combien-de-jours-pour-un-mariage-spoiler-pas-juste-un
25-06-2025

How many days for a wedding? Spoiler: not just one!

6 min read

Ah, the wedding. That famous day that we call “the most beautiful day of your life” . But... is it really just one day? Spoiler: no. Between the preparations, the ceremony, the party, the brunch the next day (yes, the one where Uncle Jean sings Johnny at 9 a.m.), and getting your wits about you, you have to count on several days .

So, how many days does a wedding take? We'll tell you everything, without jargon or hassle.

Civil wedding, religious wedding, celebration... How many days exactly are we talking about?

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It's hard to sum up a wedding in a simple box in a calendar. No, a wedding is an entire event spread over several days. Between the preparations, the choice of the wedding dress , and the general organization, the more memorable (in a good way) you want it to be, the more time you'll need to allow.

D-day is the cherry on the cake, not the whole cake.

Of course, everyone's thinking about the famous "D-Day." But let's be honest: on that day, you won't notice the time fly by. Between the glasses of champagne, the kisses, the awkward but touching speeches, and the hundreds of photos, you won't even know what day it is .

And to get there, there's everything that comes before... and everything that comes after. Because a wedding is like a Netflix miniseries: several episodes, with twists and turns.

How many days does it take to prepare (and actually experience) a wedding?

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So here's the real lowdown, in all relaxation. We'll give you the real timing of a modern wedding (and a little stylish, we're not going to lie).

1. The day before: conditioning and mental rehearsal

It's a bit like before a job interview... except you can't really mess it up, especially when you've chosen your winter wedding dress . The day before the wedding, you're in a mix of excitement, stress, and "but why did I invite 130 people?"

This day is crucial. What do we do?

  • Finalizing the decorations (because the heart-shaped balloons never arrive on time)

  • Team briefing (caterer, DJ, witness a little too relaxed)

  • Final adjustments to the outfit (wasn't the suit too tight the other day?)

In short, the day before , we count it. It is essential. And you need to keep some juice for the future.

2. The wedding day: the great crossing

It's a marathon. Civil, religious, and secular ceremonies, meals, receptions, speeches, wild dancing, and a surprise midnight party with a "2000s" playlist.

There's only one watchword: hold on . Sleep well the night before. Eat (even if you have butterflies in your stomach), and above all, delegate. Because on the big day, you won't have time to figure out who hid the wedding rings or where Grandma Jacqueline has gone.

And spoiler: it's not over after midnight.

3. The next day: brunch, cleaning and return to Earth

The “day after” is just as important. Because we don’t leave a battlefield behind. And then it’s the opportunity to see everyone again in a more relaxed state , often in flip-flops and sunglasses, around a coffee and some pastries.

It is also the moment:

  • Thank your guests (and especially those who helped)

  • To recover your spirits

  • To do the hot debrief (“Do you remember the bouquet toss?”)

Conclusion: Allow at least three days for a proper wedding. Yes, even if the town hall has only blocked a 25-minute slot for you.

What if we have a wedding lasting several days? (The real trend of the moment)

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Let's not kid ourselves, multi-day weddings are the height of luxury. More and more couples, whether they've chosen a Satinr wedding dress or another style, are extending the fun with events spread over two, three, or even four days. And no, it's not just for influencers and celebrities.

Day 1: Welcoming guests

Sometimes, especially if your guests are coming from far away (like Aunt Lucette who takes the TGV from Carcassonne), you welcome them the day before.

On the program:

  • Welcome drink

  • Little games to break the ice

  • Distribution of “welcome bags” (with bottled water, map of the area, and Doliprane)

Day 2: The big wedding (ceremony + evening)

This is where it all comes down to. Fancy dress, speeches, dancing, and cake. Needless to say, we're in the thick of it.

But it's also when everyone's on edge. It's a day of emotions. Whether you're wearing a plus-size wedding dress or a three-piece suit, expect to laugh, cry, run, smile at 250 people, and end up barefoot to Celine Dion at 3 a.m.

Day 3: The next day’s brunch (aka the “collective debrief”)

This day has become essential . It allows:

  • To eat simple things (long live cheese and pastries)

  • To tell the anecdotes of the day before

  • Saying goodbye without stress

A little tip: do this outside if possible, and bring sunglasses for everyone (the eyes are often sensitive the next day).

Day 4: Tidying up, goodbyes and a short nap

This fourth day is the "back to normal life" phase. Some people skip it. But if you're the meticulous or sentimental type, you'll love this day for:

  • Recover the decoration

  • Clean the room (especially if you have opted for a rental without service)

  • Say thank you one last time

How many days should I allow for the organization in advance?

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Spoiler alert: you can't plan a wedding in two weeks . Unless you're a whiz at improvisation (and even then, good luck).

6 to 12 months in advance: the main points

Yes, you read that right. We start almost a year earlier , especially if you want to:

  • Book a great room

  • Find a caterer that does something other than chicken and rice

  • Get the right DJ (one who doesn't play "Crazy Frog" at midnight)

In short, the more ahead you are, the more relaxed you will be.

3 months before: refine the details

Here we get down to business:

  • Send the invitations

  • Choosing the seating plan (and avoiding family clashes)

  • Order the wedding rings (and hope they arrive on time)

This is also when the first weird dreams begin. Like getting married in slippers in front of a priest who speaks Klingon. Normal.

1 week before: check everything and breathe

One week before D-day, it's time to:

  • Confirm with all providers

  • Prepare your suitcases

  • Sleep, if possible

You might feel like you're forgetting something. That's normal. Make a checklist. Breathe. And if you've opted for a backless wedding dress , avoid testing a new face or back cream the day before (no, this is not the time to have an allergic reaction).

So, how many days for a successful wedding?

In reality, count on 3 to 4 full days for the wedding itself (preparation, D-day, the day after, tidying up), and months for the organization.

It's not just one day, it's an event in several acts , and each day has its importance.

What if you have less time? Don't panic.

Not all weddings last a week. If you need to keep it short (for budget, scheduling, or lack of faith), a two-day format can work perfectly:

  • Day 1: ceremony + party

  • Day 2: Brunch + goodbye

The key is to be well organized, delegate as much as possible, and live every moment to the fullest. Even if it's short, the intensity can be enormous, more information here .

And the other questions we ask ourselves (and don't always dare to ask)

Because you might be planning all this, and there are things that are bothering you...

Can we do everything in one day?

Yes, it's possible. Especially if you're having a civil ceremony in the morning and a reception in the evening. But be careful: it's very intense . Everything has to be planned down to the last detail, and your guests won't necessarily have time to catch their breath.

And what does getting married abroad change?

Oh yes. In this case, count on at least 3 days on site:

  • 1 day arrival/rest

  • 1 day of ceremony/party

  • 1 day of chill/brunch/beach

And often, people stay longer, just to make the plane ticket cost-effective.

Conclusion: A wedding is never just “one day”

So, how many days for a wedding ? You get it: at least 3 , often 4 , and sometimes much more if you think big.

But that's okay. Because those days are memories for a lifetime . So we might as well give them time to breathe, to exist, to vibrate.

And you know what? You have the right to do it your way . Whether it lasts a day or a week, as long as you live it with love, fun, and a little self-deprecation (because yes, it will probably rain a little), it's a successful marriage.


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