Wedding Photo by C-Star Photography
“Establish your values for your wedding before you ever begin planning, and let everything that doesn’t aide your values go.”
It’s not a secret that if you’re planning a wedding, or rescheduling a wedding right now, that it is a little difficult. You’re now having to consider things like Plan A, B and maybe even C. Thinking about things you never thought you’d have to as a bride.
With lots of 2020 brides postponing, and 2021 brides wanting to find a date that all of their dream vendors have available, you may be considering something a little unconventional with your own wedding day and not quite following tradition. That’s okay! How about a weekday wedding?
My friend Karen was so gracious to share her experience in having a weekday wedding- a Monday wedding. I hope her words of experience can answer any questions you might be having, and that she can be an encouragement to you as you’re planning, or rescheduling, your wedding day.
“..People who love us deeply were more than willing to switch it up for us.”
- Tell me a little about your Monday wedding day:
We had 67 guests at our quaint wedding in Wilmington, NC. The venue had a big beautiful deck where we had the ceremony. Then guests went inside for a plated meal, toasts and dessert. Then back outside to the deck where the DJ set up and we partied the night away. It was so simple and lovely! No regrets. - Why a Monday? Did the date have significance or how did you decide on that day?
We picked Monday, May 20 because it was significantly cheaper. And because we were having a small destination wedding, we knew our family and closest friends would have to take at least one weekday off anyway. Plus the small guest list comprised of people who love us deeply and were more than willing to switch it up for us. - How long was your engagement/planning process?
Our engagement was exactly 5 months, which was long enough to get all the most important pieces of a wedding together, but not too long that we would overthink our choices. We thought it was a perfect length! - Was it difficult to find vendors or a venue available for a Monday wedding?
Vendors were very easy to find. Weekday weddings are less popular so they often offer discounted rates for those days. It was not a problem at all!
“The fact that it was on a Monday didn’t hinder any of our decisions.”
- Was everyone you wanted in attendance able to be there since your wedding was on a Monday? Did you have guest coming from out of state?
I had one dear friend who couldn’t come and be in the wedding party because she was about to have a baby (who is now our godson!) Again, we were all from out of state. - Were you nervous about having a Monday wedding since it’s unconventional? Did you have any push back or discouragement from others when deciding on a Monday?
Not nervous at all. No discouragement! We were very blessed. - Was your weekday wedding cheaper since it wasn’t held on a Saturday?
Much cheaper. - Was there anything else unconventional about your wedding day? Time of day? Location? Etc?
Our ceremony began at 5:00 pm and we drove away at 10:00 pm. Honestly I wish it were a little bit longer because it all went by so fast. However, it was very warm so it was nice to get into the AC! But the entire day was exactly what we wanted. The fact that it was on a Monday didn’t hinder any of our decisions. - What encouragement would you give to a couple planning a wedding and feeling like they have to follow a specific “mold” of the tradition wedding expectation?
I’d encourage any newly engaged couple to establish your values for your wedding before you ever begin planning and let everything that doesn’t aide your values go. You’ll keep your sanity, save some money probably, and experience way more joy in the process. It’s only one day. Let the small stuff go and have fun!
I know you’ve put a lot of thought into your wedding day. Maybe you’ve even been planning it for longer than you’ve known your man. The details. The dress. The invites. The guest list. The food. The decor. The flowers and music. These decisions all seem vital and we all feel the pressure to get them “right.” But standing there on your wedding day holding the hands of your *almost* husband and stating your vows, that is the most important decision of the day. More important than who will do your makeup or if you’ll rent tuxes. At the end of the day, when the guests have gone home and the dress is hung up, he’s who you’ll get to fall asleep next to and kiss in the morning. Your wedding day will be meaningful and beautiful, continue to make decisions so that those words are ones that describe your marriage too.
“Your wedding day will be meaningful and beautiful, continue to make decisions so that those words are ones that describe your marriage too.”
More photos from John + Karen’s Monday Wedding
Venue // 128 South
Photographer // C-Star Photography
Hair & Makeup Artist // Noe Beauty
Florist // Fiore Fine Flowers
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