How To Start Planning Your Wedding Weekend Events

So, you’ve decided to say yes to a wedding weekend. Yay!

I’m so excited for you. Truly.

Because it’s not only going to be tons of fun, but so rewarding and memorable.

But now that you’ve said yes, what comes next?

It’s time to start brainstorming and coming up with ideas for your wedding weekend events.

Wedding guests enjoying a rehearsal dinner at a Vancouver destination wedding by Destination wedding planner Mango Muse Events — _{^{(Photo credit: Tomasz Wagner Photo and Films)}}

Now there are lots of events you can plan.

There’s the familiar, like a rehearsal dinner, day after brunch or welcome drinks.

And then there’s the less familiar, and this is where you can really have some fun!

Because you can be as adventurous as you like!

You can plan everything from a hike to an overnight camping trip to a movie night to a beach day.

There are so many things you can choose!

But with so many options, how do you come up with something good?

There are 2 easy ways you can come up with great wedding weekend events.

2 Easy Ways To Come Up With Your Wedding Weekend Events

#1 – Think about what you enjoy

The first is to start with the two of you and think about what you enjoy doing.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing together? And what do you enjoy doing individually?

Just thinking about these questions alone should give you some ideas already.

For example, maybe you’re foodies and love to eat, so doing a tasting or cooking class or food tour would be fun.

Or let’s say one of you is a biker while the other likes to surf, one or both of those activities could be a great idea. You could even each lead a different group in your chosen activity.

Olive oil tasting set up for a wine country wedding in Sonoma by destination wedding planner Mango Muse Events — _{^{(Photo credit: Andria Lo Weddings)}}

#2 – Think about the area

The second way to come up with fun wedding weekend events is by thinking about the activities in terms of the area or location where you’re getting married.

What is the location known for? What’s special about this area? And what do you particularly love about this location?

You chose this area for a reason, so think about those reasons.

And then come up with events or activities that showcase the area.

For example, maybe your location is in wine country and setting up a special wine tasting at your favorite winery would be perfect.

Or maybe the area is known for its islands or water (whether that’s the ocean, sea, lake or river) and doing a boating event or sailing trip would be fun.

Couple enjoying sunset at their destination wedding in Croatia by Destination wedding planner Mango Muse Events — _{^{(Photo credit: Danielle Coons Photography)}}

These are 2 easy ways for you start coming up with ideas for your wedding weekend events. And you may find that they work really well together and the events you plan are both things you enjoy and things special to the area.

But before your mind really starts going, it’s important to keep a few things in mind because they will affect the ideas you have.

And what will make most sense for you.

3 Important Items to Keep in Mind For Your Wedding Weekend Events

Mexican blanket inspired table runner for a colorful rehearsal dinner at Autocamp Yosemite by destination wedding planner Mango Muse Events

#1 – Your guests

You have to keep your guests in mind when thinking about ideas for your events.

Because you can come up with all the ideas in the world, but if your guests aren’t into it or wouldn’t be able to do it, it doesn’t matter.

So, keep in mind their age, mobility and who they’re attending with.

But also keep in mind what you think they’d be interested in.

It’s easy to say yes to a dinner because everyone needs to eat. But it’s not necessarily easy to say yes to a hike or rafting trip.

And while your guests don’t have to attend all your wedding weekend events, you do want to choose things that a good majority would be interested in.

#2 – Your wedding venue

You also want to keep your wedding venue in mind when thinking about your events. Because the events or activities you choose can sometimes be affected by or influenced by your venue.

And if you haven’t yet chosen your venue, the activities and events you want to have may play a factor in which venue you choose.

Why you ask? Because where your events or activities will take place can sometimes be at the same venue as your wedding.

Which can make things easy, especially for a destination wedding.

But you may also want a different venue for a change of pace or scenery.

Either way, your wedding venue can influence your events and not only what you choose to do, but where to do it.

#3 – Your budget

Lastly, you’ll also want to keep your wedding budget in mind. Because your budget likely includes your wedding weekend events and activities.

But even if it doesn’t, you’ll still be working with a budget.

And depending on what that budget is you may need or want to choose activities or events that are more affordable.

For example, hosting a dinner will cost more than a casual come as you like beach day. Going on a hike will be more cost effective than going kayaking.

So, as you’re thinking about your events and activities, keeping your budget in mind is going to be important.

Wedding weekend events and activities are tons of fun and there so many options and ideas. Have some fun brainstorming and remember to keep our tips in mind to help make it easier.

And if you’re looking for help coming up with ideas, planning, designing and coordinating your events, that’s what we do!

We can help you plan all of the fun events and activities and make sure you and your guests have a blast as well. Contact us for a free consultation.