Destination Wedding Weekend Itinerary: Planners tips

For couples planning a destination wedding weekend in Italy or France, it’s often about more than just a beautiful wedding day. It’s about creating an entire destination wedding weekend that truly feels like a special mini-vacation for everyone. Your guests have travelled to be with you, and making sure their experience is smooth and enjoyable is important for the overall guest experience that many couples are looking to create.As a team of wedding and travel planners, we believe a well-designed 3-day itinerary turns your wedding from a single event into a complete destination wedding weekend celebration. It gives you more quality time with those who matter most, sharing the true feel of the place you’ve chosen, all without extra pressure. Here’s our guide to planning a truly special wedding weekend.

Destination Wedding Weekend: Itinerary tips

Day 1: The Welcome & Gathering

Your first day sets a warm, inviting tone for your destination wedding weekend. Guests will likely be arriving from their travels, so think about their comfort first.

Suggestions for Events & Activities:

• Casual Welcome Reception: This is usually the most relaxed part of the destination wedding weekend. It’s a low-key get-together where everyone can mix and mingle.
  • Italy Idea: A classic Italian pizza night with wood-fired ovens, local wines, and an informal setting at your villa. It’s relaxed and perfectly Italian.
  • France Idea: An informal wine tasting or a simple “cocktail d’accueil” in a charming courtyard or garden, featuring local cheeses and light bites.
• Welcome Gifts: A small, thoughtful gesture. Include local snacks, a miniature bottle of regional wine or olive oil, a simple map of the area, and a printed itinerary for the destination wedding weekend. You want to include something relevant to the region you are in.
• Optional Relaxed Activity: For guests who arrive early, perhaps suggest a walking route to explore the local area or invite them to enjoy the venue’s amenities like a pool. (For more ideas on local activities, see our blog on [Link to internal blog post about unique local experiences]).

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Timing: Plan for an evening event, giving guests plenty of time to check in and settle after their journey.
• Accessibility: Make sure the welcome event is easy for everyone to reach from where they’re staying. Or ensure transportation is provided.
• Vibe: Keep it informal. This isn’t another formal reception, but a chance for people to connect and for you to greet everyone.

Day 2: The Main Celebration

This is the big day! The focus is entirely on your ceremony and reception, making sure every detail reflects your style and provides a smooth experience for all. The wedding day itself should have a detailed itinerary, but it is important that guests are made aware of this so they know what time they are eating, if there is any downtime and essentially where they need to be and when. Confused guests is not a good guest experience so by providing this information before and reiterating this on the day with stationery is a great way to keep everyone well informed for your destination wedding weekend.

Suggestions for your wedding day itinerary:

• Timeline: Giving guests a clear timeline of what to expect and when.
• Locations: Where possible, keep locations different to keep the day fresh and exciting, but balance this with not having guests move too far.
• Flow: The day should feel effortless. A detailed timeline and a clear plan for how guests move between locations are essential.
• Comfort: Especially in warmer places, make sure there are shaded areas and plenty of water for your guests throughout the day. Be mindful of the time and location of the ceremony and the dinner. A 12pm ceremony in an open garden in France in July might not be the most enjoyable experience for your guests.
• Photography Schedule: This is important and needs to fit naturally into the day so guests aren’t left waiting around.

Day 3: Farewell & Reflection

The final day offers a relaxed close to the destination wedding weekend celebrations, allowing for heartfelt goodbyes and a chance for everyone to look back on the weekend.Suggestions for Events & Activities:

• Farewell Brunch or Luncheon: A relaxed meal that gives guests one last chance to gather before they head home.
  • Italy Idea: A generous brunch spread with local pastries, fresh fruit, and coffee, perhaps with an espresso bar.
  • France Idea: A lovely “petit déjeuner” buffet, complete with croissants, local jams, and mimosas in a scenic room.
• Optional Local Experience: For those staying longer, suggest nearby attractions, charming towns to visit, or activities like cooking classes or exploring local markets. This encourages them to continue their ‘mini-vacation’.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Departure Times: Schedule the farewell event to work with guests’ travel plans, so no one feels rushed.
• Casual Vibe: Keep the atmosphere relaxed. It’s about warmth and appreciation, not formality.
• Personal Notes: If you have time, a small, handwritten thank-you note at each place setting at brunch adds a truly personal touch.

Essential Points for Your Multi-Day Itinerary

• Pacing: It’s easy to over-schedule, but guests really appreciate having some free time. Find a good balance between organized events and moments for them to relax or explore on their own.
• Guest Comfort: Always think about transportation, how easy it is to get around, and keeping everyone hydrated. A truly top-tier experience means guests feel looked after at every point.
• Local Feel: Weave local elements into your events – through the food, entertainment, or unique venues. This helps your guests feel connected to the destination.
• Communication: A clear, concise itinerary (either printed or digital) means everyone knows where to be and when, cutting down on questions and stress for you. (Learn more about guest communication on our [Link to another internal blog post on guest communication]).

Hiring an Expert Destination Planner: Having an expert handle these intricate details means you can fully enjoy your destination wedding weekend, knowing everything is running smoothly. We take your ideas and turn them into a beautifully executed experience, so you can focus on making memories.Your destination wedding weekend should reflect your appreciation for quality and authentic experiences. By planning these additional moments carefully, you’re not just having a wedding; you’re creating a once-in-a-lifetime getaway for everyone you love.

Learn more about our Destination Wedding Planning services.