Plan A Midweek Wedding For Substantial Savings

Ten years ago, the idea of planning a weekday wedding was unthinkable. Today, due in large part to the substantial savings involved, it has become not only commonplace, but has spurred another wedding industry trend.

The concept of midweek weddings always has been a part of European tradition, and Manhattan society picked up on it at least two decades ago. The custom has slowly made it's way throughout the country.

For Stephanie Alswang and her husband, photographers in Livingston, New Jersey, it was a second marriage for both of them. They wanted to celebrate grandly, but cost was a major consideration. Additionally, since weekends were their busiest times, with weddings and other family celebrations that require photography, a personal weekend wedding was virtually impossible.

The Alswangs represent the thousands of couples a year who are opting for weeknight weddings. During the week, couples are able to enjoy the elegance of every weekend amenity, every desired extra, at considerably lower pricing. The cocktail hour and dinner menus are usually the same, the white glove service is the same, and, of course, the facilities are the same. Only the payment amount is different.

By opting for a Thursday "or any weekday" wedding date opens a world of possibilities for couples and parents who are planning an affair. For the majority of couples who announce engagements a year or even two years before a wedding, weekend dates at well-known facilities throughout the major metropolitan areas are already reserved, especially during the high-volume months of April through November.

If the bride and groom and their respective families are flexible, they can save themselves a lot of legwork and phone work, and will not need to settle for vendor alternatives. For a weeknight wedding, they have a strong chance of obtaining their first-choice musicians and others who can fulfill their wedding dreams. It all falls into place.

Midweek also works well for couples who want weddings with all the trimmings soon after becoming engaged, and cannot book a weekend easily. Thursdays are usually available within four to six months and off-season midweek weddings are even more cost-effective.

For those getting married, and for those attending, a weeknight wedding can add spark to a normal workaday week. Generally, most invitees know about the date far enough in advance to work out their personal schedules. If they want to be there, they will. And once the festivities begin, bridal parties and guests are aware only of the elegant surroundings, and they don't think about what day of the week it is.

When the Alswangs sent out their engagement announcements, they included a "save the date" segment. Their friends and family knew well ahead of time that they were getting married on a Thursday, and were able to arrange to travel earlier or to arrange to leave work early, if necessary. There wasn't anyone who could not come because of the date. In fact, many of them were happy to start the weekend as early as Wednesday, and they combined the wedding with other vacation plans. It also allowed the newlyweds to use Friday for tying up loose ends before leaving on their honeymoon the next day.

This article originally appeared here.