The Art Of Welcoming: Crafting The Perfect Wedding Welcome Bag

Wedding welcome bags are a great way to greet your guests and show them how excited you are to celebrate your special day with them. They are particularly popular for destination weddings but are also common for local celebrations. Welcome bags are usually filled with treats, snacks, drinks, and practical items, as well as information about the wedding and the local area. They can be delivered to guests' hotel rooms or handed out at check-in.

Snacks and drinks

Snacks:

• Cookies: Chocolate chip, M&M, peanut butter, or any other variety are always a crowd-pleaser.
• Gourmet popcorn: Choose from a variety of flavors or stick with traditional buttered popcorn.
• Pretzels: Classic or chocolate-covered, pretzels are a perfect snack for wedding welcome bags. You can also offer low-sodium pretzels for guests watching their diets.
• Chocolate bars: A sweet treat like a dark chocolate bar is a great option to satisfy your guests' sweet tooth.
• Potato chips: Salty and crispy potato chips are a favorite for many. Include a variety of flavors or stick to the classic option.
• Local treats: Include snacks and treats that are specific to your wedding location, such as cookies, popcorn, or local chips.
• Personal favorites: Share some of your favorite snacks with your guests, whether it's a particular brand of chocolate or candy, or something homemade like cookies or jams.
• Healthy options: Consider including some healthy snacks like protein bars, dried fruit, or fresh fruit.
• Savory bites: In addition to sweet treats, offer some savory options like beef jerky or nuts.

Drinks:

• Mini alcohol bottles: Include wine, champagne, or liquor with custom labels featuring your names and wedding date.
• Water: Mini or regular-sized water bottles are essential to keep your guests hydrated, especially if it's an outdoor wedding.
• Local beverages: Include drinks that are specific to your wedding location, such as local beer or juice.
• Electrolyte drinks: Provide hydration packets or sports drinks to help your guests stay hydrated, especially if it's a beach or outdoor wedding.

Remember to count for any food allergies your guests may have and try to offer a variety of options to cater to different tastes and dietary restrictions.

A welcome note

Start your welcome note with a warm and friendly greeting. You can use a tagline or a creative opening line to build anticipation and excitement. Here are some examples:

• "Welcome to our wedding!"
• "We're getting hitched!"
• "Love, laughter, and happily ever after!"
• "Welcome to our special day!"
• "Thank you for being a part of our journey."

Expression of Gratitude

Express your gratitude and appreciation for your guests' presence and support. Thank them for travelling from near and far to celebrate with you. For example:

• "We are thrilled and honoured to have you here."
• "Thank you for being our support system and sharing our joy."
• "Your presence means the world to us, and we are forever grateful."
• "We are so touched that you could join us on this momentous occasion."

A Personal Touch

Add a personal touch by sharing a brief glimpse into your love story or how you feel about starting this new chapter together. This will make your guests feel more connected to you as a couple. For instance:

• "We can't wait to celebrate our love and union with all of our favourite people."
• "Today, we take the next step in our journey together, and we are overjoyed to have you by our side."
• "As we begin this new chapter, we are filled with excitement and gratitude, and we couldn't have done it without your love and support."

Practical Information

Provide practical information and details about the wedding weekend. This can include the schedule of events, transportation arrangements, accommodation options, and any other relevant logistics. For example:

• "We have included a schedule of events for the weekend, so you know exactly where to be and when."
• "You can find directions to the venue and local accommodation options on our wedding website."
• "Shuttle services will be provided for guests, and we have also included a list of local taxi companies for your convenience."
• "Don't forget to RSVP and let us know about any dietary preferences or special requests."

Closing Remarks

Conclude your welcome note with a heartfelt sign-off, expressing your excitement and gratitude once again. Here are some ideas:

• "We are so excited to celebrate with you, and we hope you enjoy the festivities."
• "Thank you for being a part of our special day. We are forever grateful."
• "With love and appreciation, we look forward to creating unforgettable memories with you."
• "Cheers to love, laughter, and our happily ever after!"

Itinerary and travel guide

Welcome to our wedding! We're so glad you could make it and we hope you're as excited as we are about the celebrations ahead.

To help you navigate the weekend, we've put together a detailed itinerary and travel guide. This will ensure you don't miss a moment of the fun and know where to be and when.

