Weddings are expensive.

There.

I said it. 😂

And once you start requesting actual quotes instead of looking at Pinterest inspiration, you may have a moment that goes something like:

"WAIT...HOW MUCH?!"

Suddenly you're calculating whether anyone will REALLY notice if you don't have charger plates.

Wedding budgets can add up incredibly quickly.

Venue.

Photography.

Videography.

Food.

Bar.

Flowers.

DJ.

Dress.

Suit.

Hair and makeup.

Cake.

Decorations.

Transportation.

Invitations.

And approximately 900 other tiny expenses you didn't know existed until you got engaged.

So naturally, couples are looking for ways to make their wedding budgets stretch further.

One option that's becoming increasingly popular?

Getting married on a weekday.

But can choosing a Thursday or Friday instead of Saturday actually save you money?

Potentially...

YES.

But it's a little more complicated than simply moving your wedding one day earlier.

Let's talk about where you might save, where you probably won't and how to figure out whether a weekday wedding actually makes financial sense for YOU.

Why Would a Weekday Wedding Cost Less?

It basically comes down to supply and demand.

Saturdays are traditionally the most popular wedding dates.

Especially during peak wedding season.

There are only so many Saturdays between May and October.

And there are a LOT of couples trying to get married during that same period.

Because demand is higher, venues and wedding vendors don't necessarily need to offer incentives to fill those dates.

Thursday?

Friday?

Sunday?

That's a different story.

Some wedding businesses offer special weekday pricing or packages to encourage couples to choose dates that aren't as likely to book.

That doesn't meanevery vendor will give you a discount.

But enough businesses structure their pricing this way that it's absolutely worth investigating.

1. Your Venue Could Be Your Biggest Opportunity to Save

If you're trying to determine whether a weekday wedding could save you money, start with your venue.

The venue is often one of the largest expenses in a wedding budget.

Some Minnesota wedding venues have different pricing depending on the day of the week.

For example, you might find:

• Lower Thursday rental rates

• Lower Friday rental rates

• Reduced food and beverage minimums

• Different weekday packages

• Additional hours included

• Complimentary upgrades

• Lower ceremony fees

• More flexible package options

Notice I keep sayingmight.

That's intentional.

Every venue is different.

But if your favorite venue charges significantly less on Friday than Saturday, that's potentially hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars back into your wedding budget.

2. Thursday May Save More Than Friday

If your main motivation is saving money, don't stop at Friday.

Ask about Thursday too.

Friday weddings are becoming more popular, so some venues treat Fridays almost like Saturdays when it comes to pricing.

Thursday may still be considered a true weekday.

That means the difference between:

Saturday → Friday

might be relatively small.

While:

Saturday → Thursday

could potentially be much larger.

Again, this completely depends on the venue.

That's why I recommend asking for pricing for ALL THREE days before choosing your date.

3. Your Photographer or Videographer May Offer Weekday Pricing

Photographers and videographers often book Saturdays far in advance.

Weekdays typically have more availability.

Some photographers charge exactly the same rate regardless of the day.

Others offer weekday discounts.

And some may create special packages for off-peak dates.

AtT Hughes Weddings, we offer special discounts forSunday–Friday wedding dates.

Our wedding photography and videography packages currentlystart at $3,000 before applicable discounts.

So yes...

In our case, moving your wedding away from Saturday can actually save you money.

And if you were debating whether you could afford both photography AND videography, those savings could potentially help make the package you really want more achievable.

4. Your DJ or Entertainment May Cost Less

Your reception entertainment is another category worth asking about.

Some DJs and entertainment companies offer different rates for weekday weddings.

Others don't.

But even if the price isn't dramatically different, you may have access to more packages or more available DJs.

And that brings us to something important:

Saving money isn't the ONLY financial advantage of a weekday wedding.

Sometimes it's about getting more value for your budget.

5. More Availability Can Keep You From Overspending

Imagine this:

You've budgeted $3,000 for a specific wedding service.

You find someone you LOVE who fits your budget.

But they're already booked for your Saturday.

The next available vendor whose work you like charges $4,000.

Now you're either settling for someone you don't really want...

or increasing your budget by $1,000.

That's not technically a "Saturday fee."

But Saturday availability indirectly cost you more.

A weekday wedding can give you a larger pool of available vendors.

That gives you more freedom to choose someone who fits BOTH your style and your budget.

6. Catering Costs May Change—But Ask About Minimums

This one is going to vary significantly.

Your caterer may charge the same amount per person whether your wedding is Thursday or Saturday.

After all...

A steak doesn't know what day it is. 😂

But what CAN change is the minimum spending requirement.

A venue or caterer may require a higher food and beverage minimum for Saturday evenings.

Weekdays may have lower minimums.

