Planning a weekend-long wedding may be the perfect option if you’re set on spending extra time with family and friends to take in all the bliss your new nuptials, but weekend-long wedding aren’t for everyone.
Consider these questions before you take on the task of planning an extended wedding celebration.
Will you be up for spending that much time with guests?
You may be saying “yes” at first, but keep in mind three days of wedding events can be overwhelming. With day-before, day-of, and day-after events that leaves little time for yourselves. This will be a nightly emotional and possibly nervewracking time so keep in mind who you’d like to spend your time with, and how much, over the course of a long-weekend wedding.
Can you afford to feed them on multiple occasions?
If you’re inviting guests to join you for a weekend-long wedding celebration, you’ll have to feed them at least twice. Whether you planning a day before meal, or day-after breakfast or BBQ (in addition to the actual reception), you’ll need to keep in mind these extra costs and how you’ll need to plan and accommodate your guests for additional celebrations.
What type of activities/events will take place?
Meals seem obvious, but you may want to consider what types of meals and when to schedule them into your weekend. Also, will you be providing extra entertainment such as a band, photo booths, or games during any of the days? These may put extra pressure on your budget.
Can we coordinate hotel blocks?
If you’re planning a multi-day wedding, your friends and loved ones will most likely need to book somewhere to stay. By booking a hotel block, you can help ensure that there are a certain number of rooms allocated for your guests to book. Some venues may even offer these rooms at a discounted rate. This isn’t a requirement or must-have task on your to-do list, but it can make things easier for guests. However, it can be a pain to coordinate so keep that in mind while discussing with your venue or nearby hotels.
Will guests be willing to spend that much time away?
Having a multi-day wedding can have its benefits if guests are coming and going. Due to travel, work, and other obligations not everyone will be able to help you celebrate three days in a row. Being able to spend some extra time with those that come early or can stay an extra day post-wedding can be a positive. But, this can also be tricky when it comes to planning, you’ll want to have a pretty good idea how many people will be taking part in each day’s events so you can provide appropriate accommodations and provide numbers for the venue and caterers.
Will kids be allowed to attend?
Although you can opt for a kid-free wedding weekend, not all parents will be able to arrange for childcare for multiple days. There’s always the option of designating part of the weekend for adults only time and arranging for a child care service during that time.
Can your budget handle it?
This is the most important question to consider. Be honest with yourself about how many days you can afford to entertain and provide for your guests. A weekend-long wedding definitely has its pros and cons so take each detail into consideration before you start putting down deposits and making arrangements.
Photo by Mikayla Herrick on Unsplash
