Lyla Dejesus
Wedding welcome bags are a great way to greet your guests and show them you're excited they're celebrating with you. They are often used to introduce your loved ones to the area, especially if it's a destination wedding, and to ensure they're prepared for the party ahead. Welcome bags can be filled with a variety of items, from small gifts and treats to essential information about the wedding and local area. They can also be used to share some of your passions with your guests, like including local food and drink options or a few specialty teas if you're a tea lover. The bags themselves can also be personalised, with couples printing their own canvas tote bags or sourcing simple carrier bags with gift tags.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To thank guests, especially those from out of town, for attending the wedding |
| Container | Pretty bag, box, basket, or tote |
| Information | Itinerary, local area guide, list of important phone numbers, thank-you card or note |
| Gifts | Alcohol, snacks, painkillers, sewing kits, bandages, lip balm, mints, bottle openers, local treats, sunglasses, hand sanitiser, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Food and drink
When it comes to drinks, you could include a few local microbrew options, or a cold brew or energy drink to help guests stay awake after a long journey. You could also add a bottle of water, perhaps with a custom label as a cute touch. If you're feeling creative, you could even include a few specialty teas and cute mugs for your guests to enjoy during their downtime.
For snacks, a mix of sweet and savoury options is always a good idea. Local treats, such as cookies, popcorn, chocolate, or a stick of rock, will give your guests a taste of the local culture. Fresh fruit is also a great, healthy option that will give your guests an energy boost. If you want to get really creative, you could even bake and package your own snack bars.
Don't forget to include a note with your favourite treats and some suggestions on things to do in the area. This will add a meaningful, personal touch to your welcome bags.
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Local treats
Food and Drink
Share your passions with your guests by including some local food and drink options. If you love a good microbrew, add a few local beers or ciders, along with a bottle opener. You could also treat your guests to some local spirits or wines, especially if they reflect your heritage or the wedding destination. For example, you could offer mini bottles of limoncello for a Mediterranean-themed wedding or bottles of olive oil for a Greek wedding.
For a more low-key option, fill your bags with fresh, local fruit that your guests can enjoy throughout the weekend. This is a great option if you're getting married in a rural area or somewhere known for its produce. You could also include specialty teas and cute mugs, especially if you're hosting a small wedding or celebrating in England.
Snacks
Locally made snacks are a fun and delicious way to introduce your guests to the region's flavours. Think beyond the standard chocolate bars and offer treats unique to the area, such as Garrett's Popcorn Shop for a wedding in Chicago, or Cabot cheddar and crackers for a wedding in Vermont. You could even include custom cookies featuring your furry friend if you're incorporating them into the festivities!
Discounts
While not a physical treat, securing local discounts for your guests to use during their stay is an incredibly thoughtful option. For example, guests at a wedding in California were able to purchase discounted coffee from a local coffee house, thanks to the couple's thoughtful planning.
Remember, when it comes to local treats, the key is to showcase the region's unique offerings and give your guests a taste of what makes the area (and your wedding) so special.
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Practical items
If you're getting married outdoors, you could include sunscreen or sunglasses. You could also add painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol, and hangover cures such as electrolyte packages or Liquid IV. For weddings in colder climates, blankets could be a thoughtful addition. Other practical items include sewing kits, bandages, mints, and tissues.
If you're providing welcome bags for guests staying in hotels, you could include a guide to the local area, with recommendations for places to eat, things to do, and important phone numbers. You could also secure some local discounts for your guests to use during their stay.
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Personal touches
Wedding welcome bags are a great way to thank your guests and make them feel special. They can also be used to introduce your guests to the local area, especially if it's a destination wedding. Here are some ideas for adding personal touches to your wedding welcome bags:
Personalised Items
Add a personal touch with items that have been personalised with your names, wedding date, or a special message. This could include items such as:
- Customised wine or water bottle labels
- Personalised thank-you notes or cards
- Name tags
- Goodie bags or boxes with your wedding logo or date printed on them
Local Treats
Share the flavours of your wedding destination with your guests by including local treats and snacks. This could be anything from local chocolates, snacks, and drinks to fresh produce like fruit or jam. For example, if you're getting married in Chicago, you could include Garrett's Popcorn, or locally-grown oranges for a wedding in Florida.
Share Your Passions
Your wedding welcome bags are a great opportunity to share some of your passions and interests with your guests. If you love microbrews, include a few local options along with a bottle opener. If you're tea enthusiasts, gift your guests specialty teas and cute mugs.
Practical and Useful Items
Think of items that your guests can use during their stay and that will enhance their comfort and enjoyment. This could include items such as:
- Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip balm
- Pain relievers: ibuprofen, paracetamol, or aspirin
- Sewing kits, bandages, and other small first-aid items
- Local guides, maps, and recommendations for things to do and see
- Itinerary of wedding events and important phone numbers
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Information
Wedding welcome bags are a great way to thank your guests, especially those who have travelled, for being part of your celebration. They can also help introduce guests to the local area and ensure they are prepared for the wedding. Here is some information on what to include in your wedding welcome bags:
Food and Drink
A selection of snacks and drinks is a great addition to a welcome bag. You could include food and drink that are local to the wedding destination, such as Garrett's Popcorn Shop in Chicago, Ghirardelli Chocolate in San Francisco, or fresh baguettes and jam in France. You could also add local treats like Tayto in Ireland, shortbread biscuits in Scotland, or a stick of rock for a seaside wedding. If you are getting married in Mexico, you could include tequila, or Titos Vodka for a wedding in Austin, Texas. It is also a good idea to include some water, perhaps with a custom label.
Practical Items
There are lots of practical items you can include in your welcome bags. These could include pain relievers like Advil or Tylenol, sewing kits, bandages, mints, tissues, and hand sanitiser. If your wedding is outdoors, you could include sun protection like sunscreen, sunglasses, and after-sun. If your wedding is in a cold climate, you might want to include blankets.
It is a good idea to include some information about the wedding and the local area in your welcome bags. This could include a welcome letter or brochure, a visitor guide book, a map of the area, and a weekend itinerary. You could also include a list of important phone numbers, such as the numbers for the maid of honour or best man, hotels, and taxis.
Personal Touches
You might want to include some more personal touches in your welcome bags. This could be a handwritten thank-you note, or a small gift that is significant to you as a couple. You could also include a small gift for guests to use during the wedding, such as a hangover kit with electrolyte packages, or a door hanger.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding welcome bags are a great way to thank your guests, especially those who have travelled a long way, and make them feel special. They are also a good way to introduce your guests to the local area.
You can use a tote bag, a cardboard box, a basket or a simple gift bag. You can also upgrade the bag to something reusable like a linen tote or a chic box.
You can include a mix of essentials, treats and local items. Essentials include things like water, painkillers and sewing kits. Treats can be anything from chocolate to a small bottle of alcohol. Local items might include local snacks, drinks or a guidebook.
Include a handwritten note or thank-you card. You can also add name tags and customise the bag with a wedding theme or your names and the wedding date.
You can ask the hotel to put the bags in your guests' rooms before they arrive or give them out at check-in.
