Plenty of Parties

A guide to planning pre-wedding events

By Rebecca Padgett Frett

It used to be that a couple held invited family and friends to a celebratory reception, all occurring in the expanse of a day. Currently, from bridal showers to welcome weekend events, couples are opting to celebrate for many days and in many ways.

“Pre-wedding gatherings allow for deeper conversations, personalized moments, and space to slow down and celebrate in layers, not just in one rushed day,” says Lindsey Caldwell owner of 30A Tablescape and Design Co. and Emerald Coast Marriage. “With so many guests traveling in, these events offer a way to create connection and reduce pressure on the wedding day itself.”

Much like the wedding itself, these additional events have become a part of the planning process, often enlisting planners and other vendors to provide a quality, cohesive, enjoyable, and memorable event for the couple and guests.

Outside of a bachelorette/bachelor party, popular pre-wedding events include the bridal shower, bridal brunch, and wedding welcome event.

Bridal Shower

The bridal shower originated in the sixteenth century to prepare the bride’s marital home. While gifts are still given, often from the registry, this has become a celebration for the bride, including her closest friends and family.

A bridal shower often occurs a few months to a few weeks before the wedding. Generally, the event includes food, drinks, games, and gifts. In the spirit of weddings becoming more interactive, many brides are opting to include build-your-own bouquet, jewelry, or candles as both an activity and a sentimental take-home gift.

“One of our most popular experiences is our custom candle pouring workshop—especially popular for bridal showers,” says Sharon Vaughn, owner of Miss Fizzwick. “This allows the members of each group to create a unique scent memory together in a creative environment.”

Since this event is all about the bride, Caldwell suggests the theme, color palette, food, drinks, and florals all align with her personal favorites and share her story.

Bridal Brunch

A bridal brunch is typically hosted by the bride or her family to honor those in her wedding party: bridesmaids/men, mother of the bride, mother of the groom, flower girls, and so on. Here, the bride turns the focus on those who support and love her.

Brunch can be interchangeable with lunch or afternoon tea but typically not a dinner since the rehearsal dinner is held the evening before the wedding. This gathering tends to occur the day before or day of the wedding.

Brides take this time to show their bridal party just how valued they are, be it through presenting them with gifts, making a speech, or spending quality time with each person. Many decide to continue on with a spa day or by getting ready for the wedding together.

Caldwell suggests embracing the natural beauty of a garden or coastal patio, then styling the tables with “layered linens, different textures, place card alternatives, fresh florals, and a small gift at each place setting.”

While the vibe may be different, a groom’s brunch is encouraged as it offers the same communal feeling of appreciation and the opportunity for more wedding weekend bonding.

Wedding Welcome

Where the rehearsal dinner is reserved for those directly involved in the production of the wedding day, a wedding welcome is open to all. This is an especially popular occurrence when the majority of the guests are traveling. It should be highly considered for a destination wedding as a way of further thanking your guests for the money and time spent on travel.

The event should offer food, whether you elect to do passed appetizers, heavy hors d’oeuvres, or a seated meal. This would be an opportune time to embrace the local cuisine.

Caroline Boone’s company CC.Boone executes all aspects of wedding events from florals to feasts. Boone believes the wedding welcome can set the tone for the weekend.

“Choose a wide-open space for your guests to spread out and mingle,” says Boone. “A lovely playlist and signature drinks go a long way!”

Caldwell agrees that elements representing the couple are key, from cocktails to entertainment to the menu. Consider a favor that will be a meaningful memento honoring your love.

“Wedding guests can walk through the couple’s moments with a custom-scented candle,” says Vaughn. “Think ‘First Date at the Second City Coffee Shop’ or ‘Maui on Bended Knee’ as an idea of candle gifts that have highlighted memories from couple’s special moments.”

Remember to utilize a planner or your bridal party to help you plan these events, as they are intended to be fun, sentimental additions to your wedding day.

Feature Photo by Sydney Faith Photography