Planning the perfect destination wedding? I’m here to lovingly say it: one day just isn’t enough. Sure, the wedding itself is the star of the show, but some of the most meaningful, joy-filled moments happen before and after the “I do.” That’s why multi-day destination wedding weekends are seriously the best-kept secret in destination wedding planning!

Whether you’re getting married in the hills ofTuscany, a chic villa inTulum, extending your celebration turns your wedding weekend into an unforgettable experience for you and all of your guests! And here’s the magic: when your wedding becomes a whole weekend, your gallery becomes a full story. So if you’re in the early stages of planning or just collecting dreamy multi day destination wedding ideas for later, this one’s for you!

A bride in a white lace dress and a groom in a black suit smile and hold hands outdoors in a landscaped garden for a multi day wedding

A bride and groom walk hand in hand along a gravel path in a formal garden with trimmed hedges and scenic mountain views in the background.

Choosing the Right Venue for Your Wedding Weekend

When planning a multi-day destination wedding, the venue truly sets the tone, and choosing the right one can make everything easier (and more fun). One of the biggest game-changers? Keeping your guests close. Whether they’re staying on-site or just a quick walk away, having everyone in one spot makes your whole weekend feel more connected, relaxed, and intentional.

When everyone’s nearby, they’re way more likely to show up for that welcome cocktail hour, dive into your pool party, and hang around for the farewell brunch. No rushing from hotel to venue, no missed moments! Just quality time with your favorite people.

The best venues for this kind of vibe are ones that offer either on-site lodging or have dreamy villas, boutique hotels, or resorts just minutes away. Bonus points if there are things to do nearby (think boat rides, beach hangouts, wine tastings, or even spa days). Because a destination wedding weekend should feel like a mini vacation for everyone involved!

If you’re still venue hunting, here are a few places that totally get the multi-day experience:

Acre Resort – San José del Cabo, Mexico

Palm-filled courtyards, treehouse-style suites, and plenty of space to host everything from your welcome dinner to your late-night after party. You can stay, celebrate, and relax all in one lush, modern-meets-jungle setting.

Il Palagio – Tuscany, Italy

This historic villa (yep, the one owned by Sting!) has enough room for a whole wedding crew. With wine tastings, private chef experiences, and dreamy countryside views, it’s perfect for an Italian wedding weekend that feels personal and luxurious.

Twin Farms – Vermont, USA

A secluded luxury retreat that feels like a cozy, upscale escape. Guests stay in private cottages, there are curated activities on-site (think bonfires, canoeing, and spa services), and the food? Next level!

Villa Cetinale – Siena, Italy

An architectural masterpiece with beautiful gardens,, and enough space to host every part of your wedding weekend without ever leaving the property.

Cal-a-Vie Health Spa – Vista, California

A Provence-inspired estate tucked into the hills of Southern California. With spa services, lavender fields, and intimate ceremony spots, it’s ideal for couples who want wellness, beauty, and elegance all weekend long!

Cedar Lakes Estate – Hudson Valley, New York

Think upscale summer camp vibes with luxe cabins, lakeside lounging, and cozy spaces for guests to stay, play, and celebrate. It’s one of those places where you can truly make your wedding weekend your own!

Wherever you choose, just make sure the space fits your vision and allows for flexibility. You want to feel free to host a welcome party by the pool, a laid-back wine night on the terrace, or a farewell brunch under the trees. The best venues make space for connection so your wedding weekend flows, your people stay close, and your wedding gallery full of stories!

Aerial view of a large estate with manicured geometric gardens, a swimming pool, several buildings, and surrounding green hills and fields.

Multi Day Wedding Ideas You’ll Love

Welcome Parties That Feel Like You

A welcome party is one of the easiest destination wedding ideas and the most meaningful way to start your wedding weekend on the right note. After long travel days, your guests will be ready to settle in, say hi, and start the celebrations. This is your chance to set the tone, whether it’s a relaxed backyard BBQ, drinks at a rooftop bar, or dinner under the stars at your Airbnb villa.

Ideas to Make It Feel Intentional:

A curated playlist with songs that are so you two.
A fun dress code like “Mediterranean Chic” or “Sunset Tones Only.”

Signature cocktails that tell your story! Bonus points for cute signage with your love story or inside jokes! (P.S I have a TON of inspo on my Pinterest! Check it out here!)

