What a Full-Service Wedding Weekend Actually Looks Like (Real Couples, Real Designs, Real Flow)

Hey there, overwhelmed-but-excited couple. If you’re considering a full-service wedding weekend, you’re probably not interested in piecing things together yourself. You want a celebration that feels like you, well-designed, well-run, and filled with meaning. My job is to make that happen without turning you into a full-time project manager.

But first, welcome. At Carissa Corsi Events, we plan and design full-service wedding weekends for couples who want a celebration that’s equal parts stylish, personal, and stress-free. Whether you’re getting married in Rhode Island or running away to Italy, we handle every detail so you can actually enjoy the experience.

Keep reading to see how a few of our recent couples did it their way, without doing it all themselves. This is what it really looks like when you hand it off and let us run the show.

Wedding planner Carissa Corsi smiling during a planning session for a full-service wedding weekend.

What Is a Full-Service Wedding Weekend?

Let’s be clear. This isn’t just a fancy way of saying I’ll make a timeline and send some vendor emails. A full-service wedding weekend means you hand off the entire multi-day experience. From the welcome party on Friday to the farewell brunch on Sunday, I plan, design, and manage every single detail.

Here’s what that includes:

  • Design and creative direction across the whole weekend
  • Venue scouting and layout planning for multiple events
  • Welcome gatherings, after-parties, brunches, all coordinated
  • Guest logistics like transportation, lodging, RSVPs, and dietary needs
  • Vendor sourcing, booking, and full communication
  • Timelines for each event and the flow between them
  • On-site support so you don’t have to run the show

It’s a full experience. A clear vision brought to life. And a true handoff, so you can be present and enjoy every minute.

Want to dive deeper into what full-service wedding planning actually includes and how it all comes together? I break it all down in this post.

Lexi & Dave | Block Island, RI

Lexi and Dave’s wedding wasn’t just stylish. It was full of personality, layered with intention, and completely true to them from the first look to the last dance.

This wedding on Block Island was coastal, playful, and packed with personality. From the Del’s lemonade cart at the ceremony to the custom martini bar and secret speakeasy afterparty, every moment was layered with thoughtful details that made the day feel fresh, fun, and completely their own.

Under the sailcloth tent, yellow and white striped linens moved with the breeze, paired with citrus-forward florals, rattan textures, and a packed dance floor that didn’t slow down until the speakeasy-style afterparty. It was polished but playful, vibrant but not overdone.

Lexi and Dave fully handed over the reins, which let us build a guest experience that felt thoughtful, curated, and full of those “this is so them” moments, without them needing to run the show.

Stephanie & Jeff | Newport, RI

Stephanie and Jeff’s wedding at Belle Mer was a romantic, detailed, and incredibly stylish celebration on the Newport waterfront.

The design leaned into soft blush and ivory tones, layered with lush florals and clean lines that made the space feel both elevated and personal. Their reception included custom stationery, specialty linens, and thoughtful touches that reflected their personalities in a fresh, modern way.

And for the fun? A cigar sommelier. A sticker vending machine. Cannolis for days. It was refined but never stiff, and every detail was designed to make their guests feel considered.

My team and I planned and managed every element so Stephanie and Jeff could be fully present. No stress. No questions about logistics. Just a celebration that felt true to them, from the moment guests arrived to the final song of the night.

Planning a New England wedding weekend? This guide covers the best venues, design tips, and how to create an experience your guests won’t stop talking about.

Carissa & Anthony | Bristol, RI

Yes, I planned & designed my own wedding weekend. And yes, I actually enjoyed it.

We hosted everything at Blithewold Manor, a garden-meets-oceanfront estate that gave us the perfect backdrop for a celebration full of color, intention, and meaning.

Here’s how the weekend unfolded:

  • Friday
    Welcome dinner and our “Something Blue” party. Every shade of blue showed up in the design, from the florals to the glassware. It was relaxed, joyful, and the perfect way to bring our people together before the big day.
  • Saturday
    Ceremony and reception under a sailcloth tent filled with layered textures, fresh fruit, scalloped lamps, and green sequin linens. One of my favorite details was our custom cocktail experience, Cantina de’ Forloney, where guests rang a bell and were handed a drink through a hidden window. It was fun, unexpected, and very us.
  • Sunday
    We wrapped the weekend with a “Day After” brunch at Belle’s in Newport, a dockside spot that was the definition of coastal cool. It was easy, breezy, and just what everyone needed after a night of dancing. Guests rolled in between 10 and 12 for coffee, conversation, and one last moment to soak it all in together. No rush, no pressure, just good food and better company.
  • Behind the scenes
    My A-team was in place. Every detail was handled. And my planner brain was fully turned off by the time guests arrived. That’s the power of full-service. I got to be present, not in problem-solving mode.

This wedding wasn’t about chasing perfection. It was about creating a space that felt like us, and actually getting to live in it.

Photo Credit: Belle’s Newport

Photo Credit: Blithewold Manor

Why My Clients Choose This

My couples are busy. They have full lives, full schedules, and zero interest in figuring out where the welcome drinks should go or what time the florist needs to show up. They want a stylish, thoughtful wedding weekend without getting pulled into logistics or decision fatigue. That’s where I come in.

You share your vision. I bring it to life. You approve designs. I handle vendors, timelines, and every tiny moving part. You show up and enjoy your people. I keep it all running behind the scenes quietly, carefully, and completely.

A full-service wedding weekend isn’t just planning help. It’s peace of mind. It means you actually get to be there for the moments you’ll remember most, not the ones spent chasing down a rental company.

Want to see how a full-service wedding weekend actually unfolds? This real wedding itinerary breaks it all down, from welcome drinks to farewell brunch. Grab the details and get inspired.

Modern tablescape featuring black plates, black napkins, neutral florals, and blush taper candles.

Let’s Build Your Full-Service Wedding Weekend Together

A full-service wedding weekend isn’t just about making things pretty. It’s about handing off the entire process to someone who gets it, someone who can turn your vision into a seamless, stylish experience for you and everyone you love.

If you’re ready to stop Googling timelines and start feeling excited about the weekend you’re hosting, I’d love to help you bring it to life. You bring the story. I’ll bring the plan.

Let’s design a full-service wedding weekend that feels effortless, personal, and completely you. Take a look at our full-service offer, browse the portfolio, or head straight to the contact page if you’re ready to dive in.

Still gathering ideas? Come hang with me on Instagram, I share real weddings, honest planning tips, and a healthy pour of behind-the-scenes real talk. Talk soon.

One size does not, in fact, fit all

We believe

CHAT WITH US

Simply put, our greatest inspiration is you. We learn as much as we can about you as a couple: your favorite travel destinations, your signature wardrobe, your personal hobbies, and much more. These details serve as the foundation of our creative process as we explore new design trends in the wedding industry, and other outside inspiration from fashion, interior design, architecture, and art. Our team will create a customized wedding design that captures it all.