“Marry on Monday for health,
Tuesday for wealth,
Wednesday the best day of all,
Thursday for crosses,
Friday for losses,
and Saturday for no luck at all.”
I’ve always been a huge Princess Diana fan, and have a distinct recollection that I was glued to the television for her royal wedding to Charles on a Wednesday. “Why Wednesday?”, I remember questioning, and was told, because that’s traditionally the day to be wed! I thought about that recently, and set about doing a little research, and sure enough, in olden times weddings were always held during the week, with Wednesday being the most popular day to be wed. As this old folk rhyme states, Wednesday was the best day of all! For convenience of guests and to accommodate travel, weddings eventually got pushed to the weekends, with Saturday becoming the most popular day. But if the recent pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that to pivot and try doing things a whole new way can sometimes land great results! {Hello outdoor dining!} With wedding postponements and reschedules still trying to work themselves out, Saturday nights can get a little scarce. But if you’re willing to think outside the box and do things a little differently, a weekday wedding might just be for you. And there are some pretty big pluses to doing so!
1. Easier on the budget
First, and foremost, a weekday wedding can be easier on your overall budget. If you’re looking for a way to have a wedding with all the trimmings, but still not break the bank, consider a weekday, or even a Sunday! Many vendors are willing and able to offer better pricing options for dates that are off-peak. Venues, in particular, which tend to be the largest wedding expense, sometimes offer deep discounts for dates that are not Saturday. It’s worth asking and keeping an open mind. There may even be money left over to add a few splurge items that you didn’t think were possible!
2. Your dream venue will be more likely to be available
We look at our booking calendar as our inventory, and we have a finite supply of only 52 Saturday nights available in any given year. In New Orleans, we tend to take out months for unbearable heat and the possibility of hurricanes {I’m looking at you, July and August} and tend to book events when the weather is cooler, and more tolerable. Therefore New Orleans event season gets compressed into the spring and fall and venues fill up fast. Opening yourself up to a weekday wedding adds a lot more available days back into the mix. Thus, if you have your heart set on a particular venue, the likelihood that it will be available on a weekday becomes much greater.
3. Your dream team could also be there for you
Just like for your venue, the same concept of limited inventory applies to every vendor you are considering! So considering a weekday celebration makes assembling your dream team much more do-able! Just like your F.R.I.E.N.D.S, your dream team could be there for you.
4. New Orleans is an amazing destination – enjoy the whole week!
I know what you’re thinking … “But if I have my wedding on a weekday, won’t that impact people’s work schedule?” Consider that New Orleans is one of the most sought after vacation destinations in the U.S. If you choose New Orleans for your wedding, particularly a destination wedding, you will not have trouble convincing people to take time off work to attend. We have experienced this with our own wedding (nearly 100% of our 350 invitees attended), and we’ve seen it with our client destination weddings. Your guests will love coming to New Orleans for your wedding, and will stay extra days to enjoy the city either before, or after the wedding, no matter which day its on.
5. More intimate group of attendees
But do be considerate of others’ work schedules. If you are considering a weekday wedding, it is important to let the folks that are going to make your guest list know well in advance. Send out those Save-the-Dates early so that the 9 to 5’ers on your guest list can plan ahead. Just remember that if not everyone in your life can take off work to attend a weekday wedding, the resulting guest list will be your most intimate group of family and friends. And in the end, isn’t that what matters most?
Oh, and just for the record, a really cool anniversary date is coming up next year, so here’s a head’s up! February 2, or 2.2.22 is a Wednesday … be the first to snag it! Inquire about this date, or any wedding date by filling in the form below!