Wedding Welcome Bags

A wedding is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate the bride and groom. Sometimes the wedding occurs right in your "backyard" and other times travelling is required. Whether it is a few out-of-town guests, or you are having a destination wedding, the celebration should begin as soon as the guests check-in to their hotel. A great way to show your appreciation and help them start the fun, welcome bags are a personal care-package from the bride and groom. Here are some tips for making the perfect welcome bag:

1. Keep in mind that the welcome bag (or container) can be something that guests will want to re-use over the length of the wedding festivities, or longer. If it is not re-usable, don't worry! The bag is nice, but what is inside is a real treat.

2. Don't be afraid to personalize! Have a thank-you note written on a canvas bag, or a sticker with the bride and groom's initials to seal the welcome packages. Color, design and material choices add the personal touch that represent the bride and the groom and their wedding. If you are in Paris or a midnight in Paris theme, incorporate a picture of the Eiffel Tower, or tags with "Bonjour" on each bag. Little touches are what make the guests feel the thought you put into their bag.

3. Always put a bottle of water, or two, in your welcome bag. We know how expensive buying water at a hotel can be! You can personalize the bottles with stickers as well, adding your wedding colors into the bag. Don't be afraid to venture outside water. In Seattle? Add a can of Starbucks coffee to the bag.

4. Snacks and treats are a must-have on any trip! You can give the tourists a taste of the area with snacks representative of the local flavor. A mixture of sweet and savory can never go wrong. If you are in my city, New York, give guests a black & white cookie, bagel crisps, a bag of nuts and an apple; A perfect welcome to the Empire State. If you want to add something other than snacks, a MetroCard and a map encourages guests to explore the city on their own.

5. Last, but not least, a schedule of events is a great way to ensure your guests are on time. A kindly reminder, especially if the wedding is not near the hotel, is always helpful.

You can have the bags waiting for the guests in their guest room or they can be given to guests by your coordinator at your very own welcome desk. Be sure to discuss how each guests will receive their welcome gift in advance. Your guests will be surprised and ready to celebrate!