Picture this: the entirety of the Hedingham Estate is yours for the weekend. The magnificent 900-year-old Castle with its breathtaking Banqueting Hall and luxurious Royal Chamber; the beautiful Georgian House with its elegant rooms and Ballroom Marquee; and the charming Garden Cottage and Medieval Lodge surrounded by 160 acres of glorious Essex countryside.

A 3-day wedding celebration can be a truly magical experience, giving you and your guests plenty of time to create unforgettable memories. With a weekend wedding, you can slow down, relax, and truly savour every moment of your special day with your favourite people.

In this blog post, we'll explore why a weekend wedding could be an excellent choice for your nuptial celebrations, how it can make the start of your marriage an unforgettable experience and take you through the steps of planning a remarkable 3-day celebration that will leave everyone talking for years to come.

Why choose an extended wedding celebration?

More Time, More Memories

The biggest advantage of a weekend wedding is that it gives you ample time to create beautiful memories with your loved ones. Instead of cramming all the festivities into one hectic day, you can spread the celebration over three days or even an entire weekend. This allows you to have a leisurely pace, spend quality time with your family and friends, and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. From welcome parties and rehearsal dinners to post-wedding brunches and after-parties, a weekend wedding gives you the freedom to plan multiple events and activities that will bring everyone closer and create unforgettable memories.

Deeper Connections
A traditional one-day wedding can be quite overwhelming, with a whirlwind of activities and a never-ending guest list. On the other hand, a weekend wedding allows you to have more intimate and meaningful interactions with your guests. With more time on hand, you can engage in heartwarming conversations, share laughter and tears, and build deeper connections with your loved ones. From spending quality time with your grandparents to catching up with long-lost friends, a weekend wedding provides the perfect opportunity to strengthen your bonds and create lasting memories with the people who mean the most to you.

Unique Experiences
Another great advantage of a weekend wedding is that it offers you the chance to create unique and personalised experiences for your guests. You can plan a variety of activities and events that reflect your interests, hobbies, and personalities, making your wedding truly one-of-a-kind. For example, you can arrange for a bonfire and s'mores night, a wine tasting tour, or a hike and picnic in the nearby woods. These unique experiences will not only make your wedding stand out but also keep your guests entertained and engaged throughout the weekend.

Relaxed and Stress-Free
Planning a wedding can be stressful, and trying to fit everything into one day can add to the pressure. With a weekend wedding, you can ease the stress and create a more relaxed and enjoyable experience for yourself and your guests. You won't have to worry about rushing through the ceremony, squeezing in all the speeches, or cutting short the dances. Instead, you can take your time, soak in the moment, and truly enjoy the celebration without any unnecessary stress or time constraints.

Destination Delights
If you're considering a destination wedding, a weekend wedding is the perfect choice. It's not always easy for everyone to take time off and travel to a different location for a wedding. However, with a weekend wedding, you can turn it into a mini-break for your guests. They can enjoy the destination, explore the surroundings, and make the most out of their trip. Plus, you get to spend more time with your loved ones in a beautiful location, creating unforgettable memories in a breathtaking setting.

How to plan a weekend wedding

So, we now know why a weekend wedding is a fantastic option for your wedding, ‘but how do I go about planning one?!’ we hear you cry! Planning a multi-day event can be overwhelming if you're not sure where to start, but fear not! We'll now take you through the steps of planning such a celebration, breaking it down into each day to make it more manageable.

Day 1: Welcome Party

The first day of your weekend wedding is all about setting the tone and welcoming your guests with open arms. Here are some tips for planning a memorable welcome party:

Choose a Theme: Pick a theme that reflects your personalities or the destination of your wedding. It could be an enchanting garden soiree, an elegant cocktail party or a beach bonfire. Make sure to incorporate your personal touch into the decorations, food, and drinks to create a unique experience.
Location: Consider a setting that is different from your wedding ceremony and reception locations. This will add variety and excitement to the celebrations. At Hedingham, you could choose the atmospheric Tapestry Room of the Castle or the Castle lawns overlooking the surrounding countryside.
Set the tone: Keep the vibe of the welcome party informal and relaxed. Encourage mingling, laughter, and getting to know each other. This will establish the mood for the rest of the weekend and create a warm and inclusive atmosphere.
Food & drink: Offer a variety of finger foods and signature drinks that match the theme of the welcome party. Consider hiring a food truck or a caterer to make the planning easier. Don't forget to accommodate any dietary restrictions or preferences of your guests.
Entertainment: Provide some form of entertainment or activity to keep your guests engaged. For those arriving early, a gentle pursuit such as falconry or croquet can be a great ice breaker, or you might enjoy a cheese and wine pairing with a local expert to get the party started. Live music during your evening event always creates a great ambience - keep it low key such as an acoustic musician to establish a relaxed vibe.
Decorations: Decorate the venue with elements that tie into your chosen theme. This could include fairy lights, lanterns, and cosy seating areas to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Day 2: Wedding Ceremony and Reception

The second day is the main event of your wedding celebration - the ceremony and reception. Here's how to make it truly special:

Venue Selection: Choose a venue that reflects your style and preferences. It could be a traditional church, a picturesque garden, an historic castle or a luxurious ballroom. Make sure to visit the venue in person and take into consideration the logistics and accommodations for your guests.
Timeline and flow: Plan the timings and flow of the day carefully. Allow plenty of time for the ceremony, drinks reception, dinner and dancing. Consider hiring a wedding planner to help with the logistics and ensure a smooth flow of events. At Hedingham, every couple is provided with an in-house co-ordinator as part of their booking who will ensure your celebrations run like clockwork.
Personal touches: Infuse your personalities into the ceremony and reception by adding personalised details. It could be writing your own vows, designing unique wedding invitations, making your own favours or incorporating meaningful traditions from your culture or heritage.
Guest experience: Consider the comfort and experience of your guests. Provide clear directions, arrange transportation if needed, and offer amenities such as water stations, seating areas and restroom facilities. Make sure your guests feel taken care of and appreciated throughout the day.
Food & drink: These can make a big impact on your guests' experience. Work with a caterer to design a menu that is delicious and memorable. Consider offering a variety of options to accommodate different dietary preferences and restrictions.

