Creative And Affordable Wedding Welcome Bags

Wedding welcome bags are a great way to greet your guests and make them feel appreciated. They are especially useful for out-of-town guests, but can also be given to all guests as a thoughtful gesture. These bags often contain a mix of practical and personal items, as well as snacks and drinks. They can be packaged in totes, boxes, baskets or paper bags, and can be customised to fit your wedding theme and budget. In this article, we will discuss how to make affordable wedding welcome bags that will impress your guests without breaking the bank.

Local treats

Food and Drink

Think about including some locally-made snacks, pantry goodies, and treats that showcase the unique flavours of your wedding destination. For example, if you're getting married in Chicago, you could include Garrett's Popcorn Shop popcorn; for San Francisco, Ghirardelli Chocolate; or locally-grown oranges for a Florida wedding. You could also provide drinks that are local to the area, such as coconut water for a tropical destination wedding, mini bottles of wine for a vineyard wedding, or locally brewed beer for a ranch wedding.

Fresh Fruit

If you're looking for a healthy option, consider adding some fresh, energy-giving fruit to your welcome bags. Apples, oranges, and bananas are easy to pack and provide a sweet treat for your guests.

Local Alcohol

In addition to local snacks and treats, you can include some miniature bottles of local alcohol in your welcome bags. This could be a local craft beer, a regional wine variety, or a signature cocktail of the area.

Local Specialities

Depending on your wedding location, you can include local specialities that your guests will enjoy. For example, if you're by the seaside, consider adding a stick of rock; in Ireland, you could add Tayto crisps; or in Scotland, some shortbread biscuits. These treats will give your guests a true taste of the local culture and cuisine.

Local Souvenirs

In addition to edible treats, you can include small souvenirs or mementos that represent your wedding destination. This could be a postcard, a fridge magnet, or another small item that your guests can take home as a keepsake.

Local Discounts

While providing snacks and drinks is a great idea, your guests might also appreciate the opportunity to explore the local area. You can help them do this by including some local discounts or vouchers in their welcome bags. For example, you could arrange discounted drinks or meals at a local restaurant or bar.

Remember, when including local treats in your welcome bags, try to choose items that are unique to the area and that your guests will enjoy. You can also add a personal touch by including some of your favourite local treats or those that hold a special meaning for you and your partner.

Practical items

Wedding welcome bags are a great way to greet your guests and make them feel appreciated. They are especially useful for out-of-town guests, but they are also common for local weddings. Here are some practical items to include in your wedding welcome bags:

• Water bottles: This is a necessary staple, as guests may not feel comfortable drinking tap water, especially if they are staying in a hotel.
• Snacks: Go-to snacks like granola bars, nuts, pretzels, or candy are a great idea. You can also include local treats or specialties, such as gourmet almonds for a wedding in California or beignets and chicory coffee for a wedding in New Orleans.
• A small guide to the area: Include a map of the area, restaurant recommendations, and must-see attractions. This is especially helpful for out-of-town guests who may not be familiar with the surroundings.
• A simple wedding itinerary: This ensures that your guests know where they need to be and when, saving them from constantly referring to your wedding website or contacting you for information.
• List of contacts: Include local emergency numbers and the names and numbers of key people to reach out to for any questions.
• Something personal: Include a memento that reflects your relationship. For example, if you love tea, give guests a bag of your favorite blend.
• Season-specific items: For summer weddings, consider adding sunscreen, bug spray, and fans to the bags. For fall or winter weddings, include cozy extras like small blankets or hand warmers.
• Hangover kit: This can include items like Advil, mints, eye masks, and hydrating drinks or electrolyte powders.
• Weather essentials: For warm-weather weddings, include mini bottles of SPF, fans, after-sun lotion, or bug spray. For other climates, consider ponchos, hand warmers, and umbrellas.
• First aid essentials: Bandaids are a must, as blisters can be a common issue for guests, especially if they are dancing the night away.
• Practical comforts: Flip-flops or slippers can be a lifesaver for guests who need to give their feet a break from heels or tight shoes.
• Beauty or grooming products: Small items like soap or lip balm can be useful, especially if your guests are traveling and may have forgotten to pack these essentials.

Remember, you don't have to include every item on this list. Choose the ones that fit your budget and that you think your guests will appreciate the most.

Personalised touches

A handwritten note

A simple, meaningful, handwritten message will go a long way. If time doesn't allow, be sure to at least sign your names in ink. Don't forget to include your wedding hashtag and any other social media details.

