If you saw my last post here on the English Wedding Blog you’ll know I love extending a wedding celebration to an entire weekend. So many couples after their wedding day will say that it went way too quickly, so why not consider adding a Friday evening welcome drinks and BBQ or Sunday walk and brunch?

Love the idea of extra time with your guests but wondering how to do it without breaking the bank? Here are a few tips!

Pick a venue with flexibility

If you are in the early stages of planning, look at venues which allow you to hire them from Friday until Sunday. Personally, I love a country house wedding and there are so many that allow you to have the venue for the entire weekend.

Often with these venues they give you flexibility and aren’t as expensive as you might think, they also allow you to bring in elements yourself, like your own bar which saves on costs.

Check this when you book, no two venues have the same rules!

Concentrate on the main event

If you have a large budget you can go to town for the entire weekend, but if that’s not the case focus your efforts on the wedding day itself.

The Friday evening and Sunday activities don’t need to be lavish or fancy just an opportunity to spend lovely time with your guests. If you are hosting a welcome BBQ ask your guests to bring a bottle, dessert or salad.

On the Sunday morning ask one of the guests to organise a cricket match or treasure hunt in the grounds, keeping everyone entertained but costs low!

Let guests stay

If your chosen venue has accommodation which is included in the costs, ask your nearest and dearest to stay with you and enjoy the space for the weekend.

Guests would have to pay for local accommodation for the wedding anyway so don’t be afraid to ask guests to contribute.

It will help massively when you look at your budget and will mean that everyone can relax and enjoy the festivities.

Tell it like it is!

My final tip is to be open and honest with your guests, you don’t have to foot the bill for everything but let your guests know what is included.

Perhaps you are planning a pub lunch on the Sunday, you may decide to put a tab behind the bar for the first drink but after that guests must pay for themselves.

Just be clear, none of your guests will mind – they just need to know!