Sometimes couples decide to plan an extended wedding to help the celebrations span over days rather than just a few hours. Whether your having a destination wedding or a wedding in your home town, you too can make it last the weekend or longer! To help you with the planning process, here are some of our top tips and ideas for planning an extended wedding.

Holiday Weekends

When planning when to have your extended wedding, don’t be afraid to take advantage of long holiday weekends. This will give you extra days to celebrate and provide your guests with a mini vacation.

Save The Dates

Whether your wedding is near or far away, keep in mind that for an extended wedding affair it is best to send out your save the date cards at least eight months prior to the wedding. This will give your guests enough time to plan for it - especially if it includes travel and accommodation.

The Welcoming

We recommend easing into your wedding celebrations with a casual welcoming party. You may want to opt for an informal cocktail party or dinner. This will encourage your guests to relax and will also give everyone a chance to meet each other in a comfortable environment prior to the main wedding.

Plan Activities

Over your extended wedding, you may want to arrange a couple of activities for your guests to take part in – especially if you are having a destination wedding. If you are somewhere tropical you may want to take your guests snorkelling. If you are having your weekend wedding from home, a good option is to have morning or afternoon games in your own backyard – croquet is the perfect game for this!

Allow For Down Time

While it is always fun to have activities, be sure to also allow for leisure time – not only for your guests, but for you too! We recommend keeping the day of the main wedding free of any other activities. This will give you and your guests time to relax and will ensure everyone has energy for your ceremony and reception.

Saying Goodbye

When it comes to saying goodbye to your guests, brunch is always a good option. It will give everyone a chance to recuperate and talk about the amazing time they have had celebrating your nuptials. You may want to keep this occasion informal and relaxed to allow for your guests to come and go as the please so that they have the opportunity to sleep in. Keep in mind that this is also the perfect option to thank your guests for attending your wedding.