Is a Monday wedding a bad idea?

Honestly, depending on your crowd, a Monday wedding in October seems hard and if you go with that, I'd be prepared for a lot of declines -- and please accept them graciously.... (Many people may not be able or choose to take an extended vacation in October.) We had a family member with a Friday wedding that was a 3000 mile trip for 85-90% of the guest list, in mid-October. It was incredibly inconvenient, and what made things much worse was that the bride and MOB heavily guilt-tripped anyone who declined. The Friday date required that I miss two days of work due to the destination, at a time of year when it is very difficult to take time off at my job. Based on our costs, I did a quick estimate, and the OOT guests easily spent more than $75,000 on travel to attend their destination wedding. As you can tell, I'm still pretty bitter. (And, kind of enjoyed the irony when said bride just declined daughter's upcoming wedding because "working out the travel is really difficult...." We're fine with them not coming, but I thought their response was funny given how demanding they were about people attending theirs; hopefully, it wasn't lost on her and she finally understands. Good luck to you.

View Quoted Comment Totally understand some would choose not to come on a Monday and that’s a trade off of a Monday. Personally I’d never guilt someone for not coming unless they’re in the wedding lol and I’ve already cleared it with them. With a destination you expect a portion of people to not make the trip and should be okay with that or else don’t do a destination

A Monday in October would likely be equally as difficult for people with kids as school is in session so the kids would have to miss at least 2 days of school for them to attend.

This is absolutely a know your crowd kind of thing, but weekday weddings are typically a no go for me unless it’s a Friday and the ceremony starts at 6 at the earliest.

I would go with the Saturday! Also, unrelated but if you’re having a Florida wedding in October, make sure you have wedding insurance and/or a backup plan in case of hurricanes!

I would say depending on you and your party if your going to do a Monday I would consider the summer just for school and kids. I had to do a ay day because that was the only day the Venue was available in such short time.

Honestly I don’t think a lot of people would be able to make it for a Monday wedding.

I think so— it’s inconvenient for guests as it absolutely requires 2 days off work. Of course with a destination not everyone will be able to make it and you’ll have to make some concessions, but I still think it’s worthwhile to try to do what you can to make things easier on people. If one of the issues with that Saturday date is the start of the school year, having it on a Monday later in the school year definitely doesn’t solve that particular issue— those same people will still be unlikely to attend.

But, work from the most important people— compile a list of who you can’t imagine your day without, and consult with them. If it’s not a big deal for them, that’s a good starting point.

If you must have that venue, I'd wait until they are available for a Saturday or at least a Friday. You mentioned the earlier date, but what about later? November or December? If that's not possible, I'd sooner find a different venue then ask my guests to take off all that extra time.

I can see a Monday wedding to be inconvenient to guests. Especially if they plan on heavily drinking and have to take the Tuesday off if they have a hangover.

I've been to a Monday destination wedding and it was definitely inconvenient. The only reason I made it to that one was because I was younger with no kids / less responsibilities job-wise. But I probably would not be able to make a Monday wedding, especially a destination one.

It is hard enough to get guests to come to a destination wedding without adding more hardship. I would try to have it on a more convenient day like Saturday. You will probably have more guests be able to come that way .

Yes, a Monday wedding is a bad idea. Very inconvenient for all of your guests. Id do the Saturday, or maybe a Thursday? Still inconvenient, but much better than a Monday.

For a destination wedding, yes. We usually fly in Friday evening for Saturday weddings and leave Sunday. Ideally, we take no time off work or just a half day Friday. We probably wouldn't attend a wedding if it required 2 days off work unless it was someone really close to us.

This could just be me, but I think you get to pick one inconvenience for your guests. A weekday wedding and a destination wedding are two. If you're super set on the venue, I'd say go for the earlier date. The stress of traveling for a Monday outweighs the stress of the weekend before school starts.
(This coming from someone who 100% plans on getting married on a Tuesday lol)

We had a destination wedding in Florida and it was extremely important to us to have it on a Saturday so that if people couldn't take off of work, they could still come. I could see doing a Friday or Sunday out of necessity, but it's a lot to ask guests to travel to Florida for a weekday wedding. I think when you have a destination wedding, you have to be extra considerate to and generous toward your guests and having a Monday wedding, to me, is pretty selfish. If I were you I'd push it back to the following year or find a venue that has dates available.

Also out of curiosity -- where are you planning on having your wedding?

We are getting married the Monday after thanksgiving because it’s a day that is very special to us

i can understand people saying they wouldn’t attend but people will find a problem with your date if that is their prerogative regardless of what you do

i honestly think it looks like everyone we are inviting is coming so I would say you know your crowd but how much do you care about people who don’t feel you are important enough to inconvenience them so you can have your dream venue?

me? Not a bit

and like every family has school age children that will miss school after already being out for a holiday...

they are choosing to make it work because cause they actually love and support us and wouldn’t miss it if I wanted to get married in China probably lol

We had a DW on a Monday and it worked out great! I think it depends on your guests. Our wedding was in Vegas (so maybe a little different) most of our friends with kids left their kids at home as they were looking forward to a kid free vacation! I would ask everyone their honest opinions. Ours happen to also be on Columbus Day so some of our friends already had the day off. I have always been really honest with our friends and vice versa and no one had an issue. The declines we got we would have had anyways and actually we were shocked at how many people wanted to come!

If most of your guests are in Michigan, you really should consider the Saturday wedding.

We had a Monday DW but only with 15 guests, most of whom are retired family members. Before we booked our venue/date, we checked to make sure all 15 guests would go--everyone said yes.

Unrelated but what is your Venue? I'm getting married in Key Largo Now to your actual question. I don't think having a Monday wedding is fair with a guest list that is mostly out oft owners. Not everyone will be able to take the time off of work. I'd go with the earlier date that is available but as someone mentioned get wedding insurance, October is right in the middle of Hurricane season, and a warning, its still VERY hot outside in October so I'd plan to tent and air condition or maybe you found a place that has a ballroom you intend to use.

I am having a Monday destination wedding because all the weekend dates were booked unless I wanted to wait another year. Flights are cheaper for the guests, since they don’t have to fly on a Friday and a Sunday. Most people make a mini vacation out of it anyway and spend more time since they are booking airfare. People could fly in on Saturday and leave Tuesday. My guests didn’t complain, and so far, they are flying in on Friday and leaving Tuesday.

It’s very raining and hot in Florida in October (I live here).

I don't think any date for any wedding is a bad idea. I think some dates might make it challenging for some guests to attend, but ultimately it's up to you and your FH what y'all want for your day and when you want/when it can be held. Yes a Monday might be difficult for some, but not for all and you're simply never going to please everyone. Do what you both and your families can accommodate and go from there. We could have probably done a weekday wedding since most of our friends and family work odd days but we chose a Saturday out of tradition, you do what is best for your day. Happy Planning!