Why a NYE Wedding Might be a Bad Idea
New Year’s Eve is undeniably a magical night of the year filled with celebration and joy. For many couples, it seems like the perfect opportunity to tie the knot – combining the excitement of the holiday with their most special day, hoping to take advantage of the festive atmosphere and party vibes. However, while a NYE wedding might seem like a good idea, it can come with significant extra costs and logistical challenges. Weddings are expensive and stressful yo begin with, and choosing NYE as your wedding date has the potential to add event more stress and costs.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the potential downfalls of planning a New Year’s Eve wedding, and highlight the key factors you want to consider before locking in December 31st as your date.
Higher Venue Costs
One of the biggest hurdles you’ll face when planning a NYE wedding is the cost of your venue. Many venues will charge premium rates over the festive season due to increased demand. Venues typically need extra staff to work during this holiday, and they will likely need to pay holiday rates which will then be passed on to you.
Additionally, if your wedding venue is located in the CBD, your guests might have trouble getting there. Think road closures, heavy traffic, and the general chaos that often comes with NYE festivities. This can create a very frustrating experience leading into your special day for your wedding party and your guests.
Higher Accommodation Costs
If you have friends or family travelling to get to your wedding, or if you plan on staying in a hotel post-wedding, accommodation costs will likely be at a premium. NYE is one of the busiest nights of the year for hotels, leading to inflated room rates and limited availability. While some of your guests might be happy to pay extra, this can also be a deterrent for those who aren’t and you might end up with less people at your wedding.
Increased Supplier Surcharges
Another cost you might not have considered is that your wedding suppliers might charge higher rates for working on New Year’s Eve. Similar to venues, suppliers are often stretched thing during this peak period and they might have to hire additional staff to accommodate your event. This can result in holiday surcharges that will only add to your wedding costs.
You might also find that some suppliers not be available at all on NYE, which could limit your options and force you to settle for vendors who may not have been your first choice.
Babysitting Expenses for Guests
Though this may not affect you directly as the bride or groom, your guests with kids might have a tough time finding affordable childcare on New Year’s Eve. Babysitters are in high demand for this holiday, and as such, their rates often skyrocket. In some cases, they might not be able to find one at all! This can cause a logistical nightmare for your guests, and they might opt to stay at home with their kids rather than attend your wedding.
Difficulty with Taxis and Transport
Transportation to and from your wedding is another area where a NYE date can cause issues. Taxi, Uber, and other rideshare services are notorious for having increased fares on New Year’s Eve, especially as it gets late. With this in mind, your guests might opt to drive to your wedding rather than risk having to pay an arm and a leg for a ride home, which can dampen the mood if they feel like they can’t have a few drinks and fully enjoy the night.
Sharing Your Anniversary with NYE
While getting married on New Year’s Eve may sound glamorous, one often overlooked consequence is that your wedding anniversary will always compete with NYE celebrations. Over time, this could take away from the uniqueness of your anniversary. Instead of having a special day dedicated to just the two of you, you might find yourselves celebrating alongside fireworks, countdowns, and parties. Additionally, trying to organise anniversary celebrations could be more difficult with venues and restaurants booking up quickly and charging premium NYE rates.
So, is a NYE Wedding worth it?
While New Year’s Eve may seem like the perfect way to celebrate your wedding, the added costs and logistical headaches and turn it into a stressful and expensive experience. Before committing to a NYE wedding date, carefully consider the potential challenges.
With all of this in mind, you might want to consider whether planning a New Year’s Eve wedding is truly the best choice for your big day. Opting for a different time of year, or even selecting a date just before or after NYE, could save you significant costs and minimise the stress for both you and your guests.
Whatever date you decide, Feel Good Events can help you turn your dream wedding into a reality. Get in contact with our expert wedding planners to get started!
