A couple’s wedding day is, of course, the big day. But in recent years, a fast-growing trend has emerged: brides and grooms gather up their family members, close friends and the wedding party ahead of the wedding day for a curated series of memorable events and meals that go beyond the traditional rehearsal dinner and allow everyone to enjoy quality time together in a beautiful setting before the wedding day pace picks up.
PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens is the consummate host for these types of extended wedding celebrations.
Here, bridesmaids can enjoy a wellness-centric spa day together or the bride and groom can book a couple’s massage together the day before their wedding. Guests can sit down for special, celebratory meals at restaurants like the Butcher’s Club, where a tomahawk steak flambeed tableside is among the specialties. Or, for an intimate omakase experience pre- or post-wedding, Sushi by Bou is the resort’s newly added, 12-seat restaurant. Families may also venture out for boat outings or take part in some friendly competition on the resort’s six golf courses or pickleball courts.
“Pickleball tournaments between the bride's family and groom's family are a growing pre- or post-event trend,” says Nickole D’Angelo, Director of Catering, Weddings and Social.
On top of all that, PGA National Resort’s retail shop will customize gifts for guests to honor the occasion—like hats with each groomsman’s initials and the date of the wedding, personalized golf-dimpled tumblers, engraved bag tags, personalized golf balls, and, for a sweet gesture, estate-harvested honey to gift to wedding guests.
Then, when it comes to wedding venues, couples have choices from the Lakeside Lawn with lush tropical landscaping to The Pavilion that’s set on the shores of the resort’s 26-acre lake and the Masters Terrace with golf course views as well as ballrooms.
PGA National is also perfectly positioned to host rooms and offer pre-and post-events from nearby private clubs, such as Old Palm, Ibis, Marisol, and Pelican Club.
“It's a growing trend that private clubs are hosting weddings but cannot provide rooms, so PGA National takes on the rooms and offers creative and inspiring pre- and post-events,” D’Angelo says.
Ahead, some ideas to fill out a memorable wedding-week itinerary at PGA National Resort.
Unwind in the Spa Before the Wedding Day
Wellness-centric bachelorette parties are en vogue and are a 2024 wedding trend noted by The New York Times.
Wedding parties can enjoy the spa leading up to the wedding or even post wedding by indulging in a variety of spa services and activities, says Brian Douglas, the resort’s Spa Director.
A pre-wedding spa day is a wonderful way for the wedding party to relax and de-stress with massages, facials, body treatments, manicures and pedicures. Or, after the big day, the wedding party can unwind and rejuvenate in the spa, he suggests.
“They can opt for couples’ massages, detoxifying body treatments, and some relaxation in our ‘Waters of the World’ mineral pools,” Douglas says.
Douglas added the spa is also catering to the wellness-focused bachelorette parties trend with a “Wellness Package” that can include group activities like sound baths, guided meditations, yoga or Tai Chi.
For the groomsmen, the on-property Groom Guy offers a boutique single-chair grooming experience from classically trained barbers. The groom and groomsmen can get clean shaves, beard trims, haircuts, and personalized styling in the handsome shop.
Hit The Links
PGA National Resort has plenty of amenities to keep wedding guests entertained throughout the week or weekend.
Glo Golf after the sun sets, practicing on the range, croquet, and pickleball are all some fun ways to keep wedding families and guests active, D’Angelo says.
“These activities are sure to create unforgettable memories,” she says.
The property features six courses and can set up tournaments. The resort’s spa and main pool are also perfect places to unwind, and private cabanas are a great option for wedding groups. Wedding parties are also opting to book excursions, like sunny afternoons spent on a catamaran or sunset cruises.
Savor Memorable Meals
For rehearsal dinners, Chef Dallas Wynne says setting up culinary stations is one of her favorite ways to keep the event interactive and give guests some flexibility. Some themes include large charcuterie boards, risotto or pasta stations, a pizza bar, or even large sushi boats or a handroll station with chef attendants. Paired with the flow of passed hors d'oeuvres, guests can move around the room.
“I think this type of get together allows the wedding parties to mingle and get a chance to have a more relaxing environment prior to the wedding,” Wynne says.
PGA National has two venues on property that are perfect for hosting parties of all kinds: Honeybelle and The Butcher’s Club.
Honeybelle has an outside terrace and takes advantage of the beautiful south Florida weather while also having a stunning indoor space, Wynne says, and can provide custom catering. Menus here showcase classic Florida fare, and the experience is casual yet upscale. The culinary team can do great action stations like a pizza station featuring the beautiful pizza oven with a chef attendant or fried chicken that’s a crowd-pleaser and more.
The Butcher's Club is a modern elegant steak house concept, and has private rooms and tables available as well as the option for a full buyout of the dining space.
“There are showstopping experiences like the Tomahawk that is flambeed and cut tableside as well as the Wellington experience, with the beef carved tableside,” she says.
After the big day, PGA National has options for farewell breakfasts and brunches for wedding guests, too.
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