Once you start planning a wedding, oftentimes a Friday or Saturday ceremony can feel like the default (if not only!) choice. But in recent years, more and more couples have started looking beyond the traditional weekend schedule and have discovered the advantages of a weekday wedding.
Whether it’s a Monday or Thursday celebration, choosing a weekday wedding can give you more flexibility, more time with your guests, and the opportunity to turn your celebration into an entire wedding weekend. If you’re planning a Rhode Island wedding, a Monday or Thursday date is worth considering!
Turn Your Wedding Into a Weekend Experience
One of our favorite things about a weekday wedding is that you can build an entire weekend around it.
A Thursday wedding gives guests plenty of time to arrive, go to a rehearsal dinner on Wednesday, celebrate on Thursday, and then enjoy the rest of the weekend exploring Rhode Island. You could even extend the celebration with brunch the following morning before your guests head off to places like Newport, Block Island, or nearby South County beaches.
On the other hand, a Monday wedding creates a different — but just as memorable! — experience. Your guests can spend Saturday relaxing on the beach, gather for a welcome brunch or casual get-together on Sunday (beach barbecue, anyone?), and then celebrate the wedding on Monday before heading home.
The best part? Rather than squeezing everything into one busy day, you can spread out the celebration and enjoy more quality time with the people you invited.
Take Advantage of Potential Savings
Cost is another reason many couples are exploring weekday weddings!
Depending on the venue, a Monday or Thursday wedding may offer more affordable pricing than a peak Saturday celebration. Those savings can be put to good use: extending your guest list, upgrading your menu, and planning extra events throughout the weekend. Or, even simply putting that money toward your honeymoon.
Every venue structures pricing differently, so it’s worth asking what options are available when comparing dates. At Galilee Beach Club, we offer discounted rental pricing and flexibility on the celebration style (i.e., ceremony only, cocktail and reception only, etc.). Plus, you’ll still get full access to the facility — and all of the beauty of a beachside wedding!
Your Guests May Be More Flexible Than You Think
One of the biggest concerns couples have about a weekday wedding is attendance. We get it! People often assume that guests won’t be able to take time off work. In reality, that’s not always the case.
Some people work remotely, many have flexible schedules, are retired, or already plan to use a major family event as a reason to use that saved-up vacation time. Summer weddings can also make weekday travel easier for teachers, students, and families with school-age children.
The key is to give your guests plenty of notice. Which you should do for a big event like a wedding anyway! When invitations go out well in advance, most people are happy to plan around an important celebration (our in-house stationery artist can help with that!). The people you are closest to will almost always do their best to make it work.
Rather than wondering if people will come, it’s helpful to be a little more strategic about when to send out your invites. When in doubt, plan to get your ‘save the date’ out as soon as you’ve settled on one!
Enjoy Rhode Island at Its Best
For couples getting married in Narragansett, a weekday wedding also gives guests more time to explore Rhode Island before or after the big day.
They can spend an afternoon at the beach, take the ferry to Block Island, enjoy local restaurants, or plan a day trip to Newport before or after the wedding. Instead of flying or driving in for a single evening, encourage your loved ones to turn the trip into a short vacation.
If you have family and friends traveling from different parts of the country, that extra time together very well may be one of the most memorable parts of the weekend. Beyond your special day, of course.
More Flexibility During a Popular Wedding Season
Summer is one of the most popular times to get married in Rhode Island, particularly along the coast. And for good reason!
At Galilee Beach Club, our member season runs from mid-June through early September. During this period, weddings are hosted on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. While that schedule may seem odd at first, it also allows couples to celebrate during the most beautiful time of the year in the Ocean State, while also taking advantage of dates designed around the club’s seasonal calendar.
That said, outside of member season, you’ll have access to a larger selection of wedding dates throughout the year.
A Different Way to Think About Your Wedding
A weekday wedding isn’t the right fit for every couple, and that’s okay!
But if you’re hoping to spend more time with your guests, create a true destination wedding weekend, and take advantage of everything Narragansett and Southern Rhode Island have to offer, a Monday or Thursday celebration may be worth considering.
Sometimes something as small as changing the day of the week can open up a world of unique possibilities. If you’re interested in exploring a weekday wedding at Galilee Beach Club, contact us today to start the conversation 🙂
Continue Planning Your Rhode Island Wedding
If you’re in the early stages of planning, these guides may also be helpful:
