When planning a wedding, choosing the perfect date can be just as reflective of you as a couple as finding the perfect venue or dress. Many couples look for dates that are unique dates, holidays, numerically interesting, or meaningful to them as a couple. Let’s explore some popular options for special or lucky wedding dates in 2023, including those that fall on weekdays since weekday weddings are becoming more popular.
Specific 2023 Unique Dates
Friday the 13th: One popular option for a lucky wedding date is Friday the 13th. In 2023, there are two Friday the 13ths: January 13th and October 13th. While some people consider Friday the 13th to be unlucky, others see it as a unique and lucky opportunity to tie the knot. This is because the number 13 is often associated with good luck and prosperity.
Palindrome Day: Occurs when the date reads the same forwards and backwards. In 2023, Palindrome Day falls on Monday, March 20th, which is 3/20/2023. This date can be a great option for couples who want a unique and memorable wedding date.
April Fools Day: April 1st, 2023, which is a Saturday, can also be a fun and quirky option for a wedding date. This date can be a great opportunity to incorporate a playful and light-hearted theme into the wedding, and it also provides a unique and memorable date for the wedding.
Solar Eclipse: Occurs on 10/14/2023, a Saturday. This can be a unique and meaningful option for a wedding date. Eclipses are seen as an auspicious time for new beginnings, and a wedding ceremony held during a solar eclipse can be an incredibly powerful and meaningful experience for couples and their guests.
Summer Solstice: The longest day of the year, which happens in 2023 on 6/21/23, a Wednesday. This date can be a great opportunity to incorporate the beauty and warmth of the summer season into the wedding, and it can be a perfect opportunity for an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Significant Dates to the Couple
Special dates and holiday weddings can be harder to book, since they can be very popular, especially when attached to a longer 3-day weekend. So instead of picking a date that might be special to many, consider picking a wedding date that is meaningful to you as a couple: the 2023 equivalent of your first or favorite date, the anniversary of when you met, or even the same month or numerical date you got engaged.
So, for example, if you met years before you started dating, went on a first date, and got engaged on a separate date, you have 3 to choose from right there! These dates may not be as popular or well-known as holidays, but they hold a special significance for you and your partner. Plus, choosing a less popular date can also make the planning process less stressful, as you will have more options for venues and vendors.
Weekday Weddings
Weekday weddings are also becoming more and more popular as well. Ever since the bottleneck of rescheduling weddings post COVID-related 2020 delays, many couples are opting for midweek weddings to save money, avoid crowds and have more flexibility. Booking wedding venues on weekdays can be less expensive than weekend weddings, and they also give couples more options for venues and vendors, which in turn can help you save even more money on your wedding budget.
Wedding Dates that Include 2s and 3s (for 2023 specifically)
Picking a wedding date that includes a 2 or a 3 in it can be a memorable and visually balanced option because of the symmetry of these numbers with the calendar year being 2023. This symmetry can be pleasing to the eye when written out on invitations, wedding programs, and other wedding materials.
For example, a wedding date that includes a 2, such as 02/22/2023, creates a sense of balance with the two 2's on either side of the date. Similarly, a wedding date that includes a 3, such as 03/03/2023, creates a sense of balance with the two 3's on either side of the date. This symmetry can make the date stand out and be more easily remembered by guests.
Additionally, having a balance of 2s or 3s in the date can also give a sense of completeness or wholeness as it gives the date a well-rounded appearance. This can make the date feel special and memorable, and could be considered as a lucky wedding date.
Numerically Neat Dates to Consider:
01/23/2023 (Monday)
02/03/2023 (Friday)
02/13/2023 (Monday)
02/23/2023 (Thursday)
03/02/2023 (Thursday)
03/03/2023 (Friday)
03/23/2023 (Thursday)
04/03/2023 (Monday)
04/23/2023 (Sunday)
05/05/2023 (Friday)
05/23/2023 (Tuesday)
06/03/2023 (Saturday)
06/06/2023 (Tuesday)
06/23/2023 (Friday)
07/03/2023 (Monday)
07/07/2023 (Friday)
07/23/2023 (Sunday)
08/03/2023 (Thursday)
08/08/2023 (Tuesday)
08/23/2023 (Wednesday)
09/03/2023 (Sunday)
09/09/2023 (Saturday)
09/23/2023 (Saturday)
03/10/2023 (Tuesday)
10/23/2023 (Monday)
11/03/2023 (Friday)
11/23/2023 (Thursday)
12/12/2023 (Tuesday)
12/23/2023 (Saturday)
United States Federally Observed Holidays
The list of dates below is for officially observed holidays in the United States, but your place of employment may observe others, so be sure to reference other important calendars in your life as well.
New Year’s Day: Sunday, January 1 (Observed Monday, January 2)
Martin Luther King Jr Day: Monday, January 16
Presidents’ Day: Monday, February 20
Memorial Day: Monday, May 29
Juneteenth: Friday, June 16
Independence Day: Tuesday, July 4
Labor Day: Monday, September 4
Indigenous Peoples’ Day (also observed as Columbus Day): Monday, October 9
Veterans’ Day: Saturday, November 11 (Observed Friday, November 10)
Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 23
Christmas: Monday, December 25
Dates to Avoid
As the Knot warns, “In addition to favorable dates, some religions and cultures also share that there are less optimal dates you may wish to avoid…[S]ome religions have prohibitions about when you shouldn't marry—during Lent for Orthodox Christians, or during Ramadan for Muslims, for example." Be sure to consider what religious and cultural factors are a part of your wedding so that you can navigate these dates and holidays.
The Knot gives specifics, such as “in Jewish lore, Tuesdays are lucky because it is written in the book of Genesis that on the third day after Creation (a Tuesday) God looked around and 'saw that it was good. But Greek folklore says Tuesdays are unlucky because Constantinople fell on a Tuesday. And the old English rhyme in Every Woman's Encyclopaedia says to marry on 'Monday for wealth, Tuesday for health, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, and Saturday no luck at all.’” Additionally, some people like to consider numerology or astrology for their date selection as well. The Knot has a great list for getting started in thinking about all of these.
Thus, do some research or confer with family members to gather the information that’s important to you, your partner, and your wedding.
Conclusion
Choosing a wedding date can be a fun and exciting process, and there are many options to consider. Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a wedding date that is meaningful and special to you as a couple. Whether you choose a holiday, a special anniversary, Friday the 13th, a unique Palindrome Day, a playful April Fools Day, or a weekday wedding, the most important thing is that the date you choose is special and meaningful to you and your partner.