Leap year proposals

There’s an extra day to play with this year as 2020 is a leap year. So we will have the pleasure of the 29th February for the first time again in four years. When it comes to proposing, traditionally a leap year meant that the tables were turned and women could have the chance to propose.

Unlucky leap year

Superstition suggests that 2020 may be a bit erratic. Many cultures believe that leap years are unlucky. Reportedly, the world goes a bit erratic with crazy weather patterns, additional suffering and a pretty gloomy outlook. Hence why some countries believe it is unlucky to make major decisions in a leap year like buying a house or car, or getting married. It is also traditionally seen as unlucky to get married on a leap day (29 February), though some people comment that you’d only have to remember your wedding anniversary every 4 years.

Whether you’re superstitious or not, before you rush to send out your save the date cards, here’s a little help with picking a date for your special day (and take a look at this useful guide to setting the date too).

Friday the thirteenth

There’s another two seemingly unlucky Fridays to avoid in 2020. Superstition often forces couples to avoid the 13th of the month (especially if it falls on a Friday). Other dates that are supposedly unlucky include your birthday, the day of a full moon, April Fool’s Day and it used to be forbidden to get married in Lent and Advent by the church.

Set the date

Some people think that 7 is supposed to be a lucky number whilst 4 is deemed unlucky in Japanese and Chinese traditions, so dates with these numbers may be sought after or avoided by couples. Instead perhaps you want to pick a meaningful date to you such as the anniversary of the date you first met, a memorable date that you’ll remember like 12/12/12 or a nod to your heritage such as your grandparents’ wedding anniversary date.

Think ahead

Consider which year you will get married. This may seem basic but if you want to do something soon then suppliers and venues may already be booked up. So, think about how long you have to plan the
wedding. The more notice you give then the more likely you are able to have your first choice of date.

The four seasons

Depending on when your wedding is in the year could affect what the weather is likely to be like. It could also influence your themes, colours, venue, attire, transportation, food choice etc. Also, different seasons can have an impact on the price and availability of food and flowers. Venues may have different prices depending on the time of the year. And it’s worth bearing in mind whether your key guests or wedding party would be available in school holidays.

Gone till November

Old superstitions state your fate as a couple depending on the month you choose to wed. Some say it was unlucky for a couple to get married in May. Whilst June and other summer months are very popular and even December is gaining in popularity, presumably so that people can use holiday time around the big day. It is worth considering different months as popular ones are in demand so prices may increase and availability will decrease.

Eight days a week

Ironically in another old poem, it states that getting married on a Saturday is unlucky which nowadays is the most common day for people to tie the knot. However, it is also one of the most expensive days too. More people are now considering other weekdays as options and Sundays too (although this used to be deemed as a mark of disrespect).

A hard day’s night

A wedding after dark used to be considered unlucky but you could split your guests up to have some come for the whole day and others just join you for the evening part of the day so you don’t have to pay for all of them to have a sit-down meal.

Look outside your bubble

Make sure you think about what else is going on in the world such as national, local and annual events. Take in to consideration public holidays , sporting events, religious festivals and other key guests’ occasions (like birthdays or wedding anniversaries.

Here’s a list of some events in 2020 (in England) that could influence your choice of dates, that you may wish to avoid or embrace:

Public holidays

• New Year’s Day 1 January
• Good Friday 10 April
• Easter Monday 13 April
• May Day Bank Holiday 8 May (changed this year in order to coincide with VE celebrations)
• Spring Bank Holiday 25 May
• Summer Bank Holiday 31 August
• Christmas Day 25 December
• Boxing Day 26 December

Sporting events

• Six Nations Tournament 1 February – 14 March
• Super Bowl 2nd February
• Boat Race 29 March
• Grand National 4 April
• London Marathon 26 April
• FA Cup Final 23 May
• Champions League Final 30 May
• UEFA Euro 2020 12 June – 12 July
• Royal Ascot 16 – 20 June
• Tour de France 27 June – 19 July
• Wimbledon 29 June – 12 July
• Henley Regatta 1 – 5 July
• British Grand Prix 17-19 July
• Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo 24 July – 9 August
• Paralympic Games 25 August – 6 September
• ICC World Twenty20 18 October – 15 November

Religious festivals

• Epiphany 6 January
• Orthodox Christmas Day 7 January
• Orthodox New Year 14 January
• Passover 8 – 16 April
• Easter Sunday 12 April
• Ramadan begins 23 April – 23 May
• Eid 31 July
• Diwali 14 November
• Hanukkah 10-18 December
• Christmas

Other occasions

• Burns Night 25 January
• Chinese New Year 25 January (year of the rat in 2020)
• Valentine’s Day 14 February
• Leap day Saturday 29 February
• St David’s Day 1 March
• St Patrick’s Day 17 March
• Mother’s Day 22 March
• Shrove Tuesday 25 March
• Clocks go forward 29 March
• April Fool’s Day 1 April
• St George’s Day 23 April
• Eurovision Song Contest 12 – 16 May
• Chelsea Flower Show 19 – 23 May
• Trooping the Colour 13 June
• Father’s Day 21 June
• Glastonbury 24 – 29 June
• Independence Day 4 July
• Clocks go back 25 October
• Halloween 31 October
• Guy Fawkes 5 November
• Remembrance Day 11 November
• Thanksgiving 26 November
• St Andrew’s Day 30 November
• New Year’s Eve 31 December

‘Unlucky’ dates

• March 13th 2020
• November 13th 2020
• August 13, 2021
• Friday, May 13, 2022

Good luck on your quest to pick a date for your wedding day (and therefore your wedding anniversary date for years to come). I know a lot of thought will go in to answering the question of ‘So, when is the big day?’ Remember to pick a date that works for you.

Enjoy celebrating in 2020 and I wish you a very Happy New Year.