Receiving multiple invitations to weddings happening on the same day is rare.
But it doesn’t mean it is impossible.
Sometimes your sister, best friend, and a family friend could coincidentally be getting married on the same day.
So, Should You Attend Multiple Weddings on the Same Day?
Several things should guide you in deciding whether to attend a wedding in the first place. For instance, if you are close to the couple, you obviously would not want to miss their day for anything. Therefore, in this case, if you are close to the ones getting married, it is normal to feel obligated to attend all the weddings.
But how possible that depends on where the weddings are taking place. If they are in the same town, attending them will be easy.
You can decide which parts of the wedding to attend based on how you deem fit. For instance, you can attend the ceremony of one, the reception of the other, and the evening party of the other wedding.
But if the couples are doing destination weddings, availing yourself to all of them can be tricky.
Not just because of the distance but also because of the finances involved. In this case, you have to choose which to attend and which to miss.
Three Things To Note Before Attending Multiple Weddings on the Same Day
Generally, it is not advisable to attend multiple weddings on the same day.
However, if you want to and the logistics allow, you can attend these weddings.
But before you make this decision, here are some things to remember:
1. You May Miss Key Moments
You cannot be in two places at the same time. Therefore, it means you won’t enjoy all the moments at the wedding.
Even if you decide to attend the ceremony of one wedding and the reception of another. Remember, there is commuting in between, which takes time.
Yet, the wedding events will continue as planned whether you’ve reached the venue or not.
By the time you come from one wedding to another, you may find they are done with the toast or cake cutting.
2. You Might Not Enjoy the Weddings
You will be at one wedding thinking about how you will get to the next.
Therefore, your mind will not be fully present in the activities happening in the moment.
And who wants to be in a wedding with a divided mind?
Also, by the time you are at your last wedding, you’re too tired to enjoy yourself with the rest.
This is why attending several weddings is discouraged.
3. You May Need a Change of Attire
You will attend different parts of the wedding, meaning one outfit cannot be suitable for all the occasions.
For instance, if you are invited to three weddings and decide to attend the ceremony in one, the reception in another, and the evening party in the remaining one, you won’t feel comfortable wearing one outfit the entire day.
You can do one outfit for the ceremony and reception and then change into something else for the evening party.
However, this is not mandatory. It all depends on how you feel and how comfortable you are.
Three Things To Note If You Can Only Attend One Of The Weddings
If you cannot make it to all weddings, it’s okay too.
But you have to decide which one to attend and which one to miss. Here are some tips to help you:
1. Your Relationship With The Couple
Of all the wedding invitations you have, which couple are you close to?
That is who you should prioritize attending their wedding. For instance, between a sibling and a family friend, a sibling comes first.
Therefore, if you are to decide between the two, we’d say, go to your sister’s wedding.
When deciding which wedding to attend and which one to miss, ask yourself, where will your absence be felt most? And choose that one.
2. The Location
The wedding venue is another key factor when deciding which wedding to attend and which to miss. How far do you have to drive to the wedding or do you have to take a plane to it?
It’s best to attend the wedding. That won’t be much of a hustle to reach the venue.
If you have to drive for 7 hours to a wedding and another one is 45 minutes, weigh your priorities.
How comfortable are you with traveling a long distance?
3. Your Financial Situation
Weddings are no doubt expensive. Not just to the couple getting married but to their guests.
From gift expenses to travel costs, these can increase the amount you spend on a wedding.
So, when you have multiple invitations, your budget plays an essential role in deciding which one you attend.
For instance, you may not afford a destination wedding if your finances are struggling.
In this case, you can decline the invitation to the destination wedding and accept to go to the one in town.
Four Things You Should Do If You Decline a Wedding Invitation
With several invitations, it’s common to decline some or one.
But since being invited to a wedding is an honor, you need to be careful about how you approach this.
Obviously, the couple will not feel great that you are missing their wedding.
But there are ways you can make them feel better. Here is what to do if you decide not to go to a wedding:
1. RSVP Early
Don’t wait until the last minute to respond to the invitation.
They will still get hurt whether you respond early or late.
It is better to send the decline early, so they don’t count you when making their headcount.
2. Send a Gift
It is not mandatory to send a gift to a wedding you won’t attend.
But it is a nice gesture. And you don’t have to spend a fortune on the gift.
Anything you mail will be appreciated. So, ensure you send a present to compensate for your absence.
3. Make Up After The Wedding
Once the couple is back from their honeymoon and the heat has cooled off, think of ways you can make up for missing their wedding.
You can take them to dinner in a fancy restaurant, buy them tickets to a movie or go on a road trip with them.
4. Attend Pre-Wedding Events
You won’t attend the wedding, but you can be present at other events happening before the big day.
For instance, you can attend the engagement party, bridal showers, etc.
Final Thoughts
It is possible to attend multiple weddings in a day, although it will be hectic.
It all depends on your schedule and how comfortable you are splitting your time between these events.