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How To Plan A Wedding Weekend Itinerary

August 9, 2022 | riley

Image by Apollo Fotografie. Keep reading for our wedding weekend itinerary tips

It seems like just a couple of years ago a wedding meant one singular day. Nowadays, more couples are opting to extend their special day into a multi-day wedding weekend full of activities, food and drinks, and a whole lot of fun. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, but you’re unsure about the logistics, don’t fret. 

Whether you’re keeping your celebration close to home or jetting off to a dreamy destination, there’s a lot that goes into planning a 3-day event. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help make your planning process as seamless as possible–with everything from tips to a sample itinerary.

Why have a wedding weekend?

You may be wondering why wedding weekends are becoming increasingly popular when they tend to come with a higher price tag. If the budget allows it, wedding weekends are a great way to spend more time with your guests and soak in the feeling of love with your significant other. This is especially true if you have family and friends visiting from around the world that you don’t see very often.

If you’re having a destination wedding, this also gives you more time to explore the destination, making it more like a vacation rather than a quick day trip. If your guests haven’t visited before, they’re going to want to see all that the city or country has to offer.

Wedding Weekend Tips

There are so many moving parts that go into a wedding weekend. To save yourself from stress and ensure that everyone has a great time, here are some things that you can do while planning your big days–or should we say days. 

1. Hire A Planner 

This one may seem like a given, but because there’s so much to think about with wedding weekends, hiring a wedding planner is the best thing you can do for your sanity–especially a wedding planner that is local to the area. They’ll save you money on your vendors, help you plan fun activities, and keep your stress levels at bay. 

2. Consider Logistics Such As Accommodation and Transportation

One of the easiest ways to host a wedding weekend is to tie the knot in a venue that doubles as accommodation. Think hotels, Airbnbs, campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, etc. This allows your guest to stay on property without worrying about transportation. 

If you choose to say “I do” elsewhere, put together a hotel block for your guests and consider arranging transportation to and from the lodging. You’re not required to pay for their rental cars, but if you do plan on hosting different activities throughout the weekend, it’s best that you help them get to and from said activities.

3. State Your Plans in the Invitation

Whether you’re sending out physical invitations or you’re planning on using a wedding website, it’s crucial that you discuss your plans on the invite. This way, they know what to expect beforehand and aren’t met with any surprises once they arrive. 

4. Send Save-the-Dates Early

Ideally, you want to send your save-the-dates out eight to twelve months before the big day–especially if your guests need to travel or it’s a multi-day celebration. This gives them plenty of time to make arrangements with work, kids, etc.

5. Plan Events Around the Destination

As a thank you to your guests for helping celebrate you and your partner, plan activities they can enjoy. This is especially fun if you have a destination wedding where you can try something regional–i.e., wine tastings, a cooking class, a boat ride, etc.

However, it is important to be mindful of leisure time. You don’t want to create a jam-packed itinerary where no one has time to rest. 

6. Put Together A Local Guide With Recommendations

If you only plan 1-2 activities or you want to give your guests the freedom to roam the city, put together a local guide with recommendations. If it’s a place that you are not very familiar with, talk with your planner. They’re sure to have favorite spots your guests can enjoy during their downtime. To make it a cute little favor, create an adorable handout that you can include in their welcome bags (which we’ll get to shortly).

7. Don’t Expect Guests To Attend Every Event

A wedding weekend is a big commitment for everyone involved–not just you and your fiancé. Remain flexible with your guests and make it known that they are not expected to attend every single activity. Whether they can only fly in the day of the wedding because of work or can’t fit the activities into their budget, be sympathetic. All that matters is that they’re there to celebrate with you.  

8. Themes Tie the Weekend Together

If you’re not careful, a wedding weekend can quickly feel unorganized. Having a theme will help lessen the chance of this by creating a cohesive flow of events. Some of our favorites include a wellness retreat complete with yoga and spa days, a summer camp with s’mores and lawn games, or a fiesta full of tacos and margaritas.

9. Make Welcome Bags

Speaking of themes, kickstart your wedding weekend with welcome bags full of goodies your guests will need for their trip. If you’re hosting a beach wedding, include items like sunscreen, sunglasses, and flip-flops. If you’re spending the weekend in wine country, throw in things like a mini hangover kit, cheese and crackers, and a personalized wine glass.

Hosting a weekend means you’ll probably want to document every activity. And while you’re most likely going to have a wedding photographer on your big day, we know it’s not in everyone’s budget to hire one for all three days. That’s why we recommend throwing a disposable camera into the welcome bag. At the end of the weekend, you can collect them all to get them developed.

Image by Alison Vagnini

Wedding Weekend Itinerary Example

Now that you know some of the top tips to have a successful wedding weekend, let’s take a look at an easy-to-follow itinerary example!

