Weddings and welcome bags go together like, well, a happy couple – they’re a match made in heaven! Have you ever been to a destination wedding and stayed in a fancy hotel or resort? Then it’s likely you know what we’re talking about (and that you enjoyed breaking it open, too, to unpack the goodies inside).
Wedding welcome bags don’t have to be exclusive to far-flung ceremonies, however. Even if the wedding’s taking place in your hometown, you can still thrill your guests with a surprise or two upon their arrival. They do require a lot of extra work, but it’s okay to go overboard sometimes in the pursuit of something Zamazing!
Here’s a list of thank you products to include in your very own wedding bags and boxes, ranging from the funny to the functional.
What Is a Wedding Welcome Bag?
The idea of a wedding welcome bag or box is to provide guests (especially those who have traveled a long way) with something to look forward to at the venue. Each set can be tote-ally personalized with a few hand-packed items that make the recipient feel at home, such as cute accessories, luxurious toiletries, or delicious favors from the local area. The lead-up to a wedding is also a busy time, and you might not get the chance to greet everyone in person. A welcome bag in their hotel room or at the reception will remind them that you care, though, even if you’re still reeling from wedding prep!
What Do I Include in a Wedding Welcome Bag?
Now that you know more about the concept of the welcome bag, it’s time to think about what to include. Pick your favorites from this list of suggestions, or let us know which items we missed in the comments below!
Location, Location, Location
Wedding welcome bags are commonly associated with destination weddings, and they’re certainly popular options for when a couple is getting married across the country or overseas. Your guests will probably be unfamiliar with the area, but that gives you an opportunity to teach them about why it’s so romantic/mysterious/historic (delete as appropriate)! Local souvenirs, whether they be cute keychains, novelty magnets, or vintage travel postcards, can serve as fun mementos of both the wedding and the destination.
In Sickness and In Health
Hopefully you won’t have to bust open the first-aid kit at any point during the weekend! But given that weddings are large-scale events that bring together a lot of different people and activities, there’s the remote possibility of an injury (or at least a nasty headache)! How about including Band-Aids, safety pins, or VaselineⓇ for cracked heels? Then your guests can dance the night away knowing that some relief will be available in their hotel room.
Seas the Day
If your wedding takes place in a sun-kissed climate, then be prepared to have to round up your guests at the beachfront every morning. Still, you can help them to bask in the midday sun by gifting them some SPF, sunglasses, and a customized beach towel, which they can bring home as a keepsake. To further combat the heat and humidity, try including a pair of flip flops in their welcome bag, along with some bottled water. You could also research the weather before so that you know what kind of temperatures to expect at that time of year!
Love at First Bite
When your guests first arrive at the venue or hotel, it’s unlikely that they’ll be in the mood for romance; after a lengthy car journey or long-haul flight, they could be one hangry couple. Fill their empty bellies, then, with some local refreshments stashed away in their wedding welcome bag (or even some of their favorite snacks from home, if you have the time to organize it). We think packaged treats will fare better than perishable goods when you’re putting together each bundle, but it’s up to you!
What to Do, What to Do!
There can be a lot of downtime at destination weddings. To keep your guests content and occupied, then, why not help to devise their own itinerary (bearing your own wedding schedule in mind)? Offer brochures, maps, guide books, or lists of attractions, and you can even recap your own experiences so that attendees know what you love about the area, too. Just make sure they don’t miss the rehearsal dinner while they’re out exploring!
A Drop to Drink
Of course, now that your guests have raided their welcome bag for chips and candy favors, they might need something to wash those down. In summer, some iced tea or fruity cocktail mixes will keep temperatures down, but during the winter, a Christmassy hot chocolate or cocoa will prove cozy and comforting. You could even provide guests with a sample of the drinks you’ll be serving at the venue, or include coupons and drink vouchers for the hotel bar.
Avoid a Cold Reception
Up until now, we’ve mainly spoken about cool summer weddings, but warm winter weddings are becoming increasingly popular. Think of your guests in the hotel lounge, nestled comfortably by the fireside, and what you might like them to have: how about ponchos, umbrellas, blankets, socks, or gloves? Transportation can also be an issue in the pouring rain, so you could include timetables and taxi/limo service numbers to help guests get from A to B.
Most importantly, the purpose of a wedding welcome bag is to thank your guests for their attendance and to amp up excitement for the upcoming celebration. From the moment they arrive at the venue, there will be moments to fawn over, basically! For more advice about how to best treat your guests, take a look at our articles on “Wedding Program Examples & Ideas: Give Your Guests the Details!” and “How to Make Your Wedding Less Expensive for Your Guests!” Don’t worry, you’ve got this in the bag!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in April 2022, and he has updated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Eoin is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork. He’s recently bought a house with his fiancée, and thus most of his time these days is spent trying to keep the walls from caving in and the wolves from the door. Still, he’s always open to book, game, and movie recommendations, so if you have some, let him know: he’ll add them to a very, very long list.
