As a live wedding and event calligrapher that specializes in creating personalized favors, I get the honor of being a part of a LOT of different occasions. From birthdays, weddings, corporate events, brand activations, and more, I truly get an inside look into some of the most amazing celebrations.
Because I get to attend so many cool events, it’s really hard for me to pick favorites! But if you locked me in a room and told me I couldn’t leave until I chose a favorite, I would say destination weddings HANDS DOWN.
Ya girl loves to travel and see different parts of the world, especially when it’s an opportunity to provide live calligraphy or engraving services. And destination weddings? Those light my soul on fire!
And it was no different with Maxine and Alejandro’s destination wedding in rural Mexico.
Photo Credit: Cedar and Pines
An Inside Look at Maxine and Alejandro’s Rural Mexico Wedding
For this event, I was part of a team of calligraphers that engraved bottles of Sotol – think fancier tequila! – for the guests at the welcome party. And that’s something that I loved so much about this event.
During the planning process, the couple thought beyond just their actual wedding day for the event activation. Your wedding as a whole is more than just the day itself and often includes pre-wedding events, like a welcome party or rehearsal dinner. BOTH of those are perfect examples of times where a live event artist can make guests feel special and seen.
A lot of times people think that I only do weddings, but the truth is that I can be wherever, whenever!
And if you aren’t sure what makes the most sense, we can talk about all aspects of your wedding week or weekend and decide which location and time would have the most impact.
Photo Credit: Cedar and Pines
These personalized favors also stand out because they weren’t chosen at random. They were an intentional part of the planning process and made total sense for the event as a whole.
For some background, Maxine and Alejandro met in one of their high school classes at boarding school and after dating for over 5 years, they got engaged in THE most special way.
Around Christmas time, they were decorating their tree and as Maxine was sorting through ornaments, she noticed that several of them spelled out the big question – “will you marry me?”
LIKE I’M CRYINGGGG, how cute is that?!
Shortly after getting engaged, they agreed that a destination wedding in Alejandro’s native Mexico was the best choice!
During the planning phase, they worked with Callista and Company to help them pull off their vision of a Yucatan inspired theme.
And let me just say – the vision came to life in a way that was SO them. Every aspect of the wedding weekend, from the pre-wedding pool party complete with live dancers, cigars, and tequila, to the bridal party attire, ceremony setup, reception tablescape, and everything in between, every single detail was so carefully planned and thought through and it was so evident!
Photo Credit: Cedar and Pines
Every single detail, down to the personalized favors, made sense for the location and theme of the wedding and the Sotol specifically was the perfect way to show appreciation to their guests who traveled for their big day.
The Best Way To Show Appreciation To Your Destination Wedding Guests
Destination weddings are SO fun, but they don’t come without a little hesitation at first…
“Will I be able to make it the day I’ve always dreamed of?”
“Will people actually travel for it?”
“Is it too stressful or overwhelming for what it’s worth?”
“How can I make sure my guests know that I appreciate them traveling for us?”
All of these are totally common and normal concerns when you’re thinking about having a destination wedding, and while I can’t answer all of your questions, I can address the guest situation…
Here’s the thing about destination weddings: they sort of double as vacations for those attending, so it’s very rare that someone WOULDN’T want to attend.
The biggest thing, however, is that you need to take into consideration that your guests are altering their routines and schedules in order to attend, which means adding an extra layer of appreciation in a meaningful and memorable way is so impactful.
In my opinion, one of the most thoughtful ways to thank them is by gifting intentional, personalized favors that reflect the uniqueness of your wedding, but ultimately focuses on THEM.
For example, if the majority of your guests live in Southern California and are attending your wedding in Europe, a koozie with your initials on it isn’t exactly going to scream “we’re so glad you’re here!!!”
I hate to break it to you, but your destination wedding guests don’t want something that has YOUR monogram or name all over it… they want something that reflects them.
And while yes, your wedding day is 100% about you, I can promise you that the more effort you put into the experience that you create for those in attendance, they will be shouting your name from the rooftops for years to come.
So, how can you take it up a notch? Instead of opting for generic items that your guests would typically expect, opt for an intentional wedding favor DOUBLED with a live event engraving.
Live engraving or calligraphy at your wedding serves a dual purpose: it’s both a unique form of entertainment and a heartfelt gesture that your guests will be so excited about!
Trust me, offering fun keepsakes like champagne flutes, leather luggage tags, or even compact mirrors where your guests can watch their names or initials be hand-engraved is SO much more fun than a table full of favors that you’ll likely end up taking home yourself.
Photo Credit: Cedar and Pines
The experience of seeing their favor created in real time adds a layer of excitement and makes the gift feel even more personal. Plus, these custom pieces become lasting reminders of your special day and something they’ll cherish far beyond your wedding weekend!
And by the way! It doesn’t just have to be engraving. I offer a variety of services that are compatible with almost any surface, including wood, leather, acrylic, and more. For a closer look at my 4 core services, click here!
This is the EXACT route that Maxine and Alejandro took and is even something that celebrities are starting to incorporate into their celebrations, just like Hannah Godwin and Dylan Barbour’s.
Overall, by prioritizing thoughtful, personalized favors with an experiential element, you’re not just giving your guests a favor – you’re creating an unforgettable experience that makes them feel truly appreciated for traveling to celebrate you!
Your Go To Live Event Calligrapher and Engraver For Your Destination Wedding
So, if you’re ready to wow your destination wedding guests and leave them thinking, “I’M SO GLAD I CAME!”, it’s time we finally meet. 👋
I’m Cat – a live event artist based in Southern California, but I’m always ready to pack for the next location.
When it comes to destination weddings, I come prepared with (almost) everything I need to bring your personalized favors to life.
The only things I need from you are:
- Table and chair
- A place to display or store items for personalization
- Access to power (3-prong outlet) for hot foiling or embossing services
Click here to connect for your live event calligraphy or engraving needs for your destination wedding and we can chat to see which service(s) make the most sense for YOU!
PLUS, when you reach out we can chat about my exclusive destination wedding packages, including multi-event options for maximum impact and value.
Planning and Design: @callistaandco
Venue and F&B: @chableyucatan
Floral Design: La Musa De Las Flores
Photography: @cedarandpines
Videography: @meraki.weddings
Hair and Makeup: @pagebeauty
Calligraphy and Engraving: @jane.gahng @signsofourlives @catlaurencalligraphy
Invitation Design and Overall Branding: @robinsoncreativehouse
Wedding Weekend Stationery: @libbytipton
AV Manager and DJ Team: @v.b.music
Wedding String Quartet: @cuarteto.sonus
Table Top Rentals: @archiverentals Linens: @bbjlatavola
Rental Furniture and Decor: @minimal4.0
Flooring: @castaneda_carpas
Lighting and AV: @secosur.mx
Candy Bar: @bluechocolat.co
Cake: @glacee_
Wedding Gown and Veil: @verawangbride
Groom’s Suit: @hellohighsociety
Rings: @tiffanyandco
Groom’s Wedding Band: @hermes
Local Coordinator Team: @casapeoniamx
Welcome Party Guest Chef: @juanramon012