Day 1: Welcome Party 

Whether traveling across the world or tying the knot in your home city and having guests flying in, a welcome party is an easy, laid-back way to welcome your guests and get them excited for your big day. It’s also the perfect way to let your guests mingle and get to know one another if they don’t already.

The welcome party can be a backyard BBQ, a picnic in the park, a sunset boat ride, a trip to a brewery or winery, etc. It’s entirely up to you.

Day 2: Wedding

The second day of your wedding weekend will most likely be your big day. This includes the ceremony and the reception. Because of this, to keep yourself feeling good on wedding day, try not to go too crazy the night before.

Day 3: Farewell Brunch/Lunch

When you’re constantly being pulled in a hundred different directions on your wedding day, it can be hard to find the time to thank your guests for coming and spending time with you. That’s why a farewell brunch or lunch is so helpful. It allows you to express your gratitude in a relaxed setting and soak up more time with your friends and family before jetting off on your honeymoon.

Now that you’ve figured out your wedding weekend itinerary, it’s time to think about the logistics of planning your destination wedding. Luckily we’ve put together this guide that covers everything from finding your vendors to how to save money.

Image by Mariana Pierce

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Romantic Barnbougle Castle Wedding

August 8, 2022 | justine

For many couples, getting married in a grand palace is the ultimate wedding dream come true. Set in a 13th-century castle nestled on a secluded coastal corner of a wooded estate, Lauren and Neil’s Barnbougle Castle wedding was the perfect combination of elegance and whimsy. It looked like it came straight out of a storybook!

In the library, all eyes were drawn immediately to the cascading blooms in a timeless soft color palette that beautifully adorned the fireplace mantle. The pair literally tied the knot in a traditional yet personal Scottish ceremony surrounded by their loved ones. An elegant reception followed in the barrel-vaulted banqueting hall, where they wined, dined, and danced the night away. Towering centerpieces complimented the regal features—from the stained glass windows to the period decor.

Junebug member Mike Meller did a spectacular job capturing the romance and magic that filled their big day. One look at these photos, and we guarantee you’ll daydream all day about your version of a fairytale castle wedding.

The Couple:

Lauren and Neil

The Wedding:

Barnbougle Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland

The Flowers And Decor Complemented Their Barnbougle Castle Wedding Venue Perfectly

We had a vision of how the flowers would come together and all the colors, with the bridesmaid dresses and the tartans, but I couldn’t have imagined it looking quite so beautiful as it did. The greens of the eucalyptus and olive looked so beautiful with the white hydrangeas and quicksand roses. The florist even managed to find sweet peas that matched the artwork perfectly. I wanted the mantels and fireplaces to look grand but natural and flowing. I think it all just looked stunning, particularly in the banquet hall, where we had the addition of tall vases, ivory tablecloths, and taupe napkins. 

Photographer and Junebug Member Mike Meller Captured All The Natural Moments Of Their Special Day

Mike did a fantastic job of capturing the day. They were exactly how we wanted our photos to be—not staged or forced in any way. He added a lovely creative edge, and you can see the effort and time he put into the photos. He helped make us feel comfortable and completely at ease, which shows in the pictures. He’s a good communicator and made sure he captured key shots that were important for us on the day. He also got the balance right of getting some good couple shots, capturing the guests, and prioritizing important family members.

A Memorable Traditional Scottish Ceremony

Our ceremony was the best and most memorable part. The room was the perfect size to create the atmosphere we wanted for our modest number of guests, and our humanist conducted the most gorgeous, traditional Scottish ceremony—from tying the knot to drinking whisky from the Quaich. While we’re not traditionally romantic people, it was an opportunity to share the reasons for our love for one another, and it felt like a truly romantic ceremony. After all, our main focus was to get married, and it was such a special moment, with lots of funny, quirky, and imperfect moments we’ll cherish forever. Neil loved seeing the reveal of my dress for the first time, and he said he could hear all the reactions to my walking down the aisle.

Incorporating Their Love Story And Scottish Traditions That Resonated With Them Into Their Ceremony

We had a great humanist who did her homework. We secretly filled out three things we love about each other, which were revealed on the day. That was a lovely surprise, and the guests gave us feedback on how special the personalization was. She also told the story of how we met and the engagement. Some of our guests have never heard this before. A good friend did a reading, but we went down the humorous, light-hearted route. We also had some music which was special to us. We had a few traditional Scottish symbols like tying the tartan and drinking whisky from the Quaich. Our Mums tied the tartan for us, and our Brothers were our witnesses.

