Wedding Weekend Guest Experience Checklist: Things for your guests to do while visiting Arizona

You want to share your wedding day with your family, close friends and out-of-town guests who have committed time and effort to make it to your wedding. Giving them a positive experience while they are visiting Arizona during the wedding weekend is an important part of the wedding planning. It’s also a great way to say thank you for being part of your big day. 

We’ve developed a handy checklist to give you some ideas for things to do and an example of an itinerary and some things to do while they are visiting Arizona.

Before the Wedding

Save the Dates and Invitations

• Use Arizona-inspired designs, such as desert landscapes, cacti, or warm earthy tones.

• On the wedding website, include Arizona-specific tips like seasonal weather (e.g., dress for desert evenings) and reminders about hydration while they are out and about. Include fun things to do and places to go to stay entertained. Maybe incorporate some fun facts about Arizona that only locals know about - Get creative!

Accommodations

• Recommend a list of local hotels close to the venue for out-of-towners to book their stay ahead of time. They will thank you for saving them the hard work.

• Include a range from luxury resorts to more budget-friendly hotels and Airbnbs near the venue.

Transportation

• Share airport information for Phoenix Sky Harbor International along with shuttle services that some hotels may offer.

• Consider reaching out to a local transportation company to provide discounted group rates. That’s if you really like your relatives!

Local Activities and Recommendations

• Create a list of iconic attractions for day trips or overnight trips for guests who are here for the week like the Grand Canyon, Sedona’s red rocks, or Saguaro National Park.

• Suggest shorter outings, such as hiking Camelback Mountain (not for everyone!), visiting Old Town Scottsdale, or wine tasting in the Verde Valley.

• Recommend unique experiences, such as a desert jeep tour Tour in Sedona for adventure-loving guests, hot air balloon rides over the Sonoran Desert for an unforgettable experience, or horseback riding.

Welcome Bags

• Include items like sunscreen, mini water bottles, Arizona snacks (prickly pear candy, jalapeño popcorn), and a local guidebook.

• Add a personal touch with a handwritten welcome note or a small keepsake, like a cactus keychain or Arizona tea.

Wedding Weekend

Meet-and-Greet Event

• Consider a low-key cocktail party at your home or a family member’s or friend. Get platters catered such as charcuterie platters and bite size appetizers. Taza Bistro Bar & Catering has a wonderful selection of hors d’oeuvres to choose from to please your guests, with dishes to accommodate dietary needs.

• Create a specialty themed cocktail and mocktail. If you need help, Taza offers bar service and can help you select a specialty cocktail that matches your vibe and the food.

Rehearsal Dinner

• Consider private venues for an intimate dinner experience like Taza Wine Bistro as a local spot for a private evening with your close friends and family before the wedding. You’ll get and all-inclusive experience with full service by our attentive staff, unique custom menu, full bar, linen tables and settings, with no venue rental fees or minimums

Communication

• Use an app like WeddingWire or Zola to send reminders and updates.

• Include a weekend itinerary in your welcome bags and on your wedding website for easy reference.

Here is an example of an itinerary. 

Thursday: Arrival and Welcome Events

Morning/Afternoon: Guest Arrival

• Provide information about hotel check-in times and transportation options.

• Guests can enjoy free time to explore local attractions or relax at their accommodations.

Suggestions for Activities:

• Explore Old Town Scottsdale: Boutique shopping, art galleries, and Southwestern charm.

• Visit the Desert Botanical Garden: A beautiful introduction to Arizona’s native plants.

• Hiking Option: Choose an easy trail like Papago Park for stunning views without overexertion. And what a sunset!

Evening: Welcome Party or Meet-and-Greet

• Hosted low-key gathering: In your home for a casual catching up with out-of-town guests and locals to get to know each other before the wedding.

• Vibe: Casual cocktail hour with light appetizers and Arizona-inspired drinks (prickly pear margaritas or craft beers).

• Extras: Include an icebreaker activity, like a trivia game about the couple and mix in some fun facts about Arizona. Like “it’s a dry heat.”

Friday: Day Before The Wedding Activities

Morning: Guest Adventures or Relaxation

• Activity Ideas:

  • Golf Outing: Perfect for the sporty crowd, at courses like Troon North or TPC Scottsdale.

