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“With a multi-day wedding, there is time to breathe, and the space to genuinely connect. As an example, the couple could have a welcome dinner on day one, a wine tasting with all their college friends on day two, and a brunch with the in-laws on day four. Each group gets its own ‘moment’ with the couple.” This kind of pacing can reduce pressure and stress for the couple, improving the experience of their special event and giving them the time to truly connect with their guests instead of rushing around cramming in photos with everyone. The kind of activities and memories that can be built into a multi-day wedding also makes it stand out from the standard; and in today’s personalized event climate, that holds a lot of weight for many couples. There are a few downsides, however—the biggest one being cost. Frias notes, “There is more lodging, food, coordination, and events to cover. Even simple things multiply: a second dress, more rentals or decor, more photos or video coverage.” It’s not just the cost for the couple that needs to be considered, though. Jamie Chang (Mango Muse Events) cautions, “Not every guest has the time or money to travel and/or spend multiple days at events, so having a multi-day wedding can end up excluding some people.” Extra costs can often lead couples to invite a smaller pool of guests, focusing the budget on those who are closest to the couple and most willing to commit. The amount of planning you and your team and partners will have to do also significantly increases with longer events. “Think of it as planning three or four coordinated events, each with its own guest list nuances, vendor setup, transportation needs, and ambiance,” explains Frias. “This requires more vendor coordination, more detailed timelines and schedules, and more complex guest communication, as not every event will be catered to every guest.” While multi-day weddings can increase the budget and the amount of work for you and your team, many people feel it’s worth it. “The payoff completely outweighs the downsides,” says Frias. “It's a story that everyone involved will tell for their whole lives.” Creating an itinerary When it comes to planning the weekend, it can be helpful to have a focus for each day. According to Chang, “Most multi-day weddings are
Wedding Weekend Ideas Day 1 The weekend should start with guests arriving at their leisure, with just enough planned that they can mingle without stress. *Think icebreakers and first impressions, such as a welcome event centered around food (e.g., barbecue, taco night, a bonfire with s'mores, or wine and cheese). Day 2 The theme of the second day should coalesce around bonding, exploring, and/or honoring the local or the couple's culture. *Think welcome brunch for those who hadn’t arrived the day prior, a cooking class or wine tasting, and a spa morning. TheWeddingDay All the normal wedding day activities take place, but with the rise in popularity of after parties, this day can end with a bang . Day 4 The day after the ceremony usually focuses on saying goodbyes and offering one last memory maker. *Try a brunch buffet or picnic, maybe a coffee cart or fresh juice bar, and a Polaroid display from the weekend. For guests that want to stick around the day after the ceremony, consider participating in a local tour, offering one last chance for people to see what they may have missed.
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SPECIAL EVENTS SUMMER 2025
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