How to Plan a Wedding Weekend, Not Just a Wedding

When planning a wedding, so much more goes into the planning process than just the wedding ceremony and reception.  All of the wedding festivities focus on exchanging vows and saying your I Do’s through the last song at the wedding reception.  However, so much more must be considered during the planning process.  Whether your wedding is on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, other events must be thought out and to plan a wedding weekend.

Plan a Wedding Weekend

What are some of the other events that must be considered besides the ceremony and reception?

• Rehearsal dinner for immediate family and special out-of-town guests.
• Pre-wedding events such as a girls’ day-out at the spa or a boys’ day out on the golf course.
• Depending on the time of the wedding, do you want to have a planned brunch or late-night snack?
• The morning after the wedding, do you want to have a brunch before departing for your honeymoon?
• Do you want to have sightseeing trips for out-of-town guests to see the area?

Not all wedding weekends have to be pricey.  Plan the extra meal festivities at a family member’s house with homemade finger foods.  Every meal does not have to be buffet style or three course meals.  The focus of the weekend does not have to center around entertaining the family either.  Most will be happy just spending time with family and getting pictures together and making new memories.  Be sure to carry on family traditions over the weekend to make it more special for everyone involved in the weekend events.

Because your wedding is planned as a weekend versus a ceremony and reception lasting five hours, guests need more time to prepare.  Guests will need to get additional time off and schedule household trips.  Inconsideration of the wedding weekend, the wedding schedule must be pushed out.

• Instead of save-the-dates being mailed six months before the wedding, weekend wedding save-the-dates must be mailed eight to twelve months before the wedding date.  All details can be confirmed and posted on your wedding websites for attending guests as the date approaches.
• Not only do the bride and groom have a budget, so do your guests.  The bridal couple must make it clear as to what is being paid for by them and what guests are expected to pay for.
• Because an entire weekend of events are planned, be sure dress codes are stated and known for each event.
•  Most events will have to be paid in advance.  Itineraries must be mailed out two to four weeks before the wedding to give appropriate attendances and planned transportation.
• Lastly, a special touch for guests, is to have a welcome basket in their rooms.  Most local guests will know the planned events as they most likely were part of the planning process.  Including the itinerary in guests’ baskets will make them feel more welcome.