From Arrival to Farewell: How We Structure a Wedding Weekend with Intention

A destination wedding weekend isn’t just a series of events—it’s a rhythm.
An invitation to experience a place, a story, and a celebration alongside the people who matter most.

At McHone Events, we believe the most unforgettable weekends are carefully built—layer by layer—to foster connection, honor the destination, and create emotional momentum that peaks on the wedding day. Every element is placed with intention. Every guest moment is considered. And the flow? It’s designed to feel effortless, immersive, and truly unforgettable.

While every wedding is incredibly different, here’s how we begin to structure our signature four-day wedding weekends to make every moment count.

Day One: The Arrival & Elevated Welcome

The moment guests arrive, the experience begins.

We design arrival day to feel warm and easy—an invitation to exhale. Guests are often arriving from different places and time zones, so the pace is intentionally soft and unhurried.

Our approach:

  • Seamless arrivals and transfers are arranged so no one’s guessing where to go
  • Personalized check-in, local touches, and in-room welcome gifts reflect both the destination and your style
  • A cocktail-style welcome event in the early evening creates space to mingle without the formality of a full dinner—think: breezy resort wear, a signature drink, soft music, and a stunning view

This first evening isn’t about making a big statement—it’s about setting the tone. Guests should feel instantly at ease, effortlessly taken care of, and excited for what’s to come.

Day Two: Adventure, Ease & The Pre-Event Dinner

With everyone officially in vacation mode, Day Two is all about shared experience.

This is the perfect time to get guests out into the destination—whether that means adventuring, relaxing, or simply spending unstructured time together before the main event.

How we approach it:

  • We build in optional morning and afternoon activities—curated to the location and your vibe. This might include guided wine tasting, a catamaran cruise, a scenic hike, cooking classes, or a low-key pool party with light bites and a DJ
  • The mood is casual and celebratory—intentionally unscheduled enough that guests feel like they’re on a five-star getaway, not a tightly packed itinerary
  • In the evening, we host a beautifully styled pre-event dinner—often farm-to-table or a private restaurant buyout that reflects the culture or flavor of the region

This night feels intimate and grounding—a chance for you to connect with your guests before the energy of the wedding day. It’s elevated, but still relaxed. And it’s one of our favorite moments of the weekend.

Day Three: The Wedding Day

By now, guests feel at home in the destination. They’ve mingled, explored, and settled in. They know each other. They’ve had their fun. Which makes the wedding day feel even more special—like the culminating celebration of a shared journey.

What we prioritize:

  • Intentional timeline design—built around light, flow, and energy
  • A ceremony that reflects the emotional weight of the moment without feeling overly formal
  • A seamless transition into cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing
  • Layered guest experiences—from custom lounges and ambient lighting to unexpected moments like a champagne tower or late-night snack bar

We don’t overpack the day—we simply let it unfold with style, ease, and emotional depth. It’s the moment everything has been building toward—and it should feel like pure joy.

Day Four: The Farewell & Gentle Recovery

The final morning is designed to feel unstructured, unhurried, and full of warmth.

Our approach:

  • A farewell brunch that’s intentionally laid-back—think: recovery drinks, casual dress code, low-key music, and lots of coffee
  • Some couples opt for a longer lounge-style gathering—poolside, under shaded trees, or in an open courtyard with cozy seating
  • This is where we help couples create a soft landing—space to reflect, say real goodbyes, and hold onto the magic a little longer

This final touch isn’t just an event—it’s a gift. It lets guests leave full—not just from the food, but from the connection.

The McHone Events Philosophy: Building Momentum, Intention & Ease

Every wedding weekend we plan is layered with care. Not just in logistics or design—but in emotional pacing.

We build the energy gradually—starting with subtle welcomes, deepening through shared experiences, and peaking on the wedding day when it all comes together in a way that feels elevated, joyful, and completely yours.

The result?
A destination wedding that doesn’t just impress—it moves people.
And a guest experience they’ll remember for years.

If You’re Ready to Design a Wedding Weekend That Flows Effortlessly...

We’d love to bring it to life. From boutique property buyouts to curated welcome gifts, poolside brunches to candlelit dinners, McHone Events specializes in multi-day destination weddings that prioritize hospitality, beauty, and connection from the first arrival to the final farewell.

INSPIRATION, TRAVEL, WEDDING
April 15, 2025

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CATEGORIES

BROWSE THROUGH MY

We don’t just promise an exceptional wedding—we promise to exceed your expectations in every way. Our expertise lies in crafting moments of awe for not only you and your closest family and friends, but for every guest you invite. Whether it’s coordinating a welcome dinner, executing complex logistics at a mountain top in Aspen, or bringing a touch of local culture to your Italian destination, we make everything feel seamless. You deserve a wedding that feels effortless, joyful, and unforgettable, and we’re here to deliver just that. With us, your wedding will be an extraordinary experience from the moment you begin planning to the final send off of the night.

SOULMATES

WHY we're the perfect match

WE ARE

There were many times where I would say ‘I know these are little things but I want to get them right.’ Instead of breezing over them, she took the time to make sure we planned for those small things from the tablescape, to the specific fruits I wanted in my flowers to changing the menu several times. Ashley encouraged me to make everything just the way we wanted it, and she always found a way to make it happen. She had everything managed so well and coordinated ahead of time that there was no rushing– everyone was relaxed all morning before the wedding. Hiring her was definitely the best decision we made.

"I cannot say enough about Ashley’s seamless ability to plan, coordinate and design"

Adriana + Justin

Ashley makes you feel like you're her only client even when she's balancing multiple weddings. She's extremely responsive, always willing and excited to adjust, and impressed me with her creativity and consistent professionalism. She executed everything I had in mind flawlessly, but she BLEW MY MIND when it came to her vision in all the aspects of the wedding that I needed help with. Her vision was truly one I could NOT have come up with on my own yet was so spot on. After getting ready, I walked outside to the most stunning wedding I've ever seen and it was truly ALL because of Ashley.

"Ashley was THE mastermind behind everything."

Kimberly + DmytrY

Ashley helped us refine exactly what we wanted the day to look like and how we wanted it to feel. We are still amazed at how how event felt, and that she was able to craft exactly what we wanted given our input. Our wedding turned out exactly how we wanted it to. On the day of, we didn't have to do anything ourselves -- Ashley planned and took care of it all, and it really reduced how much stress we had on the day. In addition to the actual planning and day, Ashley herself is one of the nicest and most sincere people we have ever worked with! She felt like a real friend by the end of the experience, and we were sad when it was time to stop working with her. She was easy to get a hold of, easy to schedule with and talk to, and clearly wanted to make our wedding special and as painless for us as possible.

"We are still amazed at how perfect our event felt, and that she was able to craft exactly what we wanted."

AMANDA + Bill

Ashley gave advice when I needed it and reassured my choices when I was unsure. The most amazing part was how STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL my entire day was! She took our disjointed ideas and executed our vibe. People are still commenting on all the little details she pulled together. I’m so glad she was a part of our dream day! I couldn’t recommend her more highly!!

"We were on the same page every step of the way."

CHANTAL & BROOKS

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