3 GREAT REASONS TO HAVE A WEEKDAY WEDDING

Saturday has long been "the" day of the week to host a wedding. According to The Knot, 70% of weddings take place on a Saturday, and it makes sense: Most guests will already have the weekend off, and it allows ample buffer time for travel if they're coming from out of town.

The downside to such a popular event time is that Saturday weddings, especially Saturday evenings, are invariably the most expensive. To combat this, many modern couples are opting for Friday evening and Sunday afternoon celebrations. But a weekday wedding is also a possibility, and going this route can help you save even more on your big day.

Of course, a weekday wedding isn't right for every couple, but if you're considering it, here are a few good reasons to host your celebration on Monday through Thursday.

1. You can get your dream venue for cheaper.

Many couples have fallen in love with a venue only to find out that many weekend dates have already been booked up. If you're open to a Monday through Thursday evening celebration, your dream venue is almost guaranteed to be available. After all, there's a lot less competition for weeknight weddings.

Even if the venue is available on a convenient weekend, you stand to save a lot of money by hosting your wedding during the week. Most venue charge significantly less for weekday events since they're never as busy as they are on weekends. The venue may even make special accommodations for you, like discounted add-ons or upgrades. With the average cost of a New Jersey wedding sitting at more than $60,000, this could make a huge difference in your budget.

2. Vendors are much more available during the week, too.

By the same token, other wedding vendors like photographers, videographers, DJs, florists, limos, bakers, and more might offer better pricing if you book them on a weeknight. Like venues, event professionals are busiest on weekends, so they're often happy to accommodate clients who book them on a night they wouldn't normally be working. For example, at Hurricane Productions, we offer a generous 10% discount for all weekday wedding services.

3. Your wedding can be small and intimate by design.

The biggest fear many couples have about hosting a wedding during the week is that nobody will show up. It's true that a "work night" (or school night, for the kids) is a harder sell for many people, especially if they need to travel from out of town. But this actually might be an advantage: Weekday weddings are ideal for couples who want a low-key celebration surrounded by a small group of their closest friends and family members.

Many couples feel pressured to invite coworkers, distant relatives, childhood friends, and other people they aren't that close with anymore -- and if you do invite those people to a Saturday wedding, they're more likely to show up (because who doesn't love going to a wedding?).

Every additional plate brings your wedding cost up, but it can be hard to pare down your guest list. Instead of outright telling them you can't afford to invite them, you might feel more comfortable telling those "fringe" individuals (who may or may not be expecting a wedding invitation) that you've chosen to have a small, weekday wedding with a select few special people in your life.

The other thing to remember is that the most important people in your life would do their best to be there, no matter what day of the week you have your wedding. Your parents, siblings, grandparents, best friends, and close relatives love you and want to witness one of the most important moments of your life. Chances are, most of them won't mind taking a day off from work or making accommodations to attend your wedding.

Should I host a weekday wedding?

The answer to this question depends on what you're envisioning for your wedding day. If you and your fiance want a small, intimate celebration and most of your friends and family are local anyway, there's no reason not to consider a weekday evening for your celebration.

Everything from your venue and vendors to your transportation and travel accommodations will be more affordable during the week. Sure, you might get a few more "no's" than if you'd had a Saturday or Sunday wedding, but the money you'll save is well worth it.

Still sold on a Friday or Sunday wedding? Save 10% on our service packages for select dates! Check out our last-minute savings page for availability, or request a custom quote.

For more advice on your wedding, check out our full blog at HurricaneProductions.com.