George Boyle
Wedding welcome bags are a great way to thank guests for joining your celebration and can be especially useful for out-of-town visitors. They can include treats, practical items, and local specialties. Welcome bags can be as simple or creative as desired, and can be tailored to the wedding location and couple's personality. While welcome bags are not required, they are a thoughtful gesture to greet guests and make them feel appreciated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drinks | Water, champagne, wine, juice, iced tea, local alcohol, coconut water, gin & tonic |
| Snacks | Cookies, popcorn, crisps, sweets, granola bars, chocolate, pretzels, fruit, local treats, shortbread, muffins |
| Extras | Sunscreen, lip balm, sewing kits, bandages, pain relievers, bath salts, face masks, essential oils, souvenirs, playing cards, candles, coasters, bottle openers, tissues |
| Information | Itinerary, maps, guide to the area, list of contacts, emergency numbers, dress code, parking info, wedding hashtag, social media details |
| Personalisation | Tote bags, gift bags, name tags, handwritten notes, custom labels, stickers |
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What You'll Learn
Food and drink
Wedding bags are a great way to introduce your guests to the area and its local flavours. They're also a thoughtful way to say "we're delighted you're here" to your guests, especially if they've travelled a long way. Food and drink are a great way to fill up the bags and make them feel luxurious.
Firstly, you could include some locally-made snacks and treats. If there's a particular food item or flavour that the locale is known for, you could make that the central theme of your bag. For example, if you're tying the knot in Vermont, you could include Cabot cheddar and crackers, or if you're in San Francisco, Ghirardelli Chocolate. If your wedding is abroad, you could include treats from local businesses, such as cookies, chocolate, or popcorn.
Drinks are also a great addition to a wedding bag. You could include miniature bottles of local alcohol, cans of locally brewed craft beer, or coconut water for a tropical destination wedding. Bottled water is also a good idea, especially if you're able to add a custom label that ties into your wedding theme or the local scene.
If you're feeling creative, you could even include some homemade snacks. For example, you could bake and package a batch of snack bars, or include muffins from a local bakery.
It's also a good idea to cater to guests with dietary restrictions. You could include some diet-friendly, low-calorie snacks, such as apple slices with peanut butter or carrots and ranch dip.
Finally, you could include some hangover cures, such as recovery drinks or painkillers, for the morning after the wedding.
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Location-themed items
Wedding welcome bags are a great way to introduce your guests to your chosen location and thank them for being part of your festivities. Here are some location-themed item ideas to include in your wedding welcome bags:
Local treats and snacks
A great way to introduce your guests to the local culture is by including local treats and snacks in your welcome bags. For example, if you're getting married in Vermont, you could include local snacks like popcorn, apples, and maple syrup. If you're getting married in a tropical location, you could include coconut water. Other ideas include local wine, beer, or spirits, as well as locally made snacks, pantry goodies, and treats.
Destination-specific essentials
Include items that your guests might need during their time at your wedding location. For example, sunscreen at a beach wedding, pashminas in the mountains, or hand fans for a tropical soirée. If your wedding has a specific theme, you can also include items that align with that theme, such as ingredients for a gin and tonic for an England-themed wedding or Mardi Gras beads for a New Orleans-themed wedding.
Local guides and maps
Provide your guests with a small guide to the area, including maps, restaurant recommendations, and must-see attractions. You can also include local emergency numbers and the names and contact information of people to reach out to for any questions. This will help your guests make the most of their time, especially if they have some downtime during the wedding weekend.
Location-themed souvenirs
Small souvenirs that reflect the wedding location can also be included in the welcome bags. For example, wine stoppers, playing cards, luggage tags, or candles with designs or themes that reflect the local culture or aesthetics. If you're getting married in a tropical location, you could design a monogram with a palm tree or another location-specific item.
Local experiences
If you're an expert on the local area, you could include some personalized recommendations in your welcome bags, such as your favourite restaurants, must-see attractions, or unique experiences that your guests might not find in a guidebook. This adds a unique and thoughtful touch to your welcome bags and helps your guests feel more connected to your chosen wedding location.
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Practical essentials
You can also include items that are specific to your wedding location or theme. For example, if you're getting married in a hot climate, consider including fans, sunscreen, or bug spray. If you're having a beach wedding, include pashminas, and if you're in the mountains, provide sun hats. For a destination wedding in Mexico, include a handheld fan, sunblock, or a jar of local salsa. A New York City wedding could include subway cards or a bagel, and a wedding in Napa could feature a couple of bottles of local wine.
