Traditionally, a wedding weekend timeline has been simple: rehearsal dinner the night before and then the wedding the next day. However, in recent years, couples have been transforming their one-day celebration into a full, 3-day wedding weekend! Not only does this make their wedding more of an experiential event, it enables them to spend more quality time with their loved ones. Here in Orlando, FL, our team at John Michael Events has definitely seen this trend take off… and we love it!
Orlando has been a world-class destination for decades and this not only goes for family vacations, but Orlando weddings too! More often, couples are combining their destination wedding and honeymoon by having a 3-day Orlando wedding weekend. Some nearlyweds may even turn their special weekend into a full week vacation!
In this post, we’ll equip you with a sample 3-day Orlando wedding weekend itinerary. If you’re considering a full wedding weekend but are unsure where to begin, this post is for you! As you read though, keep in mind that you can personalize this Orlando wedding weekend itinerary to best fit your personal preferences, interests, and family dynamics. There isn’t just one way to plan a wedding weekend and the one that always turns out best is the one that feels true to you!
Benefits of a Full Orlando Wedding Weekend:
There are numerous benefits to planning a full Orlando wedding weekend!
First, you simply get to extend the fun! The day of your wedding tends to go by so quickly with all the festivities, people, and excitement. Our couples who have had 3-day wedding weekends have appreciated the additional time with their family and friends the day before the wedding and the day after. These pre- and post-wedding days will naturally be more relaxed than the big day itself, so this means you get to spend quality time with your loved ones, who you may not get to see very often. More time together means more fond memories!
Second, a full wedding weekend is a wonderful way to show your appreciation for any and all guests that have traveled from afar to attend your celebration. Many times, we see that Orlando is a hub for destination weddings, where all the guests and even the couple are traveling from out-of-state (or even out of the country!). Why not take full advantage of the time you have here by going all out over the course of a 3-day Orlando wedding weekend?
Although there are many more benefits to having a full wedding weekend, the final one we’ll explore is transforming your wedding day into a true experience for everyone. Day 1 of your Orlando wedding weekend will serve as the welcome for all your guests and sets the stage in the lead up to your wedding day. Day 2 is the main event, where you get married! Then, day 3 acts as the wind-down; a laidback time when everyone can decompress together and reflect on the magic of the wedding before everyone says goodbye.
With 3 full days of fun, your Orlando wedding weekend will truly be a celebration no one will forget!
Day 1: Rehearsal Dinner or Welcome Party
Now that we’ve established why you should have an Orlando wedding weekend, let’s dig into a sample itinerary! Day 1 of your 3-day wedding weekend will oftentimes be the arrival day for you and your guests. Whether you’re driving 30 minutes across town or flying into Orlando from afar, this is the day to get settled in here. Then, that evening, the fun begins! You may kick things off with your wedding rehearsal with your bridal party followed by the rehearsal dinner.
Rehearsal Dinner:
When our team at John Michael Events caters your Orlando wedding weekend, we’ll guide you in planning each of your menus! We’ll ensure that your guests are treated to something different each day and are consistently wowed in the process!
For your rehearsal dinner, a buffet dinner works great! A buffet provides a variety of options for even the pickiest of eaters.
With entrees like Panko & Parmesan Chicken Breast, Sesame Crusted Salmon, and White Truffle Bacon Mac & Cheese, your guests will instantly know that they are in for a delicious Orlando wedding weekend!
Welcome Party:
As an alternative to a traditional rehearsal dinner, you might consider throwing a welcome party! This could be for all your guests, just the wedding party, or just family: It’s up to you! For this type of relaxed and upbeat gathering, we would recommend choosing food stations.
This strolling type of meal service allows guests to mix and mingle as they enjoy a range of different dishes. Plus, guests love the interactive component of a Chef-attended action station! Stations help keep the party going by encouraging social interaction instead of having a formal break in the night for a sit-down meal.
Some of our most popular stations include:
- Mac & Cheese Bar
- Chef Carved Beef Brisket
- Street Tacos
- Gourmet Mini Pizzas
- Slider Bar
- Chef Prepared Flaming Donuts
Day 2: Your Orlando Wedding
Day 2 of your Orlando wedding weekend is the day you’ve been waiting for: your wedding day! Our sister company, Celebration Gardens, is the top botanical garden wedding venue in Orlando and could not be more perfect for your big day. Aside from its gorgeous manicured gardens and versatile event spaces, we are the in-house Orlando catering team there, which makes your wedding planning even easier!
For your Orlando wedding day, we’re proud to offer an all-inclusive wedding buffet package that includes everything you’ll need for the night in one fell swoop! This package consists of:
- The Menu
- (3) butler passed hors d’ouevres
- (2) entrées from chicken, meat or fish selections
- (1) entrée from pasta selections
- (1) salad selection
- (2) side dish selections
- Assorted rolls with butter
- The Set Up
- Linens: We have over 50 colors to choose from!
- Guest Table Setup: Plates, flatware, table numbers, fruit infused water, linen napkins
- Buffet Setup: Menu signs, bamboo buffet equipment, black spandex linens
- Bar & Beverage Setup
- Champagne Flutes for Toast
- Coffee Station
- Sweetheart Service: Upgraded linen and chargers for your sweetheart table with VIP service on the day of!
- Staffing: Catering supervisor, culinary staff, bartenders and serving staff
- Cake Cutting Service
- Vendor Meals: Up to 5 complementary
Book this package and we’ll take care of the rest! All you’ll have to do is select which specific food options you would like: The fun part!
You also have the option to add-on upgraded items to this package, such as a full liquor open bar, tables, chairs, and your wedding cake itself.
Photography: Sterling Photography
Day 3: Post-Wedding Farewell Brunch
After you’ve tied the knot and had your best day ever, the fun doesn’t have to stop! On day 3 of your Orlando wedding weekend, you and your closest people can enjoy a post-wedding brunch together. This festivity serves as one final opportunity to spend as much time together as possible before bidding farewell.
For this farewell brunch, we have the perfect food and beverage options! Your brunch could consist of:
- Mini Yogurt Parfaits
- Mini Scones & Croissants
- Chicken & Waffles
- Omelet Station
- Pork Sausage Links
- Avocado Toast
What’s brunch without mimosas? You can’t go wrong with our Mimosa Bar! This includes orange juice, cranberry juice, and your choice of peach or pear juice.
This day-after brunch is the ideal conclusion to your 3-day Orlando wedding weekend!
Book Top Orlando Catering for your Florida Wedding:
John Michael Events is an experienced Orlando wedding and event caterer, specializing in serving all types of events, from weddings to social events to corporate events. We offer all-inclusive wedding packages that not only include event catering, but also the additional vendors you’ll need to throw the wedding of your dreams! Twice a quarter, we are proud to host “A Taste of John Michael,” a one-of-a-kind group tasting experience, where clients are invited to sample a variety of our delicacies.
Ready to book one of our event catering packages with optional embellishments? Contact our team by hitting the button below. We would love to chat with you!
