  I would not say that it is inconsiderate....but, just be warned, that not everyone will want to spend their holiday at your wedding.

If it was me, I would pick another date.  Just my opinion.....

Answer 14

The only reason why some people may find this inconsiderate is that some families vacation during that time.  When you get 2 weeks vacation from your employer, you tend to try ways to stretch your vacation, so you would plan your time off work around a national holiday.  IF you really want to get married on that date, expect to have some family and/or friends that you'd want to be there...out of town and have a handful attending your wedding with a scowl!  

Answer 15

I think that if you give people enough advance warning it would be a very nice date. I know someone who got married on July 4th. Both of them loved that Holiday. They had a nice reception and fireworks for their guests. It was a lot of fun!  

Answer 16

If you give enough notice...people most likely have plans. I know invitations usually go out 2 months ahead of time...and by then, if people were making big plans, they would have made them already, and then it would suck to find out there was a wedding the same day. However, if you send out save the dates first like many do...a good 6 months or more to the wedding, then I'd say you are safe! Then your wedding WOULD be people's 4th of July plans. Nothing wrong with having it on a holiday as long as you give people enough notice. What better way to spend the 4th of July than at a wedding...as long as they give you enough notice, like I said! You know what else would be cool...see about having your reception at a venue that has visible access to a fireworks display that is going on in the area. Find out what time they are and make sure dinner and first dances aren't at that time. And when fireworks time starts, people will already be drinking and having a good time. The DJ can make an announcement for everyone to step outside and watch them. When they're over...won't be long, everyone comes back inside and continues the party! And how special would that be...to be able to watch fireworks at your reception!

Good luck!

Answer 17

I wouldn't do it.

In the first place, it's tough for guests to attend the wedding.  What with everyone travelling and the hotels filled up, it's a pain.

Secondly, that means you will forever after be celebrating two things at once.  Why not allow the two celebrations to be separate.