Welcome, Welcome!

When your out of town wedding guests arrive at their hotel room, tired and weary after their journey, nothing is more comforting than a thoughtful wedding welcome bag from the couple they traveled so far to see. A great welcome bag is a sweet way to say “thank you” to your guests before the festivities even begin.

Although the cost of wedding welcome bags could get out of hand for a large guest list, there are many ways to create bags that you can afford.

So, what goes into a perfect bag for your out of town guests? Here are some wedding welcome bag ideas:

1. Something Local - Your guest might find a map handy for entertainment as well as a list of you and your special someone's favorite things to do and places to visit and eat. It may also be nice to include a local delicacy such as a little snack.


2. Survival Supplies - Consider the climate when you pack your welcome kit. If you’re in a hot spot, make sure to include sunscreen. If it’s chilly or dry, lip balm and hand lotion are nice. No matter what the environment, your guests can always use hand sanitizer, mouthwash, and other mini-toiletries that everyone forgets when they travel.

3. “Recovery” Supplies - You don’t have to come right out and call it a “hangover kit”, but your guests came to party, right? It’s nice to give them a little something to nurse themselves back to life after your reception. While we’re on the subject of recovery, bottled water is an excellent addition to an out of town guest bag. Nobody wants to drink the tap water in an unfamiliar town, and hotel bottled water costs a fortune, so a freebie will be appreciated. Plus, you can beautify the plainest water bottle by replacing the labels with your own “brand”.

4. Reusability - A welcome bag that can be reused is the best kind. It’s not only handy, it’s a nice reminder of the fun of your wedding weekend. Your best bets are beach bags or reusable shopping bags, which both fold down nice and small for the return trip!