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This week’s topics: wedding welcome bags, wedding guest experience, personalized wedding gifts, bridal party gifts, wedding favors, wedding weekend planning, destination weddings, guest hospitality, local wedding vendors, wedding planning advice
On this week's episode of Wedding Day Podcast, Sonja Babich, CEO of Iron Diamond Media, and Carrie Fisher, Publisher of Wisconsin Bride, sit down with Summer Rich, founder of Gift & Co by Summer, to discuss how customized gifting can elevate guest hospitality, strengthen connections and create meaningful moments long after the celebration ends. Through her Wisconsin-based business, Summer helps couples transform simple favors and welcome gifts into intentional expressions of gratitude that reflect their personalities, tell their story and leave a lasting impression on everyone involved.
Summer explained that no two gifting experiences are alike. Working closely with both wedding planners and couples, she creates personalized gift concepts based on a wedding's overall aesthetic, the couple's personalities and the experience they hope to create for guests. Whether a gift is waiting in a hotel room, displayed at a welcome party or presented to members of the wedding party, every detail is intentionally selected to feel meaningful rather than generic. Her goal is to create gifts that make recipients feel seen, appreciated and connected to the celebration.
One of the most popular applications for her services is wedding welcome gifting. As guests arrive after long days of travel, a thoughtfully curated gift can immediately set the tone for the weekend ahead. Summer shared ideas ranging from locally sourced snacks and beverages to practical items guests may need throughout the celebration. For destination weddings and events with many out-of-town attendees, these gifts also serve as an introduction to the local culture, allowing couples to share a taste of the place they call home.
Personalization is at the heart of Summer's process. During the episode, she revealed custom gifts she created for wedding industry professionals, demonstrating the level of research and thought that goes into each project. From favorite beverages and hobbies to meaningful lifestyle details, she often studies social media profiles and websites to uncover personal touches that make each gift feel truly one-of-a-kind. The result is a gifting experience that feels carefully curated for the individual rather than selected from a template.
The conversation also highlighted the value of outsourcing gifting during the wedding planning process. While many couples initially consider assembling welcome bags and favors themselves, Summer explained the extensive behind-the-scenes work involved, including sourcing products, coordinating with vendors, managing timelines, ensuring quality control and handling delivery logistics. By taking those responsibilities off a couple's plate, she allows them to enjoy the creative aspects of gifting without the stress of execution.
Perhaps the most memorable moment of the episode came when Summer described wedding welcome gifts as "the first hug of the wedding weekend." From commemorative keepsakes honoring loved ones to locally sourced treats that tell a story, she believes gifting creates opportunities for connection that extend far beyond the wedding day itself. Her thoughtful approach serves as a reminder that even the smallest details can leave a lasting impression, helping guests feel welcomed, valued and excited to celebrate alongside the couple.
This episode is powered by Dan Riggs Films, Gifts & Co by Summer and Wisconsin Bride.
