ONE. Day dates can be several hours longer.

If you’re just starting to date someone, you may not want to spend five hours with them on the first or second date. But if you’ve been with your significant other for awhile, then you know how much work and other pressures can limit the amount of time you spend together and a couple hours on Friday night just isn’t enough to catch up. If you can save your date for a Saturday, you can go to brunch together, do something fun (see the next reason!), and then have an early dinner or just stay out until your evening plans come up.

HOW TO DO IT: If you’ve got a big to-do list for the weekend, try starting it on Thursday and Friday. Laundry is easy to toss in as soon as you get home and fold right before bed. Countertops can be cleaned on Thursday and floors vacuumed on Friday, etc. Plus, you can tackle more chores Friday night and sleep in before your brunch date on Saturday!

TWO. There are way more activities available.

Museums, aquariums, local shops, and other fun places to explore downtown are sometimes closed even before a 6 o’clock date. Weekend Farmer’s Markets are so fun to explore, to try new food, and to see amazing creations by local artists, but many end by 2pm. There’s nothing more fun than trying a new snack with your partner, and if you wait till a 6 or 7 dinner, you may not be as open to the idea.

HOW TO DO IT: Research a few museums, art galleries, and farmer’s markets in your town or nearby during the week. You might actually have some fun playing tourist in your own city and giggling about the real (-ly confused) tourists. Come up with a few spots you’d like to try, but I recommend not making a schedule past brunch unless there’s some exhibit or place you both really want to visit. Having a few options allows for some spontaneity without adding stress. Plus, because of Reason One, you’ll have more time to make a decision anyway!

THREE. Dress codes are usually more casual.

Okay, so this one is a pro/con. I’m not saying you shouldn’t get dressed up and go to dinner, because I’m a huge fan of that, too. But going to a Farmer’s Market in a fancy dress just isn’t super comfortable and you don’t want to wear heels for 6 hours anyway. Real dinner dates are super important to a relationship, but, as I said before, 2-3 hours at dinner isn’t always enough time to catch up and build new bonds with your partner.

When you’re dressed more comfortably, you feel more comfortable, you can stay out and happy longer, and you’re not distracted from the relationship you’re building. When you’re dressed the way you feel most comfortable, you really allow your personality to shine, too. You’ll be way more willing to show your goofy side, be spontaneous, and share what’s really important about yourself, your character, with your partner when you feel comfortable. And at the end of the day, that’s where the true growth in a relationship comes from.

BONUS REASON. Pets are almost always more welcome during the day!