By DJ Ben Boylan
Are you considering having your wedding on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday? If so, you’re not the only one. Many couples get married on weekdays. Thursdays and Mondays are the most popular days. But while there are many good reasons to get married on a weekday, there could be some things you won’t like.
Here are the pros and cons of a weekday wedding:
Pros:
It is cheaper
The best venues, vendors, and hotels will be available
Cons:
Less people will come
Some guests may leave early
Two Important questions
Now before we dive deeper into these pros and cons, let’s answer the two most popular questions about weekday weddings...
Is it cheaper to get married on a weekday?
Yes, it is absolutely cheaper to get married on a weekday. Here are the ways you can save money by having your wedding on a weekday:
Most venues give discounts for weekday weddings
Most vendors (planner, photographer, DJ, etc) give discounts for weekday weddings
Rentals, your cake, and anything else you need to buy may come at a discount as well
If you leave for your honeymoon on a weekday, your airline ticket may be cheaper
These are just some of the ways you can save money by having your wedding on a weekday
Is it rude to get married on a weekday?
No. It is not rude to get married on a weekday. You are not forcing anyone to come. You are inviting them. It’s their decision. Your closest family and friends will still come.
Yes, some of them might be inconvenienced. But it will be worth it to them when they celebrate with you and your new spouse.
It also depends on the circumstances. Some couples get married on a weekday because they can’t afford a weekend wedding. Those couples are doing the best they can. That can’t be seen as rude.
The cons of a weekday wedding
There aren't many cons to weekday weddings actually. But there is a reason why they are cheaper. Actually there are two main reasons:
Less guests will come
This is the main "con." Most people would have to take off work to attend a weekday wedding. Many of them have to work early the next day. Because of this, some friends and family you aren’t so close to may choose not to come. And those who have to travel a long distance also might pass.
Your guests may not stay late
Many of your guests will have to work the following day. Late partying the night before makes work difficult. So, some of your guests may leave after cake cutting. That means the dancing might be affected a bit. Not all couples need to have a raging dance party. It really depends on your priorities.
But there are things you can do to make it better...
Send out save the dates early
The general rule of thumb is to send save the dates 6 months in advance. For destination weddings it is 8 to 12 months in advance.
If you are having a weekday wedding, you should send your save the dates a minimum of 8 months in advance. This will give your guests ample time to make arrangements. Like, taking off work for example.
Start your wedding a little later
Consider starting at a later time than normal. Local guests will be able to work a full day and still attend. Maybe you were going to have guest arrival at 5:00 pm and your ceremony at 5:30. Consider moving those times back an hour. This way local guests will be able to leave work, change their clothes, and still make it to the ceremony on time.
The pros of a weekday wedding
Ok, now that we’ve got all of that out of the way... Why should you get married on a weekday?
Did I mention that weekday weddings are cheaper?
I sure did. See above if you missed it.
Venues and vendors are more likely to be available
The hottest wedding venues and vendors book up one to two years in advance. But only on the most popular dates. A Saturday in October? That venue or vendor is booked one to two years in advance. This isn’t so true for weekdays.
If you are getting married on a Thursday or Monday (or any weekday) cut to the front of the line. Pick out the best venue, DJ, photographer, well you get the point… Email them and ask them if they are available on your date. They probably are.
You’ll have the best possible music, photos, venue, planner, and more. And for a great price. This is one of the best reasons to consider a weekday wedding.
Also, while you should send your save the dates in advance, you can wait to book your vendors. 6 months in advance should be plenty of time.
Weekday weddings are cheaper for your guests too
Weekday weddings aren’t only cheaper for you. They are cheaper for your guests. Especially for those who are travelling. Airline tickets will be cheaper. Hotels will be cheaper.
They might have to take a day or two off work. But they will save on their travel and lodging.
Pick the day before a holiday
Choosing the day before a holiday is a great way to get more RSVPs and save money. Many people get married on a Thursday. Veteran’s Day often lands on a Friday for example. If you got married the day before, many more guests would come. Because they don’t have to work the next day.
Get married on a holiday
Many couples have their wedding on a national holiday. Mondays especially. This is at least partly because all their guests will have off work that day. So they will get more RSVPs. Many of the spring, summer and fall holidays are on a Monday. So this is a good choice for couples who want a weekday wedding without lowering their RSVP count.
But are weddings on a holiday-Monday cheaper? Not always. They may be cheaper than a Saturday night in a prime month. But maybe not. It would be worth checking though.
Spend time with out of town guests that weekend
Thursday is one of the most popular weekday dates. Some of these couples skip a rehearsal dinner. Instead, they spend a long weekend with their out-of-town guests after the wedding. And many will leave for their honeymoon on Saturday or Sunday. You can’t do that if you are getting married on a Saturday.
Conclusion
The pros for a weekday wedding outweigh the cons... Wouldn’t you agree? Saving money and having your pick of all the best venues and vendors are pretty amazing pros. Your guest list may be shorter than expected. But a wedding with only your closest family and friends actually sounds pretty good!
How do I know so much about this? I am a non-traditional wedding DJ based in New York City who happens to specialize in Thursday weddings. I do more Thursday weddings than any DJ I know. For those getting married in the New York area, check out my special Thursday promotion. Interested? Schedule a call today!