Don’t get married on Valentine’s Day

Suzette Standring
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I’ll never understand people who marry on Valentine’s Day.

Years ago, my daughter wouldn’t listen because traipsing down a red carpet in white lace is a princess story in ultimate romance.

But like Cinderella, it’s missing a shoe. Succeeding Valentine anniversaries limp along, loaded with hidden emotional and financial costs.

This is fair warning against getting hitched on the Red Heart holiday:

Men who are tigers at the negotiation table turn to jelly at the thought of living up to romantic expectations on Valentine’s Day. What more the poor guy whose wedding anniversary sits astride the pinnacle of love’s signature day?

Like the running of the bulls in Pamplona, there’s a stampede to reserve fine dining. Unless booked way in advance, you’ll end up with a cafe version of the last wilted bouquet at the supermarket. Not good, Fernando.

A romantic getaway for two? Other starry-eyed couples in airport security lines had the same idea. The travel industry is expecting you and that chocolate mint on your pillow will be pricey.

It’s hard to make things special “just for the two of you” when mobs at every flower stand, chocolate shop and gift store resemble panicked bank runs of the 1920’s. Don’t get married on Valentine’s Day.

My daughter said, “What about you? You got married on the July 4th weekend.”

“Yeah, but there’s no national run on romance. It’s all about the barbecue,” I said.

Folks, I’ll play the rapper. “Flag Day and Arbor Day have less cachet, but what the hey, in the long play of married life, make a ‘Just You Day’ for the wife.”

Words to the wise: leave a little romance for the rest of the year and pace your presents.

Comments

  1. Oh, I must disagree! I married, for the first time at 48-years-old, on Valentine’s Day because it worked for all our attendants—nieces and nephews under 16 years old who were off school for a long weekend, it was President’s Day weekend, too—or we would have had to wait another 6 months.

    My husband thanks me every year because he says he’ll never forget our anniversary. And we agreed from Year I to have lobsters, champagne, and molten chocolate cake at home, instead of dealing with Valentine Day industry.

    Our friends thanked us, too. We solved the question of “what to do on Valentine’s Day” for so many. Worked for couples and singles.

    So, I say if you keep things in perspective Valentine’s Day is a fine day to get married.

    Julie

    P.S. I wore red shoes with my white dress!

  2. Suzette Standring

    A most lovely testament! Happy anniversary, Julie Danis, and you’re right. It’s a good way to remember the date and people are most likely to be available for the wedding. Hahaha! My post was peek into my own mind, a person who likes to spread the wealth (read that: celebrations) and pace my presents. Have a wonderful day.