Getting married can be expensive. According to the bridal resource The Knot, couples who married in 2022 spent $30,000 on the ceremony and reception. The cost is even higher in big cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.

One of the ways couples can cut costs is by having a weekday wedding. Sure, Saturday weddings are the norm, but getting hitched on a weekday can help you save lots of money.

Weekday weddings have been popular for a few years, especially during the pandemic. In another survey by The Knot, 1 in 3 couples in 2020 said their "I do's" on a day other than Saturday.

*Incredible Deals

"Weekday weddings are IN. I can say this with authority as someone who has planned over 400 weddings in the last 10 years," says Sarah Narcus, owner of a Boston event coordination service called Without a Hitch and a venue called Olio. "We have seen a huge uptick in folks considering Monday or Thursday weddings, especially around holiday weekends."

She says budget is the number one reason couples get married during the week.

Los Angeles-based wedding planner Trang Pham-Nguyen of Weddings By Trang agrees: "A major benefit of holding a wedding during the week or off-days is that you can get incredible deals on wedding venues."

She planned a summer wedding at a beautiful outdoor venue that charged $16,000 on a Saturday. But the same venue anytime Monday through Thursday, even during summer peak season, was much more affordable at $10,000.

There may be greater vendor and venue availability during the week, too. Nina Addeo, the owner of I Do Wedding Marketing, says Thursday weddings are rare, but they offer savings for couples and business opportunities for vendors. Vendors typically won't book on an off-day, so they're more willing to give a discount to lock in the business.

"Because weekday weddings are less popular, couples will also likely have more dates to choose from, meaning they can get married sooner rather than later," she says.

*Things to Consider

Weekday weddings tend to be intimate because they're typically smaller than a traditional weekend wedding. Often, they're not as formal. But it's your celebration, so you can set the dress code.

One of the major challenges of a wedding during the week is that it may be inconvenient for your guests to attend. During the week, they may have obligations like work, school or child care. If you envision a large wedding, know that a weekday wedding might significantly impact your guest count.

Ryan Mayiras, the owner of Candid Studios Photography and Videography in Colorado, encourages couples to consider nighttime nuptials.

"By scheduling a weekday wedding in the evening, it gives your guests more opportunity to attend," he says. "Many guests may have issues attending due to their work schedule. By scheduling the wedding in the evening, it allows more flexibility for guests to attend."

He suggests offering accommodations to out-of-town guests who may otherwise be unable to attend a wedding midweek.

Besides, an evening wedding could be great for your photos. That's because some of the best photo opportunities are during the golden hour, which is the hour right before sunset when the sunlight is ideal for capturing images.

*Alternatives

Even if you don't marry during the week, consider exchanging vows on an off-day.

"Dates such as Friday the 13th, April Fools' -- if it falls on a weekend -- and the Saturday before Easter are just a few examples of dates that can be harder for venues to sell and thus may result in a better price," says Addeo.

If you choose to get married during the week or on an off-day, let guests know well in advance so they can prioritize their schedules. Most of all, before you finalize wedding plans, ensure your closest loved ones can attend your big day.