How to Plan the Perfect 3-Day Wedding Weekend: Your Ultimate Itinerary Guide
- Upstate Indie Weddings
- Oct 14
- 4 min read
Planning a wedding is exciting enough — but turning it into a full wedding weekend? That’s next-level celebration. Whether you’re hosting a destination wedding in the Finger Lakes or a hometown celebration in Buffalo or Rochester, a 3-day wedding weekend itinerary gives you and your guests the chance to slow down, connect, and make memories that go far beyond the big day.
Here’s a breakdown of what a well-planned 3-day wedding itinerary looks like, what couples often forget to include, and a few pro tips to help everything run smoothly.
Day One of Wedding Weekend Itinerary: Welcome & Rehearsal Celebration
Morning / Afternoon: Arrival & Check-In
Most guests will arrive by Friday afternoon, so plan for a smooth welcome experience. Whether you’re providing shuttle service from a hotel or leaving welcome bags in their rooms, this first impression sets the tone. Include essentials like snacks, water bottles, a local map, and the weekend’s itinerary — trust us, guests appreciate having all the info in one place.
Evening: Rehearsal Dinner or Welcome Party
Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner is reserved for close family and the wedding party, but modern couples often turn this into a casual welcome event for all guests. Think rooftop cocktails at a Buffalo brewery such as Resurgence Brewing or Big Ditch, a cozy dinner at a local restaurant such as The Roycroft or The Terrace, or a backyard BBQ if you’re hosting at a private venue.
What couples often forget when planning their wedding weekend itinerary
Travel recovery time: Out-of-town guests may need time to settle in, so avoid planning anything too early.
Transportation details: Provide clear info for rides between venues and hotels.
Photography: Rehearsal dinners often have heartfelt speeches and fun moments — consider hiring your photographer for an extra hour or two to capture them.
Day Two of Wedding Weekend Itinerary: The Main Event
Morning
Getting Ready Start your morning slow. Build in extra time for hair, makeup, and breakfast — especially for larger wedding parties. Pro tip: make a playlist, order light snacks, and assign someone to keep everyone hydrated.
Afternoon
Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Whether your ceremony is in a grand ballroom, a lakeside venue, or a rustic barn, aim for a late-afternoon ceremony (around 4 or 5 PM). This gives your timeline room for photos and transitions without rushing.
Cocktail hour follows naturally — a great chance for guests to mingle while you sneak off for portraits. This is also a perfect time for signature cocktails and passed apps that reflect your personalities. We love a grazing table from graze artists such as The Grazeful Gatherer at cocktail hour-it's an opportunity to have a little bit of everything and feed your guests without being too much.
Evening
Reception & After-Party Dinner, speeches, dancing — this is the night everyone’s been waiting for. Keep speeches brief (no more than 5 minutes each) to maintain energy. When planning your meal service — whether plated from Beets and Bees Catering, buffet, or stations — communicate timing clearly with your caterer so things flow naturally into dancing.
If your venue has a strict end time, consider moving the after-party to a nearby bar or hotel lounge to keep the night going. We love Hartman's Distilling for an after party!
What couples often forget:
Buffer time: Build at least 15–20 minutes of cushion between each major event.
Meal for the wedding party: Everyone forgets to feed the crew before photos!
Transportation for you: Have a getaway car or shuttle arranged — don’t rely on rideshares at midnight.
Day Three of Wedding Weekend Itinerary: Farewell & Recovery
Morning: Post-Wedding Brunch
The day after your wedding is a golden opportunity to reconnect with guests before they head home. A casual brunch is the perfect way to say thank you and relive the highlights of the night before. Keep it simple — pastries, coffee, and a mimosa bar do the trick.
If you’re getting married in Western New York, consider partnering with local caterers like The Lunch Box, or a laid-back morning pastry spread from The Village Bake Shoppe.
Afternoon: Departure or Local Exploration
Guests flying out can check out, while others may want to explore local attractions — wineries, state parks, or a Sunday lake cruise. Include a list of recommendations in your welcome bags to help them make the most of their trip.
What couples often forget:
Storage and returns: Make a plan for who’s responsible for picking up décor, gifts, or rentals after the wedding.
Thank-you communication: Even a quick Sunday morning toast or goodbye message goes a long way in making guests feel appreciated.
Self-care: Block time for yourselves. Sleep in, eat something nourishing, and take a moment to just be married.
Final Tips for a Smooth Wedding Weekend
Hire a day-of coordinator (or full-service planner) to manage logistics — they’ll ensure you’re not fielding questions all weekend. Here's a list of some of our fav's!
Share the itinerary early so guests can plan their travel and accommodations.
Plan transitions carefully. It’s the in-between moments — like travel, outfit changes, and toasts — that tend to cause stress if not timed properly.
Stay flexible. A little spontaneity can make the weekend even more memorable.
A 3-day wedding weekend gives you time to celebrate your love story from every angle — from intimate moments with family to dance floor chaos with friends. With thoughtful timing, communication, and just the right mix of structure and fun, your wedding weekend can feel like a mini vacation for everyone — including you.
Snag our printable 3 Day Wedding Weekend Checklist so you don't forget any of these key reminders!
