Unforgettable Pre-Wedding Experiences for Your Destination Wedding Guests
A destination wedding is about more than vows and celebrations, it’s a chance to create a mini adventure for your guests, immersing them in a new culture, breathtaking scenery, and moments they’ll cherish. From sun-soaked adventures to intimate, local experiences, these pre-wedding activities set the tone for your celebration and leave a lasting impression.
Curating Wedding Experiences Your Guests Will Love
Here, we’ve rounded up some of the most inspiring ways to entertain your guests before and after the big day, and highlighted venues from our portfolio that make each experience exceptional.
Wellness Spa Pampering
Spa and wellness experiences are the ultimate way to set the tone, or unwind, around your wedding. Treating yourself and your guests to massages, facials, saunas, or a dip in a heated pool offers a moment of calm amidst the excitement, helping everyone relax, reconnect, and recharge.
Whether it’s a pre-wedding ritual to ease nerves or a post-ceremony indulgence to recover from dancing, wellness pampering turns your wedding celebration into a truly holistic and memorable escape.
Finca Sa Bastida Luxury Retreat & Spa is a serene Mallorcan escape designed for couples seeking both celebration and relaxation. With its striking infinity pool, panoramic events bar, and dedicated wellness centre, it’s the ultimate spot to exchange vows against a golden island sunset. The spa offers a complete wellness experience, from a steam sauna and ice basin to an indoor pool with jacuzzi and heated loungers. Perfect for a multi-day celebration or a retreat-style wedding weekend, every element here has been thoughtfully curated to inspire balance, tranquillity, and pure indulgence.
Wine Tasting
For couples looking to add an authentic touch to their destination wedding itinerary, consider wine tasting. This romantic and delicious experience allows the couple and their guests to bond, laugh, and enjoy quality time together while savouring local wines. It’s the perfect way to incorporate a unique and local flavour into your wedding festivities.
When you picture the perfect wine-tasting destination, your mind immediately thinks of Italy! Well, if that’s the case, you’d be right.
Villa Maggio is the perfect wedding venue for wine lovers who want to add tasty fun to their wedding itinerary without leaving the venue’s property. You can plan a wine-tasting experience for you and your guests from the venue’s very own Sicilian vineyard. Plus, weddings at the villa must feature the estate’s own wine, with bottles starting at just 8 Euros, a delightful story to share with your guests!
Pizza party
Start your wedding weekend with a pizza party because nothing says “celebration” like fresh, wood-fired pizza and glasses clinking with local wine! It’s the ultimate icebreaker, bringing together friends and family in a relaxed, fun setting. Guests get a delicious taste of Italy, a peek at what’s to come, and a moment to soak up the local vibes before the big day. Simple, social, and seriously delicious.
Most Italian venues in our portfolio can easily host a pre-wedding experience, think casual, delicious, and full of local charm. Recently, we featured Anna Maria & Julian’s epic pizza welcome party, click here for a slice of inspiration.
In the heart of Lake Garda’s rolling hills, Villa Cariola sets the stage not just for a stunning wedding, but for incredible pre- and post-wedding experiences. With its expansive outdoor spaces, 15th-century architecture, and a team seasoned in hosting international celebrations, every moment feels extraordinary. A pizza party here isn’t just casual, it’s a gourmet, authentic experience and a fabulous way to welcome your guests.
Charter a Yacht
Ditch the traditional and set sail on a yacht! Imagine cruising crystal-blue waters, basking in the sun, cocktails in hand, and your guests living their best life. A wedding with a yacht experience isn’t just a celebration, it’s an adventure, and trust us, everyone on board will be talking about it for years.
Celebrate love, Ibiza style, aboard the Ibiza Boat Club, the island’s iconic 90ft floating beach club where luxury and freedom meet the open sea. Designed for those who dream beyond tradition, this sleek catamaran transforms weddings and celebrations into extraordinary experiences. Picture sun-drenched decks lined with plush loungers, chic lounge areas with panoramic sea views, and a world-class Void sound system setting the rhythm for the day.
