How far ahead should a family reunion be planned?

Six to twelve months. Relatives travelling long distances need that lead time for flights and leave, and venues for larger groups book early.

What is the best time of year for a reunion?

Late spring and early autumn tend to work best: school is in session less disruptively, travel is cheaper than peak summer, and the weather is usually reliable enough for outdoor plans.

Guide

How to choose a date for a family reunion

Reunions are the hardest scheduling problem most people ever face, because the group is large, spread out, and includes people who will never install an app to answer a question.

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Start with candidate weekends

Almost every reunion lands on a weekend, so do not poll every date. Pick six to ten candidate weekends across a season, avoiding major holidays unless the family already travels then.

If there is a natural anchor — an anniversary, a milestone birthday — build the shortlist around it rather than treating it as fixed.

One answer per household

Ask each household to respond once, using the household name and head count. It keeps the grid readable and gives you numbers you can hand to a venue.

Weight the travellers

The relatives flying in have the fewest viable dates and the largest costs. When two weekends are close, choose the one that works for the people travelling furthest — locals can usually absorb an awkward date.

Give people a way to answer offline

Someone will always phone you instead of using the link. Take their answer and enter it yourself so the grid stays complete. Two or three of these are normal and cost you five minutes.

Frequently asked questions

How far ahead should a family reunion be planned?: Six to twelve months. Relatives travelling long distances need that lead time for flights and leave, and venues for larger groups book early.
What is the best time of year for a reunion?: Late spring and early autumn tend to work best: school is in session less disruptively, travel is cheaper than peak summer, and the weather is usually reliable enough for outdoor plans.

plan a family reunion datePoll the whole family in one link.find a date everyone can makeThe general method.

How to coordinate dates with a large groupAbove about a dozen people the rules change. Here is what actually works at scale — including when to stop waiting for a perfect date.How to find a date that works for everyoneThe four-step method for turning "when are you all free?" into a booked date, including what to do when there is no perfect day.

Find the day everyone can make it

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