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Original poster

Friday weddings - UK brides

41 replies

user1471506417 · 06/09/2016 15:53

The venue I love has no availability for any Saturday next summer. So the choices are a friday or wait until 2018.

What are people's opinions on taking a friday off work to go to a wedding?

FI's friends and family will have to travel, but they could travel thursday night after work. (maybe friday morning if they were quick!)

OP posts:
ComputerUserNotTrained · 11/09/2016 16:49

There will be very few school or college aged children on our guest list. Those who prefer to leave younger children at home will be able to use the nurseries they've already paid for (there will be two of these tops). And it would be in the school holidays anyway (so teachers would be fine).

Some of our guests would find it easier to get a whole Friday off work than a whole Saturday. Others knock off early on Fridays anyway (industrial and office workers).

Very few of our friends and family work fixed Mon-Fri 9-5.

The venues I'm looking at don't cut prices for August Fridays. I've also checked accommodation - Friday nights are cheaper (other weeknights taken up by business customers, Saturday nights by leisure/hen & stag groups/guests at other weddings).

I wouldn't consider a Friday if it was pricier or inconvenient for my guests.

SirChenjin · 11/09/2016 16:53

Nurseries close at 6pm - what do you expect your guests to do in terms of pick-ups and for evening childcare?

Mouthfulofquiz · 11/09/2016 16:53

I'm sure I read somewhere that Friday is considered a very polite day to have a wedding because you leave the weekend free - but that might just apply if your guests are all local. We had a Friday wedding and it was great. We followed it with a night away with a group of friends who went back to London on the Sunday - back for work on Monday.

Hulababy · 11/09/2016 16:57

Those who prefer to leave younger children at home will be able to use the nurseries they've already paid for (there will be two of these tops).

But some may then need to leave in time to get to nursery for pick up time - and then what?

ComputerUserNotTrained · 11/09/2016 16:58

Same as they would on a Saturday night - grandparents, friends, whoever their usual babysitter is Confused

We're talking two children tops, and I know their circumstances. Actually a weekday wedding (if they chose to leave little ones behind) could be easier.

ClashCityRocker · 11/09/2016 16:58

We had a Friday, and everyone came. Wasn't any cheaper either.

Think it depends on the dynamic of your guests - we had no kids, but there weren't many to invite tbf. Most of our guests kids are teenagers so ok to be left. All guests were local too.

Minisoksmakehardwork · 11/09/2016 17:00

We had a Friday wedding. My sister's two skipped school for the day Blush. Other children were not of school age so not a problem. Only friend who couldn't make it had not long had a baby and distance was too far. But the rest of our friends and family were pretty local and either retired or able to get the time off.

I say do it. Those who can will, those who strop don't matter as they're not thinking about you :)

SirChenjin · 11/09/2016 17:01

grandparents, friends, whoever their usual babysitter is

Providing they have the above to do a 5.30/6pm pick up - not everyone does. If you know they do then that's fair enough, but if they don't please don't file them under 'Did Not Care Enough to Attend' as some on here are suggesting.

ComputerUserNotTrained · 11/09/2016 17:02

Or, they nip to nursery for pick up, and pop back for the raucous bit. Just like I imagine some people would take their children home at about 7 if they'd attended in the day (which is what I did more than once when mine was wee).

Whilst it would be a consideration, I'm not about to schedule my entire wedding around two pre-schoolers, not when the majority of my guests have no children or only grown-up ones. Confused

SirChenjin · 11/09/2016 17:07

Won't you be sitting down to eat at pick-up time when you expect your guests to leave the venue, drive to the nursery, take them home, do bath and bed time, wait for the babysitter, and then drive back?

No-one is 'expecting' you to reschedule your wedding, but do bear in mind the logistics involved in weekday weddings when you have guests with young children who are at nursery and whose regular babysitters will very likely be at work themselves, so not able to do the pick up. It doesn't mean they don't care enough to attend, it just means that they can't.

pinkmagic1 · 11/09/2016 17:10

Many people have to work on a Saturday these days so would make very little difference in booking time off. If it was in the school holidays and children were invited people also wouldn't incur additional childcare costs.
Obviously if the majority of family and friends are Monday to Friday workers this may complicate things so give as much notice as possible but at the end of the day it's your day and your money.

SirChenjin · 11/09/2016 17:11

Children aren't invited pink

Drquin · 11/09/2016 17:13

To be honest, no date, day of the week or venue / location will work for everyone given the different combination of care / work / school etc.

My logic is picking a combination that will work for the majority but also specifically some folk will be prioritised (e.g. Would change it if my mother was in the minority Wink)

The other honest advice is that there are other venues, really there are. What's your priority - this venue on a Friday but a lesser attendance ...... Or more people (not for the sake of having more, but for the sake of having those important to you there) on another date at another venue? That's a genuine consideration.

JeVoudrais · 24/09/2016 16:01

I'm having a Friday wedding. No guests wanted to bring their kids and most are thrilled for the long weekend. Only one friend who isn't really a friend anymore can't come (teacher) but I thought she'd be flaky even if it was a Saturday to be honest.

Mine is only £250 cheaper for a Fri, but I picked it because our village is so full of hustle and bustle on a weekend, would be a nightmare...

katand2kits · 24/09/2016 19:16

I got married on a Friday. It was a lot cheaper than Saturday! We made sure it was in the school holidays as we needed teachers to be able to attend, and for people not to worry about taking kids out of school. We would not have chosen a Friday in term time. Most people we invited were able to come.

WhiskersAndPaws · 26/09/2016 20:18

I think it's absolutely fine if it's the venue you want then go for it don't get into the habit of agonising over difficult guests or you're in for a very stressful time!

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