Day 3: Farewell Brunch

The final day of your 3-day wedding celebration is the perfect time to bid farewell to your guests with a relaxed and intimate brunch. Saying goodbyes can be emotional, so take the time to personally thank each guest and express your heartfelt appreciation for their presence in your special celebration. A thoughtful farewell brunch can be a memorable and meaningful way to end your 3-day wedding celebration and leave lasting impressions on your guests. Here's how to make it memorable:

Time it right: Decide on the timing of the farewell brunch based on the travel plans of your guests. Late morning usually works well as it allows guests plenty of rest from the night before and gives them ample time to say their goodbyes and depart.
Choose a location: Select a setting for the brunch, such as a cosy restaurant, a garden, or a different space in the same venue as your reception. Consider the size of your guest list and the ambiance you want to create.
Menu: Plan a menu that complements the wedding festivities. This could include a variety of hot and cold breakfast and lunch options, or picnic baskets are a charming alternative if hosting outside, as well as coffee, tea, and nourishing smoothies.
Decorations: Keep the decor simple and elegant, with elements that tie into your wedding theme or colour palette. Consider using floral arrangements, linens, and other decor items to create a cohesive look.
Thank Yous: Take the time to express your gratitude to your guests for being part of your celebrations during the farewell brunch. Thank you notes or small gifts can be a lovely token of appreciation for their presence and support. Make sure to personally thank each guest for being part of your wedding celebration.
Photography: Capturing the special moments of the farewell brunch with your photographer is as important as documenting the previous days as these photos will be a cherished reminder of your extended celebrations.
A smooth departure: Help plan the logistics for your guests' departure, such as arranging transportation options or providing information on nearby airports or train stations as required. Ensure that guests have all the necessary information for their travel arrangements and offer assistance as needed.

So there we have it. Hosting a 3-day wedding celebration can be an incredible option for your nuptial celebrations. It allows you to extend the festivities, spend more quality time with your loved ones, and create unforgettable memories. From the welcome party to the wedding ceremony, reception, and farewell brunch, a weekend wedding provides myriad opportunities to connect with loved ones. Your guests will appreciate the extra time together, and you'll have cherished memories to last a lifetime.

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*What our couples say*

Rachel and Kit hosted their 3-day celebration at Hedingham Castle in August 2022. Below is their account of their experience

“We got married at Hedingham Castle in August of 2022, and I cannot say enough good things about the venue and Sarah and her team.

I live in the US (my husband is British hence the UK wedding), and Sarah worked with me through time zone differences and my need to iron out every single detail with her. We rented the venue for two days to throw a more casual welcome party on the Friday and then the full wedding on Saturday— Sarah and her team managed to pull together both a casual outdoor event with activities on Friday quickly followed by a black tie elegant affair on Saturday. Everything was absolutely perfect down to the last detail.

On the Friday, they had a magnificent outdoor tent to allow for cover from the sun where we set up picnic tables and wine fridges for guests to help themselves. Inside, there was a wine and beer bar in the castle along with the buffet and indoor tables if people preferred to eat inside. We hired a historian from the castle to tour our guests to learn the history of the stunning castle grounds, and we hired games, archery, and falconry, which Sarah was kind enough to coordinate for us. Our guests were blown away by the history and beauty of the castle.

On the Saturday, the venue was transformed into an elegant fairytale, where our guests told us that they couldn’t believe so many different settings were in one venue!!!!! They took an old red double decker bus from the hotel to the venue where they were seated in the castle for the ceremony. Sarah and the staff adorned the room in candles and despite being a 3pm summer ceremony, the room was dimly lit by romantic candlelight. Following the ceremony, guests went out to the lawn where we got photos and then were ushered to the bridge to throw confetti, quickly followed by heading into the house for drinks reception. This was yet another magnificent change of scenery where guests were thrilled by the restrooms behind the bookcase, the stunning house indoors, and mostly by the surprise of the French doors opening up to a fairytale lawn to enjoy their champagne and cocktails in a picturesque landscape. When guests were then ushered into the marquis for the reception, they couldn’t believe that there was yet another location at the venue. Sarah and her team moved mountains to make the reception perfect as well. Sarah worked closely with me on the table layout, which tables could and could not move for the dance floor to open, placing the menus and napkins exactly how I wanted them, and ensuring that we had the right number of drinks ordered to keep the drinks flowing!

In addition to the experience for all the guests, we had my parents and my in-laws stay at the bridal cottage on the grounds, and my husband and I and the bridal party stayed at the Lodge on the grounds. Everything was just perfect for us and our closest family and friends.

Hopefully the length and detail of this review convey just how much I loved everything about this venue - don’t miss the opportunity to get married in this incredible, versatile space! Six months later, our guests are still talking about it, and for us, it was absolutely the best weekend of our lives.”

— Rachel & Kit, August 2022

Ultimate Guide: How to Plan a Show-stopping 3-Day Weekend Wedding Celebration

Why choose an extended wedding celebration?