@nousnousphoto, @joelandjustyna
Multi-day weddings are pretty popular nowadays. Couples extend the celebration by planning different auxiliary events for their guests. Hosting a welcome party is the perfect idea to kick off your wedding. But just like any other wedding festivity, this fun event requires thoughtful planning and has its own specific rules to follow. Below, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about this pre-wedding event.
What is a wedding welcome party?
A welcome party is a fun pre-wedding gathering that gives your guests a first glance of what the rest of the wedding will bring. Unlike other wedding festivities, this event is less formal and more laid-back. A welcome party is a cool way for the couple to engage with their family and friends, and for the guests - to get to know each other better. The event may be an alternative to a traditional rehearsal dinner, be added to the end of one, or may also be a separate event hosted on a different day.
@daniloandsharon, @dosmasenlamesa
When do you throw it?
Typically, the welcome party takes place a day before the wedding. When scheduling your welcome festivities, consider a few important things. Ask yourself whether you plan to host a rehearsal dinner or not. If yes, when? If you are planning a destination wedding, try to check out the flight patterns of your guests. That way, you'll know what time is best to set. Also, make sure to give everyone some time to rest before the party officially kicks off.
Who gets invited?
Generally, everyone invited to the wedding gets invited to a welcome party, too. Especially if you are hosting a destination wedding. While the rehearsal dinner is an intimate event for a select number of people (mostly your closest friends and family), the welcome party is open to all guests. However, there are no set rules to follow, so do whatever feels comfortable to you.
How do you invite guests?
Well, everything depends on who is invited. If you want to see all of your guests at the welcome party, you can post the necessary information on your wedding website or insert details in your invitation suite. Decided to invite only a subset of your guest list? It'd be best to send out separate invitations or event cards to those you want to see.
@velvetandgold, @daniloandsharon
What should your guests wear?
Sticking to casual is a win-win option! But, again, there are no set rules, so everything is totally up to you. If you are a fan of a specific aesthetic or plan to host a thematic welcome party, make sure to let the guests know well in advance about the desired concept.