  • Spa Day: Arrange group bookings at a luxury spa like the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, The Phoenician or Sanctuary Camelback Mountain.

  • South Mountain Park and Preserve: Perfect scenic drive or hike with stunning views of the valley. Recommend Dobbins Lookout as a must-visit for breathtaking sunsets.

  • Arizona Science Center: A fun and interactive museum with exhibits for all ages (let’s face it, it’s perfect for families with kids). It’s got a state-of-the-art planetarium and hands-on science activities.

  • Stargazing in Fountain Hills: It’s a designated Dark Sky Community. Combine stargazing with a visit to the iconic Fountain Park.

Evening: Rehearsal followed by Dinner: 

• Special guests want a chance to feel special. Treat them to an exclusive private dinner where everyone gets to interact directly with you! Feel uninterrupted in a relaxed atmosphere, surrounded with laughter, food and drink in an intimate setting.

• Dinner at Taza Bistro:

  • Custom family style dinner

  • Full bar for cocktail hour and throughout dinner. Mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks available

Wedding Day

• Comfort and Convenience

  • Set up hydration stations with infused water and iced tea, especially for outdoor ceremonies.

  • For cooler months, provide blankets or shawls in case temperatures drop in the evening.

• Guest-Friendly Timeline

  • If there's a gap between the ceremony and reception, host a cocktail hour with interactive elements like a DIY taco bar or passed hors d’oeuvres while guests mingle.

• Signage and Directions

  • Use signage to direct guests to where to go and where to sit. Use your theme and colors to have an even flow to impress your guests. 

• Guest Book Alternatives

  • Use a photo frame canvas where guests can sign their names and leave a short message. Once you get your photos, you can select one or several to rotate out with the guest signatures around the photo for memories to last a lifetime. 

  • Set up a photo booth with desert-themed props like cowboy hats and "bride & groom" cactus cutouts.

  • Set an old-fashioned phone that allows guests to leave a recorded voice message for you to save, listen to and keep as a souvenir. Taza Catering & Events has one to use as part of our full service.

• Personal Touches

  • Incorporate Arizona blooms like succulents, desert roses, or wildflowers in your decor.

  • Feature stories or photos like places you’ve visited together to create a photo slideshow for guests to watch throughout the evening.

Reception Experience

• Thoughtful Seating Arrangements

  • Seat guests with those they know or who share similar interests to encourage mingling.

  • Name tables to fit your theme. If you’re wanting an Arizonan theme, name tables after iconic Arizona locations (e.g., “Monument Valley,” “Sedona,” or “Antelope Canyon”).

• Food and Beverage Variety

  • Hire a local caterer and support small businesses. Create a unique menu that will wow your guests and create a lasting impression. Guests like to see variety for dietary restrictions such as gluten free and vegetarian varieties. Consider dishes that will start conversations. Taza understands what guests like and will create a custom menu that is guaranteed to wow your guests.

  • Offer a signature drink that fits your theme and be a unique crowd pleaser. You might for example create a drink inspired by Arizona, like prickly pear lemonade or desert sage-infused cocktails.

• Entertainment

  • Hire a live band that can play a mix of genres, including country and Southwestern-style music.

  • Hire a DJ who will interact with the crowd and play tunes everyone can sing along to.

  • Offer unique experiences like a stargazing lounge with telescopes.

  • Have a photo booth that will get guests together for fun photo ops that will last a lifetime.

Post-Wedding

• Farewell Brunch

  • Host a thank you brunch the day after the wedding for close friends and family before they fly out. Book a public park’s private gazebo area for a laid-back gathering. Have it catered with brunch style dishes like fresh fruit trays, charcuterie, pancakes, avocado toast and yummy comfort food that’s good for you. Taza Bistro Bar & Catering can set up your buffet outdoors even on a picnic table!

• Thank You Notes

  • Include small tokens of appreciation, like a framed photo from the wedding.

• Share Wedding Media

  • Use an online gallery service and encourage guests to upload their photos.

  • Create a short highlight reel featuring moments from the ceremony and reception.

There are so many ways to give your guests a positive lasting experience from your wedding. Taza Bistro Bar & Catering can help make your wedding day one to remember for years to come. Contact us now to book your catering.