Planning an intimate wedding is exciting, but turning it into a full-on weekend celebration? That’s next-level special! Imagine spending a few days surrounded by your closest loved ones, relaxing, celebrating, and making memories without feeling rushed. A weekend wedding lets you spread out the fun, soak in every moment, and make your wedding experience even more meaningful. If you’re ready to plan your own, here’s how you can create the ultimate intimate weekend wedding.
Choose the Perfect Venue for a Weekend Wedding
First things first—you need a venue that fits your weekend vision. When you’re hosting a multi-day celebration, the venue needs to accommodate all your events, from the welcome dinner to the farewell brunch. Look for venues that offer beautiful event spaces, cozy accommodations, and the flexibility you need for the weekend schedule.
Pro Tip: Some of the best venues for intimate weekend weddings are boutique hotels, charming bed and breakfasts, or private estates. These spots let you keep everything and everyone together, making the whole weekend feel like one big, cozy celebration. Need some inspiration? Check out Travel Bash’s guide to the Best US Destination Wedding Locations for some dreamy ideas!
Plan a Relaxed Itinerary for your Weekend Celebration
One of the best things about a weekend wedding is the extra time you get to spend with your guests. Instead of cramming everything into one day, you can spread out the celebration and enjoy more intimate moments. Keep the itinerary relaxed with plenty of downtime so everyone can enjoy themselves.
Here’s a simple breakdown for a weekend wedding itinerary:
- Friday Evening: Welcome dinner or casual cocktails to greet your guests and kick off the celebration.
- Saturday: Wedding day! Start with a laid-back breakfast, then move into the ceremony, reception, and dancing the night away.
- Sunday Morning: Farewell brunch to wrap up the weekend and send everyone off on a high note.
Pro Tip: Consider optional group activities, like a scenic hike or wine tasting, to give guests a chance to explore and enjoy the area.
Focus on Personalized, Meaningful Details
Because an intimate weekend wedding is naturally smaller, you can focus on the details that matter most. Think about how you want to make the experience personal and memorable. Whether it’s handwritten notes for your guests, custom welcome bags, or a family-style dinner under the stars, these thoughtful touches will make your wedding feel extra special.
Pro Tip: Work with local vendors to create personalized, unique details—like handmade favors or farm-to-table catering—that reflect your style and the location of your wedding.
Offer Comfortable Accommodations
A big perk of an intimate weekend wedding is that your guests get to spend more time with you, so making sure everyone is comfortable is key. Consider offering accommodations either on-site or close to your venue, so guests don’t have to worry about transportation.
Pro Tip: Block rooms at a nearby boutique hotel or reserve an Airbnb for your closest friends and family. Keeping everyone together makes the weekend feel more connected and fun!
Extend the Celebration with Multiple Events
The beauty of an intimate weekend wedding is that it doesn’t have to end after the reception. By adding multiple events to your weekend, you’ll create even more memories with your guests. From a welcome dinner to a farewell brunch, there’s plenty of time to enjoy the company of your favorite people.
Here are a few ideas to enhance your weekend celebration:
- Welcome Dinner or Cocktail Party: Kick off the weekend with a relaxed dinner or casual drinks to get everyone acquainted and set the tone for the festivities.
- Group Activity: Plan an optional group activity, like a beach day, yoga session, or hike, to make the weekend even more fun.
- Farewell Brunch: Send off your guests with a chill brunch the day after your wedding. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the weekend.
Pro Tip: A weekend full of events gives your photographer plenty of chances to capture candid moments and special interactions, ensuring no part of your celebration is missed.
Keep the Guest List Intimate
The best part of an intimate weekend wedding is that you’re surrounded by the people who matter most. Keeping the guest list small makes it feel more personal and allows you to spend quality time with each guest. Focus on inviting your closest friends and family to create a warm, connected atmosphere.
Pro Tip: With a smaller guest list, you can splurge a little more on special details like custom invitations, gourmet catering, or live entertainment—whatever makes your wedding feel uniquely yours.
Capture Every Moment with the Right Photographer
When you plan a multi-day celebration, it’s important to have a photographer who can document more than just the wedding day. You’ll want someone who can capture all the special moments of the entire weekend, from the welcome dinner to the farewell brunch.
Pro Tip: Choose a photographer who makes booking a weekend event easy and can go with the flow (like me – wink wink), so your wedding gallery will tell the full story of your weekend.
Create a Wedding Website
With a weekend celebration, it’s helpful to create a wedding website where your guests can find all the details in one place. Include your weekend itinerary, travel and accommodation options, and any extra activities you have planned. This makes it easy for your guests to stay informed and prepared. I love Zola’s wedding websites for their simple and easy to use interface and stunning visuals.
Pro Tip: Use your website to keep guests updated in the lead-up to your wedding. It’s a great place to share any changes to the schedule or last-minute tips for travel and activities.
Embrace the Destination Wedding Vibes
If you’re dreaming of a destination wedding, an intimate weekend wedding is a perfect way to extend the celebration and fully enjoy the experience with your loved ones. Whether you’re renting a cozy cabin in the mountains or booking a seaside villa, a destination weekend wedding lets you and your guests soak in the location and make lasting memories.
Pro Tip: Work with a local planner or coordinator or one who specializes in destinations, who knows the area and can help you organize events and activities. They’ll also connect you with the best local vendors to make your weekend unforgettable.
Ready to Plan Your Intimate Weekend Wedding?
If you’re considering turning your wedding into a multi-day celebration, let’s chat! I’m here to help you capture every moment of your intimate wedding weekend and I make it crazy easy because who needs one more complicated thing on their list. To make your planning process even easier, grab my free Wedding Planning Checklist [here]—the complete guide to help you stay organized and stress-free as you plan the perfect celebration. Click [here] to inquire about weekend destination wedding photography packages!
