Why are so many couples looking to tie the knot on December 13th this year? Because the date is 12/13/14, and wedding dates with repeating or sequential numbers have been big business the past few years. But in order to have their dream wedding, couples getting married on this date (or any other date) need to be smart and avoid some common scams.
12/13/14: The Iconic Wedding Date Trend
Around 3,000 U.S. couples married last year on 11/12/13, a Tuesday, and over 7,500 couples got hitched on 12/12/12, a Wednesday, the year before. A David’s Bridal spokesman predicts that this year’s special date, which falls on a Saturday no less, will see over 20,000 weddings. Couples wishing to marry on an iconic date need to plan their December wedding now, or wait the better part of a century for 01/01/01 or 01/02/03 to roll around.
In response to the demand, several hotels and other venues have begun offering packages geared towards these weddings. Try the appropriately priced $1,213.14 12-13-14 Package at Planet Hollywood for a Las Vegas bargain. The luxury casino and hotel Bellagio is also offering an all-inclusive 12-13-14 Package featuring champagne, truffles, and a live online broadcast of the ceremony for $5,000.
If Vegas isn’t your thing, you can’t do better than the $120 all-inclusive Smokey Mountain Wedding package in Tennessee which accommodates up to 10 guests. Or go ultra high-end and get married on a private island with the $195,000 12,13,14… Eternity package from Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in Florida.
3 Wedding Day Disasters to Avoid
All couples, no matter when they’re getting married, need to be smart when it comes to signing contracts and putting down money for the big day. Here are three common wedding-day disasters and advice on how to avoid them.
1. Refusal to honor the contract.
Standard wedding contracts will contain detailed descriptions of exactly what the vendor is and isn’t responsible for. They will also contain clauses about refunds in the event that the event or contract is cancelled. Unfortunately, some vendors won’t honor the contract, hoping that it will be too much trouble for you to fight it.
What to do: Get everything in writing. Everything! If you agree over the phone to something, make sure that’s in writing, even if it’s a follow-up email that confirms the details. If you decide to pursue the issue in small claims court, those documents will be crucial for your success.
2. The no-show.
Many scams come from service-based wedding vendors, like photographers or deejays. They may request a large deposit or the full amount up front and then disappear entirely.
What to do: Before you hire someone, find out how long they’ve been in business and check if they are a member of a wedding organization or association. Don’t necessarily rule out vendors who aren’t, but know that those who are have been pre-screened. Ask for the names of previous clients and find out about their experiences. Or check wedding sites like TheKnot or even Yelp for other reviews. Also, consider getting wedding insurance for your big day.
3. The non-legal wedding.
At the end of your wedding day you expect to be married. Amazingly, some couples are reporting that their destination weddings were nothing more than a fun trip. Some resorts take money and put on an event but don’t record the wedding, provide a qualified officiant, or have you sign a valid marriage license.
What to do: In addition to following the steps above to ensure that they place you’ve chosen is legit, go a little deeper into your research regarding the law. Read what the State Department says about marriage abroad. If you want the ceremony but it’s not legal, make arrangements to make it official either before or after your trip.
