Whether you’re planning a destination or hometown wedding, welcoming your guests with some tasty treats, drinks, and miscellaneous pizzazz will help kick off the wedding festivities with a bang! As guests check into their rooms, they’ll appreciate a few well-chosen items to help make their hotel stay more comfortable. We know no one likes to pay for expensive hotel bottled water, and who could resist a late-night salty snack post-partying? Below we’ve broken down the welcome bag essentials to make your planning a little more simple.
Tote Bags or Gift Bags
Totes in bulk sale will save you time, money and adds spunk! Totes are easily transportable and can be happily reused by your guests! This accessory is extremely versatile for grocery shopping or beach bag, and of course, it’s cute too!
Local Flavor
Consider incorporating a mixture of local favorites from the area where your wedding is taking place – or from your hometown. This allows your guests to experience some of the local flavor, or just sample some of your favorite items. For Arizona, we suggest a local favorite Super Chunk—for some fun sweets and treats to make the weekend that much sweeter! If including something sweet, we also recommend adding a little something salty or savory for balance.
Quench the Thirst
From the open bar at reception to letting loose on the dance floor, your guests will be in desperate need of hydration when they get back to their hotel rooms. Include water bottles in your welcome bag to keep guests hydrated (especially if your wedding is in the dry desert of Arizona!) Want to help your guests relax? We love to see mini bottles of wine or locally brewed beer, giving guests that first taste of vacation.
Something that Speaks to You
An item that really represents you and your fiance helps personalize the welcome bag. Maybe incorporate a stack of cards with your initials for some downtime if you and your sweetie love to play cards together. Do you love to hike? Put together a guide of the best hiking trails in the area for your guests to enjoy. Big on the restaurant and bar scene? Slip in a magazine with the hot spots in the area.
Itinerary
With a Friday evening rehearsal dinner, early evening Saturday Wedding, and morning-after Sunday Brunch, let your guests in on the loop for your weekend itinerary. Don’t forget to add the transportation information, wedding address and any traditional festivities you’re including in between!
A Thank You
A final touch to create your warm welcome… a sincere thank you note! Don’t forget to include a thoughtful letter to welcome your friends and family who have traveled near and far to celebrate your special day!
Creating a welcome bag will not only be a happy greeting to your guests, but will show just how much you care about their time spent celebrating your wedding weekend!