Weekday Wedding???? Thursday night?

Question

OKay, we are finally planning our wedding! yay me! lol but we've been running into a few problems as far as the venues we want and availability. It was suggested to us to have our wedding on a Thursday night. Most of our guests are local, we do have a few family members from out of state but even if we had it on a Saturday they more than likely would just send a card. Our bridal party and immeadiate family (parents, grandparents and siblings) say that a Thursday is perfectly fine for them.

My question is: has anyone ever held a weekday wedding or attended one? What was your experience?

We're thinking of doing first look and family photos at 5pm, cocktail hour at 6pm, then ceremony at 7 and reception starting no later than 7:45 with everything ending at 11:30pm. Is this a reasonable time line? I figured doing cocktail hour first would give us the chance to mingle with guests and allow everyone time to get there. Does this seem feasible?

Any advice would be great!!! Thanks!

Answer 1

Thursday is absolutely fine. Whoever said no one will come is just being rude, mean and clearly didn't read the whole question. You already said your loved ones are okay with it, and if it's a venue you want- go for it. I personally haven't been to a Thursday wedding, but have a friend who has- and it was packed, people had a blast and she said the people who had the wedding saved somewhere crazy around $5000 for not having it on a weekend. People you love will be there no matter what. It's not like you're doing it in the middle of the day, it's in the evening. Not to mention, starting the ceremony at 7 will give people plenty of time to get there. You will never, ever, ever be able please everyone coming to your wedding, it will always be slightly inconvenient for someone, so the best thing you can do is plan the wedding you want.

Answer 2

I have never received an invite for a weekday wedding. I did know of someone who had their wedding BRIGHT and EARLY on a Saturday morning - around 9am! That is quite a rarity! I'm sure they saved some money! Yes, it is your wedding & you call the shots because you're spending the dough. Keep in mind that even though everyone is in town, the week is more stressful for people who work - coordinating time off work, getting home from work and to the wedding in tight traffic, getting babysitters if they aren't bringing KIDS to the wedding, etc. Also, if you have your event on a weekday, folks won't stay as late at the reception because they have to get to work the next day and they have to get their kids off to school the next morning. In light of these reasons - along with out of town travel (which you said won't influence you) - folks typically have the event on a weekend. I have been to a few Friday night weddings, but I always prefer Saturday events. I've never been to a Sunday wedding, but I think that is FAR preferable than a weekday event. P.S.- I'm not against being a wise steward of money. Just don't make the wedding LOOK cheap! =)

Answer 3

I know people that attended Sunday evening weddings - they were always home by 9:30 or so. Many venues will make you be out by 10. It is a Thursday night so most of your guests are going to have to work on Friday. Don't be surprised if most of your guests are cleared out by 10.



What kind of appetizers are you having at your cocktail hour? drinks at 6 followed by dinner a couple hours later... it sounds a little lengthy for having worked all day then have to wait hours for dinner...

You're asking people to not eat dinner on a work night until well after 8:00. I'd seriously consider tightening the time-line.. maybe ceremony at 6, followed by a short cocktail/snack mingle (maybe 1/2 hour since your pics are already taken) followed by dinner to be served by 7. That will give time to eat, do the garter tosses, etc. before the early birds leave. Your having the cocktail hour first could work but I'd be worried about keeping the ceremony on time... getting you ready, your attendants ready, etc. You mingle with your guests at the reception as typically the cocktail hour is when photos are being taken.



Weekday weddings are generally short & sweet and don't have routines all stretched out... time-lines are much more condensed.



best of luck to you and congratulations.

Answer 4

Weekday weddings are a lot more wallet friendly. Our venue charges $3000 for a Friday or Saturday but only $1200 for a weekday - and the services are identical.



If your guests are local it shouldn't be much of a problem.



Guests who have to work on Friday morning may leave a bit earlier, but so be it.

Answer 5

No one will go....So no its not feasible.



Like most people, I dont finish work until 6...and after a long day at work the last thing I want to do is get all dressed up (without having the time for a shower) to go to a wedding.



5pm = People are at work.



I wouldnt take a day off for a wedding as in this climate we (like many others) cant afford it, when you could easily have chosen to have it on a weekend.



When is time for dinner in all of this? If it starts at 5...(when people are still at work) how will they have time to eat?

And 11:30 on a night people need to get up early the next day?

Not going to hapen



Advice = Change it to a weekend.

Its just a stupid idea, I dont get why you think a thursday would be better than a saturday.

Answer 6

Congrats on your upcoming wedding!!



11:30 p.m. is pretty late for an event to end if/when people have to work the next day. If you can change it to a Friday or Saturday night that would be better, even if you have to change the date out a bit.

Answer 7

very hard on anyone who works . what about Friday night or Sunday afternoon?