Most football teams relish bye weeks as a chance to physically recover and get in a little extra prepping for the next game. Devoted fans, on the other hand, find themselves struggling to pass the time.
Unless you're trying to plan a wedding. In that case, bye weeks are your one chance to thread the needle on a fall ceremony.
With Alabama's team exercising its bye week this Saturday, soon-to-be brides are putting the final touches on weddings that evaded critical scheduling accomplishments. In states where fan bases treat football like a religious event, planning a wedding on game day can be met with complaints and even some no-shows.
"A lot of fans will skip the wedding and go to the game," bridal consultant Rachael Grammer told AL.com.
But deciding to plan your wedding for the bye week isn't as simple as it sounds. Dozens, possibly hundreds of other brides have the same idea. In most cases, there aren't enough venues to accommodate everyone.
In many cases, venues fill up six months in advance -- if not sooner.
But apparently the tradition of planning weddings around Alabama football is one that goes back decades in the state.
And if Alabama and Auburn both have their bye weeks on the same week? You'd better get ready to arm wrestle for it.
