We couldn’t be more thrilled to have one of our very own brides take over the blog today. Meet Allie Stephens. We wish you could really meet her, you’d love her instantly. I mean, just look at her, swinging around in that yellow chair! Allie, you are ADORABLE.

Allie and Garrett chose to have a Monday wedding! And we have found that so many of our couples (unless they happen to have been invited to a weekday wedding before) have no idea that couples DO sometimes choose weekdays for their wedding, for sooooo many different reasons. We have had so many fabulous weekday weddings that feel exactly like a weekend wedding does. When that day is here, no one even thinks about what day of the week it is.

If you’re considering a weekday wedding, reach out to us, we have a rate that is ONLY for Monday through Thursday weddings that will help you have your dream wedding and build your dream vendor team, with tons of savings!!

Here’s Allie as she tells you everything that went into their Monday wedding decision…

Weekday weddings are growing in popularity, but lots are wondering: who gets married on a weekday, anyway? I got married at The Barn at Grace Hill on Monday, 07/25/2022. As we started the wedding planning process, a weekday wedding was an easy decision for my husband and me. Even though a weekday was the best choice for me, I will admit it might not work for everyone. There are pros and cons, and many things to consider. As a weekday wedding bride, here is everything I think you need to know about weekday weddings.

Things to Consider:

Your Guests - Foremost, you need to consider your guests. Create your guest list and think about things like travel, work, and kids. How far will most of your guests be traveling? Will your farthest family and friends have enough travel days? Will they be able to take off work? Can families with kids miss school or find childcare during the week? You know your guests best; think about how a weekday wedding might work for them.

Wedding Size - Consider the ideal size of your wedding. If you want a large wedding, reconsider choosing a weekday. Weekdays are best for smaller weddings, as they may have fewer guests. If you are looking for a more intimate event with close family and friends, then a weekday might be a perfect fit. There are many positives to having a smaller wedding, including less stress, fewer costs, and more individual time to spend with your guests.

Wedding Vibe - Next, consider the vibe you are aiming for. Do you want an extravagant all-night party vibe or a quiet, more relaxed day? Weekday weddings usually start later in the day for people traveling and working. They also don’t go as late since people have to get home and work the next day. You can still have alcohol on a weekday if you wish; however, it is a perfect fit for those wanting a dry wedding.

The Day - Often, Friday is part of the weekend by venues and vendors. That leaves Monday - Thursday as options for a weekday wedding. We opted for Monday so that we could plan things for the weekend prior. Family members could travel on the weekend if needed, and we had extra time to spend with guests before the wedding day. Typically, it is easier for employees to take off at the beginning of the week than at the end of the week. I have heard from many other brides that Thursday is also a popular option.

The Pros:

Saving Money on the Venue - The savings are, of course, one of the biggest pros of a weekday wedding. Wedding venues typically offer much cheaper rates on the weekday compared to the weekend. Just to give you an idea, the basic weekend packages at The Barn at Grace Hill start at $5,500. While their basic weekday rates range from $1500-3000. In case you’re not good at quick math like me, that means you might save $2500-4000 on a venue just by picking a day during the week!

Saving Money on Vendors - Also, lots of wedding vendors, such as photographers, videographers, florists, and caterers, often offer discounts for weekday bookings. Additionally, many things cost less during the week, including flights, hotel rooms, and car rentals. If you have a small budget, this is a great way to save, and your savings can be huge!

Sooner Availability - Since weddings typically fall on the weekend, most venues and vendors book their weekends first. If you want sooner availability with your dream venue or favorite vendors, a weekday is a great way to book with those that are in high demand or already booked out for the year.

The Cons:

Not Everyone Will be There - It is important to set your expectations and understand that a weekday is not the most convenient for many guests. Just like with any wedding, don’t expect everyone to be there. If people can't make it, that’s okay. You don’t need to feel bad if someone can’t make it or if people aren’t happy with the date that you pick. Remember, the people who care about being there will make time for your day and will be there no matter what.

Not Everyone Will Like It - If you are a bride, you are probably already aware that people love to give unsolicited advice and opinions about weddings. Not everyone may understand or like that you are choosing a weekday. Some people may think it’s rude or inconvenient to plan an event during the week. Be prepared for a little backlash, but don’t forget, it’s your day and your decision.

Allie’s Advice:

Check With Important People - Since a weekday wedding isn’t the norm, I would suggest making sure that everyone you want to be there can make it work. Send a few texts out and ask around to make sure your most important people can make it on a weekday. Check with your close family, friends, and wedding party.

Heads Up - Once you have picked a date, I would suggest giving your guests a heads-up as soon as possible. Most people will assume your wedding will land on a weekend, so letting everyone know will help them prepare. Make sure your most important people know so they can be sure to take off work or plan arrangements. I would also suggest specifically telling any older people that your wedding is in fact on a weekday, so they are not confused when they see that your date falls during the week.

Go For It - I loved getting married on a Monday. If I were to do it all again, I would not pick another day. The money we saved paid for our honeymoon. All the important people we wanted to share our day with made it work. We had a beautiful wedding that did not break the bank. We were able to book all the vendors that we loved. Our Monday wedding could not have been more perfect. If you have made it this far reading and are still leaning towards a weekday wedding, then my last piece of advice would be to go for it!