Other practical essentials include a small guide to the local area with maps, restaurant recommendations, and must-see attractions. You can also include a list of local emergency numbers and the names and numbers of key contacts for any questions.
Don't forget to include practical food and drink items, such as water bottles with custom labels, snacks, and even something fun like miniature bottles of local alcohol or cans of locally brewed craft beer.
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Personalised touches
Wedding welcome bags are a great way to introduce your guests to your chosen wedding destination and thank them for being part of your celebration. Here are some ideas for adding a personalised touch to your wedding welcome bags:
Local treats
A great way to personalise your wedding welcome bags is to include local treats and delicacies. This could be locally-made snacks, pantry goodies, and other edible wedding favours that showcase the unique offerings of your wedding destination. For example, if you're getting married in Vermont, you could include maple syrup, or if you're in Scotland, some shortbread biscuits. Not only will this delight your guests' taste buds, but it will also give them a taste of the local culture.
Destination-specific essentials
In addition to treats, consider including items that your guests may need during their time at your wedding destination. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, include sunscreen and pashminas, or if you're in a mountainous region, provide cosy scarves or blankets. You can also add interactive stickers to denote your favourite local snacks or include a small guide to the area with maps, restaurant recommendations, and must-see attractions. This will ensure your guests are prepared and have all the essential information they need to navigate the local area.
Personalised water bottles
Customised water bottles with labels highlighting your names, the wedding date, and location are a unique touch. You can also add a custom label to a bottle of wine or champagne for a fun and festive twist. This allows you to incorporate your personal style and theme while also providing a practical item for your guests.
Handwritten notes
A simple, handwritten note expressing your appreciation and gratitude for your guests' presence is a heartfelt addition to your welcome bags. It adds a personal touch and makes each guest feel extra special. Include a meaningful message, your wedding hashtag, and any other social callouts you'd like to make. If time permits, consider writing a personalised note for each guest, perhaps with a specific anecdote or memory.
Practical souvenirs
Small, practical souvenirs can also add a personalised touch to your welcome bags. Think about including items that are useful and themed to your wedding destination, such as wine stoppers, playing cards, luggage tags, candles, or even a keychain or mug featuring the city you're getting married in. These items will not only be appreciated by your guests during their stay but will also serve as memorable keepsakes long after the wedding.
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Gifts and souvenirs
Wedding welcome bags are a great way to introduce your guests to the area and show your excitement for their attendance. They are also a wonderful opportunity to gift your guests with souvenirs and mementos of your special day.
Firstly, the bag itself can be a souvenir. You could use a tote bag, printed with your wedding date and location, or a monogram of your names. These can be reused by your guests and will serve as a reminder of your wedding. If you have the budget, you could also provide a basket, which can be filled with goodies and is a nice option for guests to use in their homes.
Secondly, you can include small souvenirs and gifts that reflect your wedding location. This could be a postcard, a magnet, a sticker, or a local speciality food or drink item. For example, if you're getting married in New Orleans, you could include some beads and a king cake. You could also include items that reflect your relationship, such as your favourite tea or a jar of your homemade jam.
Thirdly, you can add practical items that will be useful for your guests during their stay. This could include a local map, a guide to local attractions, and a schedule of the wedding events. You could also include a small pampering item, such as luxe bath products, lip balm, or a mini hand lotion. For a beach wedding, a beach towel is a great idea.
Finally, you can add a personal touch with a handwritten thank-you note, expressing your gratitude for your guests' attendance. This will be a cherished keepsake for your guests.
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Frequently asked questions
Some essential items to include in a wedding welcome bag are snacks, water bottles, a local map, and a welcome note. You can also add a simple wedding weekend itinerary, a list of contacts, and local emergency numbers.
If your budget allows, you can add personalised tote bags with the couple's names, wedding date, or location. You can also include fun, interactive stickers to denote the couple's favourite snack. For a destination wedding, you could add a handheld fan, sunblock, or a jar of local salsa.
Some practical items to include are sunscreen, lip balm, a lint roller, wrinkle release spray, stain remover wipes, a sewing kit, and pain relievers. You could also add small souvenirs like wine stoppers, playing cards, luggage tags, or candles.
You can include sweet or savoury snacks such as cookies, popcorn, crisps, or candy. For drinks, you can add water bottles with custom labels, champagne, miniature bottles of local alcohol, or cans of locally brewed craft beer.
