What Is the Most Expensive Day to Have a Wedding?

Planning a wedding isn’t just about picking flowers and choosing a cake-it’s about understanding when the market is at its peak. If you’re trying to save money without sacrificing style, knowing the most expensive day to have a wedding can make a huge difference. The answer isn’t just about tradition-it’s about supply, demand, and what venues and vendors are charging when everyone else is booking.

Friday and Sunday nights cost the most

Contrary to what many assume, Saturday isn’t always the priciest day. In New Zealand, and across most Western countries, Friday and Sunday evenings are now the most expensive days to host a wedding. Why? Because couples are shifting away from the traditional Saturday wedding to avoid the rush, but venues and vendors have caught on. When you book a Friday night, you’re not just paying for the space-you’re paying for the premium of having the entire weekend to yourself. Venues charge up to 40% more for Friday and Sunday bookings compared to Saturday, especially during peak season.

One Auckland venue manager told me last year that a Friday night wedding in November costs $2,800 more than a Saturday in the same month. That’s not just the venue-it’s the extra staff, extended bar hours, overtime for decorators, and the fact that vendors like photographers and DJs charge premium rates for non-standard days. And since most couples want the same decor, lighting, and floral arrangements regardless of the day, those costs pile up fast.

Peak season drives prices even higher

The most expensive day to get married doesn’t exist in a vacuum-it’s tied to the season. In New Zealand, the busiest wedding months are October through April. That’s when the weather is warm, the gardens are in bloom, and outdoor venues are at their best. During this time, prices spike across the board. A wedding in December on a Sunday night can cost nearly twice as much as one in June on a Tuesday.

Wedding decorations, in particular, become a major cost driver during peak season. Florists can’t keep up with demand, so they raise prices for popular blooms like peonies, roses, and eucalyptus. Table centerpieces that cost $80 in May might cost $180 in January. Lighting rigs, arches, and custom signage also get marked up because vendors know you’re willing to pay more to get the look you want on your dream day.

And it’s not just about the flowers. When every venue is booked solid from November to March, you’re competing with dozens of other couples for the same decorators, the same linen suppliers, the same lighting technicians. That competition drives prices up-and the most expensive days are the ones where demand is highest and flexibility is lowest.

Why Saturday isn’t the most expensive anymore

For decades, Saturday was the gold standard. But over the past five years, that’s changed. More couples are choosing Friday or Sunday to avoid the chaos of a Saturday wedding. They want a quieter morning, more time with guests, or the chance to extend the celebration into a mini-vacation. But here’s the twist: venues now treat Friday and Sunday like the new Saturday.

Many venues have started charging the same rate for Friday and Saturday nights, and some even charge more for Sunday. Why? Because Sunday weddings mean the venue has to clean up and reset for Monday events-no downtime. That extra labor, cleaning, and setup time gets passed on to you. A venue in Tauranga recently raised its Sunday wedding fee by 25% after noticing that couples were booking Sundays in droves and expecting the same service level as Saturday.

Even the smallest details-like how long the bar stays open or whether the kitchen runs late-cost more on non-Saturday days. And since wedding decorations often require extra time to set up and take down, those costs get added to your bill whether you realize it or not.

The cheapest days are hidden in plain sight

If you’re trying to cut costs, look at the days no one else wants: Tuesday and Wednesday. These are the quiet days in the wedding calendar. Most venues have empty rooms, vendors have open slots, and decorators are happy to work for lower rates. A Tuesday wedding in September might cost you $10,000 less than a Sunday in December.

One couple in Christchurch saved $14,000 by moving their wedding from a Saturday in February to a Wednesday in May. They kept the same floral arrangements, the same lighting, even the same DJ. The only difference? They got the same quality for half the price because they picked a day with no competition.

And here’s the secret: most guests don’t mind a midweek wedding if it’s well communicated. People are used to flexible schedules now. If you frame it as a relaxed, intimate celebration rather than a traditional event, your guests will understand-and often appreciate the uniqueness.

How to avoid overpaying for decorations

Wedding decorations are one of the first things to balloon in cost when you book on a peak day. But you don’t have to pay retail. Here’s how to cut the cost without sacrificing style:

• Use seasonal blooms. Peonies in December? That’s a luxury. Stick to native flowers like kowhai or pohutukawa-they’re cheaper and more beautiful in NZ.
• Rent, don’t buy. A floral arch that costs $600 to buy can be rented for $180. Many local vendors offer rental packages.
• Go digital. Skip printed signage. Use tablets or projectors for menus and directions. It’s modern, eco-friendly, and saves hundreds.
• DIY the little things. String lights, lanterns, and handmade place cards can be made with friends over a weekend for under $100.
• Book your decorator early. If you lock in a vendor six months ahead, you can often negotiate a flat rate-even during peak season.

One bride in Wellington saved $3,200 on her decorations by choosing a Wednesday in April and working with a local design student who charged $50/hour instead of the usual $150. Her wedding looked like a magazine spread. No one knew the difference.

What you really need to know

The most expensive day to have a wedding is any Friday or Sunday during October to April. That’s when venues, florists, and decorators are at their busiest-and they know you’re willing to pay more. But that doesn’t mean you have to pay it. The smartest couples aren’t the ones who pick the most popular day-they’re the ones who pick the day that works for their budget and still feels special.

Don’t let tradition dictate your spending. A Tuesday in May with golden light filtering through the trees can be more magical than a crowded Saturday in December. And if you’re smart about your decor choices, you can have the wedding you dreamed of without the debt.