A destination wedding is fun, exciting, and brings all your favorite people together to celebrate your special day. And since your guests are traveling from far to be with you, you can show your appreciation by planning memorable pre-wedding activities. This way, everyone also gets to explore and get a good feel of the destination. Give them an immersive experience of the local culture and a way to kick-start the celebrations right.
A Casual Welcome Party
Pictures Courtesy: @davidbastianoni
Your guests may be traveling a long way to be with you, which means they most likely will be tired and won’t want to jump into anything too crazy right away. Make it a casual affair where anyone can stop by for drinks and light snacks. This is also a great opportunity for your guests to interact and get familiar with each other before the main celebration. You can also draw inspiration right from the venue. If your destination is known for its beaches, it’s the perfect place to kick off a relaxed party.
Relaxing Activities
Pictures Courtesy: @sb_photographs & @christinalilly
Having a destination wedding means you’re probably hosting a multiple-day celebration. This means you have enough time to pack plenty of engaging activities for your guests. Take them to the local beach for a fun day surfing the waves, or gather them for a calming yoga session to find their zen. Adding your personality into the mix by scheduling an activity that you like makes even a simple activity all the more special. Sporty couples can also opt for an adventurous hike or thrilling sessions of paddle boating.
Localize A Cocktail Party
Pictures Courtesy: @lilyandleigh_ & @rachelhavel
Everyone has a cocktail party. But what makes yours different? Set up a local tasting or serve up signature drinks of the destination you’re in. On a tropical island? Serve up refreshing coconut water. Getting ready for a wedding in Italy? Say hello to Lemoncello! From the tequilas of Guadalajara to the wines of Provence, sampling the spirits of the region is a fun way to localize the standard pre-wedding cocktail party.
Organize Group Games
Pictures Courtesy: @mollyscottphoto & @moreyspiers
Another great way to break the ice and get your guests interacting is to organize fun games. A round of mini golf or an exciting scavenger hunt could easily serve as an opportunity for groups to mingle with each other. After the games, you can have everyone meet up for celebratory drinks and snacks.
Explore The Region
Picture Courtesy: @finduslost
Coming to a new place, you can’t leave without exploring a little. And with an enthusiastic wedding group, you can have a lot of fun sightseeing and discovering local flavors. Go around to experience the culture, visit landmarks, bury your feet in the local beach sands, or adventure the lesser-known sites for the most spectacular views. You can even try things like cooking classes or a session of salsa, anything that can make the experience all the more unique, personal, and memorable for you and your guests.
Feature Image Credit: @nigeljohn_com
