Pagans, is Samhain a good wedding date?

I think it's a terrible wedding date, actually.

It pretty much inconveniences every Pagan and Wiccan friend (who celebrates November Eve) that the couple has, assuming that they want to spend the day away from their ancestors...

I actually was recently contacted by a couple who wanted me to handfast them this Samhain. Luckily, I won't do ANY weddings without 6 months notice, so I didn't have to explain that I had more important things to do.

Personally, I wouldn't. Yes, it is a time of new beginnings, but its also a time of endings and a time of mourning. Sort of a mixed message to associate with a wedding. And as Labgrrl mentions, it inconveniences every Pagan friend who normally celebrates Samhain religiously. And the daughter has a very practical objection: trick-or-treating only happens once a year! Why miss it when there's 364 other dates to choose from?

It's really up to them. I would personally choose the full moon prior to or just after Samhain. I was married on the full moon just prior to Beltane that way we could enjoy the holiday together and not stress about wedding issues. That also meant that none of my practicing Pagan guests would have to miss the holiday either. I bet the guests would be much more open to sharing a moon with the happy couple then rearranging their plans for a major Sabbat. JMHO

I have done weddings/handfastings on Samhain for years. Many are held in the afternoon allowing time for the children festivities. I also include honoring the ancestors into the ceremony. I see it as a personal choice and not for anyone else to judge the couple s preferences. Blessings!

In the tradition I follow it wouldn't be an appropriate date for a wedding. Sure it's the celtic new year but it is also the time of the last harvest, the growing season is over, fertility is no longer abundant, animals and plants are preparing to go dormant, it's the entering into the "dark" part of the year as wellas the goddesses decent into the underworld. But it would depend on the couple and what they feel and understand about the holiday, what they feel it represents.

It does interfere w/ the other pagans plans for the holiday. Beltane and Midsummer are the most traditional for handfasting but Imbolc might be better. It's more symbolic of new life and it isn't as big a holiday so there shouldn't be as many people w/ conflicting plans (like a coven sabbat circle)

No, because it's already the day for another celebration

and you won't get the proper attention that you deserve.

Try to put your wedding on a day nobody else is already

doing anything with.

Good luck and congradulations !

Jeanie

I wouldn't use a major day like that to get married on. I hadn't thought about until Labgrrrl pointed it out but she's right. I do like the idea of getting married on a fullmoon though.

i am getting married on that date, we both love it for different reasons. anyway, you can always have it eariler or later and their daughter could still go trick or treating.

it all really depends on what they think and agree on, after all it is their wedding. but i'm sure it'll be a good time for everyone no matter what date it is on.

Personally, I would do my wedding on Samhain or on the Winter Solstice, but that's just me. It would be a very symbolic day.