We're getting married next spring and realized Friday or Thursday weddings are way cheaper. Most of our guests work normal jobs though, so I'm worried people won't show up or will be annoyed about taking time off. Has anyone done this and how did guests react?
It's not weird at all anymore. Weekday weddings have become pretty normal, especially with how expensive Saturday slots got. Yeah, some guests might need to take time off, but most people understand that and will make it work if they care about being there. The ones who don't show because of a Friday? They probably weren't planning to travel anyway or had other priorities. You're unlikely to get genuine anger over the day itself.
The key is giving people plenty of notice - like, way more than you would for a Saturday wedding. Get those save-the-dates out early so folks can request time off work without scrambling. A lot of people actually prefer it because they can take Friday or Thursday off, enjoy the weekend after to recover, and don't have to rush back Sunday night. Your close family and real friends will adjust.
One thing that helps: keep the logistics simple. Maybe skip the huge rehearsal dinner the night before, or do it casual. Some couples do Friday afternoon ceremonies so people can leave work early instead of taking the whole day. Bottom line is your budget matters too, and if a weekday saves you thousands, that's money better spent on an actual nice event than on just having the "right" day.
People do this all the time now and most guests expect it. The cost difference is real - you're probably looking at hundreds saved just on venue rental. Your concern about attendance is valid but manageable if you give plenty of notice. Most folks take a long weekend or half day without too much fuss, especially if they care enough to come in the first place.
Here's what actually helps: schedule it late afternoon instead of morning. Think 4 or 5pm start time. This way people can leave work early without it feeling like they're taking a full day off, and it doesn't look like you're being cheap by doing an off-peak slot. Plus evening weddings feel more special anyway. Give guests at least 6-8 weeks notice and explicitly say in the invite "we understand this is a weekday, please let us know if timing is an issue." That phrasing matters - you're acknowledging the ask, not pretending it doesn't exist.
Another thing: keep it shorter. A weekday wedding that wraps by 9 or 10pm is way easier for people to commit to than a Saturday marathon that goes until midnight. They can actually sleep and get to work the next day without being wrecked.
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