So Valentine’s Day is coming and you’re thinking about popping the big question?
Your significant other will say yes (at least we think they will). That’s not the hard part. Picking the right weekend this fall is a far more difficult challenge. What are the nine words every diehard college football fan fears the most?
“We have to go to a wedding that weekend.”
It’s enough to induce cold chills. We’re here to help. If you’re planning a wedding in SEC country this fall, here are the best (and worst) weekends for your big event. Know when to say "I do" and "I don't."
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Sept. 5
I do: South Carolina. The Gamecocks play in the Thursday night opener against North Carolina. Go for it in Columbia two days later.
I don’t: Everybody else. It’s opening weekend, people. Alabama plays Wisconsin at AT&T Stadium, Texas A&M plays Arizona State at Reliant Stadium and Auburn plays Louisville in the Georgia Dome.
Sept. 12
I do: Auburn. The Tigers play Jacksonville State, although it is the home opener.
I don’t: LSU at Mississippi State is a big game. That’s a tone-setter in the SEC West and probably fit for a prime-time spot.
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Sept. 19
I do: Tennessee. This is your shot to get married in the Volunteer State.The Vols play Western Carolina, and the next three weeks (at Florida, Arkansas, Georgia) are busy.
I don’t: South Carolina at Georgia, Auburn at LSU and Alabama in a revenge game at home against Ole Miss highlight the schedule.
Sept. 26
I do: Alabama and Georgia. The Tide plays UL-Monroe; Georgia faces Southern. You don’t want to get married the following weekend when Alabama travels to Georgia.
I don’t: Plan around Arkansas vs. Texas A&M at Arlington. This is a growing rivalry in the SEC West. Also, Tennessee travels to Florida.
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Oct. 3
I do: LSU. Eastern Michigan travels to Baton Rouge, and the next two weeks feature games against South Carolina and Florida. Geaux get married, Tigers fans.
I don’t: We mentioned Georgia at Alabama, but Ole Miss at Florida and South Carolina at Missouri also are key games that weekend.
Oct. 10
I do: Ole Miss and Mississippi State. You’re not on a bye week, but Ole Miss gets New Mexico State, who is 11-50 since 2010. Mississippi State plays Troy. Oct. 17 (Ole Miss at Memphis, Louisiana Tech vs. Mississippi State) is a little riskier.
I don’t: Arkansas at Alabama, Georgia at Tennessee, Florida at Missouri and LSU at South Carolina. You’re asking a lot of these fanbases.
Bye weeks: Auburn, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt
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Oct. 17
I do: Kentucky. Perfect timing after a Thursday night home game against Auburn, and Midnight Madness will be just around the corner.
I don’t: Missouri at Georgia and Alabama at Texas A&M are the headliners.
Bye weeks: Arkansas, Tennessee
Oct. 24
I do: Missouri. You just got through the South Carolina-Florida-Georgia stretch. You can get married on Vanderbilt weekend.
I don’t: If you don’t know what “Third Saturday in October” means in Tennessee or Alabama, then you shouldn’t be reading this.
Bye weeks: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina
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Oct. 31
I do: Arkansas. Just look at the last four games (vs. Ole Miss, at LSU, vs. Mississippi State, vs. Missouri). The Razorbacks play UT-Martin.
I don’t: Unless you have a Halloween costume party wedding planned. Plus, Florida-Georgia and South Carolina-Texas A&M are on TV.
Bye weeks: Alabama, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri
Nov. 7
I do: Mississippi State and Missouri play on Thursday night. Take advantage of the scheduling quirk.
I don’t: Weddings should be outlawed in Louisiana and Alabama. LSU comes to Tuscaloosa to visit the Tide this time.
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Nov. 14
I do: Texas A&M. The Aggies host Western Carolina. The "12th Man" can work with that.
I don’t: If you root for any of the other SEC West schools besides Ole Miss. That weekend features Alabama at Mississippi State, Arkansas at LSU and Georgia at Auburn.
Bye week: Ole Miss
Nov. 21
I do: Florida. You play Florida Atlantic, and it’s your best bet in November. It’s also a bridal-friendly weekend for Alabama (vs. Charleston Southern), Auburn (vs. Idaho), Georgia (vs. Georgia Southern) and South Carolina (vs. Citadel).
I don’t: Tennessee at Missouri and Mississippi State at Arkansas are the big games on the docket.
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Nov. 28
I don’t: It’s Rivalry Week. Are you really going to go to a wedding during the Iron Bowl? The Egg Bowl? Clemson-South Carolina? Georgia-Georgia Tech? Don’t do it.
Dec. 5
I do: If you’re not in the SEC Championship Game.
I don’t: If you think you might be in the SEC Championship Game, which typically has an afternoon kickoff time. Good luck.
