It's becoming more common for brides and grooms to host wedding weekends and not just weddings, because then guests have more of a chance to spend time with the betrothed and to enjoy different settings of celebration. Here are some ideas for unique parties to throw during your wedding weekend.
Welcome Dinner
Hosting a welcome dinner, especially when you're having a destination wedding or many guests are from out of town, is a great way to kick off your festivities. The key is to remember that the wedding should be the most formal event of the weekend, so take some liberties with other parties and remember they can be fun, laid-back and relaxed.
Try hosting a welcome dinner that's a BBQ picnic style, outside with red checkered tablecloths and great BBQ foods. This can also be combined with the rehearsal dinner, which has traditionally been hosted for those participating in the wedding rehearsal (wedding party and families of the bride and groom). Why not expand the guest list and use the dinner as a way to welcome guests to town and get them ready to party?
Late-night Outing
This one many not be for all your guests, but for the younger, party-animal guests, why not have a late-night outing during the wedding weekend? Get a group together and go bowling, take a midnight cruise in a local yacht or take in a late-night concert. Just remember not to stay up too late into the wee hours the night before the wedding, or everyone will be dragging!
Pool Party
If you're getting married in a warm-weather locale, a great way to bring guests, family and friends together in a casual way is to have a pool party during the day, at some point during the wedding weekend. Poolside finger food plus lots of lounging and splashing around might just be what everyone needs to relax during an otherwise chaotic weekend, and take in some sun. Just remember the sunscreen, unless you want to look like a lobster in your white wedding dress!
Day-after brunch
After a wedding, everyone wants to bask in the glow a little longer and talk about the fabulous party the night before. That's one reason that morning-after brunches are getting more and more popular. With a light breakfast buffet, mimosas and other festive foods, guests will be encouraged to come and see each other one last time before heading home. The bride and groom can also have a chance to thank their guests again before leaving on their honeymoon, or even open gifts during the party.
Whatever parties adorn a wedding weekend, they should reflect the personalities of the bride and groom and offer guests more entertainment and enjoyment of a celebration of love.
