- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee boards
Hello bees, most of our guest list (85%) is from OOT (about a 4 hour drive). The date we are considering is a Friday but Sunday is also an option for us. I'm curious, as an OOT guest, would you prefer to attend a wedding on Friday or Sunday?
Probably Friday.. just an FYI your title of your thread says Fri or Sat not Sun
Sunday, midday. I went to a Friday wedding once and we got stuck in traffic on the way to it, which sucked, so I am not a Friday wedding fan.
@Sassygrn: Thanks!
@Gerbera: Not time set in stone but if Friday it would be in the evening and Sunday would have to be earlier I presume.
I was facing this same dilemma with our wedding. Ultimately, we decided to do it on Friday, that way people could come and make a long weekend out of it. Plus, the majority of our guests are religious and I didn't want church to get in the way of people coming. So that was a huge factor for us. Also, we spoke to some of our guests ahead of time and most told me that they would rather take off Friday from work rather than Monday. It is usually easier to get stuff done early in the week at work and prepare to leave early on Friday, than it is to miss the first day in the work week. But it probably all depends on your guests preference.
Just a warning though, I do know that quite a few of our guests declined coming because they had to work. But I kind of figure that if they really wanted to be there, they would have figured out a way to be there. Plus, we saved about $1,500 by doing our wedding on a Friday. Totally worth it!
i'd rather go to a sunday wedding than a friday--on friday, you'd have to take off work early enough to get ready and get there on time, which would feel stressful for me. for sunday, you have no time crunch getting ready, and could either drive back after the wedding or on monday morning, and be back at work by the afternoon at the latest.
@SamanthaSadlier: I agree with you that if someone wants to be there they will especially if given plenty of notice.
But I am not sure what would be more of an inconvenience. Taking off Friday and driving to the wedding or rushing back Sunday and getting ready for work the next day? I know I would end up calling out on Monday. 
I'd much rather Friday. That at least leaves the option of getting back home and recovering on Saturday/Sunday.
A Sunday wedding means either killing yourself to get back that night for work Monday or Taking Monday off, travelling and then heading straight into the office.
I too voted Friday. Generally when my fiancee and I go to OOT weddings, we take off Thursday and Friday anyway that way we can hang out around the town.
So a Friday wedding would be much better than Sunday... well thats for us atleast.
@suburban: That was my thinking and the wedding is in Washington DC so there is plenty to do and see in the Nation's Capitol.
@NJmeetsBX: DC is also very expensive though. And difficult to drive to with I'm guessing a lot of traffic on a Friday night. If you had a Friday night wedding people would likely have to take off a least half a day or work, battle traffic and then stay in a hotel for the night if their drive home is 4 hours. I think Fri or Sun weddings can work if everyone is local but I really think it's a lot to ask of people when so many of your guests are from out of town.
Friday. As a guest, you made the effort to come, it would be nice to have the weekend to enjoy yourself.
It sounds to me like people will need to take off work either way (to get there on Friday or go home on Monday), so I'd pick the day YOU like best and rock it!
I voted Sunday because it's easier for me to take a Monday off than a Friday. That's not the case for most people, though.
I voted for a Sunday wedding. To me in reality no matter whether it is on a Friday or a Sunday some people will need to either take off work early, take the entire day off, or on a Sunday wedding maybe go in late. We are getting married 2 1/2 hours away from home so to me most people can easily make that trip back & forth if they need to be back home on Sunday night, I've done it plenty of times going down there for sporting events or even while planning the wedding.
We are debating on a Fri evening wedding as well. A large amount of our guests will be either driving ( about 4-5 hours away) or taking a plane to DC. The Beltway or Interstate 95 is a hot mess during rush hour, especially during the weekends when folks exit out of the DMV. We have ruled out Sunday since we are afraid that folks will leave early on sunday to avoid getting stuck in traffic due to the weekend traffic on the roads or airport.
Although we want to make sure our guest have an enjoyable time and share in our special day, yet we don't want to kill our budget either. It is not impossible to hold a wedding on friday night as long as guests plan ahead with their travel plans and allow time for any traffic they may encounter.
@Moose1209: If I could have it on a Saturday, I would. Unfortunately, the $2-3K venue price differences are just not in our budget, so Saturday is out for most venues in our case.
I'm not a fan of friday weddings. Mine is on a sunday so I would choose sunday. But I really dont have many OOT guests so it may be different from your situation
@Radiant Bride: You feel my pain! My thougts are similar to yours. As for the traffic, yeah DC can be bad but if they are staying at a hotel <20 mins away from the location, I don't think it's that big of a factor unless they choose to drive the four hours straight to the wedding. (not what I would do but to each their own)Some venues we're considering even have hotels within walking distance.
As a guest I would probably prefer a Friday wedding. I would have a much easier time booking a Friday off than I would booking a Monday off. I also think it would be nice to make it a long weekend and not feel rushed trying to get home for work after a Sunday wedding.
We are strongly considering a Friday night wedding as well. However 85% of our guests will be local so hopefully it won't be an issue.
I do plan on sending out STDs so that people can determine if they need/want to take off work to come.
@NJmeetsBX: If the hotel is 20 mins away or wlaking distance to the venue, that makes everything much easier for you and your guests. If your guests take a entire day or half-day off work, they can arrive at the evening wedding on time. When we started looking at venues, we noticed the high prices for Saturday evening. We are still venue shoppping and now considering a Saturday afternoon wedding as well.
@MissNachoLover: STDs are a must in our case even if it's a Saturday because of all the OOTs. I'm looking forward to them!