Advice For DIY Wedding Planning Couples: Stay Stress-Free On Your Big Day With A Day-Of Coordinator

We set a budget and added to it more than once. We were prepared for the costs of the wedding but hadn’t realized that the more we got into the planning, we were a little carried away with making things bigger and better. I did all the planning myself—from figuring out drink quantities to designing the wedding invites, and it was a lot to take on with a full-time job. However, it didn’t feel like hard work because I enjoyed every minute of it. The one thing I would do differently is to have a coordinator on the day to ensure everything is running to schedule. I felt like I had to worry about that on the day of our wedding, which was a shame. My advice would be to plan the event with a well-briefed, dedicated coordinator.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Mike Meller
Venue – Barnbougle Castle
Hotel + Rental Car – The Kimpton Charlotte Street Hotel
Wine Supplies – Wining In
Floral Design – Planet Flowers
Catering – Wild Thyme
Live Music – Classic Noir + Viper Swing
Videography – Bowery Productions
Piper – Roddy The Piper
Makeup Artist – Suzanne Christie
Wedding Dress – Bridal Rogue Gallery London
Groom’s Apparel – MacGregor & MacDuff
Transportation – Charlie Irons Coaches
Favors – The Edinburgh Honey Company

 

Congratulations to Lauren and Neil on their romantic Barnbougle Castle wedding. And a special shoutout to photographer and Junebug member Mike Meller for beautifully capturing the love and joy on their special day. To see more of his work, check out his profile in our directory of expert photographers from around the world.

While palatial venues undoubtedly convey a magical and ethereal feel, soft hues and lush flowers can turn any dreamy venue into a romantic setting with fairytale vibes. Whether you’re still deciding on which color combo or floral arrangements would go perfectly with your venue, check out our list of floral palettes to spark inspiration!

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Disco Jungle Tulum Wedding At NU Tulum

August 8, 2022 | justine

A secluded tropical garden setting in paradise, a chic black and gold color palette, and two fashion-forward grooms—Lex and Chaz’s jungle Tulum wedding was the fun and over-the-top celebration they’ve always wanted. Junebug member and planner Tailor Made Dreams and florist Maria Limón took the pair’s wedding vision and ran with them, and the result was an epic jungle disco party that’s one for the books.

Wanting an exotic destination venue where they could infuse both their personalities together, Nu Tulum turned out to be the perfect fit. The couple said their “I dos” in style under hanging disco balls and lush tropical foliage. The following reception featured a modern tropical tablescape filled with gorgeous greenery arrangements, striking black and gold accents, and black candles in glass sleeves. 

From the enchanting tropical venue and luxurious decor to the festive vibe and romantic moments, don’t miss a single detail captured by Pablo Laguia. For couples looking for a glam and modern take on beach weddings, keep scrolling. This is exactly the inspo you need!

The Couple:

Chaz and Lex

The Wedding:

NU Tulum, Tulum, Mexico

A Tulum Jungle Wedding That Was One For The Books

We chose Tulum as the destination for our wedding because it’s the perfect place that we felt like could bring both of our personalities together. Nu Tulum made us feel all the festive vibes and got us into the jungle mood. If we had to do this all over again, we wouldn’t change a single thing.  

Their Wedding Planner Put Together The Best Vendor Team

Yoni and Fernanda from Tailor Made Dreams were there with every little thing we needed and ensured we had the experience of a lifetime. They also brought all the perfect people to help make our wedding week perfect. One of those is our florist Maria Limón. She’s a true artist, so when deciding what to do, we just let her do what she does best. She came up with the greatest concept and something that exceeded our expectations. It was perfect in every way, and we are so thankful for the experience. Every detail was considered, and everyone was amazed by the outcome.

Pablo Laguia Perfectly Captured All Their Special Moments

Pablo Laguia was amazing and knew how to get some cool and artistic photos. He had his wife there as his backup, and the two as a team were incredible. We still get chills looking at our photos. Pablo captured all the beauty and magic of every space, detail, and moment. 

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The All-Night Dance Party Was The Most Memorable Moment Of Their Tulum Jungle Wedding

The most memorable and fun was on the dance floor after our amazing sit-down dinner—having all our closest friends, letting loose, and dancing to the best music! Everything, in its own way, was incredible, and it all came together to make the best experience for our guests and us.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Pablo Laguia
Event Planning – Tailor Made Dreams
Ceremony + Reception Venue + Catering – NU Tulum
Floral Design – María LimónCake – Zaida Marcos
DJ – Karla Mercedes Music
Live Music – Fisax Jazz
Videography – Viejo Lobo Films
Invitation Design – Byfarr Design House
Makeup + Hair Stylist – Parlour 818
Groom’s Apparel  – Gucci, Jimmy Choo
Grooms’ Accessories + Apparel – Granger Owings
Rentals – Archive Rentals

 

Congratulations to Lex and Chaz on their disco Tulum wedding at Nu Tulum. A big thank you to Pablo Laguia for capturing the vibe and energy of their special day. Of course, thanks to Maria Limón for sharing this with us. Lastly, a special shout out to Junebug member and planner Tailor Made Dreams for planning this celebration. To see more of their work, check out their profile in our directory of expert planners from around the world.

In addition to the comfort of knowing your destination wedding is in capable hands, hiring a professional planner will make executing your vision easier, ensuring the most enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Not sure where to begin your search? Check out our directory of trusted planners from around the world to get started.

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