YOU ARE MARRYING THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. This deserves more than just one day of celebration, so we are here to share our favorite ideas to kick off your wedding weekend in Virginia Beach (along with our favorite timeline of events)!

Wedding Weekend: Day 1

The Rehearsal Dinner

Everyone thinks the Rehearsal Dinner should take place on the night before your wedding. But why not two nights before your wedding? This way you can kick off your wedding weekend with a rehearsal at your wedding venue, followed by an intimate rehearsal dinner with your bridal party & immediate family.

Rehearsal Dinner Themes & Color Schemes

There are no rules when it comes to rehearsal dinner & welcome party themes & designs. But we love when it makes sense with the rest of the weekend. Meaning, incorporate colors that complement the colors from the wedding. If you’re going for an elegant & timeless wedding with a neutral wedding palette, throw in some bright & fun color patterns at your Rehearsal Dinner.

We love how our client incorporated the 2023 Pantone Color of the year – Viva Magenta – at their rehearsal dinner. We rented BBJ’s Agate Cerise Table Linen & Cerise Velvet Table Linen for some cocktail tables. As for her guest tables, we paired BBJ’s White Shantung Table Linen with their Agate Cerise Napkin & our gold charger & the combination was beautiful!

Rehearsal Dinner Locations

We have so many ideas for this, but here are a few of our favorite:

THE WATERSIDE DECK

It’s private. It’s recently renovated & B-E-A-UTIFUL. It’s on the water, so you have the most breathtaking view of the Lynnhaven Inlet. And it’s more affordable to rent on a weeknight! What more could you ask for?

RENT A PRIVATE ROOM AT BUBBA’S

Bubba’s Seafood Restaurant is right next door to The Lesner Inn, & they have a private indoor room in addition to their private event space (upstairs outside) overlooking the water. It’s a great option if you want something more casual for your Rehearsal Dinner & something walking distance from your rehearsal at The Lesner Inn.

HOST THE DINNER AT YOUR HOUSE

Nothing says intimate gathering like one at a house! Consider getting a food truck or hiring a catering company to take care of the menu for you.

Wedding Weekend: Day 2

Afternoon Golf & Brunch

For the family, friends, bridesmaids & groomsmen who have taken Friday off from work, have scheduled activities planned for the family & friends plus bridesmaids & groomsmen who have taken Friday off from work. Some ideas include…

• Organize a bridal luncheon
• Pick up Taste Unlimited sandwiches & have some fun in the sun at the Oceanfront or Chic’s Beach
• Reserve an early T-Time & play a round of golf
• Walk Seashore
• Schedule a self-care day: glow up facial at The Skin Chic, Cryotherapy at Restore Hyper Wellness, blow out at Dupre’s Salon

Friday Night Welcome Party

The welcome party is a great spot to have fun & lean into theme, especially if your vision for the wedding is more of a timeless event that isn’t closely aligned with a particular theme. If you’re getting married in Virginia Beach & you have a lot of town guests, consider including some VB staples:

• Orange Crush Bar
• Oysters on the half shell
• A Crab Cake station
• Local beer from any of the local breweries, like Back Bay or Smartmouth

Wedding Weekend: Day 3

The weekend has officially kicked off, & the guests have had a taste of what’s in store for the rest of the weekend. Day 3 is THE DAY.

Wedding Weekend: Day 4

After the party is the after party… & after the after party is some sleep followed by a Farewell brunch! Like we said earlier… what’s the point in just a one-day celebration, when you can make it 4-days?!