Guest-Centric Wedding Weekend Part 1: Welcome Party at Hotel Californian

This welcome party at Hotel Californian was the perfect start to a guest-centric wedding weekend in Santa Barbara. Victoria and Brad embraced the idea of a guest-centric wedding weekend, and we couldn’t love it more. While weddings naturally celebrate the couple, it’s always special when they take the opportunity to honor the friends and family who’ve played meaningful roles in their story. A wedding is the perfect stage to show that appreciation, and this weekend was full of thoughtful touches to make their guests feel valued.

See Also: Episode 18: The Guest-Centric Experience

The festivities kicked off with a lively welcome party at Hotel Californian in downtown Santa Barbara. Guests sipped signature cocktails and mingled with friends while wandering through beautifully curated booths.

As the sun was setting, everyone was invited upstairs to the rooftop, where an elegant, candlelit dinner awaited. Tables bursting with vibrant florals created an atmosphere of warmth and celebration. The evening carried a fun, playful energy that set the tone for an unforgettable weekend ahead.

 

We love seeing couples go the extra mile to show gratitude to their loved ones, and Victoria and Brad did just that, making every guest feel like a cherished part of their journey at their welcome party.

 

See Also: Unique Welcome Parties

Creating a Guest-Centric Welcome Party with Curated Booth Experiences

Guest Shopping Experience

Instead of traditional wedding favors or welcome bags, Victoria and Brad delighted their guests with a thoughtfully curated shopping experience. Shelves were artfully arranged with local and custom products, offering everything from the couple’s favorite snacks to practical weekend essentials. This unique setup showcased local flavors and products while giving guests the chance to choose items they genuinely wanted—an interactive and waste-conscious approach that everyone loved.

To elevate the experience even further, the couple partnered with UGG to create a pop-up shop, where guests could pick out their own pair of shoes or slippers. Since many attendees traveled from out of town, UGG offered to ship the selections directly to their homes, blending convenience with luxury.

This beautifully displayed shopping experience not only served as a practical and personal touch but also became a stunning design focal point that added to the weekend’s overall charm and thoughtfulness.

Images by Draper Photography

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Fragrance Bar Guest Experience

The Fragrance Bar added a unique and interactive element. With expert guidance from our friends at Grapeseed Co., guests designed their own custom scents using essential and fragrance oils. This interactive station allowed everyone to take home a bespoke creation, adding a memorable and fragrant touch to the weekend. 

Images by Draper Photography

Water Colored Guest Portraits

This artistic touch brought an extra layer of charm to the celebration. Guests had their photos snapped and handed off to talented artist Amy Logsdon, who transformed them into beautiful watercolor portraits during the event. By the end of the evening, each couple’s portrait was completed and ready to take home—a personalized keepsake that added a thoughtful and creative element to the festivities.

Images by Draper Photography

 

This welcome party at Hotel Californian was the perfect start to a guest-centric wedding weekend in Santa Barbara!

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Inquire about our wedding and event planning services here!

 

Venue: Hotel Californian @hotelcalifornian

Photographer: Aaron Draper Photography

Videographer: TJ Filmmaker @TJ_filmmaker

DJ/Spanish Guitarist: Party Proper , @partyproperproductions 

Lighting: Bella Vista Designs @bellavistadesigns

Specialty Rentals & Linens:  Theoni @theonicollection

Specialty Rentals – Bar, Shelving, etc: Found Event Rentals @foundrentalco 

Paper Goods: Studio Luzance @studioluzance 

Welcome Sign, Seating Chart, Cocktail Napkins: K Designs, @kdesigns_sb 

Hedge Wall/Lounge Furniture/Heaters: Bright Event Rentals, @brighteventrentals 

Olive Tree: Jackson Shrub Supply, Inc. 

Fragrance Bar Experience: Grapeseed Co.

Water Color Illustrations: Moment Maps

UGG Shopping Experience: Stephen,  stephen.coyne@deckers.com 

Guest Experience/Shopping: Santa Barbara Company: allie@santabarbaracompany.com  

Hair & Makeup: Marla & Co, @marla_hairandmakeup