{Team Jefferson} An Entire Wedding Weekend?
These days, it seems that to have a fabulously successful wedding (or at least be magazine and blog-worthy), your Big Day has to be supersized into a Big Weekend. Gone are the days of a simple “ceremony and reception to follow” mode of getting hitched. The word “wedding” now implies two or three day periods of celebration, and guests and attendees are starting to expect programmes packed with fun activities, soirees, fiestas, cookouts, and brunches when they’re invited to witness a marriage.
Yes, yes, this is a broad generalization; there are still PLENTY of weddings out there where guests show up right before the ceremony begins, mingle during a cocktail hour, and dance for half the night before going home at 11pm. Voila! A beautiful, simple wedding. But more and more within the industry– and especially the blogging world– there seems to be this desire, this need for MORE. As destination weddings become more popular (remember, Charlottesville is a growing destination locale as well– if most guests are flying in to attend your Cville wedding, it is a destination), there’s an expectation that guests will be entertained for the entire duration of their stay.
What kinds of entertaining activities are crammed into a wedding weekend? Think a pre-wedding reception or cocktail hour the afternoon before you say “I do;” themed rehearsal dinners, where more than just the traditional attendees (bridal party, immediate family) are invited; golf outings, croquet tournaments, a day of outdoor adventures; morning-after brunches. Some incredible, real life versions of this wedding weekend phenomenon:
Carrie & Sean’s pre-wedding field day: think old school bean bag races, boat races, swim races– anything that tested physical strength!
Lindsay & Steve’s Welcome BBQ:
Bailey & Pete’s Welcome Party:
How does this bride feel about all the extra celebratory revelry popular today? I WANT IT ALL. But do I feel like I need to have it all to have a “successful” wedding (note: wedding, not marriage)? Yes. I do. I get the feeling that if I don’t have every second planned out for every guest throughout the weekend, my wedding will not “live up” to the example set by these awesome brides.
Let’s make one thing clear: I do truly want to celebrate with my guests, all of whom are coming in from out of town, as much and as long as possible. This only happens once! Why not let the party go on and on? But do I have the budget for a lavish (even a not-so-lavish) weekend full of events and favors and decor details? Absolutely not. That’s where some creativity will have to come in.
Yes, there is pressure to “wow” guests and John and the blogosphere alike. Will that happen? Maybe not. Does our wedding NEED to last longer than one afternoon/evening? Absolutely not. But there’s something so appealing about throwing multiple parties and hosting fun events for an entire extended weekend.
What did you do during your wedding weekend? Were there multiple events, or did you just keep it simple? Did you feel any pressure to host more or offer more to your guests?
July 22, 2012 at 10:56 am, Jeannine @ Small and Chic said:
I’ve traveled for both kinds of weddings. Honestly, I was not thrilled with the weekend of planned events.
The last out-of-town wedding we attended had three days of events. We were in a cute, resort town and didn’t get to shop, eat out, or even relax. It was a “go, go, go” weekend. The welcome party and rehearsal dinner ate of one day. The next day was the wedding. The next day was the brunch. I think we got into the town once…to get gas on the way home.
Compare that to the wedding before that, which was in a pretty cool city. The only official event was the wedding, but we planned a few meals with our friends (bride and groom included). We also go to see the city’s aquarium, go shopping, and do some exploring. It was an awesome wedding weekend.
We wanted our guests to fall in love with Charlottesville, so we didn’t over schedule them. My uncle (a NYCer who loves the outdoors) wound up fishing the day before our wedding. My brother’s family wound up going to a kids’ attraction. We don’t know what everyone did, but we’re hoping they had time to enjoy the area in their own way.