7 Aug 2011

Weekday weddings on the rise in UK

2:18 pm on 7 August 2011

More and more couples in Britain are choosing to have their wedding on a weekday.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics for 2008 showed that 60% of couples in England and Wales marry on a Saturday.

Friday was in second place, accounting for almost a fifth of all weddings. Sunday (5.5%) was third.

Brides magazine executive retail editor Arabella Dupont says the main reason is cost, with mid-week events about a third cheaper.

Another reason is because better premises are available. The BBC reports many weekend venues book out a year or more in advance. But there can be savings of about 40% on weekdays in high season.

The Church of England is backing another trend. A small but growing number of couples are choosing to have their wedding reception at the back of the church after the marriage service.