There’s been a quiet shift in the way couples are planning their weddings.
Instead of packing everything into a single day, many are creating space for a fuller experience. The wedding weekend is becoming the new norm – not as a trend, but as a more natural, spacious way to celebrate.
Working in Ottawa, New York, and Paris, I’ve photographed hundreds of weddings. And time after time, I’ve seen how slowing things down allows couples to be more present, more connected, and more at ease. A wedding weekend gives you that space without sacrificing intention or beauty.
When guests are traveling from out of town, a weekend gives them the chance to slow down, connect with each other, and become part of the shared story long before the ceremony begins. These in-between moments often hold as much meaning as the vows themselves: grandparents meeting your college friends, chosen family gathering around the same table, generations overlapping in ways that rarely happen outside of weddings. That kind of connection doesn’t just shape the experience, it also becomes part of the legacy you’re building.
Weddings carry so much weight both emotionally and logistically. Trying to fit that into one timeline often means constantly watching the clock. It’s hard to stay grounded when everything’s moving so quickly.
A weekend format changes the rhythm. You have time to welcome your guests, ease into the energy of it all, and connect in ways that aren’t always possible in a compressed schedule.
What a Wedding Weekend Looks Like
A full wedding weekend doesn’t have to be jam-packed. It can be as simple as:
- A welcome dinner or cocktail hour
- A slow morning with family or your wedding party
- The ceremony and reception
- A farewell brunch the next day
It’s less about structure and more about creating space for the moments you didn’t know you’d want to remember. The kinds of moments that don’t feel like a “photo op” but become deeply meaningful in retrospect. It also gives your loved ones more opportunities to actually spend time with you, which often matters more than the timeline details.
Why I Love Photographing Rehearsal Dinners
The rehearsal dinner is often the part of the weekend that couples overlook when it comes to photography but it can hold some of the most emotional, grounding moments of the entire celebration.
This is usually the first time everyone’s together. Toasts happen here that are far more personal than those made on the wedding day. You get to hug, laugh, and breathe a little before the ceremony begins. And because the setting is more relaxed, the photos often feel that way too—natural, candid, and deeply human.
When I’m invited to document this part of the story, I’m able to connect with your people early, and you get a fuller narrative that reflects more than just the milestone moments.
Especially Important for Destination Weddings
When your guests are traveling whether it’s to Paris, Prince Edward County, or a private estate outside Ottawa—a single day often doesn’t feel like enough. That travel holds weight. There’s meaning in the gathering itself.
With a weekend approach, you can invite people into your world a little more. You share not just a ceremony and a dance floor, but meals, conversations, and quiet moments that add depth to your memories.
When I’m photographing a wedding weekend, the pacing shifts. I’m not just looking for portraits or peak moments. I’m paying attention to atmosphere, energy, and the way it all unfolds over time.
You still get the timeless images you expect—but you also get context, emotion, and details that might otherwise disappear. There’s more room for documentary-style storytelling alongside the intentional, artistic portraits.
And that balance? That’s where the magic lives.
A wedding is about more than the ceremony. It’s the lead-up, the anticipation, the welcome hugs and goodbye toasts. It’s family you don’t get to see often. Friends who flew in just for this. The quieter moments you remember long after the timeline fades.
If a one-day celebration doesn’t feel like enough, trust that instinct. Give your story room to breathe. It’s worth it.
Interested in making your wedding weekend unforgettable?
I’d love to be part of your celebration. Contact me today to begin planning your perfect wedding weekend experience.
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