Be Our Guest

The art of greeting your guests 

By Rebecca Padgett Frett

A creatively curated welcome bag, a thoughtfully written note, or a welcome party they won’t soon forget are all ways to make your guests feel appreciated, whether they’ve traveled far and wide for a destination wedding or just down the road. 

Weddings are made all the more special by those who attend them. As a way to thank attendees, couples are putting emphasis on the welcome. 

Many guests travel for weddings, and the best way to make them immediately at home is with a welcome gift. Style a bag, basket, or box with items that are local or representative of you as a couple, such as sweet and salty snacks, water bottles, beverages, a recovery kit, souvenirs, and more. You should also include an itinerary for the weekend, a local map, and brochures for things to do in the area. Every guest will be touched by a handwritten thank-you note. 

Many resorts and hotels can assist you in making the welcome experience meaningful. Oyster Bay Boutique Hotel in Pensacola offers a wedding buyout where the entire property becomes yours, giving guests an intimate, immersive experience from check-in. 

“Upon arrival, the couple and their hotel guests are welcomed with a charcuterie spread and a champagne toast, creating that first magical moment together before the wedding weekend truly begins,” says Lauren Jenks, event sales manager at Oyster Bay Boutique Hotel. “It is a beautiful, effortless way to bring everyone together and make the arrival feel like an event in itself.” 

When considering a hotel, the amenities can make all the difference to a guest. At Oyster Bay, each room is stocked with plush robes and slippers, Lather luxury bath products, a Nespresso machine, and a communal kitchen with snacks and breakfast items available. 

“Every touch is intentional because we want your guests to feel not just accommodated but genuinely celebrated,” says Jenks. 

Further, if you can utilize the hotel as a welcome party space, this is great for guests as they won’t have to arrange travel. Oyster Bay’s Pearl Plaza has sweeping bay views, and the Fountain Courtyard is ideal for an intimate garden party. 

“Signature cocktails named for the couple and bites crafted by our exclusive caterer make the evening feel truly personalized, and a live musician sets the perfect tone to make guests feel like the celebration has already begun,” says Jenks. 

The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach is a property that can do it all.

“Many couples take advantage of the property’s intimate scale to host a full weekend of celebrations, from a beachside welcome party or rehearsal dinner to the wedding itself, followed by a farewell brunch,” says Emily Hunt, sales and service manager at The Pearl Hotel. “This continuity creates a sense of flow and connection, allowing guests to settle in, relax, and feel like part of a thoughtfully designed experience from start to finish.” 

Some of Hunt’s favorite welcome party experiences are a champagne tower or custom cocktails accompanied by the interactive elements of a roaming oyster shucker, a cigar rolling station, or a live portrait artist. 

If your welcome party or farewell brunch is off-site of the hotel, a courtesy is to either secure transportation for guests or provide a discount code. 

Depending on your timeline and budget, an additional bonus to you and guests is to plan an experience such as a sunset cruise, a trolley tour of the city, or any other experience that’s special to you as a couple that you would want to share with your nearest and dearest. 

“Guests remember how an event made them feel—the warmth of the welcome, the ease of the weekend, and the thoughtful details woven throughout,” says Hunt. “These curated moments create a sense of discovery and delight that guests continue to talk about long after the weekend ends.” ▪

Feature image by Sydney Faith Photography