Ultimate Guide to Planning a Weekend Wedding
Your wedding day goes by in a flash. Everyone says it, and that’s because it’s true. But what if we were to tell you there’s a way to make your wedding celebration last longer?
Well, if one day doesn’t feel like enough, hosting a weekend wedding might be the perfect solution. Instead of cramming the festivities into a single day, a wedding weekend spreads the joy over several days, giving you time to relax, spend more time with family and friends, and celebrate in style.
As a weekend wedding venue ourselves, we at The Lawrence have put together an ultimate guide to planning a wedding weekend. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what a weekend wedding is, what one entails, its benefits and how to plan one. Read on for some helpful inspiration and ideas.
What is a weekend wedding?
So, what is a weekend wedding exactly? A weekend wedding is an extended wedding celebration that spans multiple days, whether it’s a 2-day wedding or a 3-day wedding. Weekend weddings typically include a pre-wedding dinner which takes place the night before, the wedding itself and then a post wedding day brunch or similar.
Wedding weekends are becoming more popular than ever, with couples frequently opting for multi-day celebrations to allow plenty of time to enjoy various wedding events and spend more time with loved ones. Some couples find that if a large proportion of their guests are going to have to travel and stay overnight anyway, they may as well extend their celebrations throughout the weekend.
What is a weekend wedding venue?
A weekend wedding venue is a venue that can host a wedding celebration that takes place over several days. Generally, this will involve meeting with your wedding guests for a meal or a small event the day before the wedding, celebrating together during the day and night of the wedding and continuing the celebrations the following day at the same venue.
Not all wedding venues offer full weekend hire, and some will have weddings on each day, so doing your research on what type of hire your dream wedding venue offers is vital. You’ll want to select a venue that can accommodate multiple events and has nearby lodging for guests. Consider venues that offer on-site accommodation to make life easier.
Benefits of weekend weddings:
Extends the celebration – planning a weekend wedding slows down the celebration and allows you to extend the magical feeling of the best day ever.
More time with loved ones – weekend weddings allow plenty of opportunities for you to spend time with all your nearest and dearest friends and family.
Overnight accommodation – opting for a weekend wedding involves overnight accommodation for the couple and guests, making it a great choice practically too.
Ideal for destination weddings – weekend weddings are especially popular for those considering a destination wedding, allowing guests a mini-holiday experience.
Exclusive hire wedding venues – a weekend wedding typically includes exclusive hire of the venue, allowing the couple and guests to arrive and relax the day before the wedding. It also means that your special day can be enjoyed further with total privacy.
How to plan a weekend wedding
If a weekend wedding sounds like it could be for you, here are our tips for planning one:
Find a weekend wedding venue
Find a weekend wedding venue with accommodation for all your guests and which you can ideally hire exclusively for the entire weekend. If the venue is close to home, you would be able to invite additional day guests or you can choose to include only those guests who are with you for the entire weekend to be with you on your wedding day. Beyond logistics, you’ll want to choose a whole weekend wedding venue that reflects your unique style and vision for the day.
Figure out your wedding budget
When it comes to planning a wedding, the costs can begin to mount up pretty quickly. Hosting a wedding weekend filled with events and activities to keep yourselves and your guests entertained will obviously come to a higher cost. Although, guests will typically pay for their own accommodation and meals outside of those included in the actual celebration.
Plan a budget, accounting for all weekend events including meals, activities, transportation and accommodation. Budget friendly wedding ideas include keeping your guest list smaller and trying your hand at some DIY wedding décor.
Plan a weekend wedding itinerary
We recommend creating a wedding weekend itinerary outlining all the weekend’s events. From the pre-wedding dinner the night before the wedding to the farewell brunch the day after the wedding and everything in between, providing your guests with a detailed plan of events so they know exactly what to expect. You may also like to use a wedding website or communication platform to keep guests informed about the itinerary, venue and more.
Plan diverse activities and entertainment
A weekend wedding gives you more time to play with, so get creative. Organise several activities such as outdoor sports or a scavenger hunt to ensure all guests enjoy themselves. Beyond activities, don’t forget to hire wedding entertainment that suits the vibe of each event throughout the weekend, whether it’s a live band or DJ. It’s also important to schedule some free time and ensure guests have enough downtime to relax and recharge.
Send save-the-dates and invitations early
It is crucial when planning a long weekend wedding to send out save-the-dates and wedding invitations early, providing all the necessary details to allow guests to plan accordingly. Inviting guests to join you for a whole weekend wedding is a big ask and they might need to take time off work or organise childcare. Moreover, if your wedding celebrations are going to be taking place over an entire weekend, it’s likely that some guests won’t be able to attend.
Read our ultimate wedding planning timeline for more wedding planning advice.
Weekend Weddings at The Lawrence
If planning a weekend wedding sounds like your dream wedding, you’ve come to the right place. Set in the heart of east Lancashire by the Ribble Valley, The Lawrence is a magical two-day weekend wedding venue that promises the perfect setting for your celebrations. Our friendly and dedicated team will connect with you to discuss your dreams, desires and guide you through every step of planning your special day. Your dream wedding is just an enquiry away. We can't wait to hear from you!
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