There is no rule that says weddings can only occur on Saturdays.
Just because it appears to be the norm, does not mean you have to follow it. In fact, weekday weddings are trending now more than ever and the flexibility they offer can help with your planning. From finding availability at your ideal venue or with in-demand vendors to realizing potential savings, a weekday wedding can provide you with the day you envision simply by planning it on an off-peak time.
There are some practical considerations and logistics that go into an off-peak wedding, however, that are important to keep in mind. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of weekday weddings along with their specific logistics, timelines, guest messaging, and how to leverage potential benefits while still making it easy for your guests to attend.
Why Weekday Weddings Are Trending
There are real advantages of an off-peak wedding, including cost savings, easier holds, and better availability for your top-choice vendors. There are only so many Saturdays in a year and so many wedding vendors providing the services you seek. By opening up dates that go beyond Saturdays, you automatically compete with less people for those services.
Availability and Flexibility with In-demand Vendors
Limited vendor availability is real and Saturdays book fast for those in-demand. By holding your wedding on a Thursday, Friday, or Sunday, you may find that the vendor you most want is available to book, even if they have a long waiting list for Saturday dates. It can be a game changer for your wedding planning, taking away much of the booking issues that are often encountered with Saturday weddings.
Booking your venue is the first step in setting your definitive wedding date. Venue availability during off-peak times works much the same as it does for vendors. You may find that your ideal place is available just when you want it.
Value and Savings
Beyond availability, off-peak times may also come with discounts and cost savings not available on Saturdays. Wedding cost savings for an off-peak wedding usually comes from the cost of the venue, catering, music, and photos/videos. These costs are realized through venue rental windows, catering minimums, or vendor pricing flexibility. Ask about these savings upfront before you make your booking.
Thursdays and Sundays are more off-peak for weddings than Fridays, which straddle the weekend. You are more apt to realize weekday wedding cost discounts on Thursdays or Sundays than on Fridays, but Fridays can still carry some discounts when compared to Saturdays.
Which Day Fits Your Vision
Not all weekday weddings are the same. A Thursday wedding vs a Friday wedding vs a Sunday wedding each bring something slightly different to your wedding vibe. While a Thursday or Friday wedding both lend themselves to an evening ceremony and dinner reception, a Sunday wedding can promote a morning ceremony followed by a brunch reception. Choose the day that fits your wedding vision.
Timeline Templates that Work on Weeknights
Below are two timeline templates that can help with your planning.
Thursday Sample Timeline
A Thursday wedding usually has an earlier ceremony start time to make it easier for guests to arrive after work. It also may have a shorter reception time as it will most likely conclude earlier in the evening.
A weekday wedding timeline for a Thursday wedding that works well with a 5:30PM ceremony can be:
- 4:30-5:00PM: Guest arrival
- 5:00PM: Ceremony start time
- 5:30-6:30PM: Cocktail reception and photos
- 6:30PM: Grand entrance of newly married couple and the wedding party
- 6:45PM: Welcome speech and opening toasts
- 7:00PM: Dinner with more toasts and cake cutting
- 8:00PM: Dancing
- 9:30PM: Reception ends
Thursday weddings can also be set up as the kick off of a weekend long celebration.
Sunday Sample Timeline
Sunday weddings can start in the morning and conclude in the mid-afternoon. They include much of the traditional wedding activities but usually with a shorter timeline.
A Sunday wedding timeline that works well includes:
- 7:00AM: Venue set-up and vendor deliveries
- 9:00AM: Wedding party arrival and photos
- 10:00AM: Guest arrival
- 10:30AM: Ceremony
- 11:30AM: Reception begins with brunch served and includes toasts, cake, and speeches.
- 12:30PM: Music and dancing
- 2:00PM: Conclusion
Your Guest Experience Playbook
Save-the-date, RSVP Language, and PTO-Friendly Wedding Tips
One reason Saturday weddings are popular is because it is a common non-work day, making it easier for guests to attend without taking time off of work. A weekday wedding does not have this commonality, making it important to have PTO-friendly RSVP language.
You don’t want to mention paid-time off in your save-the-date or wedding invitation, but you do want to provide all the necessary information to make taking time off easier.
