Junior Rasmussen
Planning a wedding weekend can be a fun but challenging task. From spacing out activities to arranging accommodation, there's a lot to consider. The key to a successful wedding weekend is keeping guests happy, so it's important to give them some downtime and make it clear they don't have to attend every event. In this guide, we'll cover everything from choosing a venue to creating a wedding website, and how to make your wedding weekend one to remember.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Activities | Space out activities to avoid overwhelming guests. Allow guests to opt out of some activities. |
| Accommodation | Choose a venue that doubles as accommodation, such as a hotel or Airbnb. Alternatively, put together a hotel block for guests and arrange transportation. |
| Itinerary | Create a wedding website with the itinerary, dress code, travel and accommodation details, and suggestions on what to pack. |
| Welcome bags | Include a welcome note, wedding weekend itinerary, a map of the area, locally-made treats, a list of local transportation companies and attractions, or travel-sized essentials. |
| Venue | Consider venue accessibility and whether there are recreational activities or attractions nearby. |
What You'll Learn
Spacing out activities and allowing downtime
The trick to an enjoyable wedding weekend is spacing out your activities. You don't want to overwhelm your guests or make them feel rushed between events. It's important to build in some downtime so they can do as they please, whether that's enjoying the local surroundings or taking a nap. Make it clear that your guests aren't obligated to attend every single planned event. Allowing them to treat your wedding weekend like a mini-vacation will only add to those "best wedding ever" sentiments.
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 guests to stay on-site without worrying about transportation. If you choose to get married elsewhere, put together a hotel block for your guests and consider arranging transportation to and from the lodging.
If your budget allows, you could arrange welcome bags for your guests. These could include a welcome note, wedding weekend itinerary, a map of the area, locally-made treats, a list of local transportation companies and attractions, or travel-sized essentials. For example, if you're enjoying a lakefront weekend, consider gifting your guests small bottles of sunscreen, bug spray, or sunglasses. If you're planning a wine-tasting tour, they'll certainly appreciate water bottles and ibuprofen for the next morning!
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 favourite spots your guests can enjoy during their downtime. To make it a cute little favour, create an adorable handout that you can include in their welcome bags.
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Venue and accommodation
When it comes to venue and accommodation, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is important to space out your activities and build in some downtime for your guests. This will allow them to explore the local surroundings or simply relax. It is also a good idea to make it clear that guests are not obligated to attend every planned event, allowing them to treat your wedding weekend like a mini-vacation.
One of the easiest ways to host a wedding weekend is to choose a venue that also offers accommodation. This could include hotels, Airbnbs, campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, or even a lakefront property. This option allows your guests to stay on-site without worrying about transportation. If you choose a different venue, you can put together a hotel block for your guests and arrange transportation to and from the lodging.
Another thing to consider is the accessibility of the venue for your guests. It is ideal if all your guests can stay on-site or as close to the venue as possible. This will make it more convenient for them to attend your wedding events. Additionally, it is a bonus if there are recreational activities or attractions nearby, such as campgrounds, retreats, resorts, inns, lodges, or lakefront properties.
To make your guests feel welcome, you can create welcome bags with a personal note, a wedding weekend itinerary, a map of the area, and locally-made treats. You can also include travel-sized essentials, such as sunscreen, bug spray, or sunglasses, depending on the location and activities planned. For example, if you're planning a wine-tasting tour, include water bottles and ibuprofen for the next morning!
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Transport
If you do choose to get married somewhere other than your guests' accommodation, it's a good idea to put together a hotel block and arrange transportation to and from the lodging. This could be in the form of a shuttle service or taxis, depending on your budget and the number of guests requiring transport.
You can also include a list of local transportation companies in your welcome bags, along with a map of the area and any other relevant travel information. This will be especially useful for guests who are unfamiliar with the area and may need to travel further afield during their downtime.
If you're planning on providing transportation for your guests, be sure to include this information on your wedding website, along with any other travel details. This will help your guests feel prepared and ensure they know what to expect.
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Wedding website and itinerary
The wedding website is the digital home base for all things related to your wedding weekend. It should include the itinerary and dress code for each event, travel and accommodation details, and even suggestions on what to pack.
The trick to an enjoyable wedding weekend is spacing out your activities. You don't want to overwhelm your guests or make them feel rushed between events. Build in some downtime so they can do as they please, whether that's enjoying the local surroundings or simply taking a nap. Make it clear that your guests aren't obligated to attend every single planned event. Allowing them to treat your wedding weekend like a mini-vacation will only add to those "best wedding ever" sentiments.
If your budget allows, you could arrange welcome bags for your guests. These could include a welcome note, wedding weekend itinerary, a map of the area, locally-made treats, a list of local transportation companies and attractions, or travel-sized essentials. For example, if you're enjoying a lakefront weekend, consider gifting your guests small bottles of sunscreen, bug spray, or sunglasses. If you're planning a wine-tasting tour, they'll certainly appreciate water bottles and ibuprofen for the next morning!
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 guests to stay on-site without worrying about transportation. If you choose to get married elsewhere, put together a hotel block for your guests and consider arranging transportation to and from the lodging.
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Welcome bags
When planning a wedding weekend, it's important to space out activities and allow guests some downtime to relax or explore the local area. One way to make guests feel welcome is to provide them with welcome bags. These can include a variety of items such as a welcome note, a wedding weekend itinerary, a map of the area, locally-made treats, a list of local transportation companies and attractions, and travel-sized essentials.
For example, if your wedding weekend includes outdoor activities, consider including items like small bottles of sunscreen, bug spray, or sunglasses in the welcome bags. Alternatively, if you're planning a wine-tasting tour, water bottles and ibuprofen might be appreciated! You can also include a local guide with recommendations for things to do and see in the area, especially if guests have some free time during the weekend.
When planning the contents of the welcome bags, consider the needs and comfort of your guests. If you're getting married in a hot climate, include items like hand fans or personalised water bottles. Or, if it's a winter wedding, perhaps add some cosy socks or a small packet of hot chocolate. You could even include a small gift, like a candle or a bottle of wine, as a token of your appreciation.
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Frequently asked questions
Space out your activities so your guests don't feel overwhelmed or rushed. Make sure to build in some downtime so they can relax or explore the local surroundings. It's also a good idea to make it clear that your guests don't have to attend every single event.
Your wedding website should be the go-to place for all the information your guests will need for the weekend. This includes the itinerary and dress code for each event, as well as travel and accommodation details. You could also include suggestions on what to pack.
If your budget allows, it's a good idea to choose a venue that also offers accommodation, such as a hotel, Airbnb or campground. This means your guests won't have to worry about transportation. If you choose a different venue, you could put together a hotel block for your guests and arrange transportation to and from the lodging.