That's particularly valuable if you're planning a smaller wedding.

Let's say you're inviting 75 people but the Saturday package requires a minimum designed around a much larger event.

You could end up paying for food or beverages you don't actually need just to meet the minimum.

A weekday package may fit your guest count much better.

7. Your Bar Costs Probably Depend More on Your Guests

Don't assume your alcohol will magically become cheaper because it's Friday. 😂

If your venue charges per drink or per person, the pricing may be exactly the same.

But weekday weddings sometimes have different guest behavior.

For example, at a Thursday wedding, guests who have to work Friday may drink less or leave earlier.

That COULD reduce costs if you're paying based on consumption.

But I wouldn't build your wedding budget around that assumption.

Your friends may see an open bar and completely destroy that theory. 😂

8. Florists May or May Not Offer Weekday Pricing

Flowers are another category where the actual materials cost what they cost.

Your florist still needs to purchase the flowers.

Design the arrangements.

Transport them.

Set everything up.

And potentially return afterward.

So don't assume florals will automatically be cheaper.

However, a weekday may give you more florist availability.

And as we talked about earlier,having more choices can help you stay within budget.

9. Hair and Makeup May Have Different Minimums

Hair and makeup artists sometimes have weekend minimums.

For example, they may require a certain number of services before they'll travel to a wedding on a Saturday.

On a weekday, their minimums could potentially be different.

This is especially helpful if you have a smaller wedding party.

Again:

Ask.

Don't assume.

10. Transportation Could Potentially Cost Less

If you're hiring:

A limo.

Party bus.

Guest shuttle.

Classic car.

Or other transportation...

Ask whether weekday pricing is available.

Transportation companies may be significantly busier Friday and Saturday evenings than they are on Thursdays.

Depending on the company and season, that could create another opportunity for savings.

11. Hotels Can Be Either Cheaper OR More Expensive

This one surprises people.

You might assume weekday hotel rooms are always cheaper.

Not necessarily.

A hotel near a major business district could actually be MORE expensive during the week because of business travelers.

A resort may be cheaper.

A hotel near a convention center may have a conference happening.

A downtown hotel could have an event nearby.

Hotel prices depend heavily on location and demand.

So if you have a lot of traveling guests, check hotel rates before committing to the date.

12. You May Naturally Have a Smaller Guest List

This one can potentially create BIG savings.

Not everyone will be able to attend a weekday wedding.

That can be a downside.

But...

Depending on your priorities, it can also be a benefit.

Let's say your Saturday guest list would be:

175 people.

But your weekday wedding ends up with:

125 people.

That's 50 fewer:

Meals.

Drinks.

Chairs.

Place settings.

Favors.

Invitations.

Desserts.

Centerpieces.

Potentially even fewer tables and rentals.

When you're paying per person, reducing your guest count can make a HUGE difference.

I'm not suggesting choosing a weekday specifically so people can't come. 😂

But if you already prefer a smaller wedding, it may naturally help keep your guest list more intimate.

13. Your Rehearsal Dinner Could Be Different Too

Here's another sneaky wedding expense.

The rehearsal dinner.

If your wedding is Saturday, your rehearsal dinner is probably Friday night.

And Friday night is a busy time for restaurants.

But if you're having a Friday wedding?

Your rehearsal may be Thursday.

Thursday restaurant reservations may be easier to get.

And if you're having a Thursday wedding, you could rehearse Wednesday.

Some restaurants or event spaces may have more availability on those evenings.

Again, it may not always be cheaper.

But you'll probably have more options.

14. You Might Save Money on Your Honeymoon

This isn't technically part of your wedding...

But it still comes out of somebody's bank account. 😂

A weekday wedding gives you more flexibility when choosing when to leave for your honeymoon.

Instead of:

Saturday wedding → Sunday flight

You could do:

Thursday wedding → Saturday flight

Or:

Friday wedding → Monday flight

Depending on your destination, changing your travel dates can sometimes affect airfare and hotel costs.

It also gives you a recovery day before traveling.

Which, after a wedding?

HIGHLY underrated.

15. Weekday + Winter Could Equal Even More Savings

Okay...

Now we're combining strategies. 😂

Some wedding businesses offer weekday discounts.

Some offer winter discounts.

So what happens if you choose:

A Friday in January?

Or:

A Thursday in February?

You may find significantly more availability AND potentially better pricing.

This is especially worth considering if you're more focused on:

Your dream venue.

Your favorite vendors.

Beautiful photographs.

A great experience.

And staying within your budget...

than you are about having a traditional Saturday wedding in June.

AtT Hughes Weddings, we offer special discounts for bothSunday–Friday weddings AND winter wedding dates, so if you're considering both, definitely mention it when you inquire.

