A wedding day is a special ritual that represents a major step forward into a new life phase, and a meaningful experience that loved ones want to celebrate with the special couple. Because weddings tend to be one of the most memorable days of a couple's lives, it's a great idea to expand on the standard ceremony and reception format and add a full day of fun. From beach days to tailgating, laid-back brunches to a competitive game day, there are many unique ways to fill a wedding day with more memories for everyone involved.

*Beach Day

If the soon-to-be-wed couple are big fans of beachy days, why not kick off the day with some rays of sunshine as an easy way to get everyone in a celebratory mood? If your wedding location is close to a beach, perhaps planning a beach day for your wedding party and guests to relax in the sand, catch some waves in the ocean, and build sandcastles will help set the tone for the ceremony itself. This is also a great opportunity for some pre-wedding photos.

*Game Day

Maybe you're looking for less of a chill pre-wedding day and are hoping for a bit more excitement. In this case, you could host a game day with Frisbee, cornhole, Jenga Giant, and of course the classic card and board games. If you're even more of an adventurous crew, you could plan another group adventure such as rock climbing, roller skating or go-kart racing, although it could be a bit risky to potentially end up having to make a trip to the emergency room if someone gets hurt.

*Spa Day

On the other end of the activity spectrum, you can invite people to join you for a spa day, although this may be best to do with a smaller group. Keep in mind, for many spas, there are different facilities based on gender, so the group may be separated. According to Dr. Lisa Firestone in an article for Psychology Today, "The natural fears that arise, coupled with more superficial pressures to make everything perfect, can leave you in a high state of stress in the months before your wedding." So, if you have been stressed out for days, weeks or months leading up to your wedding, a day of massages, facials, and luxuriating may just be the perfect way to get into a zen mode before you say your "I do's."

Some additional ideas for a group pre-wedding activity:

-- Hiking or kayaking.

-- Brunch or a light lunch.

-- A picnic outside.

-- City/town tours.

-- Listening to live music.

-- Exploring a museum.

-- A paint party.

-- Tailgating or a barbecue at your favorite sports event.

Regardless of the activity you choose, it's important to remember that the point of extending your day is to help take some of the pressure off by enjoying the people around you through doing something that you love. And this may even help lighten expectations of wanting the day to go as perfectly as you planned in your mind. You can carry these wise words from The Knot throughout your wedding: "Your wedding doesn't need to be the best day of your life. It should be a highlight, but if you build it up to be the best. day. ever., you're setting yourselves up for disappointment." Hopefully, adding in some extra hours to be around your loved ones before the ceremony will help you focus on appreciating the love and support of your family and friends, and to fully surrender to the joy of the present.

You can truly get creative when it comes to planning activities to maximize the time with people who have traveled from near and far to witness you and your loved one proclaim your love and commitment to each other. Remember to plan activities that are fun and that help you bond with your guests and wedding party before the big event, so that you'll be able to fully receive the support of those around you as you create lifetime memories together. It goes by fast, so try your best to enjoy it all!