Friends & Founders Weekend Retreat
Thursday, July 30 - Sunday, August 2
Date: Thursday, July 30 - Sunday, August 2
Location: Northwest Florida
Guests: Limited to 12 guests
Keeping this retreat small allows us to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere where every guest can relax and connect.
Be part of the very first Simply Sweet retreat.
The Friends & Founders Readers Retreat is a special inaugural gathering designed to bring together book lovers for a cozy weekend at a lakeside historical home full of quiet, cozy corners for reading, large living areas for finding friends, and beautiful water views for relaxation.
This retreat is intentionally small and intimate. As one of our founding guests, you will help shape the Simply Sweet Retreat community and be part of the beginning of something truly special.
Friends & Founders Benefits
Because this is the first Simply Sweet Retreat, guests attending this weekend will be part of the founding community.
Founding guests will receive:
• a special welcome gift
• early access to future retreats
• discounts on future retreats
Friends & Founders Retreat Schedule
The schedule below reflects our planned retreat activities, though minor adjustments may be made if needed. All retreat activities are completely optional. Guests are always welcome to join in, skip an activity, or take time to relax, read, chat with new friends, or enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Simply Sweet Retreats are designed to feel cozy and unhurried, so you can create the weekend experience that feels best for you.
You’ll have your own bed waiting for you because a good night’s sleep is part of the magic! Each room hosts up to three guests, with a mix of twin and full beds, and plenty of space to settle in and get comfortable. With 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, there’s room for everyone to relax without feeling crowded.
Friday is all about settling in, meeting fellow guests, and stepping into the cozy spirit of the retreat. We’ll start the day with coffee and breakfast together before jumping into creative bookish fun, including a craft project and our “Find Your Bookish Bestie” activity—a relaxed, conversation-style game designed to help readers discover new book friends. After a themed Literary Lunch, the afternoon includes romance trivia, a team scavenger hunt, and time to relax and read.
In the evening, guests will enjoy dinner together before the Favorite Book Showcase, where everyone shares a quick recommendation for a favorite romance novel so we can create a shared book list to take home. The night ends with a cozy fireside chat and board games as friendships begin to grow.
Day One- Thursday, July 30Optional Arrival
Optional Check-In*6:00 – 8:00pm
*The retreat house is located about an hour and 20 minutes northeast of Pensacola, FL, just on the other side of the Alabama border. Guests are welcome to arrive on Thursday evening if they’d like a more relaxed start to the weekend.
This optional early arrival allows time to get settled, share a few snacks, and get to know fellow guests before a restful night and an exciting start to the retreat on Friday morning.*
Day Two- Friday, July 31Turning the First Page
Arrival/Check-in -OR-Lake Walk or Morning Movement
8:00 – 9:00am
Cozy Morning Coffee & Breakfast w/ Group Photo9:00 - 10:00am
Bookish Craft10:00 - 11:30am
Find Your Bookish Bestie Game11:30 - 1:00pm
Literary Lunch1:00 - 2:30pm
Bookish Trivia2:30 - 3:30pm
Team Scavenger Hunt3:30 - 4:30pm
Relax & Read4:30 - 5:30pm
Dinner5:30 - 7:00pm
Favorite Book Showcase 7:00 - 8:00pm
Fireside Cozy Chat 8:00pm
Day Three- Saturday, August 1Stories & Sweet Moments
Saturday is our full day of cozy bookish fun. We’ll begin with a gentle morning stretch and breakfast before jumping into activities like Book Swap & Bookish Bingo—guests are encouraged to bring one or more books from home to trade with fellow readers. Our Featured Book Club discussion centers on a book that guests vote on ahead of time, giving everyone the chance to read it before the retreat so we can enjoy a lively conversation together.
After a themed Literary Lunch, the afternoon turns creative with cake or cookie decorating, a mini craft or keepsake project, and time to relax and read. The evening wraps up with a Dress-Up Dinner inspired by the retreat theme and featured book, followed by a cozy pajama party movie night complete with snacks.
