Weekday Wedding

For a small ceremony like you are describing, a weekday will be just fine. I do agree that it is rude to invite people to the reception/dinner without inviting them to the wedding. Unless of course you choose to do the dinner at a later time when Covid restrictions have loosened.

Hey there! So I'm getting married on a Tuesday (in to weeks!!!) And, so far, its been easy and no issue.

While I would never want to be considered a rude person, I feel today's wedding etiquette is a bit extreme in some ways and I don't agree that you cant invite people to the celebration without the ceremony. Especially during the current times, planning is very unpredictable. We planned a small ceremony with basically no guests without worry of the day being cancelled or losing money; HOWEVER, the reservation for an after party can be made the week before and cancelled with no repercussions.

I've personally found my loved ones, family and friends to be very understanding of the choice to marry privately. No guarantees everyone will be this way but those that take issue can just RSVP no to the dinner portion and leave it at that.

What you described sounds amazing!!! I would actually love to do that lol. You're not even ending late.

Definitely feasible. We had our minimony on 10/6/20 because that was our original anniversary date and that was a Tuesday. We had 35guests (our closest family and friends) and no one complained at all. Everyone loved it!


I say all this to say, if you have people who truly love and support you then they will find a way to make it and be happy for you.

Yes, this sounds lovely! I would be happy to attend a celebration dinner for a friend on a Tuesday.
Since it isn’t really the same thing as the traditional large reception (dances, speeches, many relatives), personally, I don’t think you need to worry about deviating from traditional etiquette. Anyone invited to celebrate in such an intimate setting will likely be thrilled to be included (not that they won’t be a tiny bit sad not to see the ceremony!)

View Quoted Comment We have discussed planning a bigger vow renewal and reception in a few years when our budget allows and hopefully restrictions have been lifted. We’re young and in the early stages of our careers, so money is definitely a limiting factor and I have a huge family and most of his family is scattered around the country.

Make sure to contact all your guests to find out if they can make that date before you commit.

Wedding Wire is the only place I have encountered people who think it rude to jave a smaller private wedding, with more invited for a dinner reception.

Emily Post 17th edition
Emily Post, Dear Abby, Letitia Baldwin, even The Knot editors etiquette books have always said it is fine. It used to be far more common, when either home or small religious weddings were more common. But a lot of people still do it. It is fine. Weekday weddings are strictly a know your crowd thing. If most of the people you want present are available on a weekday, it is fine, as is about 3 hours of dinner reception ending by 8:30, with no one traveling long distances. Go for it.

We are planning a weekday wedding and no one seems put out. The date we chose is special to us. We are both veterans and we loved the idea of getting married the day before Veteran's Day so we could have a longer celebration every year. I think you should do what is right for you.

Honestly, I think it sounds perfect for your situation! You clearly know that you want an intimate get together, and by the sounds of it, the people who really matter are on board!

I got a little pushback for planning a Sunday wedding, but like you, we're ending the reception at 8pm.

I think you'll have a great time — and it'll be meaningful!

If the guests can make it then a weekday wedding is just fine

Sounds perfect! I’m sure it will be lovely.

If it works for you, do it!

While I'm normally camp, "invite to both ceremony and reception", things are a little wacky right now.

In addition, you're doing a *family only* ceremony, which changes the whole game!

This sounds special and very you, so make it happen!

Thanks ya'll! Your kind response have helped alleviate a ton of anxiety!