According to the 4th annual UK Wedding Report, published by wedding app, Bridebook, 43% of couples in their study opted for a non-Saturday wedding date. Kelly Mortimer, wedding expert of more than 20 years, expects this trend to continue and predicts a bumper year in 2021.
For those of you currently planning your special day therefore, a mid-week date could be well worth considering. Here at our opulent East Yorkshire wedding venue, Carlton Manor, we can help you to create your fairytale wedding on any day of the week, so why not explore all the possibilities?
Here are five reasons why a mid-week wedding can be a great way to add that bit of extra to your special day:
It can cut the cost
According to Bridebook, the current average cost of a wedding in the UK is now £16,005. Mid-week weddings are often far more negotiable when it comes to price and it is believed they can work out about a third cheaper. As well as packages being cheaper per head, many venues also require a lower minimum guest number during the week. This cost saving extends to wedding suppliers and guests are also likely to benefit by paying less for their accommodation and travel.
If you are planning to head straight off on your honeymoon after your wedding, then data from Skyscanner revealed that in 2020, Friday and Wednesday were the cheapest days to fly, so you could also reap the benefit here.
Couples sometimes worry that a mid-week wedding might seem like a ‘budget’ option to their guests, but think instead about using the money saved from your budget to put towards some indulgent extra touches to your day, like some spectacular fireworks or a sophisticated cocktail party. Hiring the right wedding band can make a big difference in the way you and your guests perceive the evening or hook into the fast-growing wedding trend of interactive wedding features with fun extras such as a photo booth, caricaturist or table magician.
It can ensure availability
The impact of the pandemic on the 2020 wedding season has meant that the race for 2021 dates is already being fiercely contested. For couples still hoping that this year will see their dream wedding, mid-week could be the answer to your prayers. Registrars, venues and suppliers will all be in high demand, so picking a mid-week date could help you to still be able to realise your vision and often has the added bonus of giving you their exclusive attention. For suppliers in particular, this means longer to spend at your venue, rather than rushing off for their next appointment and can mean you get that extra bit of quality.
Couples tend to worry about their guests having to take time off work, but with enough advance notice this should not be a problem and picking a date in the school holidays overcomes issues for friends or relatives who work in education and allows children to easily be part of your special day. You will also avoid the risk of clashing with other weekend engagements, of which there will be many once we are able to return to some sense of normality.
You can have your day, your way
Losing the strict parameters of Friday to Sunday means you are able to instead choose a date that is meaningful to both of you, such as an anniversary or birthday. It is also likely to give you more choice over what time you get married, giving you better control over the shape of your day. More things will become negotiable with a mid-week wedding, so for those who like to do things in your own unique way, this could prove to be a real bonus.
Here at Carlton Manor, we offer you the ultimate freedom to get those creative juices flowing, with the ability to select your own caterers, entertainment and suppliers, (although we do have a list of talented local suppliers that we will gladly recommend) Our site can also accommodate a magnificent master tepee, which provides a stunning canvas for you to put your own distinct stamp on and can hold up to 200 guests.
It can reduce stress
Opting for a weekday wedding can significantly help to alleviate the stress of planning. As well as making it easier to secure your dream wedding venue, other suppliers such as hair and make-up artists, entertainment and florists are also likely to be more widely available. There is nothing worse than having your heart set on a certain photographer or live band, only to find out that they have no weekend availability for the year!
Many wedding venues can be distractingly hectic at weekends and a weekday means you can relax, enjoy and run your day exactly in line with your own vision. This is never an issue for our newlyweds as our magnificent 8-bedroom manor house is always exclusively yours, to do with as you please for your special day. However, many larger venues can often have a variety of functions taking place on any weekend, which can risk taking the edge off the magic you have planned so hard to create.
You can extend your celebrations
There is a growing trend for extended wedding celebrations, with smaller gatherings set over longer periods increasingly becoming the go-to for many couples. After all, why just have one day when you could have four? Monday and Thursday weekday weddings can often be popular choices therefore as they allow you and your guests to more easily extend your celebrations into a glorious long weekend, incorporating things such as an indulgent spa afternoon, a round of golf or a farewell brunch or barbeque.
Carlton Manor is set in the idyllic East Yorkshire countryside, with easy access to the quaint market town of Beverley and also Beverley Racecourse, which hosts flat racing from April until September, all of which presents plenty of options.
Whatever day of the week you end up choosing, our team of friendly staff will work with you to create a package that makes your dream day a stunning reality. Our luxurious wedding venue, near Beverley and Hull, has recently undergone stunning renovations and all eight manor house bedrooms are flawlessly finished to accommodate up to sixteen guests, surrounded by two acres of tranquil gardens.
To start planning your wedding at Carlton Manor, get in touch with our expert team using the contact form below.
