Create an experience that goes deeper than just one day
Gone are the days of the one-day wedding whirlwind. Today’s couples are leaning into multi-day celebrations that feel less like an event and more like an immersive experience. It is even more important now that you find wedding weekend ideas that feel like you, not like everyone else’s idea of the best wedding approach. And for good reason: a wedding weekend gives you more time with the people you love, more space to be present, and more opportunities to weave your personalities, priorities, and story into every moment.
Whether you’re planning a luxury destination wedding or hosting something closer to home, here’s how to plan a wedding weekend that feels like you—not just a version of what you think it should be.
1. Start With Your Values, Not the Timeline
Before diving into the logistics, ask yourselves: How do we want this weekend to feel? What are your shared values? Do you want slow mornings and meaningful conversations? Big dinners under the stars? A chance to celebrate and rest in equal measure?
Let those feelings guide the structure of the weekend. If you’re feel stuck searching for wedding weekend ideas, start with how you want your celebration to feel. If connection is your biggest priority, plan intimate welcome drinks instead of a blowout rehearsal dinner. If you love travel and exploration, consider a venue with built-in experiences or activities for guests.
2. Choose a Venue That Invites Immersion
Not every venue is designed for multi-day celebrations. Look for spaces that give you room to breathe, explore, and gather. Properties like Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Commodore Perry Estate, and Laguna Gloria are ideal because they offer not just beauty, but an environment that supports hosting over time.
Consider what you can do onsite: Are there guest accommodations? Can you host welcome parties, ceremonies, and brunches all in one place? The less your guests have to travel, the more present and grounded the weekend will feel.
3. Plan Moments of Spaciousness
One of the most overlooked luxuries? Margin. Build in time to breathe, laugh, and just be. Whether that’s a coffee hour before hair and makeup, a long lunch with your wedding party, or a quiet post-ceremony walk just the two of you—create space in your timeline that allows for presence and reflection.
When the day moves too fast, the memories blur. But when you slow down, everything sinks in. It’s in those pauses where some of the most meaningful moments unfold.
4. Host With Intention
Wedding weekends are about more than aesthetics—they’re about hospitality. Think about how your guests will experience each moment: the welcome drinks, the handwritten note, the thoughtful menu. You don’t need a packed itinerary to impress your people. You just need sincerity, warmth, and a little magic.
Creating a welcome experience that reflects you sets the tone for the entire celebration. And your guests will remember how it felt to be part of it.
5. Work With a Team That Gets You
Planning a multi-day celebration takes vision, alignment, and trust. From your planner to your photographer, choose vendors who understand your vibe and values. A great creative team won’t just execute your weekend—they’ll enhance it.
As a photographer, I approach wedding weekends with deep respect for your story and your energy. I document the laughter, the pauses, the quiet gestures—so you can look back and feel every moment, not just see it.
Planning a Wedding Weekend That Reflects You?
If you’re dreaming of a wedding weekend that blends beauty, intention, and real connection—I’d be honored to photograph it. From the welcome dinner to the final toast, I’ll be there to document the feeling of it all.
Inquire here or explore more wedding weekends at Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Commodore Perry Estate, or Laguna Gloria.
