When people ask me what my favorite part of our wedding weekend was. They’re usually expecting me to say the ceremony or the reception. But honestly, it was our St. Augustine wedding welcome party! As a wedding photographer, I’ve spent years documenting these moments for other couples. But getting to experience one for myself completely changed my perspective. There was no timeline to stick to, no pressure to perform. And no expectations beyond hugging the people we love as they came into town.

It felt like the weekend officially started the moment everyone walked through the doors. We rented out Sunday Gathering Table after hours, and it ended up being the perfect spot. The space already has such a fun, laid-back vibe, so it never felt like a formal wedding event. It felt like inviting all of our favorite people to one place and watching different parts of our lives come together. Looking back now, I can honestly say this night set the tone for the entire weekend!

Why a St. Augustine Wedding Welcome Party Was My Favorite Part

If you’re planning a wedding weekend, I can’t recommend a welcome party enough. By the time our wedding day arrived, everyone had already met. Friends from different seasons of our lives were swapping stories. Our families had time to get to know each other, and all of those introductions that usually happen during cocktail hour were already out of the way. Instead of feeling like we had to split our attention on the wedding day, we got to simply enjoy it because we’d already spent quality time with the people we love most.

As someone who’s photographed weddings for years, I always thought welcome parties looked fun, but I didn’t realize how special they actually were until I had one myself. There was no pressure, no schedule to follow, and no feeling like we had to be “on.” We walked around with drinks, caught up with friends, introduced people to one another, and actually had conversations that lasted longer than a few minutes. If you want to see what the night looked like, I shared one of my favorite moments in this video!

The Moment I’ll Never Forget

As amazing as the entire evening was, the most meaningful part happened when my twin sister, Laura, surprised me with a letter filled with notes from some of my closest friends. Every page was written by someone who’s been part of my life in a different way, sharing memories, encouragement, and stories that made me laugh and cry all over again. Then I reached the last page, which was dedicated to my dad, Matt, who passed away just five days after I got engaged.

After I finished reading the letters, my mom handed me one more envelope. Inside was a note my dad had written just days before he passed away, meant for me to open on my wedding day. He wrote about how happy he was for me and how much he wished he could be there. It was one of the most emotional moments of my life, and somehow it felt like the perfect way to begin our wedding weekend. When I look back at these photos, I don’t just remember a party. I remember feeling completely surrounded by love, and that’s something I’ll carry with me forever.

See more of my welcome party below!

Thinking About Having a Welcome Party? Do It!

Brooke Michelle | St. Augustine Wedding Photographer

If you’re debating whether to have a welcome party, consider this your sign. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or over-the-top. It can be drinks at your favorite local spot, a backyard gathering, or renting out a restaurant like we did. The point isn’t to add another event to your timeline, it’s to give yourself the chance to actually enjoy the people who traveled to celebrate with you before the wedding day flies by.

As someone who’s spent years behind the camera and finally got to experience it from the other side, I can honestly say this ended up being my favorite part of the entire weekend. Our St. Augustine’s wedding welcome party reminded me that some of the best memories happen when there’s no schedule at all! If you’re planning yours I would love to capture it! Head to my contact page so we can chat about the ideas you have! If you want to learn more about me and what I do, click here. Can’t wait to hear from you!

Vendors

Venue: @sunday everyday

Planning: @ncheirloomcollective

Photo: @alymateiphoto

Content: @littlemomentslens

Makeup: @katefacebeauty