Yoga or Morning Stretches8:00 – 9:00am
Cozy Morning Coffee & Breakfast9:00 - 10:00am
Book Swap & Bookish Bingo10:00 - 11:00am
Featured Book Club11:00 - 1:00pm
Literary Lunch 1:00 - 2:30pm
Cake or Cookie Decorating2:30 - 4:00pm
Memory Keepsake Craft4:00 - 5:00pm
Relax & Read5:00 - 6:00pm
Dress-up Dinner6:00 - 7:30pm
Pajama Movie Party7:30pm
Day Four- Sunday, August 2Sweet Farewells
Sunday morning is a cozy send-off as we gather one last time for our Simply Sweet Send-Off Brunch and a fun raffle. We’ll close the retreat with a Story Circle, where guests can share favorite moments from the weekend and pull a prompt from the story jar for a final bit of bookish inspiration. Before saying goodbye, guests will receive a small keepsake card from the retreat team as a reminder of the friendships, stories, and sweet memories made together.
Simply Sweet Send-Off Brunch & Raffle8:00 – 9:15am
Story Circle w/ Story Jar 9:15 - 9:45am
Farewell9:45 - 10:00am
Food & Accommodations
All meals and snacks for this retreat will be thoughtfully prepared by a ServSafe Certified Food Manager and inspired by our featured book, which is selected by a vote from guests in the registration form. This adds a fun and immersive touch to the weekend. There will also be plenty of snacks and sweet treats available throughout the day to ensure no one goes hungry. Guests are invited to share any dietary needs or restrictions on the registration form so accommodations can be made whenever possible. If you have specific concerns about whether your needs can be accommodated, please feel free to reach out via email prior to registering.
Each guest will have their own bed (ranging from twin to full), with no more than three guests per room. The home includes six bedrooms and five bathrooms, offering comfortable shared spaces throughout the retreat. Bed linens are provided; however, guests should plan to bring their own bath towels and personal toiletries.
Guests with specific sleep-related needs or accommodations are encouraged to reach out via email in advance so arrangements can be made whenever possible.
All-Inclusive Retreat Experience
Your retreat registration is all-inclusive. Lodging, meals, snacks, craft supplies, and all scheduled activities are included in the price, so you can relax and simply enjoy the experience.
Because this is our Friends & Founders Weekend, the retreat is being offered at a special introductory rate of $350 per guest. Retreat experiences like this typically cost around $500, but this first gathering is meant to celebrate the early supporters who are helping Simply Sweet Retreats begin its journey.
A detailed packing list with suggested items to bring will be sent to registered guests prior to the retreat.
Retreat Price: $350
To reserve your spot:
Pay the full $350
or
Make a $150 deposit + two additional payments of $100 sent as invoices
Payment plans are available to make the retreat accessible for guests.
Payment & Cancellation
A $150 deposit reserves your spot. The remaining balance will be invoiced in two payments of $100 each, due April 30 and May 30. Invoices will be sent in advance of each due date to allow time for planning. Full payment must be completed by May 30 to secure your place at the retreat.
Because lodging and supplies must be reserved in advance, deposits are non-refundable, but may be transferable if you are able to find someone to take your place.
How to Register
To reserve your spot, please complete the registration form and then proceed to your cart for checkout. Submitting the form alone does not complete your registration, and your spot will only be secured once payment at checkout is finished.
During registration, guests will also have the opportunity to vote on the featured book for the retreat. Once registration is complete or the retreat reaches capacity, votes will be tallied and the selected book will be announced via email. Guests are encouraged to read the book prior to the retreat so we can enjoy a group discussion together during the weekend.
What’s Included
2 nights lodging at the retreat house
All meals, snacks, and coffee
Bookish crafts and creative activities
Book club discussion and themed events
Retreat keepsakes and surprises
Cozy reading spaces and community time with fellow book lovers
Not Included
Travel to and from the retreat
Optional personal purchases
Books for the book swap (guests bring their own)