Friday

• 6 pm: Welcome drinks at [location]
• 7 pm: Dinner is served
• 8:30 pm: Evening entertainment begins

Saturday

• 11 am: Brunch at [location]
• 2 pm: Wedding ceremony at [location]
• 3 pm: Drinks reception at [location]
• 5 pm: Wedding breakfast at [location]
• 7 pm: Evening guests arrive
• 7:30 pm: First dance
• 8 pm: Dinner is served
• 10 pm: Cake cutting
• 11 pm: Evening entertainment begins

Sunday

11 am: Brunch and farewells at [location]

In addition to the above, we've included a map of the local area and some of our favourite spots.

• For breakfast, try [restaurant name] for delicious pastries and coffee.
• If you're looking for a light lunch, we recommend [restaurant name]—their salads are amazing!
• For a heartier meal, head to [restaurant name] for some of the best burgers in town.
• In need of a post-wedding pick-me-up? [Coffee shop name] is a great spot for a caffeine fix.
• Fancy a drink? [Bar name] has a fantastic selection of cocktails and a lovely atmosphere.
• Want to explore? Check out the nearby [local attraction] or take a stroll through [park name].

We hope you enjoy your time here and make some wonderful memories.

[Bride and groom's names]

Weather essentials

Warm Weather Essentials:

• Sunscreen: Include a small tube or bottle of sunscreen in your welcome bags, especially if your wedding is taking place outdoors or in a warm climate. This will help your guests protect their skin from the sun's harmful rays.
• Aloe Vera: For guests who may forget to apply sunscreen, include a small bottle of aloe vera gel or spray to soothe any sunburns.
• Fans: Handheld fans can be a lifesaver for guests during a warm-weather wedding, especially if the ceremony or reception is outdoors. Look for pretty paper or bamboo fans that match your wedding colour palette.
• Sunglasses: Provide a pair of stylish sunglasses for each guest to shield their eyes from the bright sun. You can find affordable options that won't break your budget.
• Insect Repellent: If your wedding is taking place near a body of water or in an area with a lot of insects, include a small bottle of insect repellent to keep your guests bite-free.

Cold Weather Essentials:

• Hand Warmers: For a winter wedding, include a pair of hand warmers in your welcome bags to keep your guests' hands toasty warm during outdoor ceremonies or activities.
• Umbrellas: If there's a chance of rain, provide a small, compact umbrella for each guest to stay dry. You can find mini umbrellas that are easy to carry and won't take up too much space in the welcome bag.
• Wraps or Pashminas: Include a lightweight wrap or pashmina for each guest to keep them warm during the ceremony or reception. Choose a colour that complements your wedding colour scheme.
• Cozy Socks: A pair of cozy, fuzzy socks will be a welcome addition to your guests' welcome bags, especially if your wedding is taking place in a cold climate. They can be a fun way to add a pop of colour or pattern to your welcome bag.

Remember to consider the season and the location of your wedding when choosing weather essentials for your welcome bags. You want to ensure your guests are comfortable and prepared for the elements.

Local treats

Local Delicacies

If your wedding destination is known for a specific food or delicacy, include it in your welcome bags! For example, if you're getting married in San Francisco, consider adding some Ghirardelli Chocolate squares to your bags. Or, if you're tying the knot in Chicago, you could include a bag of popcorn from Garrett's Popcorn Shop. Think about what foods or treats are unique to your wedding location and try to include something that will give your guests a taste of the local culture.

Local Alcoholic Beverages

Including local alcoholic beverages in your welcome bags is a great way to support local businesses and give your guests a taste of the area's craft beer, wine, or spirits. For example, you could add miniature bottles of local craft beer, cans of local cider, or small bottles of wine from a nearby vineyard. If you're not sure what to choose, a local liquor store should be able to point you in the direction of some popular local options.

Local Non-Alcoholic Beverages

If you'd prefer to include non-alcoholic beverages, you could add local soft drinks, juice, or even bottled water with a custom label featuring your wedding details. This is a great way to keep your guests hydrated, especially if they've been travelling, and it adds a personal touch to a practical item.

Local Sweet Treats

Everyone loves a sweet treat, so why not include some local options in your welcome bags? This could be anything from homemade caramel squares to fresh shortbread cookies from a popular local bakery. If your wedding is around the time of a holiday, you could even include some locally-made holiday treats.

Local Savoury Snacks

If you want to include some savoury snacks in your welcome bags, try to find options that are exclusive to the area. For example, if you're getting married in Ireland, you could include Tayto crisps, or if you're in Scotland, some shortbread biscuits. These snacks will give your guests an authentic taste of the local culture and might even become their new favourites!

Local Souvenirs

In addition to edible treats, you could also include some small local souvenirs in your welcome bags. This could be anything from a postcard or fridge magnet to a locally-made candle or soap. These items will give your guests a memento of your wedding and the area you chose to celebrate in.

Frequently asked questions