Every day of the week is a perfect day for a wedding, but weekends are always particularly in demand.
That’s not without good reason.
If you have your wedding on a weekend, you’re more likely to have more of your invitees show up because they don’t need to miss work, school, or whatever else.
Your possibilities for venues and destinations also open up significantly because you and everyone else can potentially venture out farther from your homes than you could on a weekday.
However, planning a wedding weekend itinerary can be a challenge, especially when you’re hosting your wedding in an area you haven’t spent much time in before.
But it’s ok.
The challenge is not insurmountable, and it’s one that has been overcome by countless other couples before you.
All you need to do is follow some basic rules and guidelines.
Planning Makes Perfect
Well, not really.
Perfection is impossible for us lowly humans.
But you can manage things well enough and put backup plans in place for the most common emergencies and mishaps that might occur.
From organizing a plan to move everyone and everything inside if it starts raining to putting together a well-stocked emergency kit, there are a lot of relatively predictable things you can account for.
It will rain a certain number of days in a year, no matter what.
And one of those days just might happen to be your wedding day.
That isn’t necessarily bad luck or anything; it just means that your wedding isn’t the only thing going on in the world that day.
It’s the biggest day of your life, but for most other people, it’s just a typical Saturday.
The Main Event
The wedding ceremony is what you and your guests are all here for.
This is the big moment when everything that your engagement has been leading up to comes to fruition, and your status as spouses becomes official.
Don’t get freaked out, though.
All you have to do for this is get through a ceremony and remember your lines.
But even if you forget your lines, your officiant is there to help walk you through it.
People make it a lot scarier than it really needs to be.
If you want to get scared, go talk to a lawyer before you make things official.
Actually, even if you don’t want to get scared, you really should do that anyway.
One of the most helpful things you can both do to set your minds at ease and get everything in order beforehand is to consult with legal counsel and ensure that all your legal ducks are in a row before you make a bunch of promises you haven’t thought through yet.
The informed part of informed consent is what takes the mental edge off during the ceremony because you’ll feel confident that you actually understand what you’re getting into.
The Afterparty
Yes, the reception.
It’s not as important as the wedding ceremony, but it’s still very important in its own way.
So, it’s worth having a specific plan for it as part of your wedding weekend itinerary.
You don’t need to go overboard or get too complicated with this, as it’s effectively just your wedding’s afterparty, but do be sure to arrange for whatever kind of venue, food, and music you want it to have.
It’s also wise to arrange for a change of clothes because you might not want to cut loose while wearing the same clothes you just got married in.
Those are expensive, and they stain ever so easily.
First Proper Meal As a Married Couple
Post-wedding brunch is often overlooked, but it’s a fantastic opportunity to ease yourselves into married life by enjoying a nice meal with your wedding guests the day after.
This is mostly just a matter of finding a place nearby that everyone can easily get to and that’s within everyone’s budget (unless you’re treating everyone).
Then, you go there or call ahead and make reservations.
Even if it’s a place you don’t think you’ll need reservations at, it’s best to get reservations anyway.
This world is a whacky place, and you just never know what new and unexpected thing tomorrow is going to bring.
Your Honeymoon
This is the part of your wedding weekend itinerary that’s just for you and your spouse.
We presume that no one else from your wedding will be accompanying you on your honeymoon, so you don’t need to worry about them.
What you do need to do is determine and agree with each other on your budget, your time constraints, where you want to go, and what you want to do when you get there.
Naturally, you’ll also want to make the necessary reservations for accommodations, food, and transportation.
It’s a Celebration
This is one of the most vital things to keep in mind throughout the process of planning your wedding weekend itinerary.
Your wedding itself and all the other stuff around it during this weekend are meant to be a way to celebrate the bond between the two of you and your new social status as a married couple.
Take that part seriously, but try not to be too nitpicky or perfectionistic with the actual festivities because they are, at the end of the day, festivities.
And festivities are meant to be festive.
That means fun, enjoyable, and perhaps even relaxing.
There’s no reason why your wedding weekend needs to be a stressful event, and it can be exactly the opposite if you design and allow it to be.
FAQ — Tennessee Wedding Weekend Itinerary
What is a typical wedding weekend itinerary in Tennessee?
A wedding weekend often spans 2-3 days. Common elements include a welcome event or rehearsal dinner on day one, the ceremony and reception on day two, and a brunch or farewell gathering on day three.
How do I plan events for guests without overwhelming them?
Offer optional activities and clearly communicate the schedule. Include downtime between events so guests can explore the area, rest, or enjoy personal time. Balance group activities with flexibility.
What are popular pre-wedding events in Tennessee?
Rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, cocktail hours, or casual gatherings at local breweries, wineries, or scenic outdoor spots are common. Adding local flair, like music or cuisine, makes events memorable.
How can I incorporate local attractions into the wedding weekend?
Suggest guided tours, hiking trips, boat rides, or city sightseeing. Providing maps or a wedding website with recommendations helps guests plan around wedding events.
How do I schedule the main wedding day for the best experience?
Consider ceremony timing with natural light for photos. Allow ample time for transportation, setup, and guest arrival. Include breaks before dinner, dancing, or evening entertainment to keep the day relaxed.
What are tips for the post-wedding day?
A farewell brunch or casual lunch lets guests say goodbye and provides a relaxed end to the weekend. Consider providing small souvenirs, packing tips, or shuttle info to ease travel logistics.
