With all your friends and family together in one place, go beyond the wedding day and treat your guests to a week-long wedding day celebrations of events, activities, food, and drink as a thank you for joining you in paradise. With so much to do in sun-soaked destinations throughout the tropics, we’re highlighting some of our favorite ways to expand your destination wedding day with those you love most.

A warm welcome event

After a long day of travel, a welcome event is a great way to celebrate your guests’ arrival at the resort and break the ice for what is sure to be a week to remember! With a blend of family and friends joining you from all over the world, host your guests for a late lunch or early evening meal on the beach, or organize a cocktail party watching the sunset fall below the horizon. Not only is this a great time for your guests to get to know each other, it’s also the perfect opportunity to hand out any welcome bags, wedding week itineraries, and more!

Bachelor and bachelorette parties

Hosting bachelor and bachelorette parties in destination during the wedding day celebrations is becoming increasingly popular with our wedding couples! In the days leading up to the big event, take your wedding party or guests on an epic oceanfront golfing excursion, plan a catamaran ride along the coast, hit the town and take in the local sites, or enjoy a day of rest and relaxation at the spa. A bachelor and bachelorette party aren’t complete without Instagram-worthy shots taken by your personal photographer. When you’re in paradise and spending a great day with your group, the options are endless!

Rehearsal dinner

Once you’ve perfected your entrance at the wedding rehearsal, enjoy your last evening as fiancés surrounded by your wedding party and immediate family at a small rehearsal dinner. This pre-wedding event is an intimate opportunity to hear speeches from those close to you (that perhaps didn’t make the schedule on the wedding day), tell stories of your times together, gift your dream team with wedding-week mementos, and get ready for the event of a lifetime! Many resorts in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and beyond offer semi-private dining experiences beachside or at one of their specialty restaurants to host your guests in style. They can often be included in existing wedding packages or added on for a more fulsome wedding experience.

Morning after brunch

After dancing the night away and into the early-morning hours on the beach or under the stars, a morning-after brunch with your group is the perfect way to get everyone together and kick off the rest of the wedding day celebrations. Your planner is your greatest resource and will be able to help you coordinate a group brunch all will love!

Beach and pool day

Consistently one of the most raved-about days during a destination wedding, we always suggest our couples host a group pool or beach day the day following your wedding! Bring your drinks, games, and sunscreen, and continue the celebrations! You’ll often find volleyball nets, comfortable loungers, non-motorized water sport activities, and more for your group to enjoy. Plus, a little friendly competition during a volleyball tournament can be fun!

Group catamaran or excursion

If you’re staying in destination for a few days or a week, try to incorporate a catamaran ride or excursion into the itinerary for added excitement. Treat your guests to a day on the water with an unforgettable experience on board a luxury catamaran, served with lunch and delicious drinks, with a side of snorkeling. Alternatively, there are plenty of sites to see and cultures to explore in your chosen paradise! Swim the cenotes in Mexico, chase waterfalls in Jamaica, lay on the pristine shores of Saona Island in the Dominican Republic, or adventure through the jungle in Costa Rica.

Farewell dinner and drinks

After a wedding week packed with fun, it’s almost time to say goodbye and return home. What better way to celebrate an amazing time with family and friends than with a farewell dinner and drinks? Opt for a private event with delicious appetizers and your own specialty cocktail or a group dinner to thank your guests for joining you and making your week that much more special.