Your Guide to Creating the Perfect Wedding Welcome Bag for Your Guests
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Weddings are truly about the “coming together” of our families and friends.
As my good friend and podcast co-host Daniel Moyer says, “A wedding is one of the few times in our lives that everyone we know comes together for a happy reason.”
As a couple, one of the most thoughtful gestures you can make for your guests is to prepare wedding welcome bags. These little goodie bags not only express your gratitude for their presence but also set the tone for an unforgettable and smooth wedding experience.
Whether you're hosting your event in a bustling city, like Philadelphia, or a charming countryside, like the rolling hills of Bucks County, I've compiled a comprehensive list of items to include in your wedding welcome bags that will delight and pamper your guests.
What to Include In Your Wedding Welcome Bags
Personalized Welcome Note & Itinerary
Start the wedding festivities on a heartfelt note by including a welcome note and itinerary in each bag. Express your gratitude, share your excitement, and add your own personality.
Here’s what I recommend including:
Welcome Message: Welcome your guests with a short and heartfelt message.
Important Times and Locations: Note any important details that might be helpful — even if this information is already on your wedding website.
Transportation Details: If you’re providing a shuttle, note pick-up times and locations and when it will be returning at the end of your event. If you’re opting to go with a an Uber Event code, be sure to share that as well.
City Guide: Help your guests navigate the area and explore its attractions by including a map or city guide. Highlight points of interest, popular tourist spots, and some of your favorite restaurants to enhance their stay and make their trip even more enjoyable.
Emergency Contact Person: Be sure to list a contact person and phone number (that isn’t you) so guests know who to reach out to with questions.
Looking for inspiration? Etsy has some great templates to get you started.
Local Treats and Favorite Snacks
Infuse the essence of your wedding destination into the welcome bags with some local treats and snacks. Chips, candy, mints, bars — anything that’s individually wrapped.
For a Philly-centric wedding, consider adding soft pretzels, Tastykakes, or Philly cheesesteak-flavored potato chips.
Or, show more of who you are by picking some of your favorite snacks.
Either way, including a variety offers something for everyone and makes for a great “midnight snack”.
Refreshments
Keep your guests refreshed and energized with some thirst-quenching beverages. Bottled waters and Liquid IV packs will be much appreciated and help curb any future hangovers.
Hangover Aids
Speaking of hangovers, including a few individually-packaged Ibuprofen, Alka Seltzer Hangover relief tabs, or puffy eye patches will keep your guests looking fresh and feeling ready for the next event.
Personalized Souvenirs
In my opinion, this is the least “necessary” of them all, but you can add a sentimental touch to the welcome bags by including personalized souvenirs. Customized keychains, magnets, koozies, or keepsake trinkets can be a fun way to remember the celebration.
This is often done in lieu of favors at the wedding reception, but mainly works best when ALL guests are receiving the welcome bag, not just the out-of-town guests staying at the hotel.
How To Package Your Wedding Welcome Bags
Gift Bags
Gift bags are a classic and convenient option for packaging wedding welcome bags. They come in various sizes, colors, and designs, making it easy to find the perfect one that complements your wedding theme or colors.
Here's how to make the most of gift bags:
Personalization: Consider customizing the gift bags with your names, wedding date, or a special message to add a personal touch.
Tissue Paper: Line the inside of the gift bags with colored tissue paper that matches your wedding color palette. This adds an extra layer of elegance and makes the presentation more appealing.
Ribbon or Bow: Tie a beautiful ribbon or bow around the handles of the gift bags to secure the contents and give them a polished look. Choose a ribbon color that complements the overall design of your wedding.
Thank-You Tag: Attach a small thank-you tag to the ribbon or handle of the gift bag. It's a thoughtful way to express gratitude once again and adds a finishing touch to the packaging.
Custom Gift Bags by WelcomeBagsShop on Etsy
Totes
Totes are a popular choice for wedding welcome bags as they are not only practical but can also be reused by guests after the celebration.
Here's how to package wedding welcome totes:
Custom Design: Create a unique design for the totes that represents your wedding theme or showcases a Philly-centric motif. Add your names, wedding date, or a special quote to make them memorable and reusable keepsakes.
Sturdy Material: Opt for durable and high-quality totes that can hold all the welcome bag items without tearing or sagging.
Fillers: To keep the totes in shape and enhance the presentation, add some filler material at the bottom before placing the welcome bag items. Crumpled tissue paper or shredded paper are good options.
Layering: Arrange the items in the tote bag thoughtfully. Larger items should go in first, with smaller items on top. This ensures a neat and organized look.
Wedding Itinerary: For totes, consider printing the wedding weekend itinerary on a small card or tag and attach it to one of the tote's handles. This way, guests can easily access the schedule of events.
Local Flavor: Emphasize the Philly-centric theme by incorporating the iconic Philadelphia landmarks or symbols in the tote bag design.
Custom Tote Bags for Wedding Welcome Bags from HELLOEVNT on Etsy
Presentation
When it comes to presenting the wedding welcome bags, you are often limited to what the hotel/resort can do for you.
In many cases:
Bags are placed behind the welcome desk and distributed as guests check-in.
Each bag needs to be identical as they will be distributed without noting names on the bags.
Hotels may charge a fee to distribute these bags or will sometimes offer an upgrade to place them in the guests room prior to check-in.
Wedding welcome bags are an extension of your love and appreciation for your guests, setting the stage for a memorable and delightful celebration. By curating a thoughtful selection of items that reflect your wedding destination and personal style, you'll leave a lasting impression on your guests and make them feel cherished throughout the entire wedding weekend. So, go ahead and create the perfect welcome bags that will enhance your guests' experience and make your wedding celebration truly unforgettable.
