Ultimate Guide to Creating Weekend & Destination Wedding Newspapers & Programs: What to Include, Fun Ideas and Top Tips

Planning a weekend or destination wedding is very exciting, but let's be honest, the stakes are higher than your average wedding. Most guests will be traveling from far and wide, with the event often spanning several days, so giving them as much information as possible is really important.

Having a wedding program to help your guests have the best experience is the best way to do this and can literally make or break a wedding. here’ are my top tips and things to consider including in your wedding programs for a seamless celebration and happy guests.

Photo by Stephanie Dreams photography

Why Use Newspaper Programs for Weekend and Destination Weddings?

Whether you're hosting a wedding in a beautiful countryside retreat or on a sun-kissed beach, giving your guests all the information they need about your day, events and local tips will get your destination or weekend celebrations of to the best start.

Why You Should Plan Ahead for Weekend and Destination Weddings Stationery

Giving guests as much notice and information about your weekend and destination wedding as far in advance as possible, will help them to plan ahead and give you the wedding you dream of. Sending a 'save the date' is an absolute must. Not only does it give them plenty of time to make travel arrangements, book accommodation and save up, but it also gets them excited for what’s to come.

Providing an itinerary for your wedding day and any optional activities, dinners and events outside of your wedding day will help your guests to make the most of their time together.

As well as save the dates, I recommend having a wedding website where your can keep people updated with information as you go. If you need help creating a wedding website, check out my blog post The ultimate guide to wedding websites.

Photo by Hollie Carlin photography

What to Include in Wedding Stationery, Wedding Programs & Wedding Newspapers for Weekend and Destination Weddings

What you include depends on your plans, destination and venue, but here are some ideas of the most useful information for your wedding guests. Remember to include all the events before and after your wedding too.

Wedding Ceremony Date

including any dates surrounding this date where you will be at the venue/destination

Address of Wedding Venue

also include any other venues/relevant locations of events

Travel Details

For destination weddings, give information about nearby airports and travel options, as well as places to stay/hotel recommendations, especially If you're planning group travel.

Maps

Maps can be so helpful to get around and plan, whether it's a map of your wedding venue, the local area for tourism purposes or the various locations and key places for your plans, it can help your guests feel at ease knowing where they are, where they are going and the distances between them.

Tourist Information

Make sure you include local recommendations since your guests are probably traveling to an unknown location. Provide suggestions for local food/drink specialities, nearby tourist hot spots, attractions, restaurants, and activities they might enjoy during their free time. Include details about local transport options or taxis so that they can get around easily too.

Cultural Customs

If you are getting married where there are local customs or restrictions, dress codes, or anything they need to be mindful of during the event. Make sure your guests are aware ahead of travelling so they can plan and pack accordingly to avoid any issues.

A Packing List

Who doesn't love a list of items not to forget.

Typical Weather & Temperatures

So useful to prepare your guests for the climate, whether it's sunny and tropical or snowy and cozy. They will thank you later!

Pre-Wedding Events

Your planned get-to-gether events might include a welcome/rehearsal dinners or a cocktail party. You could also have group outing planned, like a hike, beach yoga or wine-tasting tour. Whatever you have planned, just remember to tell people in advance.

Wedding Day Events

As well as venue details and maps [as above, I recommend including the ceremony, reception, and any after-party plans. If you have transport organised, detail pick-up and drop off times and locations.

Post-Wedding Events

You may want a 'Just married Brunch' or another gathering the day after the wedding to say your thanks and goodbyes to people, make sure to include this as well.

Fun Stuff

I always recommend adding something fun just to keep things light and entertaining, a quiz, treasure hunt, crossword or Spotify playlist is perfect.

If you'd like help with what to include in your wedding newspapers, wedding programs and wedding stationery aside from destination and weekend wedding details, then I've written this blog to help you What to include in your wedding newspapers, programs and wedding stationery, you're welcome!

Photo by Charlie Britz photography

Design Ideas for Weekend and Destination Wedding Programs & Newspapers

Many Destination and weekend wedding themes lean into the venue and location, so use this in your wedding stationery, wedding program and wedding newspaper designs. Think tropical motifs for a beach wedding or seasonal floral touches for a countryside wedding.

Other things to consider are using the location/venue name as a newspaper name, regional language/phrases/clipart or using postcard style images in the design using photos of yourselves.

Ideas for Things to Include in a Weekend or Destination Wedding Welcome & Goodie Bags

welcome bags are a lovely way to make guests feel at home right away. Things you could include are locally made treats, Sunscreen, bottled water, hand sanitizers, a mini fan, a hand-written thank you note and a map.

Photo by Melanie Barnfield photography

When to Give Out Your Newspaper Wedding Program or Itinerary for Weekend and Destination Weddings

It's personal preference, but these are the best ways to hand your weekend and destination wedding newspapers or Wedding programs.

Leave in their Rooms

Leaving Wedding Newspapers/programs in peoples rooms is a great option because they can read it when they arrive and it will keep them informed, as well as the fact they don't need to carry it around with them.

Include in Welcome Bags

Including a Wedding Newspaper/program in the welcome bags can be a fun, thoughtful way to welcome guests to your wedding weekend and give them a sneak peek of what to expect. It also ensures that everyone gets a copy, regardless of their arrival time or schedule. it's a great way of getting your guests excited for your ceremony and any other plans.

At a Welcome Meal

If you're planning a meal with everyone once they have arrived, you could run though the plans for the duration and then hand out the newspapers/programs with all the details so that everyone knows what is going on, because they will forget!

Need Help Designing your Weekend or Destination Wedding Newspapers?

I'd love to create a bespoke design just for you, the perfect experience for your family and friends and a keepsake they're want to keep forever. have a look at my wedding newspapers info page here.

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