Wondering how to plan an incredible wedding weekend filled with fabulous pre and post-wedding activities? This one’s for you!
One of the biggest wedding trends we’ve seen emerging PP (post-pandemic) is a rise in weekend-long wedding celebrations, and we are 👏here👏for👏it👏. The wedding night has become a multi-day event, with couples extending their celebrations into a fun-filled weekend packed with festive pre and post-wedding activities.
While your wedding weekend will be based on your overall budget, style, and preferences (you do you boo!), we love the idea of gathering your guests for a welcome party and beating the post-wedding blues with a recovery session so everyone can reminisce on the night that was. If the thought of planning an entire weekend has you reaching for the wine bottle, keep reading for a foolproof wedding weekend itinerary to ensure your guests have the best time ever.
If your guests are travelling interstate or overseas for your wedding weekend, it’s a good idea to consider hotel options near the venue for their convenience. Our trusted travel partner, Hotel Planner, makes securing group accommodation super easy and affordable with exclusive discounts and unmatched customer service.
Book Wedding AccommodationThe Welcome Party
Whether you’re planning a glamorous destination wedding or simply have guests coming from out of town for your wedding weekend, a welcome party is a perfect way to kick off the celebrations. Just remember to keep things casual and relaxed — the welcome night should be about guests mingling and having fun! You could organise a welcome dinner at your wedding venue or head to a nearby pub for a chilled vibe.
Not only will you get to personally greet your guests as they arrive, but the welcome party is also an opportunity to introduce new faces to one another. With a laidback atmosphere and a few welcome drinks, it’s the ideal way to break the ice with those guests who haven’t met before and catch up with friends you haven’t seen in a while.
The Main Event
Day two of your wedding weekend is likely to be the wedding day itself — when everyone comes together to watch you exchange vows and party the night away during the reception. If you have guests staying nearby for the duration of your wedding weekend, it’s a good idea to organise group transportation like minibuses to and from the venue on the actual wedding day.
The Recovery & Farewell Brunch
Long gone are the days when couples headed off on their honeymoon once the reception finished. Now, it’s all about gathering your guests for a post-wedding recovery session, so you can reminisce on the night before, share stories, and swap cringy late-night dancefloor snaps. Not only is it the perfect time to catch up before everyone heads home, but it’s also a great way to use up any leftover booze or food from the wedding.
We love the idea of a themed recovery brunch or picnic lunch with delicious sharing plates, a few bloody marys, or a coffee cart to soothe the hungover souls! You could also do a barbecue, grazing table or food truck situation — anything casual and easy to eat/serve is a winner. Once everyone has eaten and caught up on the wedding goss, why not get them all together for a fun recovery activity like lawn games, golf, barefoot bowls or even yoga?
Venues For Your Wedding Weekend
Finding the perfect location for your wedding weekend will allow you to create a fun-filled and carefully curated itinerary for your guests. Venues offering on-site accommodation, flexible catering options for your pre and post-wedding festivities, and leisure facilities are ideal for extended wedding celebrations.
Here are some of our favourite spots for hosting fabulous, weekend-long weddings:
Terrara House
Every wedding at Terrara House is an entirely bespoke experience, giving you the freedom to design your dream weekend-long wedding. This sprawling 17-acre estate on the South Coast of NSW is home to a luxury day spa, tennis courts, a sparkling 18-metre swimming pool, and on-site accommodation for up to 28 guests.
Whether you’re envisioning a relaxed celebration or an all-out wedding extravaganza, the Terrara team will work with you to create an unforgettable wedding weekend experience. For your recovery session, artisan catering options include gourmet picnics, woodfired pizzas, and bountiful grazing boards.
Pethers Rainforest Retreat
We can’t imagine a more magical setting for your wedding weekend than Pethers Rainforest Retreat — a secluded boutique venue tucked away in the lush rainforests of Queensland’s beautiful Mount Tamborine. Every occasion at Pethers is truly personalised and comes together effortlessly, thanks to their dedicated in-house events team.
While Pethers itself is home to ten luxury treehouses, there are plenty of accommodation options nearby for guests travelling to attend your wedding. With beautiful walks and natural attractions nearby, who wouldn’t want to spend a few days in this stunning spot?
Mitchelton Wines
Mitchelton is a popular private estate and winery wedding venue located in Victoria’s beautiful Goulburn Valley. This highly sought-after spot has everything you need for a memorable wedding weekend in one place, including an incredible Indigenous art gallery, 58 luxurious guest rooms, a cellar door, an award-winning restaurant, and a tranquil day spa.
If you’re envisioning an unforgettable destination weekend wedding in country Victoria, Mitchelton is a perfect choice. Enjoy personalised service from the dedicated wedding planning team as they help you organise fabulous pre and post-wedding activities for your guests.
Buckland Estate
Boasting a breathtaking private setting in the Avon Valley, just 90 minutes drive from Perth, Buckland Estate is a top pick among destination wedding venues in WA. At this heritage-listed property, you’ll enjoy exclusive venue hire, allowing you to celebrate in total privacy and seclusion all weekend long.
We love the on-site accommodation options at Buckland Estate, with plenty of space for you and your guests to stay at the property for the duration of your wedding weekend. Retire to elegant guest rooms in the historic homestead and various cottages, or take advantage of the 20 luxury glamping tents in the estate’s sprawling glamping village.
Need a hand finding the right venue for your wedding weekend? Our team of amazing Venue Specialists is here to help. Chat with them today and get the ball rolling on your fabulous weekend-long wedding! 💞
