Wedding dates to avoid in 2018, 2019 and 2020

Ready to set a date? Check this list of dates you might want to steer clear of when booking your wedding.  One of the first things you do when planning a wedding is picking out a date—or multiple date options, to avoid pigeon-holing yourself. Use this guide below to make sure you pick the right one. 

Personally Significant Days

Check your own calendar for school or family reunions, family weddings, anniversaries or other events, like big conventions or festivals in your city (call your local chamber of commerce), and any annual occasions that involve your family or close friends.

Holiday Weekends

Holiday weekend weddings where you have Monday off from work have pros and cons. You've got an extra day for the festivities (and recovery!), plus you can have your wedding on a Sunday, which is often less expensive than a Saturday one. But costs of travel and venues may be higher. And 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'll likely be more expensive than at any other time of the year. Likewise, reception sites often charge a higher fee for a New Year's Eve wedding. Also, don't forget to consider the impact of a holiday weekend on your guest list—some families have standing plans or traditions they'd prefer not to miss. 

Australia Day (always held on the day, but creating a long weekend over the next 3 years))

Friday January 26, 2018 (creating a long weekend)

Saturday January 26, 2019 (creating a long weekend with the holiday on Monday)

Sunday January 26, 2020 (creating a long weekend with the holiday on Monday)

Labour Day (WA ONLY) -always a Monday holiday

Weekend of March 3-5, 2018

Weekend of March 2-4, 2019

Weekend of February 28-March 2, 2020

Mother's Day (always the second Sunday in May) 

Make sure your mum is okay sharing this weekend with your wedding. And ask yourself: Do you want your anniversary to fall on the same weekend as Mother's Day if or when you become a mum?

Weekend of May 12–13, 2018

Weekend of May 11–12, 2019

Weekend of May 9–10, 2020

Father's Day (always the first Sunday in September) 

As you would with your mums, check with your dads about doubling up on this day. And grooms, make sure you're okay with celebrating your anniversary the same weekend as Father's Day if you decide to have kids.

Weekend of September 1-2, 2018

Weekend of August 31-September 1, 2019

Weekend of September 5-6, 2020

Queens Birthday - always a holiday Monday (WA)

Weekend of September 22-24, 2018

Weekend of September 28-30, 2019

Weekend of September 26-28, 2020

Queens Birthday - always a holiday Monday (QLD) Labor Day (ACT/NSW/SA)

Weekend of September 29-Oct 1, 2018

Weekend of October 5-7, 2019

Weekend of October 3-5, 2020

Halloween 

Avoid it if you're terrified that someone might actually show up in costume (and embrace it if you want them to!).

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Saturday, October 31, 2020

New Year's Eve

Monday, December 31, 2018

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Thursday, December 31, 2020

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 25, 2018

April 14, 2019

April 5, 2020

Easter

March 30 - April 2, 2018

April 19 - April 22, 2019

April 10 - April 13, 2020

Passover (begins at sunset)

Friday, March 30, 2018

Friday, April 19, 2019

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Tisha B'Av (begins at sunset)

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Rosh Hashanah (begins at sunset)

Sunday, September 9, 2018 until nightfall on Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Sunday, September 29, 2019 until nightfall on Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Friday, September 18, 2020 until nightfall on Sunday, September 20, 2020

Yom Kippur (begins at sunset)

Tuesday, September 18, 2018 until nightfall on Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Tuesday, October 8, 2019 until nightfall on Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Sunday, September 27, 2020 until nightfall on Monday, September 28, 2020

Hanukkah (begins at sunset)

Sunday, December 2, 2018 until nightfall on Monday, December 10, 2018

Sunday, December 22, 2019 until nightfall on Monday, December 30, 2019

Thursday, December 10, 2020 until nightfall on Friday, December 18, 2020

Christmas

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Friday, December 25, 2020

Boxing Day (also Boxing Day Test Cricket)

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Ramadan (dates may vary based on the lunar calendar)

Tuesday, May 15 until Thursday, June 14, 2018

Sunday, May 5 until Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Thursday, April 23 until Saturday, May 23, 2020

Eid al-Fitr (dates may vary based on the lunar calendar)

Thursday, June 14 until Friday, June 15, 2018

Tuesday, June 4 until Friday, June 7, 2019

Saturday, May 23 until Sunday, May 24, 2020

Eid al-Adha (dates may vary based on how each family observes; the holiday lasts for about four days)

Tuesday, August 21, 2018 

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Ram Navami

Monday, March 26, 2018

Sunday, April 14, 2019

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Krishna Janmashtami

Monday, September 3, 2018

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Days of Remembrance

We're talking about historically significant days (like the anniversary of September 11) that may be off-limits if you come from a big military family. Or, that could make them all the more meaningful—it's up to you to decide.

Anzac Day (always on the actual day itself)

Wednesday April 25, 2018

Thursday April 25, 2019

Saturday April 25, 2020 (creating a long weekend with a holiday on Monday)

Remembrance Day

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Friday, September 11, 2020

Major Sporting Events

If you're die-hard sports fans—or if you're worried your guests might have a hard time choosing between your wedding and the big game—avoid getting married during popular sporting events.

AFL Grand Final

Saturday September 29, 2018 in Melbourne (Fri Sep 28 a public holiday in Melbourne)

TO BE CONFIRMED Saturday September 28, 2019 in Melbourne (Fri Sep 27 a public holiday in Melbourne)

TO BE CONFIRMED Saturday September 26, 2020 in Melbourne (Fri Sep 25 a public holiday in Melbourne)

Also in Perth be wary of any Derby battles between The Eagles and Dockers. You'll piss everyone off!

Unlucky Dates

If you're superstitious, you might want to watch out for these historically inauspicious dates from across several cultures.

The Ides of March 

For ancient Romans, an "ides" was simply a date that marked the middle of the month—until Julius Caesar was assassinated on March 15 in 44 BC. Since then, "Beware the Ides of March" has become the mantra of this superstitiously unlucky date.

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Friday, March 15, 2019

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Friday the 13th 

The unluckiest date of the year has questionable origins. Some historians say it comes from the 13 diners who were present at the last supper, but the famous Babylon's Code of Hammurabi doesn't include a 13th law, which suggests this superstition is as old as 1700 BC. And it wasn't until a successful novel titled Friday, the Thirteenth was published in the early 1900s that Friday became part of the unlucky equation.

April 13, 2018

July 13, 2018

September 13, 2019

December 13, 2019 

March 13, 2020

November 13, 2020

Leap Years 

Greeks and Romans thought starting any new life event—from getting married to baptising a child—in a leap year would bring bad luck.

Next Leap Year: 2020

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Following Leap Year: 2024

Thursday, February 29, 2024

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Steve Mummery has been authorised by the Attorney General to officiate marriages according to Australian law.  For reviews of his ceremonies, check his website at smcelebrant.com.au or facebook.com/smcelebrant/reviews.