Enhancing Your Wedding Guest Experience with the Best Weekend Timeline

When it comes to your wedding, you want every detail to be perfect, memorable, and a distinct reflection of you. One way to create an unforgettable experience for your guests is by planning a full wedding weekend packed with meaningful moments, personalized touches, and luxurious experiences. In this blog, we will offer inspiration for enhancing your wedding weekend and making it feel extra special.

1. Welcome Reception

Kick off your wedding weekend with a casual food truck-inspired Welcome Party. At French’s Point, you can host this event on the Farm’s West Lawn & West Terrace, where guests can mingle and get to know each other while they take in the glorious sunsets from our outside fireplace. Greet guests with craft cocktails provided by a mobile bar service & offer delicious food from a selection of food trucks. 

2. Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner is a perfect opportunity to gather with your closest family and friends before the big day. Add personal touches like personalized menus, heartfelt speeches, and surprise entertainment to create an unforgettable evening. Host a family-style lobster bake on gazebo Promenade to offer stunning ocean views from this open-air setting, paired with the quintessential culinary delights of Maine. 

3. Pre-Wedding Activities

Offer a variety of activities or group outings to keep your guests entertained and engaged between your events. This mini vacation should offer a range of past times because your guests’ interests will vary. At French’s Point, you can enjoy:

• A Seaside Morning Yoga Session
• A Hike of the Trails of Sandy Point State Park
• A Competition with volleyball, bocce ball, corn hole and horseshoes
• A Morning Run
• A Bike Ride
• A Swim from the Swim Platform

Excursions can include a schooner ride, a visit to Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Observatory, or a wine tasting. Providing a range of activities allows your guests to relax in a way they will enjoy and offers them an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the region while creating lasting memories. 

4. Wedding Party Preparations

On the wedding day, provide a comfortable setting for relaxation & a delicious brunch for the wedding party to enjoy while they gather:

• Bridal party in the Retreat House Apartment Parlor for hair & make-up services overlooking the estate.
• Grooms party in the Beach House Recreation Room & Parlor for relaxation & a game of ping pong.

5. Ceremony Delights

Set your ceremony in a jaw-dropping location like our Oceanfront Gazebo or our South Lawn, with sweeping ocean views. Enhance your wedding ceremony with special touches that reflect your own style and vision. Consider live music, personalized vows, or a unique unity ceremony to make the moment more meaningful. Provide thoughtful provisions for guests based on the season, such as fans, shawls, or lap blankets, to ensure their comfort throughout the ceremony.

6. Cocktail Hour

Delight your guests with delicious cocktails & bountiful hors d’oeuvres themed for the season. Host this al fresco gathering on our South Terrace, bordered by lush gardens, & sweeping ocean views. 

7. Exquisite Reception

Transform your reception into a luxurious and unforgettable experience. Choose to set your reception in a setting with breathtaking views, like our SailCloth Tent or Retreat Chateau Dining Room. Personalize the decor with elegant touches that reflect your vision and style. Surprise your guests with creative food stations, interactive entertainment, and a show-stopping dessert display.

8. Farewell Brunch

Cap off the weekend celebration with a brunch hosted in the elegant Retreat Chateau Dining Room, which offers gorgeous views. 

Elevate Your Wedding Weekend at French’s Point

For more inspiration and ideas on how to enhance your wedding guests’ experience with a full weekend of thoughtful and luxurious touches is a surefire way to create a memorable event, check out our Weekend Itinerary. If you’re looking for the perfect venue to host your wedding weekend in New England, consider French’s Point in coastal Maine. With its stunning surroundings, luxurious accommodations, and experienced team, French’s Point provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing and romantic wedding weekend. Contact us to schedule your tour today!