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Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days

For further proof that the editors of the New York Times' Weddings/Celebrations section do not have people of moderate income levels in mind, I present an article from yesterday's Style Section.

The article identifies a new trend in summer weddings, describing how it is becoming more common for people to have their ceremonies and receptions on weekdays. For the millions of brides and grooms looking to save a buck or two on off-peak function room rentals and catering services, the article promises so much yet delivers so little in the form of practical advice. Rather, it is a snapshot of Manhattan's upper crust; not quite the ladies who lunch, but definitely the ladies who never have to make their own lunch.

To wit, a sampling of quotes from Weekends Aren't For Lovers Among the Chic and the Frugal written by Abby Ellin:

In years past, for example, Saturday was the night for a benefit. By paragraph two the world in which this article exists is carefully laid out. Yes, for those whose life is a daily re-enactment of Sex and the City, Saturday means another society page gala or $500-a-plate benefit. But what about us poor slobs for whom Saturday is the night for pizza and a movie with friends?

I really believe brides should be as considerate as possible. Everybody can come to a weekday wedding. It's a nice sentiment, but strikes me as the Manhattan-centric snobbery that too many people in the rest of the country think is typical of all New Yorkers. Everybody can come? Did this bride have no out-of-town guests? No friends outside of the 212 area code? Seems to me that in the choice between weekend or weekday weddings and how it will affect your guests, it's six of one, half a dozen of the other. Depending on how far people have to travel, someone, somewhere will have to miss work.

Thursdays in the summer are good because people don't work full days on Fridays, so they can take half a day off or not even go into the office if they don't want to. It isn't unheard of for people to be able to get out of work early on Fridays if there's a pressing need, but I wonder about the quoted woman's line of work. She must not know any teachers, nurses, grad students, first year lawyers, medical residents or Starbucks baristas.

In season [brides] leave Thursday for their Hamptons homes, so Thursday night is sort of their Friday night. They know they're going to get cursed by all their friends if they have a weekend wedding because it absolutely interferes with their yacht and country club plans for the weekend. I guess L and I will have to change our yacht and country club plans. We're flying to Chicago for a wedding this weekend.

Posted by The Groom at May 24, 2004 12:04 AM