The Controversial Wedding Date

We've blogged in the past about dates to avoid when selecting your wedding weekend. Dates we're not crazy about include the summer holidays (Memorial Day Weekend, Fourth of July and Labor Day Weekend), Mother's Day/Father's Day, etc. But recently, a good friend of mine and a fabulous member of the wedding industry, wrote and asked about a date that I have never touched on: September 11.

This year, September 11 falls on a Friday. September is the most popular month to get married in the Northeast, and it's quickly gaining popularity around the country. In a wedding world where more couples want to have their event outside, the need for a month without rain is important. September happens to be the driest month over in the NYC-NJ area, so it books up quickly. In fact, we're completely booked up...except for September 11.

Personally, I would prefer not to plan a wedding for that date. I lost friends that day and it will never be the same. I don't know that I could separate what happened that day from planning a day where everyone is supposed to be happy. I almost find it disrespectful. I've never been asked to plan on that day, and I hope to never be asked.

This friend of mine happens to work at a venue that overlooks the skyline of NYC...the skyline that used to be very different from what it is now. Personally, if I were going to plan a wedding that weekend, I would want to be as far away from downtown NYC as possible. However, her venue, looks right at it. I feel like people that attend a wedding on that date, don't need that view right in front of them. If you're going to get married on September 11, it's probably best to have it as far removed from NYC as possible. Like on a field in the middle of Nebraska.

My friend is asked constantly about this date and if it would be a bad omen to have your wedding on a date when thousands lost their lives. I don't think it's a bad omen, but I certainly wouldn't want to share my anniversary on that day. On the other hand, our friend had a bride book her wedding for that date because she lost a family member in the attacks and it was a way to remember that person and have them "there" at the wedding.

This one is tricky because like the dates listed above, you have to consider your guests. The reason I say to avoid holiday weekends is because your guests don't want to use their only free time going to a wedding. Likewise, they might not be too thrilled to celebrate on 9-11, especially if they lost someone near to them. 

What do you think? Did you get married on 9-11 or are you considering that as your wedding date? This year it's on a Friday and next year it falls on a Sunday. Two days where you can catch a break on your cost. Would you plan for that day if you found the perfect venue and could only afford it on an "off" day instead of a Saturday?

Curious to hear everyone's thoughts on this...