PLANNING AN UNFORGETTABLE WEDDING WEEKEND
The joy of a wedding often extends beyond the ceremony itself and may sometimes blossom into a cherished weekend of festivities and heartfelt moments. From the rehearsal dinner to the post-wedding brunch, a wedding weekend weaves together love, laughter, and the gathering of loved ones into a beautiful tapestry creating a full experience for you and your guests.
We have been honoured to witness and play part in planning some amazing wedding weekend celebrations and we wanted to share some of our tips on how to make this possible for you.
Anticipation Builds: Pre-Wedding Festivities
As guests arrive for the wedding weekend, this is when excitement is at its peak. Whether it's a destination wedding in a serene countryside or a vibrant city celebration, the venue becomes a hub of connection and anticipation for the upcoming union. This is the perfect time to welcome your guests with a small token of appreciation after a long trip and to make sure that they are comfortable. Personalisation can start here with monogrammed items to kick start the weekend and even a small booklet showing the itinerary for the days ahead.
The fun usually starts with a rehearsal lunch or dinner—a relaxed gathering where the wedding party, family, and close friends come together. It's a time to unwind and prep for the special day ahead. You can opt for a long sit down dinner with a more relaxed menu like or a cocktail party if you want guests to mingle and socialise instead.
This is also a good opportunity to insert some cultural celebrations like tea ceremony or Mehendi to pay respects to old traditions and history.
E+W hosted a prewedding lunch for guests the day before their big day
A+D hosted a mehndi cocktail party to welcome guests from all over the world
THE BIG DAY
The wedding day is obviously what everyone has been anticipating - the piece de resistance. As the bride and groom prepare separately, the day becomes a reflection of the couple’s unique style and story. This is where the main theme is focused and when all the details come together in grandeur. Storytelling about the couple is weaved into the ceremony and the reception.
Our tip is to always start with theming for the big day before working on your pre and post wedding celebrations. It’s easier to work on the most grand celebration and work backwards from there.
Post-Wedding Serenity: A Leisurely Farewell
As the wedding day draws to a close, the celebration can be extended with a leisurely post-wedding brunch. It's an intimate affair, allowing everyone to unwind and share their experiences from the day before. It can be a recovery day for everyone to gather again before going back to normality or traveling back home.
Opt to reuse some decor from the wedding if it’s an option to create continuity.
REPURPOSING FLORALS FROM CEREMONY TO RECEPTION OR EVEN TO THE RECOVERY BRUNCH IS A GREAT WAY TO ENSURE FLORALS DON’T GO TO WASTE.
A successful wedding weekend is such a testament to bringing people together and beyond all the glitz and glamour, it is about creating a milestone not just for the couples but also for the guest. A wedding weekend is such a brilliant way to take time and celebrate with family and friends and not stress about cramping all the festivities into one single day.
It’s good to remember that in the end, a wedding weekend is not just about the couple—it's about the collective experience of love and union of two souls celebrating as one. It is a beautiful reminder of shared experiences and an affirmation of commitment of what’s to come.
Keep safe and be kind
Ruffles and Bells Team xx