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Weddings in India have seen a slight shift towards weekday ceremonies, with Monday emerging as the most popular weekday, accounting for 15.3% of all weddings in 2024, according to aweddingstudy report.
Tuesday follows closely in popularity. Experts and couples attribute this trend to the availability of venues, along with reduced costs. “Weekday weddings are definitely gaining popularity, but they may not completely replace weekend weddings. While weekends remain popular for convenience, weekday weddings offer a smart, budget-friendly choice for modern couples,” says wedding planner Vartika Chandani.
REASONS TO OPT FOR WEEKDAY WEDDING
Giving preference for pre-wedding ceremonies
Shloka Tiwari, who recently got married, chose a Monday wedding. She shares, “We opted for a Monday so that our pre-wedding functions could take place over the weekend. Since our wedding wasn’t in our city, this allowed guests to attend without disrupting work, making travel and celebrations more convenient for everyone.”
Similarly, Mumbai-based Siddhesh Dalvi, who married on a Monday in February, highlights the importance of weekends for pre-wedding celebrations. He says, “Nowadays, relatives and friends want to enjoy functions like sangeet, mehendi, and haldi. Holding these on weekends makes it easier for them to attend all ceremonies.”
Venue availability plays a crucial role
Explaining why he got married on a Monday, Himanshi Tiwari, who tied the knot in December last year, says, “We had the option of another date in the same week, but the venue we liked the most wasn’t available on those weekend dates.”
Pranal Mane, founder of a wedding planning agency, Dynamic Entertainment, says, “We’ve noticed a growing preference for weekday weddings, particularly among couples seeking an exclusive and bespoke celebration. With venues and vendors more accessible, weekday weddings allow us to create highly personalised experiences without the constraints of peak-season demand.”
Budget-friendly and offering lower rates
Weekday wedding venues offer at least 10-20% lower rates than weekends, as weekend dates are often booked well in advance. “Weekday weddings are generally more budget-friendly, with venues offering reduced rates. Many banquet halls provide attractive weekday packages, including discounts on venue rentals, catering, and décor, making it a smart choice for couples,” explains Vinayak Shah, founder of Elegant Banquets in Mumbai.
Auspicious wedding dates falling on weekdays
Muhurat plays a crucial role in Indian weddings. Snigdha Johar, consumer marketing manager at WeddingWire India, shares, “Muhurats remain a key factor in selecting the perfect wedding date. While weekend weddings gained popularity in 2023, the focus in 2024 shifted back to shubh muhurats, with many couples prioritising these auspicious dates for their big day. The trend continues in 2025, with the majority of muhurats falling on weekdays.”
Embracing an intimate ceremony
According to experts intimate celebrations with close family and friends are becoming more popular. Vartika Chandani, a wedding planner at The Vara Weddings, explains, “More couples now prefer intimate weekday weddings over traditional weekend ones. Post-Covid, many prioritise meaningful celebrations with close family and friends rather than large gatherings.”
There has been a noticeable rise in weekday weddings, especially on Mondays and Tuesdays. Couples are opting for these days to secure premium venues at better rates while ensuring the availability of their preferred vendors. It’s a trend driven by cost-effectiveness and flexibility
Vinayak Shah, a founder of Elegant Banquets in Mumbai
Weekday weddings are definitely gaining popularity, but they may not completely replace weekend weddings. Cost savings, better venue availability, and a preference for intimate celebrations make weekdays an attractive choice, especially for destination and modern weddings. However, weekends remain more convenient for guests, particularly those traveling from afar
Vartika Chandani, a wedding planner
