The holidays are quickly approaching, Marrygrams Bride! And while you may be gearing up for a few months full of parties, presents and potlucks, some brides are busy planning for their holiday wedding. Celebrating your nuptials on a holiday is an extra special way to celebrate. And the added magic of the event can really take your wedding to the next level. But it also comes with some tricky territory to navigate. Read on for our best tips on hosting a fabulous holiday wedding below!

Etiquette Tips for Your Holiday Wedding

Plan Ahead, Way Ahead

As with anything, preparation is key. And if you're asking your guests to give up time that is usually reserved for family vacations or gatherings, you need to give them plenty of notice. Save the Date cards should be sent out as soon as possible. The standard time frame is 6 months before your event, but if you are hosting a holiday wedding we recommend 8-10 instead. This gives your guests ample time to make all of the necessary arrangements. But be prepared for a lot of questions regarding travel and accommodations. You'll want to have this information figured out early, so people can book hotels before the busy season fills up. And you should have your wedding website up and running at the same time. This way your guests can get all of their FAQ's answered without bombarding your inbox.

Hire a Planner

Hiring a planner is always a good idea, regardless of the time of year you are getting married. Taking that layer of responsibility off of the couple is a huge stress reliever in planning. And trust us, there are so many things happening during and around the holidays that you are going to want somebody else keeping track of everything for you.

Be Aware, and Prepare, for Higher Rates

Holiday weekends, whether they are over Christmas or Memorial Day, are going to be more expensive. Think about it. You're asking vendors to work on a universally accepted "off day" and that's going to come with a heftier price tag. Of course, this isn't always the case. Some vendors may actually offer exclusive holiday discounts. But it is always better to factor a heavy cushion into your wedding budget for the added expense.

Choose the Week Of and Not the Actual Holiday

This is an especially good idea if you're planning your holiday wedding around Thanksgiving or Christmas, as most people will have traditions they may not want to skip. Giving yourself a buffer day or two (or three!) to host your event may ensure a longer guest list. This is not true however, for holidays like New Years Eve or the 4th of July. While people may have an idea of plans for these occasions, they won't have something totally set in stone so chances are they'll be happy to spend the day celebrating with you.

Keep it Simple

The best part about planning a holiday wedding is the built in theme! As there will be no shortage of decor inspiration for you at your local craft store. But remember this is also your wedding day. And it's a fine line between classy and tacky. So first things first, keep your color palette under control. For example, if you're having a Christmas wedding, plan on using cream, copper and burgundy, with sparse accents of a deep, dark green. You want to make sure your guests feel like they are still there to celebrate you. So subtle nods to the occasion will keep your wedding feeling like a wedding and not a holiday party.

Plan a Signature Menu

That said, a truly great place to lean hard into your theme is in your food and cocktail choices. A fully decked out holiday menu is fun, festive, and oh so elegant. So treat your guests to the best flavors of the season and get creative when you're naming that Mistletoe Martini.

Make Smart Music Choices

This goes back to making sure your wedding is about you, and not the holiday. Plan a playlist with your band or DJ the way you normally would, and if you *must* have the Monster Mash, keep it to just that one song.

Provide an Abundance for Information

More is more when it comes to informing your guests about your holiday wedding. Have your wedding website up early and update it as often as needed. Because it's always better to have your guests over informed than under. And since your magical date may require a little extra legwork on their part, try to make it as easy as possible for them to find answers to their questions.

Prepare for the "No" (and Unexpected "Yes")

Many couples who plan a holiday wedding do so because they want to keep it small. Which makes sense, as most of the people you're inviting would be the same people you would normally celebrate your holiday with. But even if you send out a huge chunk of invitations you can never truly predict how those RSVP's are going to come back to you. It's wise to financially (and mentally) prepare for your holiday wedding to be much larger or smaller than expected. Your guests may surprise you.

Regardless of which holiday you choose, or if you decide to make your wedding day a holiday all on it's own, be sure to get your paper goodies from Marrygrams! We have styles to match all themes and budgets and can't wait to help you create something beautiful. And then share your professional images with us on Instagram for a chance to be featured. We love showing off our fabulous couples!