How To Style a Wedding Welcome Party
One of the 2022 wedding trends we are loving and know will continue into 2023 is to host a wedding welcome party! It’s a great way to show your Southern hospitality and welcome guests who traveled from near and far. And our vintage and modern furniture rentals can make your event unique and one of a kind!
What is a Wedding Welcome Party?
Separate from your rehearsal dinner, the welcome party can be hosted in a variety of ways. The most common is after your rehearsal dinner. For example, if you have your dinner earlier, around 5:00 PM, you can host an evening welcome party at 7:00 PM. These are often more casual, with appetizers and drinks.
Or, if you choose a lunch rehearsal dinner, you can host a larger affair later in the day. This is what Abby and Ben decided to do! They hosted a semi-casual beach-inspired welcome party at a private residence on Hilton Head.
While there is no set rule on who to invite, welcome parties are often meant to include everyone invited to the wedding, especially those who traveled from out of town.
A Welcome Party BBQ in Hilton Head
Abby and Ben hosted an entire wedding weekend, with a welcome party and post-wedding day brunch. Their welcome party focused on creating a welcoming and warm environment for their family and friends to come and celebrate together.
The event took place at a private home and was poolside. Throughout the backyard were intimate lounges, creating spaces for guests to mingle. One lounge was poolside, under a gazebo, and featured our Aspen Sofa with Tori Poufs. Orange pillows added pops of color, and mercury glass candles added light as the sunset.
Another area had our Keaton Chairs, which tied into their tropical-inspired decor. These modern rattan chairs have been a huge hit! They go so well with outdoor spaces and bring a bit of 70’s tropical flair.
How To Style a Welcome Party
No matter what space you decide for your welcome party, creating a cohesive design is still important! Your welcome party helps set the stage for your wedding weekend.
Chairs, sofas, and lounge furniture are a must. Creating multiple spaces allows for easy conversation. After all, many of these guests might not have seen each other in years! And many are meeting for the first time. So creating multiple smaller seating lounges will allow for easier conversations, away from the bustle and music.
Another must-have is highboys and lots of tabletops. Especially if you do pass hors d’oeuvre with a cocktail bar, this will allow guests to put their things down. Even if you are doing finger food, we suggest having at least a few round tables, or our Dark Wood Farm Tables, throughout the space. This way, guests can sit and eat, as well as stand and mingle.
You can also create a welcome table with to-go gifts or welcome bags. This way, you don’t have to worry about sending them to the hotels – guests can pick them up when they leave! Another idea is to have your guestbook at the welcome table. This way, guests can take the time to leave a note, in case they forget the next day at the wedding.
Style The Perfect Welcome Party
Your wedding is the place to represent you as a couple – and what better way than designing the perfect wedding weekend! Whether you decide on cocktails at a rooftop bar or a complete BBQ, the options are endless. We have a large variety of rentals that can make your event completely custom and you. Contact us today!
Welcome Party Vendors:
Planner: Trish Beck Events
Photography and Videographer: Vitor Lindo
DJ and Lighting: JLK Events
Catering: Signature Catering
BBQ: Rodney Scott’s BBQ
Florist: Jardiniere Events
Rentals: Savannah Vintage & Event Rentals, EventWorks
Linens: LA Tavola and BBJ Linen
Restrooms: Royal Restrooms
Transportation: Old Savannah Tours and Diamond Transportation
