Welcome to Wedding Sprawl

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Forget the “Big Day”; many modern weddings are more like a “Big Year.” First there’s the proposal, sometimes accompanied by a “.” Next comes the engagement bash, the bridal shower, and the bachelor or bachelorette weekend—the latter of . Then it’s time for the ceremony and the reception, which may be bookended by extra events such as welcome drinks, a rehearsal dinner, and a morning-after brunch. Finally, the newlyweds make plans for their honeymoon—or, their honeymoons, plural. Rather than going on just one big trip, lots of people are also taking either a short right after the before they begin. All of this means more dates saved, more friends involved, more vendors tapped, and more money exuberantly (or reluctantly) spent. The celebrations can feel endless. Welcome to wedding sprawl.