Who is an All-Weekend Wedding Not a Good Fit For?

Are you considering an all-weekend wedding but wondering if it's the best fit?

Weekend-long celebrations may be popular, but they’re not for everyone. At Zion Springs, we’ve hosted weddings since 2010 and helped couples create events that feel true to their style. 

This guide provides expert wedding planning tips to help you determine whether a single-day wedding suits your priorities—whether that's efficiency, cost savings, or simplicity. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of which format best complements your celebration.

When comparing a single-day wedding to an all-weekend celebration, each option offers distinct experiences in planning, guest commitment, and overall enjoyment. Zola’s First Look Report 2023 highlights a trend toward streamlined, personalized celebrations, making single-day weddings especially appealing.

Here’s a quick look at how each format compares: 

• Single-Day Wedding: A focused, meaningful celebration—perfect for couples who want to concentrate on a single impactful day.
• All-Weekend Wedding: Suited for couples seeking quality time with guests, complete with welcome dinners, brunches, and multiple events over a leisurely weekend.

Whether you dream of a single, standout day or a full weekend celebration, finding budget-friendly wedding options is often a priority for couples. Here’s a breakdown to help you see how each format affects the budget

• Accommodation Savings: With a one-day wedding, you can often skip or limit guest accommodations—a significant expense for multi-day events.
• Catering and Meals: A single-day wedding usually involves one main meal, unlike an all-weekend wedding that may require multiple meals across different events, such as brunches and welcome receptions.
• Vendor Hours: Wedding vendors often charge by the day or hour, so a single-day wedding reduces costs by focusing their services into a shorter time frame.

Quick Guide to Deciding: Is a Single-Day Wedding Right for You?

Ready to shape a wedding day that feels just right for you? Explore the pros and cons of each to decide which wedding type fits your vision and budget.

• Want a memorable day packed with special moments? A single-day wedding centers on a day full of joy without the added logistics of a full weekend.
• Looking to simplify costs? One-day celebrations help keep things focused, with fewer meals, accommodations, and vendor hours.
• Keeping it easy for guests? A single-day wedding is ideal for friends and family who may need a quick travel option and a day packed with celebration.

Single-day weddings appeal to couples who value simplicity and a focused celebration that leaves a lasting impact. Here’s why this format might be perfect for specific lifestyles:

• Busy Professionals: Couples with packed schedules benefit from a single-day wedding, which provides a refined celebration without needing extended time off. A brunch or afternoon-to-evening event offers a memorable experience within a practical timeframe.
• Budget-Conscious Couples: Opting for a single-day celebration helps keep costs in check by reducing expenses for guest accommodations, additional meals, and extended vendor hours.
• Those Seeking a Relaxed, Enjoyable Day: A single-day wedding creates a calm, focused atmosphere where couples and guests with busy schedules enjoy the celebration in a way that feels easy and stress-free.

A single-day wedding offers the advantage of simpler planning. Here are a few steps to make the most of this streamlined approach:

• Coordinate with Vendors in Advance: Schedule a pre-wedding meeting to review the timeline and ensure all elements run smoothly within your single-day schedule.
• Send Guests an Itinerary: In your invitations, include a brief outline with directions, venue maps, and parking details to make arrival easy and stress-free. This itinerary also signals a well-organized day, helping guests feel comfortable and prepared.
• Set an Efficient Timeline: For smooth flow, consider a streamlined schedule like this:
  • 2:00 pm: Guest arrival
  • 2:30 pm: Ceremony
  • 3:00 pm: Cocktail hour and photos
  • 4:00 pm: Reception begins
  • 6:30 pm: Dinner and toasts
  • 8:00 pm: Dancing
  • 10:00 pm: Send-off

A one-day wedding can take various forms, it doesn’t mean limiting the possibilities—it simply offers a variety of ways to shape your day around what matters most to you. At Zion Springs, our one-day wedding options are crafted for flexibility while capturing the essence of a celebration, whether it’s an intimate elopement or a lively gathering with loved ones.

In this section, we break down each type of one-day wedding style, helping you explore options that may align with your vision, guest list, and personal priorities:

• Elopement: An elopement is ideal for couples desiring an intimate, romantic celebration. Perfect for just the two of you (or a few close loved ones), elopements allow you to focus entirely on each other in a meaningful setting.
• Minimony: Ideal for smaller gatherings, a minimony lets you celebrate with a close group of family and friends. It combines a heartfelt ceremony with a cozy dinner, offering intimacy without extensive planning.
• One-Day Wedding: This traditional single-day wedding includes a full ceremony and reception, ideal for couples seeking a classic celebration within a manageable timeframe.

Q: Will a one-day wedding feel rushed?
Not at all—careful planning makes a single-day wedding just as fulfilling as a multi-day event. Many couples arrange pre-ceremony photos and use a detailed schedule to make the day enjoyable.

Q: How do setup and breakdown times differ for a one-day wedding?
Single-day weddings often require tighter setups and breakdowns, impacting decor and vendor choices. Collaborate with your venue and vendors to ensure everything is ready on time and wrapped up smoothly.

Q: Can I still host pre-wedding events, like a welcome dinner, with a one-day wedding?
Absolutely! Many couples plan a relaxed gathering the night before or a brunch the following day, extending the celebration without committing to a full weekend.

Choosing between a single-day and an all-weekend wedding depends on your budget, guest needs, and the experience you envision. With helpful wedding planning tips and focusing on affordable options, you can find the perfect format to celebrate your big day. This guide highlights the advantages of a single-day wedding, offering simplicity and budget-friendly choices that make every moment count.

At Zion Springs, we’re passionate about helping couples find the perfect fit for their wedding vision and considering the extended feel of an all-weekend wedding. Our article “Who is an All-Weekend Wedding a Good Fit For?” explains why some couples choose a multi-day celebration. Explore our website's Answers and Advice section for more wedding inspiration and planning tips.