A wedding is one of the most important and memorable celebrations of your life, so it’s natural that you’d like it to last as long as possible. If you’re thinking about booking a multi-day wedding in Sussex, read on for our ideas and tips for planning this kind of extended celebration.
Destination weddings have often been spread out over multiple days, but the idea of a multi-day wedding in the UK is gaining in popularity. This is where you hire your venue from the night before your wedding through to the day after, spreading your celebrations over two or three days.
If you think this sounds like a fantastic idea, you’re not alone: according to a 2024 Bridebook survey, 36% of millennials and 34% of Gen Z engaged couples are planning weddings that span more than one day. While Americans have long embraced the idea of a rehearsal dinner the night before and a brunch the day after, this extended structure is now becoming more common over here.
It’s not surprising that this type of wedding is becoming popular. Easier to co-ordinate than a destination wedding (and a lot cheaper for your guests), a multi-day wedding allows you to enjoy the company of your family and friends over two or three days and nights, rather than trying to cram all your catch ups into snatched conversations over just a few hours. This means you get quality time with each of your loved ones and the chance to truly celebrate in style with them.
Spreading events out over multiple days also creates a more relaxed pace. Both you and your guests can really savour every moment of your celebrations, rather than them rushing to arrive in time for the ceremony and then leaving after the final dance at the reception.
A multi-day wedding gives you more scope to include different events, too. You can have your traditional wedding and reception, then add in more informal events such as a cocktail party or rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, and a brunch or picnic the day after. (Scroll down for more of our suggestions on events that are perfect for a multi-day celebration.)
Another huge advantage of a multi-day wedding is making travel feel more worthwhile. This is especially important if you’ve got guests who are coming long distances to celebrate with you. It means a smaller proportion of your guests’ time is spent travelling to and from the venue, and more spent making incredible memories together!
Alfriston Gardens is the ideal venue for a multi-day wedding in Sussex. Our on-site accommodation, combined with our amazing wedding facilities, means we’ve got everything you need to make your celebration truly special. All our wedding bookings are offered on an exclusive-use basis, so you can enjoy everything Alfriston Garden has to offer with just your family and friends. A long weekend wedding from Friday to Sunday is our most popular option for a multi-day celebration but weekdays are also available, such as Tuesday to Thursday.
What really makes Alfriston Gardens perfect for a multi-day or weekend wedding in Sussex is our extensive accommodation for up to 58 guests. Depending on the size of your wedding, this means we can host a significant number of your guests on-site in one of our four accommodation options.
Lavender Lodge is our luxurious cottage that’s a perfect setting for your first night as a married couple. With its elegant charm and thoughtful features, such as Alex Monroe bee wall art, it offers a romantic and unforgettable experience. Downstairs, you’ll find a super king sofa bed and a modern wet room, making it an excellent choice for sharing with a family group or your wedding party. The inclusive design also ensures comfort and accessibility for guests with mobility challenges, creating a welcoming space for everyone.
Opposite Lavender Lodge is Oak Lodge, which has a master suite with a beautiful bespoke bathroom and designer finish plus two twin and two double bedrooms. There’s also a multifunctional area on the ground floor, with a bar and access to the gardens, where your guests can socialise in between all the wedding activities.
Vine Lodge is luxury accommodation offering 10 bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms. Then there are our nine shepherd’s huts, all of which have hand crafted furniture, ensuite bathrooms and are fully insulated and heated for year-round comfort.
When it comes to your ceremony, the magnificent Century Barn is fully licensed for ceremonies with up to 155 guests, or Oak Lodge is a more bijou option for up to 70 seated and 100 standing guests. For al fresco weddings with more personal vows, we can also host a celebrant-led ceremony outside in our pretty gardens.
The Century Barn and the adjoining Woodland Barn are the setting for your reception meal and entertainment and are versatile spaces for any other activities and events you’d like to host during your multi-day wedding. We also have two acres of stunning grounds that include our beautifully designed gardens, all of which offer endless opportunities for whatever you have planned.
Looking for some suggestions for multi-day wedding activities? You could consider:
Whatever you have in mind for your multi-day Sussex wedding, we’d love to help you bring it to glorious life! Get in touch with our wedding planning team to arrange a viewing of our gorgeous venue.