A white flag with "Just Married" written on it is attached to a decorated railing, with palm trees and a modern building in the background for a multi day wedding

A person stands on the deck of a white yacht named "Sea Dream" docked at a marina, with a tall apartment building in the background for a multi day wedding

Close-up of a formal table setting with three empty glasses, a white napkin, and a floral centerpiece in the background for a multi day wedding

A platter of sliced watermelon, honeydew, pineapple, cantaloupe, strawberries, and grapes arranged in rows on a silver tray with serving tongs.

Don’t Skip the Beach Day!

If your destination wedding is anywhere near the coast, a beach day is an absolute must. I absolutely LOVE this destination wedding idea because there's something so special about spending time with your people with salty hair, sandy toes, and zero pressure to be anywhere but right here. It’s relaxed, it's joyful, and it makes everyone feel like they’re actually on vacation, not just attending a destination wedding.

A beach hang is the perfect buffer between your welcome party and the wedding day. No need to overthink it; a few umbrellas, a cooler full of spritzes or coconut water, maybe a little Bluetooth speaker for tunes, and you’re set. Bonus points if you pack beach games (paddleball! bocce! spikeball!) or throw together a casual picnic lunch.

Pro tip: Beach days make for the best candid photos. We’re talking sun-drenched film shots of your friends laughing, family members catching up in beach chairs, and you two sneaking a smooch in the waves. They’re the kind of memories that add warmth and realness to your wedding gallery.

Rows of green lounge chairs with orange and green striped beach umbrellas are arranged on a pebbled shore near calm blue water, with a yellow boat in the distance.

Poolside Parties & Villa Hangs = Yes, Please

Let’s be real, nothing says vacation like a poolside hang with Aperol spritzes and floaties. This is where so many candid moments happen. The unfiltered laughter, the spontaneous cheers, the barefoot dancing to someone’s playlist on a speaker, it’s all so good.

Easy Ways to Elevate It:

Polaroid or disposable camera stations.
Lounge chairs with cute towels as favors.
A taco or pizza bar (trust me, guests LOVE this).

Photographer Tip: These relaxed hours are where some of my favorite photos come from. The ones where you’re unposed, sun-kissed, and 100% in the moment with your favorite people!

A rectangular outdoor swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs, umbrellas, and greenery on a sunny day.

A bride and groom sit together under a white umbrella by a pool, surrounded by empty lounge chairs and a large building in the background.

Two white lounge chairs sit under a large patio umbrella on a gravel surface, surrounded by potted flowers and greenery on a sunny day.

Two pizzas on plates; one topped with mushrooms and sausage, the other with pepperoni and olives, both on a table.

Cultural & Local Experiences

One of the best parts of a destination wedding and a multi day destination wedding is that you’re not just getting married, you’re making memories in a brand new place. Hosting a cultural or local experience helps everyone slow down and soak it in.

Some Ideas I Love:

Cooking classes (hello, fresh pasta!).
Mezcal tastings in Mexico.
Olive oil tastings in Spain.
Market mornings and seaside picnics.
A hike and picnic at a scenic overlook.

Joyce & Roy did a cooking class in Tuscany with their families the day before the wedding. Everyone learned, sipped local wine, and I was there capturing flour-dusted laughs and pasta cheers. It was cozy, intimate, and SO fun to photograph.

A decorative wedding sign reads "Love From Our Head To-Ma-Toes, Joyce &amp; Roy, Villa Di Sorriso, June 7th, 2024," with red illustrations on a white background.

A table with four empty mixing bowls and wooden spoons is set near a large window, overlooking a green garden.

A white apron with a printed image of a ketchup bottle spilling drops is laid out on a patterned chair.

Two people in aprons stretch a large piece of dough at an outdoor cooking station surrounded by various kitchen ingredients and utensils for a multi day wedding ideas

The Wedding Day (Still the Main Event!)

Now that everyone feels like one big family during your multi day destination wedding, the wedding day just feels different. You’re more relaxed, your guests are more connected, and the energy is so full of joy! That warmth shows up in every photo, from getting ready to your golden hour portraits to the dance floor confetti moments.

Timeline Tip:
Build in intentional breathing room. A slower pace means more moments to soak in and more space for natural, real photos that aren’t rushed.

And don’t worry if I’m just shooting your wedding day, I’ll still capture it like a full story. But if you’re inviting me to the whole weekend? Just know I’m packing extra film and probably tearing up behind my camera!