Something personal

Add a memento that reflects your relationship. If you love tea, gift your guests a bag of your favourite brew. If your partner has a sweet tooth, include their favourite chocolate bar. If you're known for your homemade jam, gift a small jar with a label explaining its significance.

Monogrammed items

Add a personal touch with monogrammed items such as tote bags, candles, or even custom koozies. These items will not only be memorable but also useful for your guests.

Local treats

If you're having a destination wedding or have guests travelling from out of town, include local treats exclusive to the area. Think shortbread biscuits in Scotland, a stick of rock by the seaside, or local beer or wine.

A welcome bag illustration

If you or your partner are artistic, add a custom illustration to the exterior of the bag. Commission or DIY a piece that showcases your ceremony setting.

A colour scheme

Keep your wedding colour palette going by opting for meaningful items packaged in similar colours for a cohesive look.

A local guide

Help your guests get to know the area by including a destination guide or a map of the local area. You can even create your own guide, including your favourite hotspots.

Local discounts

Your guests will likely want to explore the area, so why not provide them with some local discounts they can take advantage of during their stay?

A pet-inspired treat

If you have a furry friend, include them in the festivities by packing treats or cookies featuring your four-legged companion.

Remember, it's the thoughtful and personalised details that your guests will remember and appreciate the most.

Destination guides

A thoughtful addition to your wedding welcome bags is a destination guide, especially if you're having a destination wedding or many of your guests are from out of town. This will help your guests get to know the area and find things to do between wedding events.

You can include a small guide to the area with maps, restaurant recommendations, or must-see attractions. You could also provide a list of local emergency numbers and the names and numbers of key contacts for any questions.

If you're feeling creative, you can even design your own guide with your favourite local hotspots, or include a custom illustration of your ceremony setting on the outside of the bag.

For a wedding in Stowe, Vermont, the couple provided bags full of local snacks like popcorn, apples, and maple syrup. A pink ribbon, matching the wedding's colour scheme, was the perfect finishing touch. Similarly, for a wedding in Maryland, guests received chic baskets full of local favourites, including chips, jam, and cookies with an illustration of the couple's dog.

If you're tying the knot in a locale known for a specific food item or flavour, make that the central theme of your welcome bag. For example, Old Bay-flavoured snacks for a wedding in Maryland or Ghirardelli Chocolate for nuptials in San Francisco.

For a destination wedding in France, the couple treated guests to bottles of rosé, fresh baguettes, and jam. You can include a selection of snacks and drinks that nod to your wedding location, such as local wine and snacks for a celebration in the Hamptons or Mardi Gras beads and Zapp's potato chips for a New Orleans-themed wedding.

If you're having a beach wedding, provide a small tube of sunscreen, a fan, and sunglasses, as well as a rope bag to carry items down to the water. For a mountain wedding, provide pashminas or flannel blankets, and for a winter wedding, include cozy socks and hand warmers.

You can also get guests locale-specific discounts. For example, discounted cups of coffee from a local coffee house, as one couple did for their wedding in California.

Hangover kits

A hangover kit is a great addition to a wedding welcome bag, especially if your wedding has an open bar or signature cocktails. Here are some ideas for creating affordable hangover kits for your wedding guests:

Buy in Bulk

To save money, consider buying items in bulk. This way, you can easily assemble the kits for all your guests. Websites like Amazon offer bulk discounts on many items, and you can also look for wholesale markets or big-box stores.

Choose Practical Items

When creating hangover kits, focus on practical items that will help your guests feel better after a night of celebration. Here are some ideas for affordable items to include:

• Pain relievers like Advil or Goody's Hangover Powders
• Stomach soothers like Pepto Bismol chewables or tablets
• Emergen-C or Vitamin C packets to boost immunity
• Water bottles with fun, customizable labels
• Lip balm, such as Burt's Bees
• Earplugs to ensure a good night's sleep
• Hand sanitiser packets
• Breath mints or strips
• Healthy snacks like granola bars

Add Personal Touches

While the focus is on practical items, you can also include some fun, personalised touches that align with your wedding theme. For example, you could include:

• A small, cheeky tote bag with a design or phrase like "In Sickness and In Health"
• Sunglasses in basic black or white, so guests can face the day without squinting
• A Starbucks gift card to help them get their caffeine fix
• A small, personalised hangover kit bag, such as a drawstring pouch or a cotton muslin bag with a fun phrase like "I Regret Nothing"

Delivery

To ensure your guests have their hangover kits when they need them, the best way to distribute them is to deliver them to guests' hotel rooms as part of a wedding welcome bag before they arrive. That way, they'll have everything they need to prepare for the night and to recover the next day.

Frequently asked questions