Whether it’s a pre-wedding sunset cocktail party, a day trip to Formentera, or an epic post-wedding celebration, this floating venue delivers an unparalleled experience that’s hard to match on land.
Celebrate your wedding in one of the most unique and unforgettable settings, aboard the Polaris, a legendary D-Day veteran yacht docked in Split, Croatia. With a rich history dating back to World War II, this boat with soul offers a truly extraordinary wedding experience.
An exclusive private charter in Split, Croatia, this charming vintage-style event boat offers a truly unforgettable wedding setting, perfect for romantic ceremonies overlooking the sun-kissed Adriatic Sea.
Sports courts
Inject some fun and friendly competition into your wedding weekend with a pre-wedding sports session. Whether it’s basketball, tennis, mini golf, or a lively game of boules, a little play goes a long way in breaking the ice.
Sports courts give guests a relaxed, light-hearted way to connect, letting families bond, friends mingle, and everyone unwind before the big day. Choose a venue with on-site sports amenities, and you’ll have instant entertainment that brings people together with laughter, teamwork, and just the right dose of rivalry.
The perfect venue for a pre-wedding game or two, this charming Catalonian estate offers everything in one place. Guests can enjoy leisurely moments across the grounds, from a mini-golf course and sports courts to pétanque and scenic walking trails through the countryside. With its private chapel, inviting pool, barbecue area, and accommodation, it’s a countryside retreat designed for connection, relaxation, and celebration throughout your wedding stay.
Yoga or Personal Training Session
Including a yoga or personal training session during a destination wedding is a relaxing and rejuvenating start to the wedding festivities. Yoga sessions are perfect for those looking to de-stress and create a peaceful atmosphere before the big day. For fitness lovers, consider adding training sessions to the itinerary for a healthy bonding experience.
While you can schedule a yoga session just about anywhere, one destination stands out as the ultimate yoga retreat: France!
Situated on the heights of the Petit Luberon, the genuine Provençal residence of Capelongue is surrounded by the sights and scents of cypress, fig trees, lavender, and olive groves, creating an idyllic setting for intimate wedding celebrations.
Overlooking the village of Bonnieux, Capelongue is a hamlet thought around a village square. Living to the rhythm of local events, artist residences and festivals, the estate celebrates the contemporary creativity, gastronomy and craftsmenship. Capelongue is the heritage and embodiement of Provence today. A place of celebration.
Cooking Classes
Cooking classes are a fun way to immerse yourself in the local culture, especially for those hosting weddings abroad. Offering your guests a chance to dive into local traditions adds a unique touch to your wedding celebration. Cooking classes provide a fantastic opportunity to bond over delicious cuisine, learn new culinary skills, and make special memories with your loved ones.
For a truly authentic experience, consider making a trip to Italy for the cooking class of your dreams part of your wedding itinerary.
Hiking
Looking to add a bit of adventure to your wedding experience? For couples who love the outdoors, incorporating a hike into your wedding itinerary is a perfect choice. It allows you and your guests to immerse yourselves in the stunning natural landscapes of your destination, creating unforgettable memories. A hike can enhance the overall experience, making your destination wedding even more memorable for everyone.
If this sounds like your dream wedding, consider tying the knot in Spain. Spain offers the perfect backdrop for a wedding adventure.
Can Riera is beautifully located in the middle of a Natural Parc within a peaceful and tranquil setting. Restored with exclusive use this is a perfect wedding villa and venue for your celebrations. Enjoy Wine tasting, trekking, show cooking paella or a barbecue, here the team can organise also arrange activities nearby such as a hot-air ballon ride, horse riding, or trip to the Costa Brava beaches.
Beach Club Visit
Those planning a spring or summer wedding will likely search for ways to beat the heat. Well, why not take it up a notch? While a venue with a pool is a great choice, consider hosting an official pool party or a beach club outing. Imagine soaking up the sun with a refreshing drink, surrounded by your closest friends and family members. It’s the perfect way to kick off your destination wedding weekend abroad and create unforgettable memories.
