Each year I run through the coming year to provide couples with some info on what dates to avoid for different reasons. With a global pandemic amongst us since the end of 2019, picking a wedding date has become a moving feast and we have all had to learn to “pivot” (there’s that word again). But it’s best to plan as far ahead as possible with your wedding date so that you can lock in your major vendors like venue, celebrant and photographer.

So if you are engaged and plan to marry sometime in the next 24 months, it's time to start looking at wedding dates and if you are, here are some to avoid in 2022 & 2023.

Important Family Days

First thing to think about is important family dates. To avoid any family politics, you may want to check your personal diary for milestone birthdays, upcoming weddings of family members or friends, big anniversaries and any other significant days involving your family or close circle of friends.

Locally Significant Days

It’s also worth noting things that are being planned in your local area, or the area you’re planning on getting married in. Is there an annual festival that might be worth avoiding? If you’re unsure and want to be on the safe side, contact the local council – they should be able to notify you of anything within the local area that is big enough to cause disruption to your wedding plans.

Aussie Public Holiday Dates

Some couples will aim to hold their wedding on a public holiday, for example, the October long weekend is right in the middle of "wedding season" in Australia and keep in mind that the "long weekend" is also on different weekends in different states. Also keep in mind that long weekends can come at a cost, with increased pricing and demand for the top locations. Sometimes airfares even book out and even increase for those periods.

So here’s some dates to watch out for. I’m not saying you shouldn’t choose them, but just be aware of what else is happening on the same day.

January 2022

Saturday 1st - New Year’s Day / Long Weekend (however the date will be 1.1.22)

Sunday 2nd - Long Weekend

Monday 3rd - Public Holiday for New Years Day

Wednesday 26th - Australia Day (everywhere + Skyworks in Perth)

February 2022

Wednesday 2nd - special date 2.2.22 (bookings will be hard to get)

Monday 14th - Valentines Day

Tuesday 22nd - special date 22.02.2022 (bookings will be hard to get)

March 2022

Saturday 5th - Long Weekend (WA only)

Sunday 6th - Long Weekend (WA only)

Monday 7th - Labor Day (WA only)

Monday 14th - Public holiday (SA, ACT, TAS, VIC)

Tuesday 15th - The Ides Of March is considered unlucky to get married

Thursday 17th - St Patrick’s Day

April 2022

Friday 1st - April Fools Day

Sunday 3rd - AFL Derby West Coast & Fremantle @ 4.20pm

Friday 15th - Good Friday

Saturday 16th - Easter Weekend

Sunday 17th - Easter Weekend

Monday 18th - Easter Monday

Saturday 23rd - Long Weekend

Sunday 24th - Long Weekend

Monday 25th - Anzac Day

May 2022

Monday 2nd - Public holiday (QLD & NT)

Wednesday 4th - Star Wars Day (May The 4th be with you)

Sunday 8th - Mother's Day

Friday 13th - Friday the 13th (unlucky for some)

June 2022

Saturday 4th - Long Weekend (WA only)

Sunday 5th - Long Weekend (WA only)

Monday 6th - WA Day (WA only)

Monday 14th - Public holiday (ACT, NSW, NT, SA, TAS, VIC)

Tuesday 21st - shortest day of the year

July 2022

August 2022

Monday 1st - Public Holiday (NSW & NT)

Saturday 13th - AFL Derby Fremantle & West Coast

September 2022

Friday 2nd - AFL Finals

Saturday 3rd - AFL Finals

Sunday 4th - Father's Day + AFL Finals

Friday 9th - AFL Semi Final

Saturday 10th - Semi AFL Final

Friday 16th AFL Prelim Final

Saturday 17th AFL Prelim Final

Saturday 24th - Long Weekend

Sunday 25th - Long Weekend

Friday 23rd - AFL Grand Final holiday in VIC

Saturday 24th AFL Grand Final

Monday 26th - Queens Birthday (WA only + Public Holiday in NT)

October 2022

Sunday 2nd - ARL Grand Final (tbc)

Monday 3rd - Public Holiday (ACT, NSW, SA & QLD)

November 2022

Monday 1st - Public holiday (TAS)

Tuesday 1st - Melbourne Cup Day (holiday in VIC ONLY)

Friday 11th - Remembrance Day (11am)

December 2022

Sunday, 18th - Hanukkah (begins at sunset until nightfall on Monday, December 26, 2022)

Wednesday 21st - Longest Day Of The Year

Sunday 25th - Christmas Day

Monday 26th - Boxing Day

Tuesday 27th - Christmas Day holiday

Wednesday 28th - Boxing Day holiday

Saturday 31st - New Year’s Eve / Long Weekend

January 2023

Sunday 1st - New Year’s Day / Long Weekend

Monday 3rd - Public Holiday for New Years Day

Friday 13th - unlucky for some

Thursday 26th - Australia Day (everywhere + Skyworks in Perth)

February 2023

Tuesday 14th - Valentines Day

Thursday 2nd - special date 2.2.23 (bookings will be hard to get)

March 2023

Thursday 2nd - special date 2.3.23 (bookings will be hard to get)

Saturday 4th - Long Weekend (WA only)

Sunday 5th - Long Weekend (WA only)

Monday 6th - Labor Day (WA only)

Monday 13th - Public holiday (SA, ACT, TAS, VIC)

Wednesday 15th - The Ides Of March is considered unlucky to get married

Friday 17th - St Patrick’s Day

April 2023

Saturday 1st - April Fools Day

Friday 7th - Good Friday

Saturday 8th - Easter Weekend

Sunday 9th - Easter Weekend

Monday 10th - Easter Monday

Tuesday 25th - Anzac Day

May 2023

Monday 1st - Public holiday (QLD & NT)

Sunday 7th - Mother's Day

June 2023

Saturday 3rdh - Long Weekend (WA only)

Sunday 4th - Long Weekend (WA only)

Monday 5th - WA Day (WA only)

Monday 13th - Public holiday (ACT, NSW, NT, SA, TAS, VIC)

July 2023

August 2023

Monday 7th - Public Holiday (NSW & NT)

September 2023

AFL Finals

Monday 25th - Queens Birthday (WA only + Public Holiday in NT)

October 2023

Sunday 1st - ARL Grand Final (tbc)

Friday 13th - unlucky for some

Monday 2nd - Public Holiday (ACT, NSW, SA & QLD)

November 2023

Monday 6th - Public holiday (TAS)

Tuesday 7th - Melbourne Cup Day (holiday in VIC ONLY)

Saturday 11th - Remembrance Day (11am)

December 2023

Thursday 7th - Hanukkah (begins at sunset until nightfall on Friday, December 15)