Weddings are a great way to bring family and friends together. The wedding day is often packed with activities and emotions; before you know it, it’s over. That’s why many couples nowadays choose to spread the celebration over a whole weekend, creating a memorable wedding experience for everyone involved. In this blog, we want to share some tips and ideas to help you plan a fantastic wedding weekend that your guests will cherish for years to come.
How To Plan A Wedding Weekend
1. Provide Wedding Welcome Bags
To start on a festive note, consider welcoming your guests with a basket of treats. Fill it with local products representing the area or the couple’s favorite treats. Include a sweet treat, a salty snack, a refreshing beverage, and an itinerary of the weekend’s events. This thoughtful gesture will show your appreciation for their presence and help them feel welcomed and informed about what’s to come. Check out our past blog on how to elevate your wedding welcome bag for more tips!
Photography: Alisha Crossley
2. Host A Wedding Welcome Party
A wedding welcome party can be the perfect way to kick off your wedding weekend! Consider hosting a bonfire on the beach, watching the sunset on the Florida coast, or gathering around a cozy fire in the mountains of Montana, roasting marshmallows, and singing songs. Welcome parties are a relaxed and enjoyable way for your guests to meet each other for the first time and get into the celebratory spirit.
Photography: Hannah Pickle
3. Host A Wedding After Party
Why not extend the wedding day festivities by hosting an afterparty!? Whether your venue has another room for guests to move into or you create a new space, keep the dance party going after the reception ends with an afterparty. Set up a DJ and provide glow items for a lively club vibe or consider a silent disco if you have noise restrictions. By providing an additional location for a continued celebration, you ensure that the fun doesn’t end with the reception and give your guests a chance to dance the night away.
Photography: Alisha Crossley
4. Host A Farewell Brunch
As the wedding weekend comes to a close, consider hosting a farewell brunch the day after the wedding. This final gathering allows you to spend some quality time with your guests before they depart. Not only will you get a chance to hear their thoughts and reflections on the celebration, but you’ll also be able to bid them farewell with full bellies and warm hearts. Consider adding time to open gifts during your farewell brunch; guests will love the opportunity to see your face when you open their gift in person. Plus, a thank you hug feels that much better in person!
Photography: Carla Boecklin
Important Things To Consider For Your Wedding Weekend
Now that you have the itinerary down for your wedding weekend let’s talk about some other important aspects to consider when planning a multi-day celebration.
1. Transportation
When hosting guests from out of town, transportation is key. Not only does providing transportation take the stress off of your guests, but it also takes the guesswork out of how many guests will attend your events. Whether it’s arranging shuttles, or organizing carpooling, ensuring that your guests can move easily between venues will greatly enhance their overall experience.
2. Activities
We always recommend providing your guests with a list of activities in the area that is beyond the wedding festivities. This provides guests visiting from out of town with options for exploring on their own. It’s a thoughtful gesture that shows you care about their overall experience, not just the wedding itself.
3. Downtime
Remember to leave some room in the wedding weekend itinerary for downtime. While you want your guests to have a great time and fully engage in the festivities, allowing them some relaxation and rejuvenation is essential. After all, weddings can be emotionally and physically tiring, so a little R&R is always a good idea.
We encourage our couples to turn their festivities into a multi-day wedding weekend whenever possible. It is a wonderful way to create lasting memories with your loved ones and a nice way to provide a weekend escape for your friends and family. By incorporating thoughtful gestures like welcome baskets, hosting a welcome party and afterparty, and arranging a farewell brunch, you can ensure that your guests have an incredible time from start to finish. Additionally, taking care of transportation, providing activity suggestions, and allowing for downtime will enhance the overall experience of your guest’s trip.
So, If you are looking for a destination wedding planner to help you plan your wedding weekend, we’re here to help! No matter your destination, if it’s on the sunny beaches of Florida or the picturesque Mountains in Montana, we’d love to help you plan your wedding weekend. Ask us for more details during your consultation call!
Photography: Sarah Lawless Photography
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