Every in-person event has a certain “vibe”, and you don’t want to leave this to chance. Be intentional by deciding what your vibe will be and design the feel, flow, and format of your retreat to accomplish it.
The 10 Essential Decisions Series
You’ve got your “why” locked in. You’ve defined who should (and should not) be sitting at the table. Now it’s time for the soul of your retreat to take shape.
Because here’s the thing:
✨ The vibe you create will either elevate the transformation—or quietly sabotage it.
Let’s talk about how to intentionally design the energy, atmosphere, and schedule of your retreat so it supports the exact experience your people are craving.
So… What’s the Vibe?
“Retreat” can mean a lot of things. For some, it’s yoga on the beach at sunrise. For others, it’s deep business breakthroughs in a cabin with hot coffee and Post-it notes.
There’s no wrong answer, but there is a wrong-for-you answer.
Look at the big picture first, and then make sure every detail contributes to what you want.
- Do you want your attendees to feel pampered, empowered, unplugged, or productive?
- Are you dreaming of mountain air and slow mornings—or energy-filled sessions and whiteboards?
- Is the vibe more soulful or maybe luxury? Is it playful and outdoorsy? Or high-performance and productivity-driven?
The clearer you are here, the easier it will be to design everything from the decor and dress code to the daily schedule and meals.
Crafting the Flow: How Long Should Your Retreat Be?
This is one of the most common questions I get, and here’s my short answer:
Your schedule should match the transformation you’re promising.
A full identity shift won’t happen in one afternoon. But a deeply restful reset might not need four full days.
There are common retreat formats, but yours can be shorter or longer depending on what fits travel time, any special events you want to include, and even ample downtime to balance implementation and learning.
Weekend Retreat (2-4 Days)
- Great for self-care, creative reset, or spiritual deep-dives
- Often Thursday or Friday evening–Sunday morning
- Can include 1 full day of sessions, rest time, and a wrap up.
Mid-Week Retreat (3–4 Days)
- Great for business intensives or when weekdays better suit your audience
- Example: Sunday arrival → Monday & Tuesday sessions → Wednesday departure
- Allows for a learning environment with time for implementation, rest, and fun/ activity time, informal networking and development of friendships.
Extended Retreat (5+ Days)
- Ideal for international or destination events
- Can build in excursions, rest days, and integration sessions
- Higher cost + bigger planning lift, but creates powerful results
No matter the length, be intentional about energy flow. Don’t overschedule. Leave room for “magic moments,” informal connection, and reflection time.
✨ Design Tip: Match the Vibe to the Why
Let’s say your transformation statement is….“I came feeling disconnected and burned out, and I left feeling clear, connected, and creatively recharged.”
That means your retreat might include:
- Slow mornings with journaling prompts
- Optional nature walks or spa time
- Group circles in cozy, candle-lit spaces
- Creative workshops or vision board time
Versus a business mastermind where the transformation is…“I came overwhelmed and uncertain, and left with a clear business roadmap and new collaborators.”
That vibe calls for:
- Focused sessions with workbooks and breakout groups
- Energizing music or movement breaks
- A structured agenda with built-in implementation time
- Maybe even a bonus headshot session!
Does the vibe fit the transformation statement?
Going back to Decision 1 in the 10 Essential Decisions, what is your transformation statement? Don’t get sidetracked with too many choices. It’s okay to brainstorm ideas for the feel and flow of your retreat, but don’t get stuck there. Set a time limit to explore, and the edit, edit, and edit some more! What you leave out is just as important as what you add in.
Up next in the series; let’s choose a venue that will support the four decisions you have made so far.
Want to Design Your Retreat with Me?
If you’re staring at a blank Google doc wondering how to bring your retreat idea to life, get your free Guide “How to Plan Your PROFITABLE Retreat- The 10 Essential Decisions Workbook“
Ready to lock in the vibe, flow, and format of your retreat with expert support?
👩🔬 Join Retreat Lab Live ~ a 3-hour, Interactive Workshop. Design it. Price it. Plan it.
In this virtual workshop you’ll go from dreamer to doer in just one afternoon!
✅ 3-hour training with live co-working + Q&A
✅ Fillable Retreat Planning Workbook (10 Essential Decisions)
✅ Budget calculator, venue tracker, attendee survey & vendor spreadsheet
✅ Canva template for a 23-page e-magazine — wow your guests or use it as a lead magnet
✅ Workshop replay for whenever you need a refresher
✨ FAST ACTION BONUS: The first 10 sign-ups receive 5 of my most-loved retreat swag items (plus 50 giftable ideas), mailed straight to you — a $149 value!
Reserve your seat now and bring your retreat vision to life:
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This blog is part of the Retreat Success Blueprint series. If you’re just joining us, be sure to check out:
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