What Probably WON'T Get Cheaper?

This is important.

Not everything will cost less simply because you choose Thursday.

You may still pay the same amount for:

Your wedding dress.

Suit or tuxedo.

Wedding rings.

Invitations.

Marriage license.

Cake.

Decorations.

Flowers.

Wedding favors.

Certain rentals.

Some vendors.

And that's okay.

You don't need EVERY category to get cheaper for a weekday wedding to make financial sense.

If changing your date saves you money on two or three of your largest expenses, that alone could make a significant difference.

How Much Can You Actually Save With a Weekday Wedding?

This is where I'd LOVE to give you a magic number.

Something like:

"A weekday wedding will save you exactly $7,432!"

Wouldn't that make planning easier? 😂

Unfortunately, there's no universal amount.

Your savings depend on:

Your venue.

Wedding date.

Season.

Guest count.

Location.

Vendors.

Packages.

And what your wedding actually includes.

The best way to figure it out is surprisingly simple.

Do the Saturday vs. Weekday Test

Before signing contracts, create two versions of your wedding budget.

OPTION A: Saturday Wedding

Get pricing from your favorite:

Venue.

Photographer/videographer.

DJ.

Caterer.

Florist.

Hair and makeup team.

Transportation.

Rental company.

Hotel.

OPTION B: Friday Wedding

Ask those SAME businesses what changes if you choose Friday.

Then, if you're open to it...

OPTION C: Thursday Wedding

Do the same thing again.

Now compare.

Not only:

What's the final price?

But also:

What do I get for that price?

Maybe Thursday isn't dramatically cheaper, but you get your dream venue AND your favorite photographer.

That still has value.

What Should You Do With the Money You Save?

Whatever you want.

Seriously.

You do NOT have to spend it somewhere else.

If moving your wedding to Friday saves $4,000, you're allowed to simply...

have $4,000.😂

Wedding planning has this weird way of making couples think every dollar they save needs to immediately be reassigned.

"We saved $800 on the venue, so let's buy an $800 champagne wall!"

OR...

Hear me out...

Keep the $800. 😂

But if you DO want to reallocate the savings, put it toward something you actually care about.

Maybe that's:

Photography + videography.

Your honeymoon.

An album.

A photo booth.

Better food.

More photography coverage.

A live band.

Your dream dress.

A really cool guest experience.

Or even a down payment on a house.

Your priorities matter more than wedding traditions.

Don't Choose a Weekday ONLY Because It's Cheaper

Just like winter weddings, weekday weddings aren't right for everyone.

If your absolute #1 priority is having every extended family member and friend attend, Saturday may still be the best choice.

If most of your guests work traditional Monday–Friday jobs and are traveling several hours?

Thursday may be difficult.

That's okay.

Saving money isn't worth creating a wedding you don't actually want.

The goal isn't:

Have the cheapest wedding possible.

It's:

Spend your wedding budget intentionally.

Those are two very different things.

Is a Weekday Wedding Worth It?

For the right couple?

Absolutely.

Especially if you're flexible about your date.

A weekday wedding may give you:

🤍 More venue availability

🤍 More vendor choices

🤍 Potential venue savings

🤍 Potential vendor discounts

🤍 Lower minimums with some businesses

🤍 A more intimate guest list

🤍 More flexibility with your wedding budget

🤍 The ability to book vendors you actually LOVE

And if you're considering Friday?

You still have the entire weekend afterward.

Which might be my favorite part.

Get married Friday.

Party.

Wake up Saturday.

Order room service.

Look at your sneak peeks approximately 4,000 times.

Realize you don't have to go to work tomorrow.

That's a pretty solid weekend. 😂

Planning a Weekday Wedding in Minnesota?

Before automatically booking the Saturday date,compare your options.

Ask your venue what Thursday and Friday cost.

Ask your favorite vendors whether they offer weekday pricing.

Then decide whether having the wordSaturdayon your invitation is actually worth the difference.

AtT Hughes Weddings, wedding photography and videography packages currentlystart at $3,000, and we offerspecial discounts for Sunday–Friday weddings.

We also offer special discounts forwinter wedding dates, so couples considering a weekday winter wedding should definitely ask what's available.

And once your date is chosen, we'll help with more than simply showing up with cameras.

We'll help you create a photography-friendly timeline, plan around sunset, decide whether a first look makes sense and make sure you have time for gorgeous portraitswithout missing your actual wedding.

Because whether you spend $10,000, $30,000 or $100,000 on your wedding...

you deserve to actually experience it.

And decades from now?

Nobody looking through your wedding album is going to care whether you got married on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

They're going to care about the people in those photographs.

Thinking about a weekday wedding? Contact T Hughes Weddings to check your date and see what weekday options are available.🤍📸