Extend the wedding celebrations

There are many reasons to consider a wedding weekend, including:

More quality time together

Many couples find that their wedding day goes so fast. By extending it to an entire weekend, you can continue the celebrations for a little longer. This also allows you to spend more quality time with all your friends and family. It takes the pressure off the big day too, as you know you have plenty of time with everyone. After the last two years in particular, we’re all appreciating that time with loved ones even more. 

A chance to treat your loved ones

By hosting a wedding weekend, you’re offering your guests the opportunity to enjoy a unique and fun few days. You could start by treating your closest loved ones to an intimate gathering on Thursday evening, then kick off the weekend by having the rest of your guests join on Friday for a drinks party. Be sure to account for some downtime throughout the weekend so your guests can catch up with one another and explore the area.

Share what you’re passionate about as a couple

Extending your celebration over several days allows you to put together a variety of events and activities that reflect you as a couple. Are you big gin lovers? Set up a gin tasting as your welcome drinks. Are you keen hikers? Arrange a hike for everyone on the day before your nuptials. Including your friends and family in the activities you love as a couple will make the weekend even more special.

Your wedding weekend itinerary

Just like your wedding day, there are no rules to your wedding weekend. There are an infinite number of ways to celebrate in a way that suits you. But as an example, your wedding weekend could look a little something like this:

On Thursday, your closest friends and family arrive for a welcome dinner. You’ll have a chance to introduce people who perhaps haven’t met before now. After dinner you gather around the campfire or play board games. This is a chill, low key way to get people in the festive mood. Or, maybe you find yourselves up on the dance floor, celebrations starting as you mean them to go on.

Friday starts with a hearty breakfast, followed by an activity, like a hike, lawn games, a boat trip, or a stroll around the local area. More of your loved ones arrive throughout the day, with everyone coming together for a BBQ in the evening. You can feel the excitement in the air as the wedding day draws closer. 

It’s now Saturday. The big day has arrived! Your wedding venue is alive with a buzz of activity and anticipation as everyone gears themselves up for the celebrations. Your ceremony and reception go off without a hitch. You’re married!

Finally, Sunday rolls around. You and your guests relive your favourite moments from the day over brunch, before embarking on the journey home, complete with wonderful memories of an incredible weekend.

Tips for making your wedding weekend extra special

Here are just some of the ways you can make your wedding weekend more memorable for you and your guests.

Spoil your guests with a welcome box 

Having a box of treats to greet your guests is a great way to make things extra special. You could include a welcome note, an itinerary for the weekend, as well as handy suggestions for things to do in the local area. Add in some snacks and beverages - something local to the area. Package everything up in an attractive way and your guests are sure to feel spoilt from the start.

Take care of transportation where you can

If your guests need to travel to activities or to the wedding venue - if staying somewhere else close by - arranging transportation will show them how much you appreciate them being there and make the whole event a smoother, more relaxing experience for them. You could even get creative. Instead of a bus or coach, how about a vintage school bus, boat, or even horses to surprise your guests!

Offer activities 

Throwing an activity or two into the weekend will make the weekend feel like a mini holiday for your guests. You could opt for something active like a hike, shooting, or watersports. Or perhaps something more relaxed, like a trip to the local town or village for a leisurely lunch with stunning views. Try and incorporate the local area if you can, for example, with a bike tour, boat ride, or a visit to a local winery or distillery.

Leave room for leisure time 

Whilst it’s good to incorporate activities, be careful of organising too much. You don’t want your guests to feel obliged to join in with everything. This is a mini-break for them too, they may enjoy a bit of time to themselves exploring the local area or simply relaxing.

If you’re catering - make sure there’s enough food!

If you’re catering the whole weekend, make sure there’s plenty of food and that your guests have access to snacks and drinks when they want them. Be clear where you are providing food and when you’re not, so no one goes hungry. Remember that eating counts as an activity too! A welcome dinner, a leisurely lunch, a morning-after brunch - these are all great opportunities to spend some quality time with your loved ones.

Be flexible with your guests

A multi-day wedding is a big commitment, and there may be some guests who can’t commit to the whole event. Perhaps they can’t afford to pay for three nights’ accommodation or can’t get the time off work. Make it clear to your guests that they don’t have to attend every part of the weekend. That they’re able to celebrate your big day in any way is what matters.