How to pick that date?

There are 365 days a year to choose from and believe me NOT even half of them are available to you. Here are a list of the dates you should think about avoiding before you start your planning.

Holiday Weekends

Memorial Day (always a Monday)

May 31, 2010
May 30, 2011

Independence Day
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Monday, July 4, 2011

Labor Day (always a Monday)
September 6, 2010
September 5, 2011

Thanksgiving (always a Thursday)
November 25, 2010
November 24, 2011

New Year's Eve
Friday, December 31, 2010
Saturday, December 31, 2011

Religious and Cultural Holidays

Be mindful of religious and cultural holidays (your own and those of your guests) when planning your wedding. There may even be restrictions at your house of worship as to whether you're allowed to marry at these times.

Palm Sunday
March 28, 2010
April 17, 2011

Easter Sunday
April 4, 2010
April 24, 2011

Hanukkah (begins at sunset the night before)

Thursday, December 2, until nightfall on Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 21, until nightfall on Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Sunday, December 25, 2011

Costly Holidays

If you're looking to marry around Valentine's Day, be wary of your floral bill, especially if you've got your heart set on red roses -- they're likely to be more costly than at any other time of the year. Likewise, reception sites often charge a higher fee for a New Year's Eve wedding.

Notable Holidays

April Fool's Day
If you and your fiance are jokesters at heart, this could be the perfect wedding day for you. If not, choose another day.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Friday, April 1, 2011

Mother's Day (always a Sunday)
May 9, 2010
May 8, 2011

Father's Day (always a Sunday)
June 20, 2010
June 19, 2011

Halloween
Avoid it if you're terrified that someone might actually show up in costume. (If you love the idea of it, get our top Halloween wedding ideas!)
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Monday, October 31, 2011

Days of Remembrance

Historically significant days may cause a conflict of interest for some guests.
September 11, Patriot Day: It falls on a Saturday in 2010 and a Sunday in 2011.
December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: It falls on a Tuesday in 2010 and a Wednesday in 2011.

Super Bowl Sunday

If you don't live in the host city and are marrying on the Saturday rather than the Sunday of Super Bowl weekend, then the big game shouldn't affect your wedding too much -- unless you and your husband are diehard pigskin fans and can't bear to miss the big game instead of leaving on your honeymoon. If in doubt, steer clear of these dates and cities:
February 7, 2010, in Miami, FL
February 6, 2011, in Arlington, TX

Final Four/March Madness

Everyone loves the excitement of college b-ball (and betting on it!). Keep your sports fans at bay by avoiding these dates and cities:
Saturday, April 3, and Monday, April 5, 2010, in Indianapolis, IN
Saturday, April 2, and Monday, April 4, 2011, in Houston, TX

Quirky Dates

10/10/10 falls on a Sunday
9/10/11 falls on a Saturday
11/11/11 falls on a Friday

Other Dates to Avoid

College reunions and/or homecomings, big conventions in your city (call your local chamber of commerce), and any annual charity events that involve your family or close friends.