Add some fun and excitement to your special day with these fun destination wedding activities! Planning a wedding abroad means there are lots of different parts to consider, but one that might not be so obvious is how to entertain your guests. They’ve probably traveled quite a long way to reach your exciting destination, so you’ll want to guarantee that they have an amazing time while celebrating your beautiful union. From wine tasting to sunset catamaran tours, destination wedding activities are some of the best ways to make sure that your wedding weekend is truly special! After all, if you want to get it right, then it’s all about thinking of your guests and the type of wedding celebration you’re looking to throw. The aim is to make your wedding a memorable affair everyone will enjoy.
Check out our ultimate list of unique destination wedding activities that your guests will love!
1. Host a Welcome Dinner
A destination wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that many couples want to make as memorable as possible. One of the best ways to do this is by hosting an intimate welcome dinner for your guests. This will give them an opportunity to get to know their travel companions and make them feel more at ease in the country they’re visiting. You might have more activities during the weekend, but this is the perfect first event to plan for your guests. You can choose to have your welcome event before or after the rehearsal dinner, depending on how much time everyone has and what they prefer.
2. Private Guided Tours
Private guided tours offer your guests the opportunity to explore their unique surroundings and take in the beauty of your destination wedding location. This is a great way to get to know the area, learn more about the location’s culture and history, and find some hidden gems that will make your big day even more special! This also gives your guests a more personal experience than if they were just exploring on their own. In fact, private guided tours are ideal if you’re traveling with friends or family members who don’t know each other well yet. You can customize this activity in many ways, and pick one that best suits your needs and your budget.
3. Wine Tasting
Wine tasting is an activity that is perfect for a destination wedding. It’s a great way to get couples and their guests to interact with one another in a relaxed environment, as well as provide them with the opportunity to try some delicious wines. It’s perfect for breaking the ice and letting your guests meet one another in an informal setting. The happy couple also gets the chance to share their favorite bottles, and your guests will have the opportunity to try wines they may not have tried before or would not normally buy themselves.
4. Artisanal Workshops
Artisanal workshops offer the chance to incorporate activities into your wedding day, rather than just having them as an afterthought. Your guests will have the opportunity to create memories that will last forever and even take away their own souvenirs! It’s a fun and unique way to enjoy a taste of the local culture. For instance, you can plan a workshop for flower making, pottery, macramé, painting, embroidery, and much more.
5. Adventure Activities
Depending on where you’re celebrating your destination wedding, adventure activities can be ideal for mixing things up and bringing some excitement to your wedding. They’re an excellent option to get the adrenaline pumping and release any nervous energy before the big day. You’re also bound to get some funny photos from the experience! It’s a great way to forget the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, and be in the moment of this special wedding weekend. Some of the best adventure-based destination wedding activities include jet skiing, kayaking, hiking and much more!
6. Bike Ride
Biking is one of the most popular destination wedding activities for your guests. Organize a tranquil bike ride around your beautiful location. It’s a fun activity, it works for all ages and for most locations. Not only will this give your guests time together, but also it will give them an opportunity to take in some of the sights of where you’re getting married!
7. Cooking Class
If you’re planning activities for your destination wedding, you may want to consider cooking classes for your guests, especially if you’re getting married in a location famous for it’s delicious cuisine. This is also a perfect way to introduce your guests to your chosen destination and its classic dishes in anticipation of your big day. You can offer them a cooking class or a food tasting session, depending on what you think your guests will most enjoy or the time available. There are many different cooking classes that you can choose from, depending on the cuisine of your location. For example, pasta, pizza, gazpacho, Bouillabaisse, and Baklava are just some delicious examples!
8. Catamaran Cruise
A catamaran cruise is a beautiful choice for your destination wedding guests. It provides the most calming way to tour your wedding location with ease and enjoy the stunning scenic views with friends and family. You can add in some extras such as food, drinks, and entertainment on board while your guests enjoy their time. Plan the activity for sunset to make it extra special!
9. Reception Games
Another way to entertain your guests is to provide games during your reception. Make them feel like they’re at home with familiar games that everyone can enjoy. You can organize a scavenger hunt and have your guests bring items with them to help win prizes. Or have everyone write down their favorite quotes, songs, or poems on pieces of paper and put them into a jar or box. You can even get everyone dancing with a musical guessing game! Guests write down their guesses on a piece of paper, which they hand over once they’ve guessed correctly. Also, try out the wedding shoe game. Guests can provide questions and watch the bride and groom test their knowledge of each other.
10. Performers
Add some flair to your big day and give your guests something extra to talk about when they get home by hiring performers for your destination wedding. These can be anything from a guitarist during the ceremony, to dancers who will entertain guests at a reception. One idea includes aerialists who can wow guests with their mid-air acrobatics. Another option is a magician, which is ideal for entertaining large crowds with their mind-blowing tricks and illusions that will keep everyone laughing. You could also hire a local band for your guest to get a feel for the local culture and get everyone dancing.
11. Late-Night Bonfire
A bonfire is a timeless activity for any wedding. It’s an excuse to bring everyone together and celebrate the new union with your closest family and friends. It’s perfect for providing warmth and setting a relaxing tone to spend the last few moments of the beautiful celebration together. And if you’re looking for ideas on how to make your bonfire extra special, try adding some s’mores! Have fun making these delicious treats with your guests by roasting marshmallows over the flames and then dipping them into melted chocolate bars or Nutella spread on graham crackers! Another way to make the bonfire unique is with a lantern release and stargazing to round off the special day.
12. Morning-After Brunch
Just because the wedding day is over, it doesn’t mean that the destination wedding activities have to end! Brunch is the perfect event to close your celebration on a high and say goodbye to your guests. It’s low-key, casual, and it usually involves a mimosa or two. You can even include extra activities during the morning-after brunch such as yoga, pilates, massages, pool games, or a photo booth. Or special foodie treats such as a pancake bar, cereal bard, grazing table, or charcuterie board.
Now that you’ve found inspiration for how to entertain your wedding guests during your reception, head over to WedBoard to find more tips for other parts of your special day. You’ll find advice for every aspect of your wedding both local or destination including, 18 Unique Wedding Backdrop Ideas Your Guests Will Love, 28 Delicious Wedding Cake Alternatives, and The Top 8 Beautiful Italian Wedding Venue Styles.
Featured image: Poppy Carter Portraits
