Destination weddings have long been a romantic alternative to the more traditional at-home weddings. But today, they’re evolving into something even more meaningful. As destination weddings grow in popularity and now represent nearly one in three weddings in 2025, couples are no longer content with simply offering a beautiful ceremony followed by a reception. They want to create something deeper and more memorable: a total experience for themselves and their guests, multi-day destination weddings.

Beyond the One-Day Celebration

Couples today recognize that asking friends and family to travel (sometimes internationally, and often at considerable expense) deserves more than a one-day celebration. They’re designing multi-day experiences that allow guests to feel part of something special, while also giving themselves more time to soak in the moment.

So what are some of the most popular additions you should include?

A welcome party that includes all guests, not just the wedding party. A traditional wedding includes just out-of-town guests, but at a destination wedding, EVERYONE is from out of town, so make it a welcome party instead. This is an opportunity to really lean into the destination and embrace food and drink you might be omitting at the wedding or decor that you want to include that might be a little more out of the box. This also allows the entire group to connect right out of the gates, so make sure it has a casual vibe to it, versus a formal sit-down dinner. 

Group Excursions Equal Group Bonding

Group excursions, such as snorkeling, ziplining, local market tours, or sunset cruises are a wonderful way for guests to connect and bond in meaningful and fun ways. This allows your loved ones to be able to feel like they are also getting a vacation out of their time. Make sure you select activities that work for the majority of your group. For example, if you have a lot of kids at your event, you may want to forgo a wine tour or an afternoon long cooking class, as it would make it hard for many to attend.

The Best Way to Cap Off the Celebration

A farewell brunch the morning after the wedding to share one last memory together is a popular way to bookend the event. This can have a casual “open house” feel and makes the most sense (logistically speaking) to have it at your host property where the wedding took place or where most guests are staying.

These extra events create a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can connect, explore, and truly enjoy the destination together, making the wedding feel more like a shared journey than a single event.

Couples are asking their destination wedding travel agents to include guestmoon options (a mini-vacation extensions for their guests) while also relying on their wedding planners to weave in local culture, music, cuisine, and entertainment in creative and unexpected ways.

Experiences Add Value—for Everyone

This shift toward experience-driven weddings enhances the entire celebration. Guests return home feeling like they were part of something truly special, versus just attendees at a wedding. Couples often say that their favorite memories aren’t just from the wedding day itself, but from the laughter during a group excursion, the toasts at the welcome dinner, or the heartfelt moments shared throughout the wedding weekend.

These additional events give couples more quality time with loved ones, especially when guests are traveling from different parts of the country or the world. Instead of the wedding flying by in a blur, the experience is stretched out, chock-full of intentional moments that make the celebration unforgettable for everyone involved.

The Future is Experiential

Today’s destination weddings are no longer just about the location…they’re about the connection. Multi-day experiences, immersive activities, and shared memories are quickly becoming the new standard. For couples seeking something more meaningful than tradition alone, experience is everything. And that’s a trend worth embracing.

Featured image by DK Photofilms from Puja and Mihir’s Multi-Day Destination Wedding in Fort Myers