If I had to choose I would say Friday. Although, I may decline the invitation unless I was really close to the bride or groom. I hope that doesn't sound snarky because I don't mean for it to, it just might be too inconvenient.
@kelmac: Not snarky at all. I suspect some guests will feel the same and that's fine with us as well.
Friday, no question.
We're having a Friday wedding and even though 98% of our guests are local, we would still have gone with Friday even if we had more OOT guests. To be honest, I'm really not a fan of Sunday weddings. Where I'm from, most people have late afternoon/evening receptions. Having an evening reception on a Sunday would more than likely result in the majority of guests skipping out early. I know if I was invited to a Sunday wedding, I wouldn't stay any later than 7 or 8 since I'd have to work the next day.
Sure, most guests will have to skip out of work a little early on Friday but I'd rather have a party that kicks off the weekend, where everyone can unwind and have fun than a reception on Sunday evening where our guests don't really drink or let loose since they have to get up early the next day.
In my area, definitely Sunday.
Friday I would have to leave early from work and battle rush hour traffic, which is always worse on a Friday. Sunday I could take my time over the weekend and meander over to the wedding. I think it would be more relaxed.
In most cases, your guests will have to take a 3 day weekend (or at least leave early on Friday or go in late on Monday). For three day weekends, like Memorial Day, etc. I think it is nice to have off the Monday.
I think Sunday afternoons are great for a more laid-back wedding - but if dancing is a major focus, then Friday evening would be better. As an out-of-town guest, I don't think I would have the energy to party it up on a Sunday and then have to head back home for work on Monday =P
@thesejoys: good point! We are definitely going for a more party atmosphere and so are our guests.
I've been to 2 Sunday weddings. The first was on Mother's Day and we had a good time. The second was the Sunday before memorial day and even though Monday was a holiday, the majority of guests left after dinner and the DJ was awesome. So maybe it depends on the crowd? Decisions, decisions.
I'd have to take off either Friday or Monday, so it doesn't matter!
100% Sunday. I keep repeating this over and over, but I had a Monday wedding (Memorial Day) and noone left early. If people want to stay and party, they will. Thet can either take the day off the next day or lose precious sleep for one day. OTOH when I had to attend a Friday wedding two hours away I was forced to take the day off, no choice, which is much more inconvenient. As a guest I would've preferred Sunday.
If it was a four hour drive, I would prefer Sunday even more, just would like it to be earlier in the day. For a friday wedding I'd have to get up really early, do the drive, hope there's no traffic, get ready in a rush once I get into town and attend the wedding exhausted. At least for a Sunday wedding I can get there Saturday, spend the night, wake up relaxed and enjoy myself at the wedding on Sunday.
If it can't be Saturday, Sunday AM would be my first choice; Friday night would be my second choice. Sunday evening would be my last choice. :)
We had a Friday wedding at 4pm and it was perfect. We also had plenty of OOT guests and a venue that was 40 minutes away from Philly and 30 minutes from Reading (where we live). Regardless, people had to leave work early, etc or take a day off and I don't really think they minded as everyone we loved was there.
I am really surprised that Friday is in the lead... for me 100% no question I would prefer Sunday.
I have been to weddings on Fridays and on Sundays and I like Sundays better. Here's why:
People are most likely going to have to take a day off work no matter what. If it's Friday and they leave the day of, they run the risk of traffic, getting their late, etc. I would not want to be rushed the day of the wedding.
On Sunday, people have all of Saturday to get up there, lounge, hang out. Then they can leave on Monday where there is going to be significantly less traffic and will be more relaxed, and can look forward to having a short work week.
In my area/group of friends it would be Sunday for sure, but really it comes down to your personal preference since the votes are torn.
I picked Sunday. I just feel like Friday weddings are more stressful for guests. There's no way I'm taking off Thurs and Friday (unless Im in the wedding party) so I'm "forced" to drive the day of the wedding. I've driven from NJ to DC and you're basically guaranteed to hit traffic. At least with a Sunday wedding I can leave 1-2 days ahead of time and relax. Also, I'm going to party regardless of what day the wedding is so that doesn't figure into my choice.
As a PP said, it definitely depends on the type of atmosphere you are going for. I've been to both Friday and Sunday weddings and the Sunday wedding was basically over after the cake cutting. The bride and groom actually ended up telling the DJ to end it early because so few people were left.
The other thing to consider is your bridal party. If you have a Friday wedding, that means they most likely have to take off two days for the wedding since you'll likely have a Thursday rehearsal. Obviously a Sunday wedding avoids that issue.
I'm personally having a Friday wedding with lots of OOT guests. I figured folks would have to take off some time either way I personally am more of a fan of a Thursday or Friday off than a Monday. I'm sure it'll cost us some guests, but I know our VIPs will be there no matter what!
I would rather go to a friday wedding because sunday is my "wind down" day.
You must log in to post.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| ellisrobertson | 23 |
| fishbone | 15 |
| MsPanda | 14 |
| aduarte3201 | 14 |
| pengoala | 11 |
| ShellVee | 10 |
| ladyartichoke | 10 |
| ndreighton | 10 |
| mypinkshoes | 9 |
 sylvia.riggle |
9 |
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| ellisrobertson | 9 |
| KimKimmieKim |
7 |
| londonchick | 4 |
| pengoala | 3 |
| londonpeach84 | 3 |
| dlujan | 3 |
| BearcatBetch |
3 |
| julies1949 | 2 |
| zippylef | 2 |
| Leahhh | 2 |
