“Going to the chapel, going to get married! Gee, I really love you, going to the chapel of love!” This adorable song by the Dixie Cups will make you swoon with love and think of your upcoming wedding. If you’re like us and can’t get enough wedding bliss, then why not spread it over the whole weekend of your wedding?
A current trend in weddings is to make the nuptial celebration last for a whole weekend. Traditionally, only close family members and the bridal party attend the rehearsal dinner; the rest of the guests will be invited to the wedding and reception. If you want to join in the fun, then we’re here to help! We’ve got ideas for every moment, from making your out-of-town guests feel welcome, deciding what to do the morning before you leave on your honeymoon, and everything in between!
The Day Before
Many of your guests may be from out of town and might not necessarily know where everything will be happening. Welcome your loved ones with customized gifts and fun activities for a weekend they’ll never forget! The day before is a great occasion for friends and family to meet others for the first time. Overall, this will make the weekend more relaxing and enjoyable for everyone.
Support the Out-of-Town Guests
For guests coming from far away, making them feel welcome will help during the three days of your wedding weekend. For your peace of mind, assign a person (like a bridal party member or wedding planner) as the point of contact if your friends and family need anything.
Welcome to the Party
Surprise your guests in a tote-ally unique way! Have a welcome bag waiting for them at the Airbnb or in the hotel you’ve organized for them to stay in. You can include local sweet treats, candles, and a map of the area with fun things to do circled on it. Not sure what you want to include? Check out our article: “Thoughtful Touches: What to Put in a Wedding Welcome Bag” for some of our best ideas!
Don’t Be Late for an Important Date
Ensure your friends and family know every fun event you have planned for the weekend. Plan activities for the days before and after your wedding, and outline them on a wedding timeline card that can be included with their invitation or in the welcome bag.
What Should We Do?
Having activities preplanned is a must if you’re hosting a destination wedding or have guests staying from out of town. Plan a fantastic activity to get the party started or encourage everyone to get to know each other before the wedding.
Pinkies Out When Drinking Tea
Have all the ladies of the family and the bridal party meet for afternoon tea at your favorite restaurant, your lovely home, or a room at your wedding venue. Theme the tea to match something the bride loves; Bridgerton or Alice in Wonderland, for example.
A Day of Fun
Take your loved ones to a local theme park for the day. Everyone can get rid of their wedding day jitters by riding rollercoasters, digging into some carnival food, and winning a stuffed animal at one of the games. Bring a disposable camera to create unforgettable photos you can hang in your future home.
Feel the Sand Between Your Toes
Pull out the sunscreen, lay down some beach towels, and prepare for a day in the sun! If you’re having your wedding on the beach, this is a great activity to show everyone where the vows will take place the next day.
Rehearsal Dinner
You’ve practiced the walk down the aisle, where to stand, and now you’re ready for the big day! It’s time for everyone to enjoy a lovely dinner with your closest family and friends. Traditionally, a wedding rehearsal dinner is hosted and paid for by the groom’s parents. You can hold fast to tradition or host it yourself! Either way, it’s important to make the dinner about the soon-to-be newlyweds.
Not Quite a Billboard But Close
Customize your rehearsal dinner space with a beautiful banner to help your guests know they’re in the right place. You can include a romantic phrase, the wedding date, or photos from an engagement shoot.
Tasty Food for All
If any of your loved ones have dietary issues, a menu will make the evening easier for them to enjoy the food without worry and celebrate the night away! Design it to match your invitations or the banner for a completed theme.
Pour a Glass
Take something as simple as your favorite bottle of wine and personalize it with a label displaying a romantic pun, an inside joke, or a photo of a beloved pet. Such a small detail will be loved by your guests, especially if it’s a self-serve bar!
The Wedding Day
Now comes the wedding day! You have the wedding ceremony where you say the official “I Do,” and then a reception with dinner and dancing. It’s essential to provide the guest with as many details and fun things as possible!
Items to Aid Guests at the Wedding
Take your guests on a journey from when they arrive to the moment you walk back down the aisle. Welcome them to the event, provide items like fans or blankets if the wedding is outside, and programs to let them know the order of the ceremony.
Be Our Guest
It’s critical to welcome your guests to your wedding. Setting the scene for your wedding with a beautiful welcome sign. It ensures that your guests come to the right wedding – you don’t want them to get lost if a few weddings are happening at the same venue!
To Keep Cool
Are you hosting an outside wedding? If the temperature rises, all of your beautiful guests could get overheated. Help them beat the heat with fans to keep cool, as it should only be the bride glowing on the big day!
The Order Of Events
Wedding programs are used to outline the progression of the wedding but can also be an essential memento for later on. Don’t forget to proofread everyone’s names, because the last thing you want is a hundred copies with the officeant’s name misspelled!
What to Include in Your Reception
You’ve said your vows, and now it’s time to party! Whether you’ve booked a DJ or live music, your guests will expect a fun time. Here are a few things to make sure you have for loved ones celebrating the evening with you.
Cocktail Showcase
While you’re off getting some photos taken, it’s key to keep everyone entertained before dinner. A cocktail showcase of your favorite drinks (with a cocktail wedding sign of what drinks will be available during the evening) can bring everyone together to focus on an amazing bartender.
Take a Chair and Relax
Many people may feel a seating chart isn’t needed. A great tip is that a seating chart guides similar groups together; you could have your work friends together, your parents’ sides of the family at separate tables, or all of your running club members at table 7. This will stop any unwanted drama and lead to a fun night had by all.
Fun in the Sun
This is a fantastic option if you’ve planned an outdoor reception, especially if you have a big field. You can make it a mini-carnival for the evening, with lawn games for all the guests to play for the night. You can even keep the games for any future backyard events.
The Day After
Congrats, you’re finally married and will be setting off on your honeymoon. Many loved ones may have traveled a long way to see your wedding, so take the morning after to spend some time with them. Here are a few ideas to help you determine what would work best for you.
A Bit of Spice
Let’s Taco about it! Hosting a taco brunch allows everyone to hang out in a relaxed atmosphere and chat about the newlyweds and the honeymoon. It’s a fantastic option for the couple who love spicy things.
Finger-Licking Good Food
If the sun is out, why not fire up the grill and host a BBQ brunch for everyone to enjoy? Include a few tofu burgers for any vegans or vegetarians in attendance. Don’t forget to bring out the secret BBQ sauce for the ribs. Get custom plates to make it an extra-special event.
Stretch into a New Marriage
Namaste to your new marriage! Start this new chapter in your life in a relaxing way. For the athletic couple, this is an easy way to incorporate a physical activity that could be accessible to everyone who stays for the Sunday morning workout. Have yoga mats set up for everyone to use and take home.
Blissful Breakfast
Though many of your friends may still be in bed sleeping off a hangover, entice them to join with a delicious breakfast with some tasty pastries, fresh fruit, and a strong cup of coffee. This is a great way to bring everyone together one last time, and it provides a breakfast option to anyone who is staying in an Airbnb or a friend’s couch, where they may not have breakfast.
We know that when it comes to planning a wedding, it feels like the list of options and things to do is never-ending. Hopefully, this guide for a wedding weekend will assist you take your wedding weekend from a basic event to something extravagant! If you’ve any ideas that worked wonders for your wedding weekend, let us know by leaving a comment below!
Lucy is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork, Ireland. Originally from America, she is now settled in Ireland with her husband and Corgi-mix puppy Dug (yes, like from Disney’s UP!). It’s the simple things in life that matter, so give her a bag of M&M’s and she’s happy. She loves to relax with a good book, cozy up on the couch for a movie, or go to the park for a stroll with the family.
