How to Plan a Wedding Weekend Itinerary

Published:

September 16, 2024

Updated:

A popular trend is emerging in the wedding world—weekend-long weddings and I am a fan! If you’ve been around microWED for a while, you know this is what I did for my wedding, which is why I was so excited when Brette of Wild Poppy Events in Ouray, Colorado, reached out and asked if we could put together a guide for creating a weekend wedding itinerary.

It can feel daunting to plan your wedding and consider planning activities in the days leading up to it! But trust me when I say it is so worth it. As far as ideas for your small wedding go, I think this is one of the best. And, with an experienced wedding planner (like Brette!) by your side, planning becomes a breeze, even if you’re having a multi-day event.

We know there are many couples out there who want to do it this way, so we decided to provide a little more insight into what it takes to plan a weekend wedding and provide you with an example of a weekend wedding itinerary to inspire you to plan yours (don’t miss it at the end)!

Let’s get into it!

Expert Panel:

Wild Poppy Events is here to help couples create authentic wedding and elopement moments that matter. Located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, we specialize in capturing the essence of your unique love story. From intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations, our full-service planning and management packages cater to every couple and budget.

For the adventurous souls we also offer an Adventure Micro-Wedding package. Take your wedding weekend beyond the ceremony and reception and explore all the wonders the Western Slope has to offer. From exchanging vows at 10,000ft with panoramic mountain views to embarking on a Jeeping expedition, traversing canyon walls or relaxing in the famous, mineral-rich hot springs, let us help plan each step of an unforgettable start to this next chapter of your love story.

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✨ Click here to download a copy of the Micro Wedding Planning Checklist & Guide ✨

Why Have a Wedding Weekend?

You're recently engaged, and now it's time to start wedding planning! But you're dreaming of something more unique to you as a couple. Maybe you don't just want the classic ceremony followed by a huge dinner with over a hundred guests you won't even have time to talk to.

There are so many benefits to having a multi-day wedding! Perhaps you're looking to do something a little more "you" as a couple. This could be anything from having a local winery provide all the drinks or exchanging your vows in a hot air balloon. Whether it's a wild, wonderful, adventure-filled day or simply taking a turn off the beaten path, this is YOUR day!

Let's take it one step further: You want to make a weekend out of your wedding. If you decide to get married in a destination like Colorado, especially in one of the many amazing mountain towns, there is so much to do! Limiting your stay to the night before the wedding and having your guests leave later the day after gives you little chance to enjoy each other or this great new adventure you're starting!

Let's envision your wedding weekend itinerary for a moment—a vacation filled with exploring the backcountry, creating memories, and a wedding to top it all off under the stars. Hosting an adventure wedding weekend means bringing all the people you WANT to your wedding along for a journey. It's not just having one fantastic day to celebrate your love; it's a 4-day, planned excursion!

John Lyons Love

How To Plan A Wedding Weekend

Figure Out Your Budget

Knowing how much you can spend will have a big impact on how the itinerary for your wedding weekend comes together. If you want to keep costs down, maybe you plan a simple BBQ somewhere everyone can gather or if you really want to treat everyone (and yourself!) maybe you splurge for dinner at an incredible local restaurant. No matter your budget, you can make a weekend wedding work.

Create Your Guest List

Wedding weekends can be pulled off for a wedding of any size, but we most commonly see these for smaller, more intimate weddings. Create your guest list with all the people you couldn’t imagine spending the weekend without.

Hire a Wedding Planner

Whether you’re staying local or heading to a dream destination we recommend partnering with a local planner to help with your wedding weekend and to create an itinerary that suits your vision.

Find the Perfect Wedding Weekend Venue

Once you have your planner, they should be able to help you find the perfect spot, but there’s a few different ways you can do this.

Rent out a weekend wedding venue like a ranch, a camp, or a VRBO where everyone can stay together.
Opt for a more traditional wedding venue and grab room blocks at a local hotel.
Couple a beautiful outdoor location for your ceremony with a cool local restaurant for your reception and a historic hotel for lodging.

