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 If you've seen the comedy (and tragedy) of weekend weddings in movies such as "The Wedding Crashers", "My Best Friends Wedding" and "The Wedding Date", you know what can go wrong when you mix family and friends together for a long weekend. Hosting festivities and other events around your wedding day can provide a more memorable experience if they are planned well. Guests can celebrate with the happy couple and spend some quality time together in a relaxed and fun environment. Good planning and keeping to a schedule is essential to keep the celebrations flowing. Here are some suggestions that may help you plan a more perfect weekend wedding.
If your wedding is not in your hometown, become familiar with the community where the weekend wedding will be held. Provide your guests with information about restaurants, shopping, pharmacies, hospitals and services they might need. You might want to include a "welcome" basket filled with snacks, champagne or wine, a map of the area; let your creativity flow. Arrange transportation to the events and wedding or provide directions and maps.
Make sure your guests understand how formal or informal all of the events will be during the weekend so they can plan their attire.
If your guests are all staying in the same hotel or facility, set up a welcome reception when they arrive so they can get to meet, and hopefully, enjoy one another.
Skip the more formal rehearsal dinner and plan a casual gathering the night before the wedding for all of the visiting guests, keeping it light and stress-free.
Host an informal brunch or lunch the day of the wedding. Make sure the timing is flexible because everyone will be busy. It just another occasion for everyone to feel included.
The morning after the wedding, invite everyone to join the happy newlyweds for breakfast - but not too early - for them and yourselves!
Wedding weekends are not for everyone. Perfectionists will probably spend the entire three days hyperventilating. Being close for three days with so many people may be too intense for some families. Some may just prefer to have more private, quiet time before the wedding.
Whatever you plan, keep it simple and casual. During an entire weekend, something will probably go wrong. If you don't stress, it really won't matter. Just enjoy being with your friends and family.
Resources
Eddie Davis Orchestra & Entertainment
11 Bala Ave., Bala Cynwyd
610-664-8553
www.eddiedavismusic.com
Optima Jewelers
723 Montgomery Ave., Narberth
610-668-8689
optimajewelers@verizon.net
Buddy Bear Jewelers
314 Old Lancaster Rd., Merion
610-664-1211
www.buddybearjewelers.com
B. Gross Menswear
2 East State Street, Media
610-566-7990
Ahhh... Linh Phan Salon & Spa
1000 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr
610-520-1688
Avante Salon & Spa
Main Street, Exton
610-363-0600
www.avantesalon.com
Changes Salon & Day Spa
Ardmore Plaza
30 Greenfield Ave.
610-649-3773
www.changessalonspa.com
Peter's Salon
1009 W. Chester Pk., W. Chester
610-436-6464
www.peterssalonandspa.com
Style Masters Salon
549 Lancaster Avenue, Malvern
610-640-4969
www.stylemastersonline.com |
