Is an early January wedding ok?

I'm with Mrs. Fall Bride on this one. I have children and the holidays are jam packed with events, concerts, school parties, family parties, cooking, shopping....I am so happy when December is over every year! It's like my calendar and my wallet can finally take a break! I probably would not go to an early January wedding unless it was for family. The holidays are a lot on some people and financially it could be a strain on people. I think if you moved your date out to the end of January you would have many more people able to attend. But that's just MHO.

Some jobs place a freeze on all PTO in January. If you have a lot of OOT guests, check with them first. Also, as you have acknowledged, many people are tapped out after the holidays. I believe Lent starts March 6, 2019. Can you have your wedding in February? It's still early enough in the semester to not be near midterms

First, you will be able to let people know far enough in advance that the 'after the holidays' should not matter. Plus, it is a couple weeks out, and most people get Christmas stuff done mid December. It is your wedding and you should do it when you want!

@Elayna A.- I'm lucky if I'm ready for Christmas on Dec. 24th! LOL

Since weather isn't an issue for you, I think January would work fine. Is there a reason your stuck on the first weekend of January? There's not going to be a date that is perfect for everyone, but that is pretty close to the holidays. As PPs have said, time off may be an issue for some guests.

@Brianna I was thinking that weekend in January because thats the last weekend before my bridesmaids/MOH go back to school for the semester. I was trying to work with their schedules (they told me I can do whatever day I want) i just wanted to try and make it easier on them as well as myself

I've definitely heard of weddings around the holidays. Just make sure to send out save the dates or notify any out of state guests early, so they can plan accordingly. You may not get as much in gifts, but that shouldn't be the important thing anyway if you want a particular wedding date. If it works for you and FH, go for it. You may have some people that won't be able to make it, but those who are closest to you can make it work if they are given enough notice.

You may decide that you are happy with a smaller guest list- it makes for a more intimate wedding! Our wedding is in December right before Christmas because that's the only time I get off (I teach college and teach during summers as well) to then go on a honeymoon. I'm kinda hoping some guests won't come because of that to keep the wedding smaller! It did mean certain sacrifices though- like my bridesmaid can't make it to the rehearsal dinner because she is still teaching school and can't get off so close to the end of the semester. She can make the wedding and that's all I care about. But as others said, any time will always be a bad time for someone. Some of your guests may appreciate if they also had that time off during the holidays so they could attend your wedding!

I was also going to mention the same thing as @Deirdre O. did about gifts but I didn't. I would definitely be a better place financially to give a much nicer (more generous) gift at the end of January or February. Many years I try to have a no-spend January just because I get to feeling bad about how much money I spend on the holidays. I budget for it but it always seems to be too much once it's done and over with. I know that would not matter to some people but it might matter to others.

When I was in college my cousin asked me to be a bridesmaid in her December 28th wedding. I wanted to be in her wedding but I couldn't afford to do it with the holidays plus traveling home and then a bridal shower, bachelorette party, hair appointment, nail appointment...I had to tell her that I couldn't manage it money wise on a college student's salary. I was pretty upset by it and she did have an absolutely beautiful wedding but it just didn't work for me.

I think January would be okay. There will always be a reason why someone can't attend a wedding.

My wedding is in January. No matter what time of year you choose, it will be bad for someone. I love January and everything is cheaper since it is the off season (at least here). If you want to do an outdoor wedding it would be a problem, but indoor winter weddings can be fun. Our venue has two wood burning fireplaces, which I am very excited about.

There is one weekend in Lent that Catholics are allowed to get married in the church because it's not actually considered "part of the lent". I would ask the coordinator if this day is spoken for yet.

I got married 1/7, and the only person who said something was my MIL who said that bc of the holidays people might not give us as much money. I just answered that's fine, and we still scheduled. Weddings aren't about how much money you get.

I would just check with your VIPs (parents, siblings, bridal party, etc) and if they are ok, go ahead. It's a beautiful time of year to get married

Another potential good thing about January is that is "off-season" for many venues and you might end up with some great discounts. We'll be saving about 33% on the venue/catering/bar. (The date isn't actually 1/1...but later in January.)

Getting married in January next year and funny enough we moved it up from March! I am honestly loving the idea of adding pinecones for decor! we started collecting them now that it is and have at least 100 saved I just love how we can save that much more now that it is Jan

We also live 40 minutes to the beach, so adding sand to centerpieces will be a real thing. how's that for natural decor?

I was set on a winter wedding, just because it was going to save so much money. I would be concerned about the weather, depending on where you live, but otherwise I think it's a fine date!

Personally I would love something to look forward to early in the year. I say do it!

@shelby my wedding is Jan 6, 17 and as many mentioned do it when u want. If some can't make it well the party will still go on as planned.