Hire Wedding Pros

Local vendors who specialize in micro weddings can help you discover hidden gems for your ceremony and reception. Plus, by opting for a smaller, more intimate celebration, you'll have extra budget to focus on creating extraordinary experiences and memories for you and your guests.

Plan Your Wedding Weekend Itinerary

Pull it all together into a multi-day event! Be sure to consider your guests as you’re planning activities so that there’s something for everyone (you’ll see how Brette handles this in her example below). For my wedding weekend, we chose to just call every day “choose your own adventure” and everyone went off to do their own thing, coming back together for dinner and drinks in the evenings.

Send Save The Dates Early

Give your guests plenty of time to plan their travel and take off work by sending Save the Dates as early as you can.

Use a Wedding Website

A wedding website is a great way to keep everyone informed. Consider including information on the location like great coffee shops and restaurants, activities, and sightseeing opportunities.

Determine How To Document Each Day

One regret I have is not hiring a content creator to document the whole weekend. Everyone thinks of the wedding day, but if you’re having a full weekend you might want to consider ways to document.

Hire a content creator, videographer, or photographer for events outside of the wedding day
Create a Google Photos or Dropbox folder for everyone to submit photos to

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Sam Murch Photography

Wedding Weekend Tips

Consider your guests and their interests when planning your activities.
Make sure there’s a place for everyone to gather throughout the weekend.
Consider providing welcome bags/baskets with items to enhance their weekend.
Build in downtime for your guests (and yourself!) to relax.
Host a casual event the night before, like a welcome dinner or cocktail hour, so guests can get to know each other.
Provide transportation or give your guests a lot of information on options so they can comfortably get where they need to.
Hire a planner to help ensure the entire weekend goes smoothly.

Wedding Weekend Itinerary Example

Brette, of Wild Poppy Events, put together this sample wedding weekend itinerary for a destination wedding to Ouray, Colorado (her specialty!).

Thursday: Spa Day, Guest Arrival, and Welcome Party

Thursday afternoon

‍Couple arrives and checks into a historic hotel with all modern amenities with the softest bed you’ve ever slept in before heading to the spa for couples’ massages!

Thursday evening

Welcome dinner at one of the fabulous local restaurants

Friday: Adventure Day and Rehearsal

Friday morning

For the adventure lovers in your party: Side-by-side adventures – it’s time for the ride of a lifetime. Who’s up for Cinnamon Pass? OR headed to the Via Ferrata for an unparalleled view of Ouray.

For the lovers of a little flatter ground: Shopping in town, coffee at Mouse’s, perusing art galleries and a quick drive to see Cascade Falls or Box Canon Falls right in town!

Friday afternoon

Hot Springs! With multiple pools in town and a vapor cave, there are plenty of options to choose from. Afterwards, meet at the brewery for local brews and a rooftop patio.

Saturday: It’s Your Wedding Day!

Saturday morning

Brunch, mimosas, and getting ready before it’s time to head to a jeep rental company so they can load everyone up and take them to the top of a glorious mountain to say, “I do”. (Don’t forget rain coats!)

Saturday afternoon/evening

WEDDING TIME! The ceremony will be held at 11,000ft, then it’s back to town for the reception at one of the local venues catered by a private chef.

Sunday: Farewell Brunch & Departure

Sunday morning

Farewell brunch at a local eatery with your closest friends before heading to the airport.

For couples who believe that love truly is the greatest adventure, let’s start this chapter of your love story with amazing memories and get some gorgeous photos out of the deal! Your wedding day reflects your love story. It should be as unique and adventurous as your relationship. By ditching the traditional and embracing a wedding weekend filled with experiences, you're not just celebrating your love, but creating memories that will last a lifetime. Remember, this is your day. Let your imagination run wild and create a wedding that truly represents who you are as a couple. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s start planning your adventure wedding weekend today!

Author Bio

Jennie Swenson is a former micro wedding bride, and she now supports countless couples in planning their own intimate celebrations through her blog, featuring real micro wedding stories and a curated vendor directory. Her practical advice and firsthand experience make her a go-to resource for those seeking to create memorable and meaningful micro weddings.