Planning a wedding can include what seems like a never ending list of decisions - where, when, what dress, who and more. Depending on the type of wedding you opt for, it can require a lot of work, with even the smallest and simplest of weddings still needing a lot thought and preparation. With that in mind, having a one day event can feel like the fruits of your labour are over far too quickly, in a flash almost, and let's face it, we all know that the biggest event of your life flies by in a whirl. To avoid that feeling of 'it just seemed to be over all too quick', many people opt for a wedding weekend; an extended break away turning their big day into their big weekend! For some, it's the perfect antidote that ensures they have enough time to soak up this life-changing celebration, for others it may just present more decisions, and let’s be honest, require more of a budget. So weighing up the pros and cons is the only way to see if this is the right move for you.
Deciding to hold a wedding weekend does allow you to have more time with your friends and family. It may be that you decide to just invite your inner circle for the full weekend, giving you a bit more freedom on your big day to spend time with your other guests. Of course, deciding who will attend can require careful navigation, do you want that over-enthusiastic Auntie there the night before your big day, offering you advice that perhaps isn't in tune with your values? However, having your besties around you before and after the wedding can make a real event of this momentous time. Just think of all the extra memories you will make and you will definitely have lots more photos and videos to look back on.
Once you have decided who you would like to join for the extended period, do consider that those who have children (or fur babies) may find it difficult to get childcare if you aren't having children at the wedding, so perhaps have a discussion with them about how it can work for them to be there too. It's best to be prepared for some people to not be able to say yes, perhaps even those with certain jobs may not be able to get time off, so being flexible and understanding is key to maintaining a calm demeanour.
Next, you need to find the right venue, perhaps a big house, a selection of cottages or a hotel where you can all stay. It is worth checking if you can negotiate a group rate and share this information in good time with those attending so they can take advantage. You may want to consider somewhere that will have enough space for you all to come together, such as a big dining area or rooftop bar, even an accommodating pub or restaurant nearby for a Friday dinner and/ or drinks, or a morning after brunch get together. Alternatively you may want to recreate a mini hen and stag night (of course somewhat calmer) with the girls spending the evening together and the boys doing their thing the night before? The options are there to be explored!
Whatever your plans, it's best to create a loose itinerary for people to follow so everyone knows the schedule in advance. You should allow for some free time so people can relax, some flexibility will go a long way too. If you are opting for a weekend away then it is a good idea to share information on local taxi companies, convenience shops, and maybe even things to do in the local area. Some couples opt to create a little welcome pack for their guests, a bag of goodies to get them started on their weekend, adding that personal touch.
The other aspect to consider, a truly positive one in our eyes, is the fact you get to have a wedding weekend wardrobe. Instead of just choosing your look for the wedding day, you can of course style out the whole weekend with an array of beautiful outfits. It would need some careful planning, and packing, but you can make this an easy tick on the to do list by planning ahead, and even getting your rental wedding dress or rental bridesmaid dresses delivered straight to where you are staying, so you can relax knowing that is all in hand and not needing to be packed.
So if a weekend wedding sounds good to you, why not get in touch with us at Something Borrowed HQ so we can start the planning of your rental wedding dress, or bridesmaid dresses? We would love to hear about your wedding weekend plans and how we can be apart of it.