Two people seated at a decorated outdoor table hold personalized place cards labeled "Lousa" and "Eden" among flowers, tomatoes, and table settings for a multi day wedding

A hand holding a glass of red wine outdoors with a blurred landscape in the background.

A group of people gathers around a long outdoor table set for a meal, with one person in a peach suit taking a selfie; string lights are hung above.

Farewell Brunches

A farewell brunch is one of those underrated events that you’ll be so glad you included. It’s your last chance to give hugs, share stories from the weekend, and thank your guests for traveling all that way for your destination wedding.

Simple Ideas That Go a Long Way:

Serve local pastries or brunch bites
Create a cozy space with coffee, juice, and casual seating.
Include handwritten notes or small gifts as a sendoff.

It doesn’t need to be fancy. Honestly, the “morning-after” glow, messy buns, and comfy clothes make for some of the most heartfelt photos of the entire weekend.

A glass pedestal plate holds an assortment of rolled pastries with various fillings, arranged in a pile on a white tablecloth.

A Day-After Session

Let’s say the wedding is over, the dance floor is cleared, and your guests are heading home, but you two still have one more adventure left in you. Enter: the day-after session.

This is your chance to slow down and get dreamy portraits in a location you love without the timeline pressure of the wedding day. No guests waiting, no bouquet to keep alive, no schedule to stick to, just the two of you, a stunning backdrop, and that just-married glow that’s still radiating off of you.

Some ideas I love for day-after sessions:
– A barefoot beach stroll in Tulum at sunrise
– Wandering the cobblestone streets of Florence in your wedding look (or something fun + casual!)
– A sunrise sail or picnic in Positano
– A film-inspired session at your villa with espresso and robes

These sessions give you that editorial-meets-candid feel that I love shooting so much. They’re intimate, emotional, and honestly… kind of romantic in a low-key, real-life honeymoon kind of way.

And if you’re already investing in a destination wedding, why not make the most of it?

A couple in wedding attire embraces on a sandy beach near the ocean, with gentle waves and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

A bride and groom hold hands and walk barefoot along a sandy beach with waves in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

**Why You Need a Photographer for the Whole Wedding Weekend**

The big day is beautiful, but the weekend as a whole? That’s where the magic happens. When you hire your photographer (hey, I’d love to be her!) for full coverage, you get a gallery that tells the full story, not just the ceremony. You get…

The first “OMG you’re here!” hugs at the welcome party.
The chaos and laughter of a cooking class with your fam.
The quiet poolside moment where you held hands and soaked it all in.
The post-dance-floor glow at brunch.

Those are the photos that will take you back every time you look at them. And that’s why I’ll always say: if your destination wedding is more than one day, your photography should be too.

A woman stands against a plain white wall, wearing a denim jacket, black skirt, black knee-high boots, and holding a camera in one hand and sunglasses in the other.

Woman in a denim jacket and black skirt holding a camera up to her face, smiling, against a plain light background.

Example of a Wedding Weekend Itinerary

Here’s how it could look (and yes, I’ve photographed weekends just like this!):

Thursday

Guests arrive in Italy. Welcome wine & pasta night at the villa. Think: golden hour photos, long tables, cheers all around.

Friday

Poolside lounge day with lunch & Aperol spritzes. Evening cooking class and dinner with family and close friends.

Saturday (Wedding Day!)

Getting ready with your besties. Emotional first look. Ceremony overlooking the vineyard. Sunset portraits, dreamy reception under the stars, and dancing all night long.

Sunday

Brunch with cappuccinos and pastries, barefoot kids running around the garden, and one final toast before hugs and goodbyes. After the goodbyes have a “day after session” in a new outfit or your wedding attire!

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CarmelaJoyPhotography.Daisy.Stephen.WEDDING-723_websize.jpg

Love These Destination Wedding Ideas for Your Dreamy Wedding Weekend? Book me as Your Destination Wedding Photographer!

Your destination wedding should feel like a full-on celebration not just a ceremony. Multi-day wedding weekends give you the space to be present, make memories, and actually enjoy your people. So let’s slow down, make it beautiful, and capture every moment! Did you love these multi day destination wedding ideas? Ready to start planning your multi-day destination wedding? I’d LOVE to be your destination wedding photographer!

See more on the blog!

How to Plan a Dreamy Lake Como Destination Wedding

Destination Tropical Wedding Inspiration at Royal Palms Resort

Top Luxury Wedding Venues & Planning Tips for your Dream Day

Multi-Day Destination Wedding Ideas for a Dreamy Wedding Weekend