For many couples, the idea of a wedding automatically brings to mind a Saturday celebration, but more and more modern couples are discovering the charm, flexibility and cost-effectiveness of a weekday wedding. In a beautiful setting like Cheltenham, where Regency elegance meets Cotswold countryside, hosting your wedding during the week can open up exciting possibilities that simply aren’t available on traditional weekend dates.
At Manor By The Lake, weekday weddings are growing in popularity for good reason. From greater availability to extended celebrations, here’s everything you need to know about how to plan a weekday wedding in Cheltenham.
The Cost-Effective Advantage
One of the biggest benefits of a weekday wedding is the potential for significant savings. Wedding venues, suppliers and accommodation providers often offer more competitive rates for Monday to Thursday celebrations. This can free up your budget to invest in the elements that matter most to you – whether that’s a live band, an upgraded menu, bespoke floral installations or even a mini-moon in the Cotswolds.
With increased supplier availability mid-week, you may also find you can secure your first-choice photographer, florist or entertainment without the premium often associated with peak Saturday dates. In popular wedding destinations like Cheltenham, where sought-after venues book up well in advance, weekday availability also means greater flexibility when choosing your ideal season.
For couples who want the elegance of a grand manor house wedding without stretching the budget, a weekday celebration can be the perfect solution – offering luxury and atmosphere with added financial breathing space.
The Benefits of a Mid-Week Celebration
Beyond cost savings, weekday weddings bring a wonderfully relaxed and intimate atmosphere. Guests who attend mid-week celebrations often treat the day as a special occasion rather than just another weekend event. There’s a sense of intention – people take time off work, book local accommodation and truly immerse themselves in the experience.
Cheltenham is perfectly suited to this. Guests can stroll through the town’s Regency streets, enjoy the nearby Cotswold countryside, or indulge in local restaurants and cafés before and after the wedding. A Wednesday or Thursday ceremony can feel like a mini holiday for everyone involved.
There’s also something wonderfully unique about saying “I do” on a Thursday afternoon while the rest of the world carries on as normal. It creates a sense that your love story is taking centre stage.
Extended Celebrations
One of the most exciting aspects of a weekday wedding is what you can do with the weekend either side of it. Rather than squeezing everything into one day, couples are increasingly turning their wedding into a multi-day experience.
Imagine hosting your ceremony and reception at Manor By The Lake mid-week, then inviting close family and friends to continue the celebrations over the weekend. You could organise a relaxed Sunday brunch, a countryside walk in the Cotswolds, afternoon tea in Cheltenham, or even a post-wedding garden party.
With so much to explore in Cheltenham – from spa experiences to boutique shopping and beautiful countryside villages, extending your celebration allows guests to make a real trip of it. It transforms your wedding from a single-day event into a shared memory-filled escape.
How to Plan a Weekday Wedding
- Give Guests Plenty of Notice
Since guests may need to book annual leave or arrange childcare, sending save-the-dates early is essential. The more notice you give, the more likely your loved ones will be able to attend. - Consider Timing Carefully
A later ceremony time – such as 3pm or 4pm – can help guests travel on the morning of the wedding without needing an overnight stay beforehand. Alternatively, embrace the opportunity for a full-day celebration and encourage guests to arrive the night before. - Communicate the Vision
Let your guests know what to expect. If you’re planning a relaxed garden-party feel or a glamorous black-tie evening, clear communication helps everyone prepare and builds excitement. - Embrace the Intimacy
Weekday weddings sometimes naturally result in a slightly smaller guest list – and that can be a beautiful thing. Lean into the closeness, focus on meaningful details and create an atmosphere that reflects your personalities. - Provide Local Accommodation Options Manor by the lake can offer twelve rooms for accommodation for wedding guests, including the bride & groom if they choose to take them!
Cheltenham offers a range of hotels, guesthouses and countryside retreats. Providing a curated list of recommended places to stay makes planning easier for your guests and enhances their overall experience.
Old Wives’ Tales About Days of the Week
Of course, no conversation about weekday weddings would be complete without mentioning the old rhyme that has been passed down through generations:
“Monday for wealth,
Tuesday for health,
Wednesday the best day of all,
Thursday for losses,
Friday for crosses,
And Saturday no luck at all.”
While these traditional sayings were once taken quite seriously, modern couples tend to view them as charming folklore rather than firm guidance. Interestingly, Wednesday was historically considered the luckiest day to marry, something many couples find rather reassuring when choosing a mid-week date.
Ultimately, the most important thing is choosing a day that feels meaningful to you. Whether it’s the anniversary of when you met, a date that holds family significance, or simply one that fits your plans, your wedding day becomes lucky because it’s yours.
A Different Kind of Wedding Experience
A weekday wedding in Cheltenham offers something refreshingly different. It combines cost-effectiveness with flexibility, intimacy with elegance, and the opportunity to create a multi-day celebration surrounded by Regency beauty and Cotswold charm.
At Manor By The Lake, the grandeur of the house and the romance of the grounds provide the perfect backdrop for any day of the week. And when you step away from tradition and consider a weekday celebration, you may just discover that the perfect wedding day isn’t a Saturday after all – it’s the one that allows you to celebrate exactly as you wish.
