Thursday has become the new Saturday in the wedding world, as a record 38% of couples now choose weekday celebrations according to the WeddingWire Annual Trends Report. This dramatic shift—weekday weddings accounted for just 12% of events in 2019—reflects fundamental changes in work flexibility, vendor availability, and financial pragmatism in the post-pandemic era.
The economics are compelling. Venues typically offer 30-50% discounts for weekday events, with similar savings from photographers, caterers, and other vendors. These savings allow couples to either significantly reduce their overall budget or reallocate funds toward premium elements like better food, luxury honeymoons, or even charitable donations. With the average Saturday wedding now costing 72% more than a Thursday equivalent, the financial incentive is impossible for many couples to ignore.
Remote work policies have removed what was once the primary obstacle to weekday weddings—guest attendance. With 43% of workers now having flexible remote or hybrid arrangements, midweek travel has become far more feasible. Many couples are strategically planning Thursday weddings that flow into long weekends, actually making attendance easier for some guests than traditional Saturday events requiring Sunday travel. Destination weddings in particular have embraced this model, with weekday celebrations at resort locations increasing by 217% since 2021.
The vendor landscape has adapted remarkably. Wedding planners now specialize in weekday coordination, and venues have reworked their staffing models. Some photographers even prefer weekday weddings as they allow for weekend portrait sessions with better lighting. This shift has also helped address the industry’s weekend burnout problem, spreading work more evenly across the week.
As work culture continues evolving toward greater flexibility, the weekday wedding trend appears poised for long-term staying power. What began as a pandemic-era workaround has become a savvy strategy embraced by couples and vendors alike—one that challenges century-old norms about when weddings “should” happen while providing meaningful financial and logistical benefits.
