Image by Stefano Santucci

Weddings are a time of joy and celebration, and one of the most thoughtful gestures a couple can extend to their guests for spending time with them on their wedding day is a well-curated wedding welcome bag. These small packages serve as a token of appreciation and a warm invitation to share in the excitement of the big day. Think of them as the wedding guest gift idea that keeps on giving.

Creating the perfect welcome bag requires attention to detail, creativity, and a touch of personalization. If you’re looking at spoiling your guests but don’t know where to begin, don’t stress. We’re rounding up everything to know about wedding welcome bags–plus, we’re rounding up some ideas that you can use for your own!

Why Give Out Welcome Bags?

Wedding welcome bags serve multiple purposes. They not only greet guests upon arrival but also set the tone for the wedding festivities. A well-designed welcome bag reflects the couple’s personality, theme, and location of the wedding. It’s a way to express gratitude to guests for traveling to join in the celebration and to ensure they feel appreciated and comfortable throughout their stay. That’s why they’ve become increasingly popular with destination weddings. However, you don’t have to travel for your special day in order to spoil your guests. If you feel so inclined to put together a welcome bag, we’re all in favor.

What Kind of Bag to Use

Of course, you can’t have a welcome bag without the bag itself. Before you can even think about what to put inside the gift, it’s important to think about what kind of bag you want to use for the presentation. Totes bags, straw bags, baskets–the options are endless. To make it truly personalized to your day, consider adding your wedding date or initials, so your guests think of you any time they use it.

Bag by By Modern Social

Shop welcome bags: 1. Modern Wedding Monogram Welcome Bags; 2. Small Jute Burlap Welcome Bags; 3. Tropical Wedding Welcome Tote Bag; 4. Classy Hotel Wedding Welcome Box

How to Pass Out Welcome Bags

How you distribute your welcome bags is entirely up to you and the kind of wedding you’re hosting. If you want to hand them out personally, designate a central location, such as the hotel lobby or a table at the venue, where guests can easily find their bags upon arrival. If you’re having a destination wedding and all of your guests are staying in the same hotel, arrange with the hotel staff for the bags to be placed in the guests’ rooms prior to check-in for a seamless surprise. No matter how you pass them out, remember to include a note thanking your guests for joining in the celebration as a last personal touch to the gift.

What to Put in Wedding Welcome Bags

Personalization is key to creating memorable welcome bags. Start by including a heartfelt welcome note from you and your significant other, expressing gratitude and excitement for the guests’ presence. Tailor the contents to reflect the wedding location, theme, and any special interests or preferences of the guests. This could include local delicacies, artisanal treats, or items related to the wedding festivities.

Essentials for Comfort

While personalization is important, don’t overlook the practical needs of your guests. Include essential items such as bottled water, maps, and an itinerary of events to help guests navigate the wedding weekend smoothly. Consider including practical items like sunscreen, towels, blankets, insect repellent, or hand sanitizer, especially for outdoor or destination weddings.

Image by Hunter Ryan Photography. Planning by Chic Bahamas Weddings

Hangover Kits

While we’re on the topic of your guests’ comfort, if you know that there are going to be plenty of drinks to be had on your wedding night, why not help cure the inevitable hangover guests are going to be feeling the next morning with mini hangover kits? Include items like painkillers,  makeup remover wipes, mints, electrolyte drink mixes, and eye masks. You can find countless mini bags to put all the supplies in on Etsy, too.

Image by Julie Wilhite Photo

Shop hangover kit essentials: 1. ‘About Last Night’ Hangover Kit Bags; 2. In Sickness & In Health Hangover Kit Bags; 3. Hangover Kit Supplies; 4. Wedding Recovery Kit Labels

Local Souvenirs

Incorporating local touches adds a unique flair to wedding welcome bags and allows guests to experience the flavor of the wedding destination. Include regional specialties such as gourmet chocolates, locally roasted coffee, or artisanal crafts that showcase the area’s culture and charm. 

Planning by Spanish Oak Events

Customized Keepsakes

To commemorate the occasion, consider including customized keepsakes that guests can cherish long after the wedding day. Ideas include monogrammed keychains, customized wine labels on your favorite bottle of wine, or a bag full of goodies with your wedding logo. 

Image by Abbie Tyler Photography. Planning by Soiree by Souleret

Home Goods

Speaking of keepsakes, if you’re putting together a welcome bag with all of the ingredients for your favorite cocktail or recipe, consider adding a small home good item such as a cutting board, cocktail shaker, or engraved glass. 

Image by Jamie Vinson. Design by Samantha Meyer Studio

Alcohol

If there’s one way to get the party started early, it’s to include mini bottles of alcohol in your welcome bags. Whether you opt for mini kits to make a cocktail that you and your significant other, or you just want to include a shooter or two, it’s a fun addition that will start the wedding off right.

Image by Justin Leon Brown

Food

Your guests are never going to turn down snacks, which is why they’re an easy element to base your welcome bag around. This real-life bag, for example, created a mini charcuterie experience for their guests using cheese, crackers, chocolate, and a mini cheese knife. If you and your partner are foodies, this is a great way to showcase your love to eat while also being relatively inexpensive.

Planning by Shannon Wellington

Dietary Considerations

Be mindful of guests with dietary restrictions or preferences when selecting the contents of your welcome bags. While you’re most likely not going to be able to ensure that everyone can enjoy every item inside the bag, consider including a variety of snacks and beverages that cater to different dietary needs, such as gluten-free, vegan, or nut-free options. Clearly label any allergens to ensure guests can enjoy the treats worry-free.

By incorporating personal touches, local souvenirs, and thoughtful amenities, you can create a memorable wedding welcome bag for your guests. If you’re not sold on this idea yet, that’s okay, too! We’ve put together other favor ideas and alternatives (like donations to your favorite charity) that may fit you and your partner better.