Multi-day weddings have become a very popular option, and it’s easy to see why. With couples now having the freedom to host celebrations further afield, the increase in weekend wedding venues, and the genuine desire to spend longer celebrating such a momentous occasion with family and friends, stretching the joy beyond just one event creates a truly immersive experience.
But let’s be honest, pulling off a weekend wedding takes seriously careful planning. From budgeting wisely to keeping everyone engaged across multiple days, every detail needs to be thoughtfully considered. The logistics alone can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start.
To help you navigate the process, we’ve taken insight and inspiration from a venue that has mastered the art of multi-day celebrations: Tythe in Oxfordshire. This Directory fave is a collection of beautifully restored barns with a luxury 17th-century farmhouse set on a working farm, where couples (and we) are discovering just how magical weekend weddings can be.
Emma Deeley, owner of Tythe, shared her top 10 ideas for planning your own unforgettable two-day wedding celebration.
Start with a Venue That Can Handle the Whole Experience
Multi-day celebrations require venues with serious flexibility and accommodation options. Look for properties that can genuinely support extended stays, not just ceremony and reception spaces, but places where your closest friends and family can actually hang out for a few days.
Tythe is a brilliant example of this approach, offering everything from the historic 14th-century Thatched Barn for ceremonies to a stunning 17th-century farmhouse with seven double en-suite bedrooms, plus additional accommodation in The Lodge and a cosy Shepherd’s Hut. When your venue can house your inner circle, the celebration becomes less about logistics and more about genuine connection (and fun).
Design Distinct Spaces for Different Celebration Moments
The beauty of a two-day wedding is having the luxury of using different areas for different purposes throughout your extended celebration. Instead of cramming everything into one space or turning the same room over multiple times, map out how you’ll use various locations across your timeline.
At Tythe, couples might exchange vows under the silver birch canopy in The Orchard, host their reception in the barn with its rustic oak beams and fairy lights, then retreat to The Farmhouse for intimate evening drinks by the fire. Having these distinct spaces means each moment feels fresh and intentional rather than rushed and repetitive.
Embrace the Welcome Experience
First impressions matter, but when you have multiple days to work with, you can create a proper arrival experience rather than diving straight into formal festivities. Consider hosting a relaxed welcome dinner or drinks to help everyone settle in and reconnect.
This is also where luxury prep spaces really shine. Imagine settling into beautifully designed getting-ready suites, such as The Nook with its double-height rooms and full-length antique mirrors, or The Lodge with its landscaped garden terrace, perfect for welcome drinks.
Make Day Two Just as Special (But Different)
Here’s where things get really exciting: why limit yourself to one day of celebration when you can have two completely different experiences? The day after your wedding, with everyone you love still in one place, presents an incredible opportunity for a more relaxed, intimate gathering.
Think epic garden parties, tennis tournaments with strawberries and cream (very Wimbledon!), barefoot antics followed by Prosecco popsicles, or cosy afternoons with bridesmaids reliving the previous day’s magic. The key is making Sunday (or your second day) feel like its own special event, not just an afterthought.
Plan for all Weather Options
British weather is… well, British, but multi-day celebrations give you built-in flexibility to adapt to whatever Mother Nature throws your way. If it’s gloriously sunny, embrace alfresco dining and outdoor activities. If it’s cooler, lean into cosy options with hot tubs, hot chocolate, and S’mores.
Having venues with both indoor and outdoor options – such as Tythe’s walled gardens, farmhouse interiors, and wood-fired hot tub — means you can pivot seamlessly without compromising the experience. Meaning that the weather becomes part of the adventure rather than a constant source of stress.
Consider Your Guest Journey
Extended celebrations require thinking beyond just the happy couple’s experience. How will your guests feel across multiple days? What will keep them engaged, comfortable, and entertained without overwhelming them?
Map out a guest journey that includes both structured activities and free time. Maybe that’s a lazy al fresco breakfast followed by optional wellies-and-walks exploration, then afternoon pampering before evening festivities. The goal is creating moments for connection without making it feel like a packed itinerary.
Invest in Quality Accommodation
This isn’t just about having beds available; it’s about creating a home-away-from-home experience for your closest friends and family, and quality accommodation transforms a wedding weekend from a logistical challenge into a luxurious retreat.
Look for venues offering proper amenities: en-suite bathrooms, comfortable common areas, kitchens for late-night snacks, and outdoor spaces for morning coffee. When your accommodation feels special rather than basic, trust us, it elevates the entire experience.
Plan Your Food and Drink Strategy
Multi-day celebrations require a careful evaluation of your catering approach. You’ll need everything from welcome drinks and casual brunches to formal wedding breakfasts and late-night snacks. Therefore, it’s important to work with caterers who understand the flow of extended celebrations.
Also, consider varying your dining styles across the days. Perhaps have an elegant sit-down meal for your main wedding celebration, followed by wood-fired pizzas and casual garden party vibes the next day. Having options like outdoor ovens, breakfast stations, and even a Bloody Mary station for recovery purposes(!) keeps things interesting and appropriate for different scenarios.
Create Intimate Moments Alongside the Big Celebrations
One of the biggest advantages of multi-day weddings is the opportunity for smaller, more intimate moments that can often get lost in a traditional single-day celebration. These might be morning coffee with your new spouse, late-night conversations with old friends, or quiet moments of reflection.
Design your schedule to include these breathing spaces. Maybe it’s curling up on outdoor sofas with your bridesmaids, enjoying a couples’ moment in the hot tub, or gathering around the fire pit for a wee dram and some story-swapping. Often, it’s these unstructured moments that become the most treasured memories.
End on a High Note
Don’t let your extended celebration fizzle out by planning a proper finale that gives everyone a chance to say goodbye and reflect on the experience. This could be a decadent farewell breakfast, a final group activity, or a relaxed morning send-off.
The key is creating closure while celebrating what you’ve all shared together. After an extended celebration, people often feel like they’ve been part of something truly special; honour that with a thoughtful conclusion that acknowledges the magic you’ve all experienced together.
Multi-day wedding celebrations aren’t just about having more time (though that’s certainly lovely) – they’re also about creating genuine experiences and deeper connections with the people you love and care about most. Whether you opt for a weekend celebration or extend it even longer, the key is choosing venues and creating experiences that support connection, comfort, and pure joy across multiple days.
After all, if you’re going to plan the party of a lifetime, why not make it last a little longer?
Based on a weekday wedding in January.