Thoughts on Friday night wedding?

Ehh. I mean, isn't that kind of what PTO is for? Plus, every wedding I've been to that was OOT, I ended up taking off time anyways, so what's a couple more hours when you add on the time you already are taking off...

And OOT guests generally only go to weddings that mean a lot to them, so they would be fine taking the time off.

It's a little annoying because most people work all day, have kids to get after work, and then rush home to change and be on time. However I would probably request a half day at work. Just give enough notice and have a later start time so people have time to get home and so on.

I agree that this is the new norm for folks. the difference for our venue was 2k from Friday to Saturday:0

Uhh Right, I was just pointing out the inconvenience. I can see you feel strongly about this since yours is on a Friday. Yes, that is what PTO is for. Some people don't get PTO, so it means missing pay. No one (thus far) said anything horrible against it, just pointing out the guests point of view in regards to OP's question.

And as you pointed out, if the guests is close enough to the couple, they likely wont care to use their PTO/miss pay.

ETA: I had guests who had to request off Saturday because they work in food service. So I guess you cant please everyone! lol.

Our wedding is on a Friday (Swin = date twin!!!) at 6:00. The majority of the people coming are from out of town, so would have needed to take the day off anyway. For those that are in town, we chose 6:00 to be after the standard work hours. The only challenge will be fighting rush hour traffic to get to the ceremony. If they're late, we're still starting at 6:00.

I wouldn't decline a friday wedding. If its people that I consider friends and family I would do my best to be there. I understand time off is hard to come by these days and that could impact people's decision but generally people will come!

Honestly I think if someone wants to be there for your special day they will no matter what day it is. You can't please everyone so do what you feel works best for you and your FH

Our wedding is a Friday at 5pm. I sent out STD last month just to give everyone a heads up, now we are only inviting our closest friends and family and we've also included children. But we wanted it to be as convenient as possible for those we wanted to attend, we also have two younger children so opening up the wedding to our friends children only seemed right to us. We've also let everyone know that we've reserved a block of hotels rooms (most people are traveling 1-2 hours) this way if they didn't want to bring their kids they could also use it as a date night/ get away. We did want a Saturday but we literally took the last opening our venue had for the year.

I think that's why STDs have become more popular. More and more people are getting married on Friday night or Sunday versus the traditional Saturday night. In my case it is a Thursday! We will send out STDs about 8 months ahead of time. Yes, some people will need to take off work (assuming everyone works a traditional M-F), but your nearest and dearest probably won't mind and they get a long weekend.

Some people will say you can't tell people how to use their PTO. Nope, you can't. And those people can stay home. OP, you just have to be ok with the possibility of declines before you book this date.

We're having a Friday wedding and only had one (not close) invitee decline. I think it's fine.

Now, the MONDAY wedding we attended last year... THAT was a pain. Nothing like going back to work on Tuesday morning after a night of partying it up on Monday.

Our wedding is a Friday night at 7pm. If by travel, you mean they're out of town guests, I don't think it makes too much of a difference. If you just mean they are traveling an hour or two, it may be more of an inconvenience. We decided to do ours at 7pm so hopefully most people won't have to take the whole day off of work- or even leave early.

I got married on a Friday and it was great! We had a few declines but they would have been declines if it was on a Saturday too. We made sure our close family and friends, including bridal party, had enough notice beforehand to schedule time off (a year and a half in advance). After, our guests were so happy they had both Saturday and Sunday to rest up from the wedding and enjoy their weekend! I would definitely say go for it ... especially if you're receiving a considerable discount!

Ours is on a Friday. Sure, Saturday's are generally more convenient for your guests. But at some point you do also have to do what works for you as a couple. For us, since we were paying for 95% of the expenses, a Friday wedding won due to the savings. We understand that some people might not be able to make it. Or just might not WANT to make it. But that's also life, not everyone can go to everything every time they're invited. We sent out STDs with almost 10 months notice to help.

Congrats on the engagement! We are having a Friday wedding- because that is what works for us. Money wise its cheaper. FH's family is in town from the UK and we are waiting to take our honeymoon so it gives us more time with family.

Remember, it's your wedding. people will have opinions (good or bad) whatever day it is. Happy planning!

Caitlin - sorry that couple didn't make it convenient for the two of you to go to their wedding.

And what exactly is going above and beyond to thank the guests besides offering them free food, alcohol and entertainment? Curious. Like, what would you do?

I seriously considered a Friday or Sunday wedding. I decided against it because we will have a lot of out-of-town guests. As a guest, personally, I'd make it work! but I can't say the same for everyone else. Especially those who work.

I seriously considered a Friday or Sunday wedding. I decided against it because we will have a lot of out-of-town guests. As a guest, personally, I'd make it work! but I can't say the same for everyone else. Especially those who work.

Mine is on a Wednesday but my family and friends are travelling over from Ireland so makes no difference to them.

Go with Friday if it suits your budget better. You might get a couple of declines which you can understand

I think all your Really Important People will make the effort, and if your acquaintances and former-bestie-but-you've-drifted-apart don't, is it really so bad?

As a guest or member of the wedding party, I would definitely prefer a Saturday, but Friday's are still acceptable to me. Sunday's or any other weekday I strongly dislike and would possibly decline an invite to.

Friday is pretty norm now (mine included). Most of my guest are not Monday to Friday employees so they would have to take off work to attend a Saturday wedding regardless. Also we are having a small-ish wedding (75 guest) of close friends and family so we knew they wouldn't mind. I would personally take off work for a wedding of anyone I consider close to me.