Why a wedding weekend is the right choice for overseas couples

If you live outside of Italy and have chosen this place to get married in Tuscany, having all your guests fly in for just the day of the wedding seems a little inconsiderate. They will need at least a day to adjust to jet lag, rest after a long flight and another to prepare themselves for the return trip. Why not use this time to plan something amazing for them all? You and your partner will relish love and happiness and your friends and family will discover more about Italy, its scenery and peculiar traditions. This is also a great way to let people know each other if your families or friend groups haven’t met yet. They will all be grateful for the extra time and care you put into their stay.

Create the perfect wedding weekend timeline

Remember, you and your spouse, as well as your guests, need time to prepare yourselves for the festivities. Consider time for hair and makeup appointments, manicures and pedicures, dress fittings and rehearsal of the ceremony when planning the wedding weekend activities. Then loosely divide the three days with a curated wedding weekend timeline.

Day 1

Friends and family arrive in Tuscany. If you can, arrange their transfer from the airport to the wedding location. Give them an hour or two to reach their accommodation, freshen up, unpack, and relax after the flight. Then arrange a welcome party in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. Let them truly enjoy the beauty of Tuscany and get acquainted with each other.

Day 2

This will probably be the wedding day! You will be busy with preparations, but your guests could use a little entertainment, especially if the ceremony is later in the day. You should plan for your wedding party (bridesmaids, groomsmen, celebrants) to get ready in two separate locations or the ceremony venue. The ceremony, photoshoot and reception will take up most of the rest of the day.

Day 3

Now the wedding is over, but the party is not! Say farewell to your guests creating nice moments to share. A breakfast or brunch in a wonderful location, surrounded by the beauty of the Italian sun, will be the most heartfelt thanks to those who travelled to be with you on the most important day of your life. Make sure you know every guests’ flight in order to avoid issues with airport transfer. 

Wedding weekend activities everyone would love

Do you know your friends and family well and somehow worry they won’t appreciate the wedding weekend activities? Don’t worry: create an informal atmosphere where anyone can graciously decline the invitation if they want, or participate in some events and avoid others. Here in Tuscany there are some beloved activities that everyone would love, such as:

• wine tastings;
• cooking shows;
• pizza parties;
• pool parties;
• formal welcome dinners.

You can always add yoga, spa appointments and beauty treatments if your guests are into peacefulness and relaxation; or trekking, skydiving, horseback riding through the Tuscany hills for a more dynamic approach. 

How to ensure a clear wedding weekend schedule

When organizing a destination wedding in Italy, especially if all your guests are from abroad, you will need someone to manage the whole wedding weekend schedule without adding stress to you and your spouse. A local wedding planner is your best shot at a marvelous event where everything goes smoothly and you create new memories with friends and family. Someone to arrange every transfer from one location to another, divide people into groups if need be, create one-of-a-kind experiences tailor-made to your preferences and wishes. 

Some details about wedding weekends

You don’t need to invite all of your guests to the entire wedding weekend, just the wedding party or your immediate family. Divide them into groups and choose who to include in which activities. The itinerary could be different for bridesmaids and groomsmen, people can arrive at different times, some with a plane and some with a train. And most of them won’t understand the language. It could all become a logistical nightmare if you do it all alone. But the right person will be there for you and your partner throughout the entire wedding weekend to ensure everyone is happy and taken care of. Especially you two!