Exploring the Possibilities of Planning a Mid-Week Wedding
Weddings during the week are becoming increasingly popular. We've personally attended weddings on Wednesday, Thursday and even non-holiday Mondays. 
Some of these groups partied as hard as any Saturday night. Some didn't. So what's the secret?
Let's explore the pros and cons of the mid-week wedding, shall we?
PROS
Savings. This is reason #1 most couples choose to have a wedding during the week. And you can definitely reap the benefits! Wedding vendors typically have less demand for these dates, so you can save a bundle. It can easily knock $5,000 or more off the cost of your wedding.
Photo by Myles Studio
Dream Wedding on a Budget. If you're planning a wedding on a budget, choosing a mid-week date may allow you to afford the location of your dreams without having to compromise. You can opt for deluxe packages, hire your favorite wedding vendors and upgrade services with the extra room in your budget.
Increased Flexibility and Availability. The most in-demand wedding venues and professionals often book up quickly. By planning a mid-week wedding you'll have access to your top picks who may already be booked up on the weekends. Wedding vendors also tend to be more flexible with hours, packages and pricing.
CONS
Inconvenience. You may have to put up with lots of grumbling and complaining from your guests. If your guests are local, they probably have to work the next day and 
they'll be worrying about getting home on time and stopping themselves from drinking too much. Out of town guests will be forced to take vacation time off. Frankly, it may be a huge inconvenience for them.
Party Inhibitor. This isn't always the case, but if your guests are worried about getting to work the next day they might not shift into party mode. You may not achieve that "hanging from the chandeliers" party brides often hope for if your guests are checking their watches.
Compromise. You might have to compromise one priority, such as keeping your guests dancing all night, in exchange for having your dream wedding venue. In any case, you'll have to adjust your expectations to the reality of the mid-week wedding.
If you're considering a mid-week wedding, the most important factor is to manage your expectations. As long as you take into account the pros and cons listed above, you can adjust your wedding vision to fit the reality.
Ask yourself these questions: Is your environment most important? Is dancing top priority? What MUST you have for your wedding day and what is an "extra?"
Make sure your musts are met and let go of the rest.
Photo by Majestic Studios
What can you expect?
This really depends totally upon you and the family and friends who will be attending your wedding.
Think long and hard about the reality of a mid-week wedding reception. Are your guests the type who party no matter what? Will they mind taking time off in the middle of the week? Are they traveling? Will they have to get the kids up for school the next morning...with a hang-over? Does your location lend itself to the mid-week wedding experience you have in mind?
If you aren't sure what to expect, ASK. Your guests will be more than happy to tell you what they think about your idea. (Believe me!) And ask wedding professionals for their opinion about what's likely for the location you've chosen and what you have in mind. They've seen enough to give you an honest opinion about whether or not your expectations are realistic.
When It Works
Darcie and Nick were teachers. People on both sides of their family were teachers. The couple chose to have a Thursday night wedding in July at Colonial Terrace. 
The result? Their wedding vendors offered extremely competitive prices, which meant Darcie could afford the dress and location she really wanted. Since many of her guests were teachers, they were already off for summer vacation, and their close friends who attended didn't mind taking off the next day. Their guests partied hard until the very last song.
Courtney and Neil chose a non-holiday Monday for their Grandview wedding reception. Neil had just graduated from West Point two days before and both families were from out of town. They turned planned an extended party weekend for all their guests.
The result? The couple saved thousands of dollars and was able to afford their dream location. Many of their guests planned to be in town anyway for the graduation and all of them were in relaxed, vacation mode. They danced all night.
When It Doesn't Work So Well
Karen and Bob planned their wedding on a Thursday evening. Most of their guests were older family and many were driving into the Hudson Valley from NYC or Long Island. The wedding was scheduled to last until 10pm.
Photo by Blue Sky Photography
The result? The wedding went WAY too late for her guests. Older family starting saying goodbye immediately after dinner. By the end of the party only a handful of friends were left. Karen had envisioned a packed dance floor, and even though her wedding was beautiful, stylish and elegant, she felt disappointed.
The Verdict
Only you can determine if a mid-week wedding is right for you. First, determine your priorities and expectations. Weigh the pros and cons, poll your guests and get the opinion of your wedding vendors. It can rock or it can flop...so know your crowd.
What do you think about planning a mid-week wedding? Have you ever been to one?