Long before the first toast or walk down the aisle, a successful wedding experience begins with anticipation. Couples today are redefining what it means to “set the tone,” offering guests creative sneak peeks into their celebration well before they step foot at the venue. From floral teasers to cinematic digital invites, here’s how Arizona's top wedding pros are helping couples build that buzz - and why it makes the whole event feel more like an immersive journey than a single day.
A Floral Sneak Peek
Florals have always been a wedding day highlight, but what if they became part of the pre-wedding excitement too?
“For my clients, I love to send a photo or two from inside the flower cooler the week leading up to the wedding!” says Christina Blodgett of Urban Desert Flora. “The couple gets a sneak peek of the floral without really giving anything away. It's definitely a teaser that makes them excited to see it all out in the open.”
When a cooler photo isn’t an option, Blodgett finds “the most beautiful set of blooms to snap a photo for their floral teaser.” It’s a sweet, subtle build-up that makes the floral reveal feel all the more magical.
Photo: Justine Grace Photography; Florals: Urban Desert Flora; Cake: Aly Bakes Cakes
Engagement Photos that Set the Stage
A great photo can do more than fill a frame - it can invite guests into the story.
“Engagement photos are such a fun way to kick off the wedding journey,” says Craig Peterman of Craig Peterman Photography & Videography. “They give couples a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera, but more than that, they help set the tone for the whole celebration.”
Peterman recommends using a few standout shots on your wedding website, social media, or even printed on invitations. “It’s the first sneak peek into the love story guests are about to witness.”
Craig Peterman Photography & Videography
Tastebuds, Teased
Food is often one of the most talked-about elements of a wedding - but teasing it early? That’s next-level.
Marisa Lockwood of Floridino's suggests hinting at flavors with a personal connection. “Share a flavor from the couple’s love story - like a nod to their first date at Floridino’s - or tease the late-night snack lineup (Pizza Muffins never disappoint!) in a digital invite,” she says. “A little taste of what’s to come gets guests excited - and hungry - in the best way.”
Photo: courtesy of Floridino's
Invitations That Do More Than Inform
Sure, invites deliver the basics: the who, where, and when. But a well-designed invitation can stir emotion and spark travel envy too.
Missy Holmes of Mountain Shadows Resort recommends using the invitation to highlight the wedding venue and the destination itself. “A unique invitation, like this one below featuring a custom watercolor by local artist Paige Poppe, is a special way to get guests excited about the desert locale and beautiful mountain views they will experience during the wedding weekend,” Holmes shares.
Photo: Molly McPhoto; Invitations: Paige Poppe; Paper Goods: Minted Weddings; Planner: Konsider It Done; Venue: Mountain Shadows
The Power of the Playlist
Sometimes, building anticipation is all about setting the mood.
“We love the pre-wedding anticipation that feels like a red-carpet reveal - it starts way before guests ever arrive,” says Dominique Mattessino of Soul Agave | Proposal + Wedding Planning. “One of our favorite ways to build buzz is a curated wedding weekend playlist, sent out a week in advance. Think Spotify meets a personal soundtrack. It gets people in the vibe whether they’re on the plane or glamming up in the hotel suite.”
And for couples who want to make a visual impact? Mattessino also loves “a sleek digital teaser: a quick reel with voiceover, venue sneak peeks, or a save-the-date energy that hints at what’s to come. It sets the tone and elevates guest expectations without giving away the full magic. Done right, it tells guests, ‘This isn’t just a wedding. It’s an experience.’”
Photo: Kristen Hennke Photo; Planning: Soul Agave | Proposal +.Wedding Planning
A First Dance Trailer
Add a little cinematic flair and suddenly the wedding feels like the premiere of a blockbuster love story.
“One way to build that pre-wedding buzz? Tease the romance!” says Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Arizona. "A short, cinematic digital invite or teaser video with a sneak peek of the couple practicing their first dance - just a glimpse - sets the tone and melts hearts. Think of it as the trailer to the love story everyone’s about to witness. Add a dreamy playlist hinting at the first dance song, and guests will be counting down the days like it’s concert night."
Photo: courtesy of Fred Astaire Dance Studios
Get Guests Following the Journey
Sometimes all it takes is a little nudge to get guests engaged early.
“Social media is the perfect way to connect,” says Kayla Kudo, Social Sales and Catering Manager at Enchantment Resort. “Share the venue’s Instagram so guests can start seeing stories leading up to the event.” It’s a modern, effortless way to pull them into the wedding weekend’s unfolding story.
Photo: Mary Claire Photography
Main Photo: Craig Peterman Photography & Videography
