Friday vs. Sunday wedding (kinda long)

Debbydew

We are having our ceremony and reception at 20th Century theater, and it's going to be like $1500 cheaper to do it on a friday or sunday. Question is...which would be the best for us and our guests.This is what I've thought of so far:Friday pros: guest probably won't have to work the next day, so they can stay later and drink morecons: 6:30 ceremony-people will be traveling to cincy during rush hour after they get off work, may not stay as late since they worked all day, wedding party may have issues taking the day off from work/school to get ready and take pics before ceremonysunday pros: most people won't have issues getting off work or schoolcons: people will have to get up and work the next morning, so they may not stay as late or want to drink as much, ceremony/reception will be earlier, so people may not feel like partying that early, during the school year (october), so kids will have school the next morning.so the questions are:1) can you think of any more pros/cons?2) what would you prefer as the bride?3) what would you prefer as a member of the wedding party?4) what would you prefer as a guest?Thanks guys!

jerobe4

I definitly would do Friday. My friends and I like to have a good time and so I would want the big party where as on a sunday you won't get that. I use to bartend weddings and afternoon weddings and weddings on a work night never seem to last long. People eat, have a couple of drinks and leave. One of my daytime weddings ended 2 hours before it was suppose to. I think you have to decide on what you are going for. If you want a party I would do friday. I think that your bridal party will work it out for you and guests will be okay with it. I have been to a lot of friday weddings and no one seemed to complain. Just a thought

Mrs.Bedwell

Mine is on a Sunday because I thought it would be better for people who work through the week, I wouldn't want to work all day and then go to a wedding after .

Future.Mrs.Shawty

It sounds like you want your reception to be a party. Correct me if I'm wrong. But, if I'm right, Friday would be your only option. Guests will be able to leave work a bit early if they need to in order to make it down in time. Your BP will just have to take a vacation day. My wedding is on a Friday. It is a little more inconvenient than a Saturday wedding, but then again - I have guests THANKING me that I'm not doing my October wedding on a Saturday and interfering with football. LOL

mrs.dilligaf

I was a Friday bride.  I didn't hear a single complaint about it.  Yes, the bridal party had to take a day off of work.  But with enough advance notice, it wasn't a big deal at all.  Most of my OOT guests took the day off and turned it into a weekend- Kings Island, the aquarium, whatever.  They still had Sunday to go back home.  My group were partiers as well.  I knew most of them would go out on a Friday night, so it wasn't a huge deal.  We did push the ceremony to 7, reception started at 8 and ended at midnight.  We still went out afterwards too.  Another pro to a Friday (or Sunday) is that other vendors sometimes offer discounts as well.  If you do a Sunday, they are worn out from the weekend- especially in October. 

Debbydew

Erin, You are right, I definitely want more of party (really the dancing is what I'm looking most forward to!) I didn't even think about the football aspect! I'm not really a fan, but TONS of my guests are.I was leaning towards Friday anyway, but it helps to hear from other Friday brides that it worked well for them!jerobe4, good tip insight from a vendor perspective! I definitely don't want to put out all this effort to have my party end before the sun goes down!Great advice from all, as always!

jenn1981

I have been to several Friday weddings and most ceremonies started at 7. I think that's totally a reasonable time. If it's any earlier it might be hard for some people to show up on time without leaving work early... but I'm sure most would try to make it work.

weaveral

Here's one more vote for Friday. I've been to Sunday weddings, and they're more laid back and short. Nice, but not what it sounds like you want.You'll probably hear some grumbling either way, but just don't let it bother you.

jh2010

I'm a Friday bride, myself. I just think it will give people something extra to look forward to ) Not to mention, everyone I've talked to have said, "That's so smart, I bet you're saving a ton of money."Whatever you decide, consider earlier save the dates (like 9-8 months before)--the more time people have to plan, the less irritated they'll be.

flutepharm87

So, I know that this is a bit of an older thread, but if you haven't yet set a date, try picking a Sunday before a Monday holiday. For example, I'm getting married the Sunday before Labor Day. It's not a super big holiday, so no has complained of missing out on holiday-related functions to attend. Plus, you get the discounts for having the wedding on a Sunday AND your guests have an extra day to relax before heading in to work, like they would on a Saturday. Unless you've chosen your date, it's something to look in to. Memorial Day and Labor Day always fall on a Monday and in 2010, the 4th of July falls on a Sunday, so guests will likely have Monday off of work (if you can pry them away from plans for the 4th).

emierenfeld

My wedding is on a Friday. Yes it's a little inconvenient, but my maid of honor told me she was planning on taking even the day before my wedding off work to help set things up, and my fiance's family is from out of town and want to come down early for a mini-vaca and see the city and help with planning. Your bridal party are your cloest friends/family... I personally wouldn't mind taking off a day of work for my best friend!Plus everyone will leave early on Sundays unless its more of a coctail hour type of thing.