Multi-event wedding weekends have emerged as a popular trend in recent wedding celebrations, including kicking off the festivities with a welcome party for guests ahead of the wedding day.
This pre-wedding event, typically less formal than the reception or rehearsal dinner, provides a relaxed opportunity for the bride and groom to engage with guests, and an opportunity for guests to visit with each other before the wedding, enhancing the experience for everyone.
Welcome parties take the form of a cocktail party after the rehearsal dinner, including a larger group. Because the setting is generally more relaxed, these events provide an opportunity to consider venues that are more active, casual, or whimsical than the reception.
Several restaurants have space to accommodate this type of group including Maggiano’s, Granite City Food and Brewery, SixtyFour Wine Bar, Tapville Social and Empire Burger Bar. In the summer, outdoor terraces at places like Meson Sabika, TopGolf, JoJo’s ShakeBAR or Hotel Arista also can provide a gorgeous open-air ambiance.
Event spaces at the hotel where guests are staying would make a convenient welcome party location, while multiple venues have spaces you can make your own including The Crawford and most hotels like the Embassy Suites.
If you like the idea of an active welcome party where you can mix mingling with activities, think of locations like TopGolf (golf, pool/shuffleboard), Whirlyball (whirlyball, laser tag, bowling, pop-up games), or Tap In Pub (golf simulators).
To encourage guests getting to know each other at a welcome party, we love the idea of putting nametags in guest’s welcome gift bags. The Naperville Convention and Visitors Bureau (NCVB) can get you started in that area by supplying complimentary welcome bags to guests booked in hotel group blocks at Naperville hotels. These gift bags include Visitors and Dining Guides, local information, and can be customized with event-specific labels on the outside and include personal touches from the bride and groom like nametags or favorite treats.
Overall, the NCVB is a fantastic planning resource that can connect you with venues, hotels, 400-plus dining options, and endless entertainment and social options. Complimentary services include assistance with reception bid proposals, hotel group blocks, and gift bags.
We can help with any event from planning your welcome party through the big day! Get started by heading to VisitNaperville.com/wedding-planning, or me at cmadinya@naper.org today!
