Do or Don't? Labor Day Weekend Weddings (Plus, 10 Great Ideas to Pull it Off)

Labor Day is here, and couples across the nation bring up that age old question: is it OK to take advantage of your friends' and families' three-day weekend to throw the ultimate fete? While increased travel may pose an additional headache for all involved, it's a great opportunity to take advantage of the elusive, cost-saving perks of a Sunday wedding. Plus, rehearsal festivities on Saturday means the wedding party doesn't have to take Friday off of work, and it gives guests the opportunity to enjoy an extra day at your wedding's destination.

From homespun details to the season's best flowers, check out 10 of our favorite Labor Day weekend wedding ideas and tips in the slideshow below.

And be sure let us know in the comments: What's your opinion on weddings during three-day weekends?

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• Not quite summer, not quite fall...

  Mix it up with pinks and reds for a color combo that suits both seasons. See also: <a href="http://lover.ly/search?q=red&utm_source=huffpo8-30-12laborday&utm_medium=guest&utm_campaign=huffpo8-30-12laborday" target="_hplink">More Red Wedding Inspiration</a>

• Location, location, location

  Choose a venue with on-site accommodations and treat your guests to a true 3-day getaway. Book this venue: <a href="http://lover.ly/post/19865?utm_source=huffpo8-30-12laborday&utm_medium=guest&utm_campaign=huffpo8-30-12laborday" target="_hplink">Cavallo Point, San Francisco - Mr. and Mrs. Smith Hotels</a> See also:<a href="http://lover.ly/search?q=mr+and+mrs+smith&utm_source=huffpo8-30-12laborday&utm_medium=guest&utm_campaign=huffpo8-30-12laborday" target="_hplink"> Incredible Wedding and Honeymoon Venues</a>

• Do dahlias

  Dahlias peak in late summer, making them a cost-effective (and uber-gorgeous!) floral option. See also: <a href="http://lover.ly/search?q=bouquet&utm_source=huffpo8-30-12laborday&utm_medium=guest&utm_campaign=huffpo8-30-12laborday" target="_hplink">Gorgeous Wedding Bouquets</a>

• Home away from home

  Long tables and a family-style menu are perfect for the last outdoor fetes of the year before the weather turns chilly. See also: <a href="http://lover.ly/search?q=tablescapes&utm_source=huffpo8-30-12laborday&utm_medium=guest&utm_campaign=huffpo8-30-12laborday" target="_hplink">Wedding Tablescapes</a>

• It's a wrap

  Prep for the change in weather and offer a basket of extra wraps or blankets, just in case it gets cool from day to night. See also: <a href="http://lover.ly/search?q=favors&utm_source=huffpo8-30-12laborday&utm_medium=guest&utm_campaign=huffpo8-30-12laborday" target="_hplink">Creative Wedding Favors</a>

• Peachy keen

  Stone fruits are around in bushels right now! Take advantage...why not atop (and inside!) your wedding cake? See also: <a href="http://lover.ly/search?q=peach&utm_source=huffpo8-30-12laborday&utm_medium=guest&utm_campaign=huffpo8-30-12laborday" target="_hplink">Peach Wedding Inspiration</a>

• Treats for the weekend

  Offer your guests picnic-style out of town boxes/baskets for their extended stay.

• Sweet sips

  Show off your love! We love this creative spin on paper straws, perfect for guests' sips. <a href="http://lover.ly/image/166041?utm_source=huffpo8-30-12laborday&utm_medium=guest&utm_campaign=huffpo8-30-12laborday" target="_hplink">Get them here</a>, from BHLDN. See also: <a href="http://lover.ly/post/19504?utm_source=huffpo8-30-12laborday&utm_medium=guest&utm_campaign=huffpo8-30-12laborday" target="_hplink">Wedding favors by BHLDN</a>

• Anything...on a stick!

  Pie pops, gourmet corn dogs, and grilled skewers... ditch the plates and make snacking easy (and adorable). See also: <a href="http://lover.ly/search?q=food&utm_source=huffpo8-30-12laborday&utm_medium=guest&utm_campaign=huffpo8-30-12laborday" target="_hplink">Creative Wedding Catering</a>

• Light up the night

  Dixie cups put a creative spin on hanging lights and take your wedding from day to evening in crafty-style. See also: <a href="http://lover.ly/search?q=lighting&utm_source=huffpo8-30-12laborday&utm_medium=guest&utm_campaign=huffpo8-30-12laborday" target="_hplink">Wedding Lighting Ideas</a>

Kellee Khalil is the founder and CEO of Lover.ly, a highly visual inspiration engine designed to help brides discover ideas, people to hire, and things to buy. Lover.ly mages are powered by the best wedding publishers and wedding shopping partners on the web: we're the heart of weddings. Visit us at http://lover.ly

 

Follow Kellee Khalil on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@loverly

Comments

[andynielsen]

08:54 PM on 09/10/2012

I'm torn for my wedding. Many of the venues are already booked up for the Sept/Oct 2013 timeframe but Labor Day Sunday keeps elusively weaving itself into the availability conversations. Plus, since half the guests will be flying in from out of town it will actually enable them to make a trip of the weekend (not so much for the local folks, tho). My coworker just went to a Chicago Labor Day weekend wedding (he had to fly in from NYC) and he said it was great and didn't mind it one bit.

[HowlingHounds]

06:40 PM on 09/03/2012

I am not a fan of holiday weekend weddings. The highways are usually congested and a lot of motels don't discount their rates. The absolute worst holiday weddings are the ones planned for Thanksgiving weekend.