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Thursday Night Wedding in Dallas Guide: Why Getting Married Mid-Week Saves Money (and Stress)
- OldeHouseTX
- Oct 9
- 6 min read
When you picture your dream wedding, you probably imagine a Saturday evening affair with all your loved ones celebrating under twinkling lights. But here's something most newly engaged couples in Dallas don't consider right away: shifting your wedding to a Thursday could save you thousands of dollars, reduce planning stress, and actually make your celebration more memorable. You will most certainly get more bang for your buck, too!
Thursday weddings are having a serious moment in the DFW wedding scene, especially for couples planning intimate celebrations of 30-100 guests. If you just got engaged and you're starting to look at historic wedding venues in Dallas or small wedding venues near me, here's why you should seriously consider saying "I do" on a Thursday.
Here are our Favorite Reasons You Should Consider Having a Weekday Wedding.
Significant Cost Savings Across the Board
Let's talk actual budgets for Dallas weddings. Thursday weddings can save you anywhere from 35-40% on your venue costs alone compared to prime Saturday evening slots. Not to mention the vendor and rental savings from using them at an off-peak time.
That's not pocket change—we're talking about $1,500-$4,000 in savings for your small wedding that you could redirect toward your honeymoon, or building your new life together. Maybe you can splurge on those custom invitations you've been eyeing, or finally booking that fancy photographer whose work made you cry happy tears on Instagram.
As mentioned, the savings don't stop at the venue, either. Most Dallas-area vendors—your caterer, florist, photographer, DJ, equipment rental company, or hair and makeup artist—have more flexibility with pricing on Thursday nights. When you add it all up, choosing a Thursday for your DFW wedding could save you several thousand dollars without sacrificing an ounce of quality.
Here's where it gets even better for couples planning smaller weddings in the Dallas area. You're already reducing costs by having an intimate guest list, and choosing a Thursday amplifies those savings. If you're curious about the benefits of keeping your celebration small and intentional, check out our guide on planning a micro wedding and why you should have one.
Better Vendor Availability (Yes, Even During Peak Season)
One of the most frustrating parts of planning a Dallas wedding is discovering that your dream venue or photographer is already booked for your ideal date. This is especially tough if you're planning a wedding during North Texas peak season—October and November when the weather finally cools down and everyone wants to get married outside.
If you've been searching for "historic wedding venues Dallas" or "boutique wedding venues near Plano," you've probably noticed that Saturdays book up fast, sometimes 12-18 months in advance. Thursday weddings solve this problem beautifully. Thursdays remain wide open even during those perfect fall months.
Boutique photographers who specialize in intimate celebrations—like Monica Salazar Photography who focuses on elopements and micro weddings—often have Thursday availability even when their weekends are completely booked. Same goes for smaller catering companies like Texas Catering who excel at intimate gatherings.
This flexibility matters even more if you're working with a shorter engagement timeline. You can plan a stunning Thursday wedding in as little as six months, whereas securing a Saturday slot at a desirable Dallas venue during peak season might be completely off the table. For more on how to pull off a shorter timeline, read our post on how to plan a wedding in 6 months or less.
Your Vendors' Full Attention and Elevated Service
Here's something most couples don't think about: when you book a Thursday wedding, you're likely the only event your vendors are working that day. On Saturdays in Dallas, it's incredibly common for photographers, makeup artists, and even caterers to juggle multiple weddings—an afternoon ceremony in Highland Park and an evening reception in Bishop Arts District, for example.
With a Thursday wedding, your photographer isn't rushing from another couple's first look. Your hair and makeup artist can take their time perfecting your look. Your caterer's entire team is focused solely on your event. This undivided attention consistently translates to higher quality service and a more relaxed atmosphere.
With a Thursday booking at a boutique venue, you often have more flexibility with timing, more access to the space throughout the day, and a staff that isn't already thinking about the next couple walking through the door.
A More Intimate Guest List (Which May Be Exactly What You Want)
Let's be honest: yes, some guests won't be able to attend a Thursday wedding due to work commitments. But here's what we've learned from couples who've done Thursday weddings in Dallas—for many of them, this turned out to be a feature, not a bug.
