Friday Weddings? Yes!

I might as well stop saying things like, "boy, April went by so quickly" or "oh man, it's almost June!" I just have to face the fact that time goes quickly, especially when you have a lot on the go.
Yes, May is just about over and at the end of May comes my first Friday wedding of the year. May 30, 2008.

Friday weddings are becoming increasingly popular. 9 of the 31 weddings that I will be photographing this year will be held on a Friday.
If you are considering holding your wedding on a Friday here are a few advantages to encourage you to do it!

1. Your ceremony can take place later in the afternoon and this can make it easier on your guests to get off work early or not have to leave work early at all (which your guests may appreciate).
2. Your guests still have the rest of their weekend for other things. They can sleep in and/or still have all of Saturday for other personal commitments.
3. If you are going on a honeymoon, Saturday may be an extra day to pack, open wedding gifts or just simply relax before you leave on your trip.
4. SAVE MONEY! The biggest advantage is the cost savings; Beyond The Window along with many other vendors offer discounts for Friday weddings.

My biggest suggestion for Friday weddings is to take ALL of your photos before the ceremony.

Why?

Taking all of your photos before the ceremony allows you to go directly to your reception once your ceremony is over. This could save you money since you will not have to "entertain" your guests with food and drink (which many couples do while photos are being taken).

Having all of your photos taken before the ceremony eliminates time required for extra travel. If family members and wedding party member’s all meet at the couple’s location of choice, then the photographer doesn't have to travel to 2 or 3 different spots (which is normally what happens on a Saturday wedding). This can save A LOT of time. This extra time can then be put towards “getting ready” coverage or more reception coverage. Or, since you’ll require less time for travel you may be able to get away with a smaller wedding photography package which of course will save you money.

One of the biggest concerns of couples is that they are afraid that the "seeing other for the first time" will feel less important and not as exciting. I strongly disagree. I have photographed about 10 weddings where couples have seen each other for the first time before the ceremony and it is far more exciting. I say this because the couple can react in a way that perhaps they wouldn't during a ceremony. They can hug, kiss, cry or squeal with excitement and act completely like themselves. Friends and family can still be a part of this moment too. And from my photographic opinion, it makes for better photos since this moment can be captured far more openly.

I don’t anticipate that Friday weddings will become less popular. Infact I think that Friday weddings will become more accepted in the next couple of years; perhaps equally as common as weddings held on Saturdays.