Why weekend weddings are quickly becoming the way to say “I do”
— Because one night isn’t enough time to hug every friend, taste every canapé, and truly feel the moment.
Wait, what is a weekend wedding?
A weekend wedding stretches the celebration over two-plus days, usually Friday to Sunday, so you’re not cramming the arrival, ceremony, party, and farewells into a single blur.
Think of it as a relaxed mini-retreat with the people who matter most. And you’re not alone in loving the idea: recent research shows more than a third of Millennial and Gen Z couples are planning multi-day celebrations, while one in seven are even splitting the legal “I do” from the main party to gain flexibility and ease thetimes.co.uk.
Why flashy is fading and connection is in
The way we celebrate milestones are changing. We now have friends in Australia, cousins in America and work buddies in Cape Town. Flying everyone in for just six rushed hours feels… thin.
No wonder couples leave a traditional wedding saying:
- “It went by so quickly.”
- “I barely spoke to my friends.”
- “I never even tasted the food!”
A weekend format fixes that. You slow the tempo, deepen conversations, and create memories that stick—an emerging priority for couples thebridalplan.co.za.
Seven benefits of hosting a weekend wedding
1. Real time with loved ones
Multiple meals, late-night chats and lazy breakfasts beat a quick canapé hello.
2. Travel made worthwhile
Guests flying in from overseas feel their airfare was worth it.
3. Less day-of stress
Major set-up happens Friday; you wake up Saturday calm and present.
4. Built-in exclusivity
Many venues (hello, The Stone Cellar) give you the keys for the whole weekend, not a six-hour slot.
5. Immersive vibe
Curate mini-events—pool hangs, farm walks, games by the fire, that tell your story.
6. Greater privacy
No back-to-back weddings next door. The property feels like yours for the weekend.
7. Photos & food enjoyed
You’re not sprinting to meet a timeline, so you actually eat dessert and watch the sunset (or sunrise).
Frequently asked questions about weekend weddings
“Won’t two extra days cost a fortune?”
Not necessarily. Many suppliers bundle services or waive overtime when there’s no scramble. Plus, splitting costs over several meals (vs. one plated banquet) can free budget for experiences that matter.
“What if people can’t take the time off work?”
Most guests will travel Friday afternoon anyway. Framing it as a mini-holiday often increases RSVPs because the effort feels worthwhile.
“Do we need to plan entertainment for every spare hour?”
No. Sprinkle in optional moments like pool hangs, a guided hike, board-game nook, and let organic connection do the rest.
“Is a weekend wedding worth it if we’re only 60 guests?”
Absolutely. Smaller groups actually thrive on a retreat vibe because everyone can mix without feeling lost in a crowd brides.com.
Planning tips to keep it simple (and sanity-proof)
- Choose a venue with on-site accommodation (or nearby shuttles) so guests ditch car logistics.
- Create one central itinerary board, digital or chalk, so no one asks “What’s next?”
- Delegate mini-events: give the groom’s party Friday games night, the bridesmaids Sunday brunch décor.
- Think layers, not perfection: lawn blankets, citronella candles, personalised t-shirts, baskets of flip-flops. These small comfort touches beat fussy décor.
- Budget transparency is king: share optional add-on prices (massages, wine tasting) so guests choose their spend.
Weekend wedding ideas people will talk about for years
- Chef’s Table Friday: a long-table dinner under the walnut trees.
- Sunrise Yoga on the lawn (a gentle stretch with coffee straight after).
- Saturday morning flower picking on the neighbouring flower farm. Your guests can take their flowers home on Sunday – a sweet wedding reminder.
- Friday night is games night: nothing like some heathy competition.
Why the stone cellar was built for weekend weddings
- Friday-to-Sunday hire is standard, so you automatically get breathing room.
- Suikerbosrand scenery feels like a Cape farm escape yet we’re an easy drive from Joburg and Pretoria which is ideal for scattered families.
- On-site accommodation for 44 guests (sharing) keeps everyone close; we’ll shuttle overflow to neighbouring farms or Heidelberg Crown Hotel.
- Farm-to-table feasts mean you will taste the food, and probably ask for seconds.
- Purpose-built spaces: pool, firepit, lawn games, big-sky ceremony field, and no extra hire. Just arrive and breathe.
Ready to slow down and live your wedding?
If reading this sparked a little sigh of relief, that’s your sign. A wedding weekend isn’t indulgence; it’s the one gift of time you will never regret giving yourselves.
Download our free “Weekend Wedding Planning Pack”—complete timeline, budget worksheet and creative activity ideas—to start mapping out the celebration you truly want.
Or click Contact Us and let’s talk dates under the Suikerbosrand stars.
Life moves fast – your wedding weekend shouldn’t.