If you're feeling pressured to invite your parents' entire book club, distant cousins you only see at funerals, or every single person from your office, a Thursday wedding provides a graceful natural filter. The people who show up on a Thursday are your core people—the ones who will move heaven and earth to celebrate with you.
What you end up with is a more intimate, meaningful celebration where you actually get quality face time with each guest. Instead of feeling like you're speed-dating your own wedding reception, you can have real conversations and create lasting memories with the people who matter most.
Better Travel Deals and Extended Celebrations
If you have guests flying into DFW Airport or Love Field, a Thursday night wedding in Dallas actually makes their lives easier. Flights are significantly less expensive on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Hotel rates in Dallas are also lower during the week—especially in neighborhoods like Uptown, Deep Ellum, and the Design District. So, you could be saving them quite a bit of money on this alone.
Your guests could fly in Wednesday evening, attend your Thursday wedding, and then have Friday through the weekend to explore Dallas or rest before flying home. Some couples even plan post-wedding activities for Friday—a casual brunch at a Bishop Arts District café or exploring the Dallas Arts District—giving everyone more time to connect.
Thursday weddings naturally create a long weekend vibe. Some couples host a low-key welcome dinner Wednesday night at a local Dallas restaurant—maybe barbecue at Pecan Lodge or tacos in Bishop Arts—get married Thursday, and then organize casual activities for Friday. You're turning a single-day event into a multi-day celebration.
Want more micro-wedding decor ideas? Check out our post on planning a last-minute wedding in Dallas.
Things to Consider Before Booking
Thursday weddings aren't right for every couple. Here are a few things to think through:
Guest List Composition: If most of your guests are teachers, doctors, or nurses with inflexible schedules, a Thursday might not be ideal. But if your circle includes remote workers, entrepreneurs, or retirees—increasingly common in the Dallas tech scene—a Thursday could work perfectly.
Give Extra Notice: Six months' notice is ideal for a Thursday wedding in Dallas, compared to three months for a Saturday.
Timing Matters: Consider an evening ceremony starting at 6:30 or 7 PM, which allows local Dallas-area guests to take just a half day rather than missing an entire workday.
Be Upfront: Be honest and enthusiastic when you send save-the-dates. Your excitement will be contagious.
Is a Thursday Night Wedding in Dallas Right for You?
Thursday weddings are ideal for couples who:
Want to significantly reduce their Dallas wedding budget without sacrificing quality
Are planning an intimate wedding with 30-100 guests (perfect for boutique venues)
Value securing their dream Dallas wedding vendors over having a traditional Saturday date
Have flexible work schedules and a guest list with similar flexibility
Want a more laid-back, intimate atmosphere without the weekend wedding chaos
Are searching for "small wedding venues Dallas TX" or "historic wedding venues near me"
Are working with a shorter engagement timeline and need better vendor availability during peak fall season
If you're nodding along to most of these points, a Thursday wedding could be exactly what you're looking for.
The Bottom Line
Thursday weddings represent something bigger than just picking a different day of the week. They're part of a fundamental shift happening in how couples approach their celebrations—especially in cities like Dallas where wedding costs have climbed significantly in recent years.
Instead of automatically defaulting to Saturday because "that's what everyone does," more DFW couples are making strategic choices that align with their values, their budget, and their vision for an intimate celebration. You're deciding that the money saved, the reduced stress, the better vendor availability, and the intimate atmosphere matter more than adhering to tradition for tradition's sake.
So if you just got engaged and you're starting to search for "affordable wedding venues Dallas" or "unique wedding venues DFW," don't automatically cross Thursday off your calendar. Consider whether a mid-week celebration might actually be the perfect fit for your dream wedding. You might be surprised at how much sense it makes—and how much money, stress, and hassle you could save in the process.
Some venues specialize in intimate celebrations and offer compelling Thursday packages that make mid-week weddings both affordable and special, like Olde House. Reserve your dates today to have the wedding of your dreams! Book now
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