Planning welcome bags, group excursions, and weekend events for your destination wedding is one of the most rewarding (and stressful) tasks you'll experience when getting married.

Wedding weekends require so much more planning than just the ceremony itself. From welcome bags to rehearsal dinners to farewell brunches… you've got a lot on your plate. Especially when 18% of couples are choosing to host destination weddings in 2024.

Don't sweat it.

If you've got everything figured out ahead of time, your wedding weekend can go off without a hitch. And your guests will rave about it long after you return from your honeymoon. Whether you're celebrating at a beach resort in Mexico or a vineyard wedding in Tuscany, here's everything you need to plan the ultimate destination wedding weekend.

Here's what you're going to learn:

• Why Destination Wedding Weekends Need To Be Planned In Advance
• How To Plan Welcome Bags Guests Will Love
• Planning Group Excursions That Actually Work
• Wedding Events That Tie The Weekend Together
• How To Choose The Perfect Ring For Your Celebration

Why Destination Wedding Weekends Need Extra Planning

Ok… but why?

Well… your wedding isn't just happening on one day.

Guests are flying across the world, booking hotels, taking PTO from work. On average, guests spend $1,400 on accommodations alone for a destination wedding. Many spend far more than that.

People are making HUGE investments to attend your wedding. And if you're asking them to travel that far, you should make the ENTIRE weekend worth their while.

While your wedding ceremony is obviously the main attraction. A successful destination wedding weekend typically includes:

• Welcome bags for arriving guests
• Group excursions
• Welcome and farewell events
• Everything in between

Think of all the wedding weekend activities as icing on top of an already delicious cake. You wouldn't go to a wedding without seeing the couple tie the knot. But if there are fun activities happening before and after the wedding, guests are more likely to enjoy their entire experience.

This is why couples who spend hours perfecting their double diamond wedding ring choice should put forth the same effort into planning a destination wedding weekend. The little things matter. Like the stones on your ring, and the welcome note in your guests' hotel rooms.

Easy peasy.

How To Plan Welcome Bags Guests Actually Love

Welcome bags are meant to surprise arriving guests right as they walk through the door of their hotel. It's the perfect opportunity to wow them (on a budget).

If done correctly, welcome bags can truly set the tone for your entire weekend.

But when done poorly, you'll look like… well… you rushed through your wedding planning.

Here's how to win at welcome bags:

Fantastic welcome bags include:

• A personalised welcome note with itinerary attached
• Food and drinks from your wedding location
• Practical goodies, like sunscreen and mini-maps
• Emergency essentials, like pain relief and bandages

The welcome gifts themselves can range anywhere from $10 – $60 per bag. Most couples fall somewhere in the middle around $20-$40 per guest. The key here is to buy in bulk. Buying all your items wholesale is the easiest way to stick to a budget.

Pro-tip:

Put one welcome bag in each hotel room instead of per person. It'll save you a ton of money, and allowing guests to distribute them at the welcome party is super fun.

Planning Group Excursions That Actually Work

Group excursions are another great way to make your guests' experience extra special.

Flights, hotels, and food are already major investments. Couple that with the fact that many guests will be traveling with people they don't know very well. Group activities are a great way to break the ice before the wedding.

However, plan too many group activities and your guests will feel forced.

Find balance.

Offer a variety of optional activities that guests can take or leave. Not everyone will want to jump out of a plane with you. And that's perfectly okay!

Some popular group excursion ideas include:

• City or landmark tours
• Snorkeling, kayaking, boat tours
• Wine tasting, brewery tours, and local food experiences
• Couples spa days
• Cocktail cruises

Mistake couples often make:

Trying to fill every hour of every day with activities. Leave free time for guests to wander around on their own and relax. Nobody wants to be exhausted before they even say "I do".

Share a schedule in your welcome bags so guests can easily see what activities are optional and which ones they should attend.

Wedding Weekend Events That Tie It All Together

Wedding weekends don't stop at the rehearsal dinner. There are some absolutely crucial events you should add to your timeline.

Here are the top picks:

Hold A Welcome Party

Welcome parties are optional, but highly recommended.

This is the first event of your weekend and acts as an easy way for guests to mingle before the big day. Welcome parties can be as simple as drinks at the resort bar or an entire themed event.

Keep it simple. Remember your guests just landed after long flights from everywhere. They don't need fancy decor or expensive catering. Free food and drinks with an opportunity to mingle is all they care about. Let your wedding day be the day you go all out.

Schedule A Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner is smaller than the welcome party. It's an opportunity for your wedding party and family to eat, toast, and celebrate before the ceremony.

Host a Farewell Brunch

This is honestly the most underrated part of your wedding weekend.

Wedding brunches the morning after say goodbye to your guests and allows everyone to share their favorite wedding moments. Keep it casual and open to all wedding guests.

Farewell Brunch Tips:

• Make it casual and stress-free.
• Don't forget to include guests in the invitation!
• Keep it simple; no need for professional catering.

Budgeting For Wedding Weekend Extras

Here's a secret…

When creating your wedding budget. Factor in expenses outside of the ceremony/reception.

Everything talked about above needs to be budgeted for separately.

Include costs for:

• Welcome bags
• Welcome party
• Group excursions (If you're paying)
• Farewell brunch

Some couples choose to cover all weekend costs while others keep group excursions as pay-your-own-adventures. If that's your approach, make sure to communicate that clearly. You don't want guests feeling out of place because they don't know who's paying for what.

Remember to balance out your destination wedding weekend. If you plan too many activities your guests will feel forced. Leave room in your schedule for guests to relax, and have fun without your input.

Planning is everything.

Let's Recap...

Congratulations. You now know everything there is to know about wedding weekend planning.

Prepare outstanding welcome bags…

• … that include items guests will actually use.
• Consider putting one welcome bag per room instead of person.
• Get creative. Let your honeymoon location inspire the welcome goodies you provide.

Plan meaningful group excursions…

• … but don't go overboard. Leave free time in the schedule.
• Schedule mixers and activities that force guests to mingle.
• Offer tours of local landmarks and neighborhoods.

Host weekend events that bring everyone together.

• Wedding weekends are more than just wedding ceremonies.
• Host optional events like welcome parties, group excursions, and farewell brunches.
• Factor these events into your wedding budget.

Now go plan the best destination wedding weekend.