Your wedding day is arguably the most magical day of your life, so why not extend the celebrations even further and make a weekend out of it! Turning your wedding into a weekend full of celebrations is a daunting task, but we have plenty of experience on how to make the most of it. Whether you’re thinking of a formal 3 course dinner or a chilled pool party, we know just how to help you celebrate!
REHEARSAL DINNERS
The rehearsal dinner is an important pre-wedding event, typically held the night before the wedding. It provides the wedding party with an opportunity to rehearse the ceremony if needed, yet also allows the immediate family members to socialise and relax before the big day. Traditionally the Grooms parents would host, but more recently its popular to hold these at your venue if it allows or at a local restaurant. This would typically be a three-course dinner, with plenty of wine and fizz flowing throughout and perhaps a few informal speeches or toasts. Rehearsal dinners definitely set a celebratory and appreciative tone for the wedding, helping everyone feel connected and prepared for the main event!
WELCOME PARTY
The welcome party is designed to greet and entertain guests who have travelled outside of town for the wedding. It sets a festive tone and allows guests to mingle and get to know each other before the main event. Typically, this is a casual gathering with drinks and some form of light snack, either a buffet or bowl food circulation. This usually lasts a couple of hours or so and encourages everyone to mix and mingle and also help unwind from a full day of travelling! A welcome party also allows the couple to show appreciation for those out-of-town guests in their effort for attending the wedding and also extend their thanks before the weekend begins.
POOL PARTY
A pool party is a fun and unique post-wedding celebration, that extends the celebrations even further. It provides a laid-back atmosphere for guests to unwind and enjoy themselves whilst interacting with each other and reflecting on the big day before. Typically, this is much more casual and fun, with light refreshing food options such as BBQ’s or finger foods like pizza and a variety of cocktails and mocktails. Pool parties have many forms of entertainment such as swimming, games, lounge areas and sometimes even live music. This can be held at your venue, if they have a pool or at a family/friends’ home or a local outdoor pool.
BRUNCH
A post wedding brunch is a delightful event held the morning after the wedding. Providing the opportunity for the newlyweds and their guests to relax, reflect and enjoy more time together. It offers a chance to say goodbye to guests in a more relaxed setting whilst recuperating from the night before. This is hugely convenient if your guests are staying at the venue, or if it was held at a family home, where guests can come and tuck into some well needed breakfast. It also aids the perfect departure for your guests, a quick and easy breakfast with final goodbyes before they make the journey home.
Hopefully these popular ideas have given you an insight of how to extend your celebrations even further and what works when entertaining your guests. It goes without saying that there is an abundance of ideas, but whatever you decide, as long as you make the most treasured memories, then that’s all that matters.
Written by Meels, Event Manager