HOW TO PLAN A WEEKEND WEDDING IN THE UK - THE ULTIMATE CELEBRATION
Weekend weddings give you the perfect opportunity to make the most of precious time together with all your loved ones and epitomise a wow-factor wedding. They are perfect for couples who revel in socializing and entertaining. However, the extended duration demands meticulous design and logistical planning, surpassing the intricacies of a UK wedding that lasts one day.
CHOOSING YOUR LOCATION & WEEKEND WEDDING VENUE
Weekend weddings captivate me with the freedom they provide for planning and designing multiple events that authentically reflect your personality. Choosing the right venue becomes paramount for such grand occasions, whether you envision an opulent celebration on a private country estate or a series of gatherings in the heart of London.
When researching your ideal weekend wedding venue, focus on three key aspects. Firstly, ensure ample opportunities for planning a variety of activities either on-site or nearby. Consider the logistics of guest transportation, especially when guests are drinking too. For a luxury weekend wedding spanning multiple days, opt for a venue with diverse spaces to host different events, allowing for creative design possibilities that continually captivate your guests.
Lastly, don't overlook the accommodation aspect. Assess whether the venue provides sufficient lodging on-site or nearby, it's really important guests have their own space where they can relax and feel at home in between activities.
SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE WEEKEND WEDDING VENUES
Wilderness Reserve, Suffolk
Cornwell Manor, The Cotswolds
Heckfield Place, Hampshire
Thyme England, The Cotswolds
Kin House, The Cotswolds
GUEST EXPERIENCE
A UK wedding planners guide to the perfect itinerary; It's important to think about every eventuality of your guest's needs and striking a delicate balance between providing engaging activities without overwhelming attendees is the key.
I always like to include an icebreaker event to introduce everyone. Standing cocktails and roaming catering work best for this as guests can mingle and connect with numerous others in one night. Elevate the evening with a feature, be it exciting entertainment, an interactive activity or grand spectacle such as a fireworks display to kickstart the wedding weekend.
Integrate food and drink seamlessly into the weekend's activities. For instance, if you choose a venue like Wilderness Reserve, consider organizing a lakeside group picnic with rowing boats or a fire feast in the on-site woods. At a venue like Heckfield Place, you can indulge in a private dinner followed by a movie screening. Maintain a balance of providing ample food without being wasteful, and keeping the drinks flowing without getting all your guests too drunk within the first few hours!
Personalised details are a huge part of what I do as a luxury wedding planner. Elevate the experience with thoughtful, unexpected details – a handwritten note in each guest's hotel room, a tribute to a departed family member, or anecdotes of your adventures woven into wedding stationery or what you choose for guests to engage in. I always like to embrace every opportunity to infuse authenticity into the guest experience with these personalized touches.
PLANNING THE ULTIMATE CELEBRATION
This is all about extending the celebration! The atmosphere of any event hinges on the entertainment, playing a pivotal role in getting the party started, or creating a relaxing space for in-depth conversations and sipping on cocktails. Hangover brunches are my favourite events to plan and weave in the most outrageous entertainment into —whether it's the flamboyance of drag queens, the soulful tunes of live singers, or the beats of a house DJ. This serves as the grand finale to the weekend, offering a chance to pull out all the stops.
Following the events of the night before, guests usually find themselves a bit weary but still in high spirits. As everyone becomes more at ease with each other and inhibitions fade away, the hangover brunch transforms into a brilliant party, creating an unforgettable conclusion to the weekend wedding celebration.
HIRE A UK WEDDING PLANNER
Planning a weekend wedding is a complex undertaking, involving 10's of suppliers, sometimes multiple venues and a longer itinerary presents more logistical challenges than events that don’t span over multiple days. The intricate nature of this event underscores the value of enlisting the support of an experienced luxury wedding planner.
Hiring an expert ensures you feel reassured, have access to unlimited professional knowledge, and the luxury of an uncomplicated process. The time-consuming administrative tasks associated with planning such a complex event are organised for you allowing you to focus on exploring possibilities and relishing the journey with complete confidence.
As the wedding weekend unfolds, having a dedicated point of contact for all suppliers becomes paramount. Your UK wedding planner not only orchestrates set-ups but also gauges the atmosphere, adapts to the crowd, and swiftly implements contingency plans—all while discreetly handling any issues that may arise without your knowledge. While it may seem manageable to involve family and guests in these tasks, the ultimate goal is to provide them with the opportunity to fully enjoy and savour their time with you, unburdened by logistical responsibilities.