Extend Your Destination Wedding Experience in Umbria: Day Before & Day After Events at Castello di Petrata
A destination wedding in Italy is more than a single celebration — it is a multi-day experience shared with the people you love most. At Castello di Petrata in Umbria, couples can transform their wedding into an unforgettable wedding weekend, with a welcome dinner the day before, a spectacular wedding celebration, and a relaxed day-after brunch or pool party overlooking Assisi.
Why Choose a Multi-Day Wedding Celebration in Umbria
A destination wedding at Castello di Petrata is designed to be more than a single day. We encourage couples to extend their celebration over three or four days, transforming the wedding into a shared experience where time slows down and meaningful moments unfold naturally.This multi-day format allows couples and guests to connect, relax, and truly enjoy Italy together — a key reason why American couples choose Umbria for their destination wedding.
The Day Before: Italian Welcome Dinner & Pre-Wedding Gathering
The wedding weekend often begins with a Welcome Dinner, an informal and joyful moment where guests arrive, settle in, and start celebrating together. Couples can choose between:
Rehearsal dinner, formal dinner in the garden
Pizza & Pasta Party, inspired by classic Italian conviviality
BBQ Dinner, relaxed and social, perfect for the first evening
These events take place in areas different from the wedding day spaces, ensuring that each moment of the celebration feels fresh and distinct.
All food is prepared on site by our kitchen team, reinforcing the authenticity and quality of the experience.
The evening usually begins with a sunset aperitif, where guests enjoy the changing colors over Assisi and the Umbrian valley. Soft background music creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere, setting the tone for the days to come.
After dinner, the celebration can continue with a cash bar in the garden, allowing guests to mingle, relax, and enjoy the night under the stars in a laid-back and festive setting.
This first evening is essential: it helps guests bond and arrive at the wedding day already connected and fully immersed in the experience.
The Day After: Farewell Brunch & Pool Party
The celebration continues the day after the wedding with a farewell brunch or poolside gathering, offering a relaxed and joyful conclusion to the wedding weekend.
The day typically starts with a generous brunch featuring:
seasonal fruits
pastries and baked goods
savory dishes
freshly brewed coffee
Everything is served in our gardens or outdoor spaces, allowing guests to recharge and share memories from the previous day.
For a fun and refreshing touch, couples may include a hangover cocktail station, adding lighthearted energy to the morning.
Poolside Celebration & Music Options
Music plays an important role in shaping the mood of the day after. Couples can choose:
background music for a relaxed atmosphere
a DJ to keep the energy going
live saxophone performances for an elegant and celebratory touch
As music fills the air, guests can lounge by the pool, mingle, swim, and enjoy the surrounding greenery and views. The atmosphere is informal yet vibrant — the perfect way to say goodbye to family and friends.
At Castello di Petrata, the day after is not an afterthought, but a continuation of the celebration, designed to leave guests with lasting memories of time well spent together in Italy.
Unique On-Site Experiences to Enhance Your Wedding Weekend
For couples who wish to surprise their guests, we can also organize on-site experiences that reflect the culture and traditions of Umbria, such as:
Italian cooking classes
Truffle hunting experiences
Wine tastings with local producers
Morning yoga sessions in the gardens
These activities add depth and meaning to the wedding weekend, transforming it into a complete Italian experience rather than a simple event.
Frequently Asked Questions About Day-Before & Day-After Events
Can we host both day-before and day-after events on-site?
Yes. Castello di Petrata is designed for exclusive multi-day destination weddings. Couples can host the welcome dinner, wedding day, and day-after celebration all within the estate, using different areas so each moment feels distinct and thoughtfully curated.
Are drinks included for the welcome dinner or BBQ?
Yes. Both the Welcome Dinner and the BBQ include 2 hours of beverages, typically featuring wine, prosecco, beer, Aperol or Hugo Spritz, and soft drinks. After the included time, couples can choose to continue with a hosted bar or allow guests to purchase additional drinks.
Can we choose different areas so each day feels unique?
Absolutely. One of the advantages of a multi-day wedding at Castello di Petrata is the possibility to use different spaces for each event. For example, the welcome dinner may take place in one garden area, the wedding reception in another scenic location overlooking Assisi, and the day-after pool party in a more relaxed setting. This creates a natural flow and a fresh atmosphere for every celebration.
What time does the day-after celebration usually start and end?
The day-after typically begins in the late morning with a relaxed brunch, followed by a poolside gathering in the early afternoon. The exact timing is flexible and can be customized according to the couple’s preferences and guest departure schedules.
Can we have music for the pool party?
Yes. Couples can opt for background music for a relaxed atmosphere, a DJ to maintain a lively energy, or even a live saxophone performance for a more elegant poolside experience.
Can you arrange local experiences such as truffle hunting or wine tastings?
Yes. In addition to the main events, we can organize authentic Umbrian experiences such as truffle hunting, wine tastings with local producers, Italian cooking classes, or morning yoga sessions. These experiences enhance the wedding weekend and allow guests to fully immerse themselves in the Italian lifestyle.