From wedding day to wedding weekend: why more couples are choosing a weekend experience

While a wedding used to consist of a single, intense day filled with ceremonies, drinks, and a party, we're increasingly seeing couples opting for a weekend wedding, sometimes even a whole week. But why is the preference shifting from "the day of your life" to "the weekend of your life"? It seems to have something to do with the following factors.

1. The importance of being together

Social psychology research shows that shared experiences strengthen the bond between people. A wedding weekend offers precisely that opportunity: more time together, more shared moments, more connection. Instead of fleeting conversations at a dinner party, you, as the bride and groom, have the chance to truly spend quality time together.

2. From consumption to experience

We live in a time when experience is becoming more important than possessions. More and more couples see their wedding not just as a ceremony, but as an experience created together. A weekend with friends and family feels like a mini-vacation: relaxing breakfasts, doing activities together, and building up to the ceremony and celebration.

3. The holiday feeling

Especially abroad, a wedding weekend takes on an extra holiday feel. Whether it's a quinta in Portugal, a country house in France, or a villa in Spain, the location automatically offers that holiday feeling. The sun, the scenery, and perhaps even a swimming pool make guests feel like they're not just attending a wedding, but also experiencing a special holiday.

4. Less stress, more relaxation

A single wedding day can be hectic, with a tight schedule where every quarter counts. Spreading it out over several days creates more space for peace and flexibility. Psychologically, this reduces perceived stress, allowing both the bride and groom and their guests to relax and enjoy themselves more mindfully.

5. International trends

Internationally, we've been seeing the rise of the wedding weekend for some time now, especially in Southern Europe and the US. It's also growing in popularity in the Netherlands, with estates and boutique hotels cleverly capitalizing on this by offering multi-day packages. In Southern European countries, wedding weekends are often combined with local traditions: think of a tapas evening in Spain or a wine tasting in France before the ceremony.

The future: celebrating abroad

This trend is expected to continue, especially among couples who value travel and shared experiences. The idea of a wedding as a vacation, complete with overnight stays, shared dinners, and activities, resonates with the desire for meaningful experiences. Especially now that people are more consciously choosing how and with whom they spend their time, the wedding weekend seems to be the ultimate way to celebrate love and togetherness. And not always in a few hours, but in days.