While you can absolutely say “I do” with your toes in the sand, Bono Beach is also the ultimate spot to unwind in style. Lounge on luxurious Bali beds, savor the finest beachside cuisine Marbella has to offer, and toast to your wedding weekend with a chilled glass of champagne. Perfect for pre- or post-wedding celebrations, the vibe is effortlessly relaxed yet chic, with DJs and live music keeping the energy alive as you dance side by side with the ocean.
Thalasses Rituals offers couples a stylish way to say ‘I do’ with its exclusive seafront, open-air venue, perfect for Cretan-style celebrations. Positioned right on the water’s edge, couples can make a grand entrance by speedboat, adding a memorable touch to their arrival. With the sun, sea, and a spacious saltwater pool, Greece provides a stunning backdrop for your wedding.
Start your festivities with a private pool and jacuzzi party featuring breathtaking sea views, or take advantage of the nearby private beach. The on-site team can also arrange exciting pre-wedding activities like scuba diving and sailing, helping you fully embrace the Greek island experience.
Horseback Riding
When planning a destination wedding, couples often seek to fully immerse themselves in the local culture and explore their chosen location. While chartering a yacht or renting a bus are popular options, there’s an unforgettable way to experience the stunning landscape: by horseback. Whether galloping along scenic beaches, rolling hills, or lush forests, horseback riding offers a unique and picturesque view of your destination.
Horseback riding is a popular local tradition or activity in many places. If you’re looking for a spot that offers horseback riding, consider adding Spain to your wedding destination list.
Mas del Sord is an authentic Catalonian retreat that offers a venue space for eco-conscious couples planning a destination wedding. This charming property features a bar restaurant, a saline water pool, and an orchard, all surrounded by picturesque Spanish forests and vineyards.
While the expansive rural landscape provides a breathtaking backdrop for your vows, it is also ideal for exploring. Sure, you can use their complimentary bicycles to explore the surroundings, but consider enhancing your wedding experience by scheduling a horseback riding adventure with your guests instead.
Exhilarating Desert Dunes Quad Bike
While relaxing activities are fantastic, they might not appeal to every couple. For thrill-seeking couples craving a bit of adventure, consider adding something like exhilarating desert dune quad biking to your wedding itinerary. Strap on your helmet and drive quads through the vast, rugged landscapes of remote destinations such as Morocco for an unforgettable experience with your guests.
The beautiful simplicity of Scarabeo Camp, rustic, minimal and stylish makes this a unique and beautiful experience.
The Agafay Desert, framed by the majestic Atlas Mountains, brings nomadic festivals to life. Ten years of experience and over ten thousand candles and lanterns lit, Scarabeo Camp masters the magic of a small or large event in the moonlight.
Scuba Diving and Sea Sports
Those planning a destination wedding near the water might believe that the only options are soaking up the sun by the pool or booking a boating tour. While both of those excursions are impressive and memorable, they might not be ideal for all. Those wanting an extra dose of adventure to their tropical wedding experience should consider scuba diving or sea sports like snorkelling or jet skiing.
What is the best spot to add this thrilling and unique element to your celebration? Greece!
Villa Mira Paros is a secluded cliff-side retreat with breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea and the Bay of Paroikia. Its stunning sea views, pool terrace, and serene atmosphere make it an idyllic spot for intimate wedding ceremonies and receptions on Paros. But what truly sets this venue apart is its range of exciting excursions.
Guests can easily visit the renowned beaches of Parasporos and Agia Irini. Beyond these relaxing spots, Villa Mira Paros offers a range of luxury experiences, including private yacht charters, spa treatments, yoga, Pilates, and personal training sessions. For adventurous couples, scuba diving and other sea sports are just a short distance away, adding an extra thrill to your wedding celebration.
Choosing your wedding destination
From thrill seeking watersports to indulgent pampering sessions and culinary delights entertaining your wedding guests overseas has never been easier. Take a look at our exciting array of destinations ideal for exciting wedding stays.
Written by
Charlotte Ingham, co-founder of Wedinspire and a destination wedding bride. With over a decade in the wedding industry, Charlotte began her career in the world of high-end jewellery before turning her expertise to marketing premium wedding venues across Europe. She specialises in connecting distinctive venues with an international audience of young, affluent couples, celebrating the allure of jet-set weddings.