Planning A Friday Evening Wedding: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a Friday evening wedding can be a great way to save costs and give your guests a mini-vacation. However, it can also require more coordination on your guests' part, so it's important to give them a heads-up as early as possible. To make the most of the evening, keep the ceremony short and sweet, and consider a cocktail reception with appetisers instead of a sit-down dinner. This will give your guests more time to mingle and dance.

Send save the dates early to give guests a heads up

Since a Friday wedding often requires more coordination on your guests' part, it's a good idea to send out your save-the-dates early. This will give your guests a heads-up and allow them to plan their time off work and travel arrangements. If there's a reason you chose a Friday, you can explain this on your invitation or website, making it part of your wedding story.

For example, if you're hoping to save on costs, you might plan your wedding with a shorter lead time – around four months out. Wedding planner Kelly McWilliams explains that "you'll be more likely to find wedding venues and vendors to be more flexible with their pricing the closer to the date if they are hoping to have another wedding on the calendar that month".

If you're set on a Friday wedding, you can plan the timeline to start from the late afternoon towards the evening. This will give your guests time to wind down and rest before going back to work the next day. You might also consider keeping the ceremony short and sweet, so people have the energy to mingle and dance late into the evening.

By hosting your wedding on a Friday, you and your guests have two full weekend days to add to the celebration. You can host another event on Saturday morning, and gather again on Saturday evening and Sunday. This way, your guests will get to know each other and enjoy each other's company for the entire weekend.

Plan a short ceremony so guests have energy to dance

Planning a Friday evening wedding? Here's how to make sure your guests have enough energy to dance the night away.

First, consider sending out your save-the-dates a little earlier than usual. Friday weddings often require more coordination on your guests' part, so it's helpful to give them a heads-up. You could even explain on your invitation or website why you chose a Friday wedding and make it part of the story.

Next, plan a short and sweet ceremony. This will ensure your guests have the energy to mingle and dance into the late evening. If you're having a weekday wedding from Monday to Thursday, you might want to opt for a loungey vibe instead of a sit-down dinner. Consider a cocktail reception with filling appetizers to keep your guests going through the night.

Finally, while a Friday wedding gives your guests two full weekend days to add to the celebration, remember that some of them will have work the next day. So, plan the night so your guests can enjoy themselves but also have enough time to wind down and rest before Monday morning.

Serve filling appetisers to keep guests going through the night

When it comes to planning a Friday evening wedding, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, consider giving your guests a heads-up earlier than you might for a weekend wedding, as they may need to take time off work or make travel arrangements. If you're hoping to save on costs, it may be helpful to plan your wedding with a shorter lead time, as venues and vendors may be more flexible with their pricing closer to the date.

When it comes to the timeline of your wedding, consider starting in the late afternoon and moving towards the evening. This will give your guests enough time to wind down and rest before returning to work the next day. Keep the ceremony short and sweet, so guests have plenty of energy for mingling and dancing late into the evening.

To keep your guests energised throughout the night, serve filling appetisers. This way, no one will end up hungry, and you can combine dinner, dancing, and mingling all in one. Think about serving appetisers that are easy to eat while standing and mingling, such as bite-sized canapes or bowl foods. Here are some ideas for filling appetisers that will keep your guests going:

• Mini burgers or sliders: These are a hearty option that can be easily eaten with one hand, leaving the other free for a drink.
• Chicken skewers: A protein-filled option that is sure to satisfy your guests' hunger.
• Mini grilled cheese sandwiches: Comfort food at its best! These can be served warm and will be a hit with guests of all ages.
• Vegetable spring rolls: A crispy, crunchy option for vegetarians and those who want a lighter bite.
• Charcuterie cones: A fun twist on the traditional charcuterie board, these cones can be filled with cured meats, cheeses, and crackers, making for a substantial snack.

By serving filling appetisers, you'll ensure your guests stay energised and don't need to sit down for a formal dinner, keeping the evening relaxed and fun.

Plan a timeline for the day so guests can wind down before work

Planning a wedding on a Friday evening can be a great way to save costs and turn your wedding into a mini-vacation for your guests. However, it's important to plan the night so that your guests can wind down and rest before returning to work on Monday. Here's a suggested timeline for the day:

Start the wedding in the late afternoon, with a short and sweet ceremony to ensure your guests have plenty of energy for the rest of the evening. This will also give your guests time to travel to the venue after work and get settled before the celebrations begin.

Follow the ceremony with a cocktail reception, which can include filling appetisers to keep your guests energised throughout the night. This format will allow your guests to mingle, dance, and enjoy drinks and food all at once.

Keep the celebrations going until late evening, but be mindful of the time. You don't want to keep your guests up too late, as they will need to rest and recharge before returning to work.

If you're looking to extend the celebrations, consider hosting another event on Saturday morning or gathering again on Saturday evening and Sunday. This way, your guests can make a long weekend of it and truly relax and enjoy themselves.

Make the most of the weekend by hosting another event on Saturday morning

If you're planning a Friday evening wedding, it's a good idea to give your guests a heads-up as early as possible. You could explain on your invitation or website why you chose a Friday, and make it part of the story. If you're hoping to save on costs, it may be helpful to plan in a shorter time frame – like four months out. You'll be more likely to find venues and vendors who are flexible with their pricing the closer to the date.

When it comes to the ceremony, keep it short and sweet so that your guests have the energy to mingle and dance into the late evening. If you're planning a bigger wedding, consider starting the timeline from the late afternoon towards the evening. This will give your guests enough time to wind down and rest before they go back to work the next day.

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