Provide:
- A detailed schedule of events, including clear expectations of your wedding’s end time
- Travel and accommodation information
- Answers to commonly asked questions, like food expectations, celebration timelines, and dress codes
Creating a wedding website with this information can be the most convenient way of communicating with your guests. Most importantly, having this information upfront and clearly stated will make it easier for your guests to plan around their work schedules.
You also want to send your save-the-date announcements earlier than you would for a Saturday wedding. This extra lead time is considerate when your wedding may interrupt regular work schedules. Plan to send your announcement nine to twelve months in advance.
Read More: Why More Couples Are Choosing To Elope And Still Make It Unforgettable
Parking and Hotels
Weekday hotel rates may be less expensive for your guests than weekend rates. You may also be able to negotiate a room block rate that is more cost effective for your guests too. Provide your guests with nearby hotels that are within walking distance to your venue.
For a weekday wedding, Minneapolis downtown parking is a consideration for your guests. You don’t want them to be rushed or hassled to find parking or be surprised by the cost. Provide them with clear information about how meter hours work for on-street parking and event rates in nearby parking ramps.
Late Night Snacks
Serving late night snacks during your wedding reception is popular and usually appreciated by guests. It is also another way to celebrate in a fun and casual way. Go for bite-sized comfort foods like sliders, mini-tacos, or tacos. Or you can go for a specific food bar, like nachos, fries, or popcorn. You can also go in a sweet direction with s’mores, churros, cookies, donut holes, or even ice cream sundaes.
After-party Ideas
When it comes to weekday weddings, you can keep after party plans that are low-key and casual, but continue your celebration beyond the initial ceremony and reception. This can include a visit to a brewery or bar, or maybe a pizza party with a movie or game night at the hotel, or even a karaoke session.
Your Vendor and Logistics Checklist
The logistics for weekday weddings can vary from those on Saturdays. Below is your checklist to help you plan for these variations.
Delivery Windows and Building Access
Your vendor deliveries and load-in times may have different parameters during the workday. Check downtown building loading and delivery rules, which include weekday parking guidelines.
Security and Staffing
Staffing or security on weeknights may differ as well. Check with your venue for staffing and security expectations.
Noise Curfews and Timelines
Some locations have amplified sound rules that have hard stop times. This can be especially true with outdoor venues, but downtown venues can also have sound policies. Check with your venue to understand these rules and plan your wedding timeline to accommodate them.
Seasonality
Winter is also an off-peak season for a wedding, but it can provide a romantic, cozy atmosphere for your big day. There are a few considerations, however, especially for a winter wedding in Minneapolis, where the sun sets early. There are also winter travel considerations and you will want to have a coat check available for winter weather outerwear. When it comes to a winter wedding though, Lumber Exchange in Minneapolis is well-versed in hosting downtown winter events.
How the Lumber Exchange Makes Weekday Weddings Easy
As experts in downtown Minneapolis weddings, the Lumber Exchange is set up to make your wedding a day to remember. The venue offers:
- Getting-ready suites
- Multi-space flips
- An in-house bar
- AV support
Contact the Lumber Exchange to check out weekday availability and get ready to hold your date for your weekday wedding.
FAQs
Do vendors actually discount non-Saturday weddings?
Discounting has no hard and fast rules, but there is often more flexibility with non-Saturday weddings to negotiate pricing. Ask your shortlist about this potential.
How early should we send save-the-dates for a Thursday wedding?
Earlier is better for guest communication for non-Saturday weddings. Nine to twelve months in advance is recommended.
What are realistic weeknight timelines so guests aren’t exhausted?
See the Thursday wedding timeline above.
Are there curfews or sound limits downtown?
There is a noise ordinance in place for downtown Minneapolis that regulates amplified sound, decibel levels, and curfews. Check with your venue or the city website for the rules.
How do parking and hotel blocks work for weeknights?
Check with the city website for street parking restrictions past 6PM and ramp locations near your venue. Also check with your hotel for weekday hotel block rates.
Read more about parking on our FAQ Page!
Is winter a good season for a weekday wedding in Minneapolis?
Yes! The Lumber Exchange is equipped to help you with clear transit guidelines and coat plans.
Read More: Winter Wonderland Weddings Ideas