Eastlife Autumn 2019

Weddings
Weekend
Weddings
Written by Katrina Otter | www.katrinaotterweddings.co.uk
As the name implies, a weekend wedding lasts longer than the
traditional one-day affair. Guests usually arrive on a Friday and
then leave later on the Sunday after enjoying the wedding itself
on the Saturday. Weekend weddings take their pattern from US
events where it’s usual to have a rehearsal dinner the night before
the wedding and a post-wedding brunch the day afterwards.
So, why have they become so popular in the UK? Well, with the
rise of civil ceremonies, lots of couples choose to get married
further afield and if you’re already booking accommodation
and potentially asking guests to travel some distance for your
nuptials, why not make the most of the opportunity?
Wanting to spend more time with friends and family has definitely
driven the increase in weekend weddings. When we all lead
such busy lives, time away from the pressures of the everyday
is such a novelty and what better reason is there to get together
than a wedding?
From a practical perspective, knowing that you’ve got extra time
with your guests really takes the pressure off on the wedding day
too – no frantically running around from guest to guest during
your reception to make sure that you’ve spoken to everyone!
Lastly, a weekend wedding is a huge treat for everyone. It’s a
mini-holiday, a luxury and a complete indulgence. And, if you
can’t indulge yourself with a wedding, when can you?
If you’ve decided that a weekend wedding is the right option for
you, let me reassure you that the additional planning required to
host a multi-day event is actually quite minimal. Lots of venues
are now offering weekend packages that include accommodation,
food and drink plus the wedding itself. It’s also important to
remember that you don’t have to invite everyone to all of the celebrations
– it’s perfectly acceptable to invite your closest friends
and family for the entire weekend and other guests simply for the
wedding day itself.
As with all things wedding, you can do exactly what you like
on your weekend wedding. Some people arrange activities for
the Friday or go ahead with a more traditional rehearsal dinner.
In terms of food, you can either opt for a formal dinner, a more
relaxed and interactive treat such as a barbecue or you could
just retreat to a local pub. Remember that a weekend wedding is
about being together – what you choose to do is up to you.
Following the wedding itself, getting together with everyone the
next day is always a great idea. I personally love seeing people
chatting, sharing their stories and just relaxing in each other’s
company. Hosting a delicious brunch or lunch before everyone
departs rounds proceedings off nicely and gives you a final
chance to be with your friends and family.
Before I leave you, here are a few things to keep in mind when
you’re planning your weekend wedding:
• Look at accommodation options and numbers early on.
Decide who you’ll invite and give them as much notice as possible,
particularly if they need to take time off work.
• Think about your budget and decide what you can afford to
spend for those weekend extras such as additional food and
drink or suppliers.
• Consider working with a wedding planner or ask a member of
the wedding party to look after the pre and post events.
• Don’t worry about filling every moment of the weekend with
activities. Your guests will be happy having time together, they
don’t need to be entertained all the time.
• Finally, enjoy your weekend – you’ve extended your
celebrations so make sure that you enjoy every minute.
Katrina Otter is a Cambridgeshire based wedding planner and
event organiser with over 10 years experience. Find out how
she could help you plan your wedding day at
www.katrinaotterweddings.co.uk
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