Recently, my clients Stephanie and Mike hosted a welcome party for their guests at Casa De Campo in the Dominican Republic. I mean, a destination wedding in the Caribbean? Already amazing. Adding a welcome party the night your guests arrive at your destination? Even cooler. 

As a travel specialist who loves creating one-of-a-kind experiences for destination wedding couples and their guests, I always suggest hosting a welcome party to greet your guests when they arrive. If I have learned anything from planning dozens of destination weddings, it is that there are countless ways to personalize your wedding experience. And one of my favorite ways is creating an unforgettable destination wedding welcome party! 

What Is A Welcome Party For A Wedding?

Many couples host a welcome party before their wedding for out-of-town guests. But if you’re having a destination wedding – and this is Bridie Travel, so of course you’re having a destination wedding – a welcome party is even more exciting. 

Usually held directly after your rehearsal dinner, a wedding welcome party creates a relaxing, inviting space for your guests to get to know each other. They give you and your partner a chance to spend quality time with your guests. Because, let’s be honest, you’ll probably be a little preoccupied on your actual wedding day! 

The couple I mentioned above, Stephanie and Mike, opted to have their welcome party at the Minitas Beach Club at Casa de Campo in La Romana, Dominican Republic. And let me tell you… it was gorgeous.  

The Minitas Beach Club is an adult-only pool deck right on the white sand beach! For an additional fee, Stephanie and Mike had the entire beach, club gazebo, and pool deck to themselves for the welcome party. They offered their guests cocktails, cigars, and local hors d’oeuvres – not to mention live music! 

Every aspect of their destination wedding experience reflected Stephanie and Mike’s goal for their wedding: to have a relaxing respite from the Chicago winter, and, of course, to celebrate their marriage! 

8 Ways To Make Your Destination Wedding Welcome Party Memorable! 

If you’re reading about Stephanie and Mike’s wedding welcome party and thinking, “Hey, I want to do that!” You’re in the right place! Bridie Travel specializes in making your destination wedding experience unique – including inspiring your pre-wedding events!

Here are 8 ways to make your wedding welcome party memorable. 

Add a Cigar Bar 

The most memorable part of any event is the personal touches. Whether you and your partner smoke or not, cigar bars are a universal crowd-pleaser. You can choose to have a professional on-site rolling cigars or create a DIY cigar rolling station. Either way, you give your guests something interesting to do, learn about, and take home with them! 

Bonus points if you’re getting married in a Caribbean location known for cigar production! 

Consider Live Entertainment

Stephanie and Mike included a live guitar trio at their wedding welcome party and local La Hora Loca dancers at their wedding. These decisions helped immerse their guests in the Caribbean wedding experience! 

So think about the experience you want your guests to have! What kind of music will put your guests at ease? Or do you want to start the party early with a DJ and dancing? Your welcome party sets the tone for your wedding experience and introduces your guests to the destination. 

Hors d’oeuvres

Who doesn’t want good food? Explore your venue’s food options, or even outsource to a local restaurant! The hors d’oeuvres can reflect local cuisine, giving your guests a chance to try something totally new! 

Specialty Cocktails

What’s your favorite cocktail? What about your partner? Your welcome party is a great opportunity to share your favorite drinks with your guests and add some extra personalization.

Play Games

I’m not talking about board games here (unless that’s your thing! In which case, go for it!). I’m talking about an activity that can bring your guests together and help them get to know each other. 

Chances are, your wedding will be a melting pot of all the different seasons in your life. Most of your guests have probably never met! To create an open, welcoming, and friendly environment, consider playing a get-to-know-you game at your wedding welcome party.

Have a Dress Code 

You can choose to make your welcome party more casual, or you can heighten the experience by choosing a dress code for your guests! I even like the idea of sticking to a theme for the welcome party. Roaring twenties, anyone? 

Customized Decor

As I mentioned earlier, the most memorable parts of any event are the personal touches. So think about your decor! Stephanie and Mike included flowers on all the tables, string lights, floating lights in the pool, and heart-shaped balloons. 

What speaks to you? You could commission custom cocktail napkins with your name and wedding date, drink umbrellas, signage, and matches… the opportunities are endless! 

Include Party Favors 

A great way to make sure your guests remember your destination wedding welcome party is to give them something to remember it by. Some of your custom decor could double as a party favor, too! 

Consider matches with your venue name, custom shot glasses, coasters, corkscrews, candy, handwritten notes, playing cards, soap, or – my personal favorite – a hangover kit! Think of something that represents your love. 

Plan a Memorable Destination Wedding Welcome Party With Bridie Travel 

I’m so happy that Stephanie and Mike had an unforgettable wedding welcome party. They were able to bond with their friends and family in a more relaxed, intimate environment – before dancing the night away at their wedding the following day! 

Bridie Travel is here to create incredible experiences – without adding anything to your to-do list! Planning a wedding (and a welcome party!) should be fun, not stressful. If you want to create a unique and memorable experience for your guests, without the overwhelm, contact me today!

Vendors

Destination Wedding Travel Advisor: Bridie Travel

Venue: Casa De Campo

Photographer: Junior Cruz  

Florist: Vlady Flowers 

Wedding Planner: Kiara Jorge at Casa de Campo