Wedding welcome bags are a thoughtful gesture that adds a personal touch to your guests’ arrival. The welcome bags not only convey your gratitude for the guests’ presence but also serve as a perfect way to set the tone for the wedding weekend.
It is an opportunity to create a lasting first impression and show your guests a taste of the wedding’s vibe and aesthetic. A well-thought-out wedding welcome bag is sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests, so it’s worth taking some time to plan and personalize them.
Contents
- The Purpose of Wedding Welcome Bags
- 15 Creative Wedding Welcome Bag Ideas
- 1. Destination-inspired welcome bags
- 2. DIY welcome bags
- 3. Eco-friendly welcome bags
- 4. Hangover kit welcome bags
- 5. Snack welcome bags
- 6. Personalized welcome bags
- 7. Local brew welcome bags
- 8. Self-care welcome bags
- 9. Activity welcome bags
- 10. Wedding survival kit welcome bags
- 11. Kids welcome bags
- 12. Hangover-free welcome bags
- 13. Tech welcome bags
- 14. Pet welcome bags
- 15. Nostalgic welcome bags
- FAQs About Wedding Welcome Bags
- Conclusion
The Purpose of Wedding Welcome Bags
Wedding welcome bags are small gift bags or baskets that are typically given to guests upon their arrival at a wedding. The purpose of a welcome bag is to make your guests feel welcome, appreciated, and comfortable. They often contain a variety of items such as snacks, water bottles, maps or guides to the area, personalized notes or messages, and useful or fun items that can enhance their stay or experience at the wedding.
The contents of wedding welcome bags can vary greatly depending on the couple’s preferences, budget, and the theme of the wedding. Some couples opt for more practical items, such as toiletries or first aid kits, while others may choose to include more personalized or unique items that reflect their personalities or the wedding theme.
Overall, the goal is to provide your guests with a thoughtful and memorable gift that will help make their stay at your wedding more enjoyable.
15 Creative Wedding Welcome Bag Ideas
If you’re wondering what to include in your wedding welcome bags, the possibilities are endless. You can tailor the contents to match your wedding theme or location, your personality as a couple, or the interests of your guests.
Here are some creative wedding welcome bag ideas that are sure to inspire you:
1. Destination-inspired welcome bags
If you’re having a destination wedding, it’s an excellent opportunity to highlight the local culture and traditions in your welcome bags. Include items that are unique to the region, such as local snacks, souvenirs, or maps of the area.
For example, if you’re having a beach wedding in Hawaii, you can include a bag of macadamia nuts, sunscreen, a beach towel, and a guide to the best local beaches. Or, if you’re getting married in Italy, you could include a bottle of Italian wine, olive oil, and a guide to the local vineyards.
2. DIY welcome bags
If you’re on a tight budget, creating DIY welcome bags is a great way to save money while still impressing your guests.
You can make some homemade foods/things like cookies, jam, or candles, or create personalized items like custom tote bags or keychains to put on welcome bags for wedding. To make it a fun pre-wedding activity, it’s also a good idea to involve your bridal party or family members in the DIY process.
3. Eco-friendly welcome bags
For the environmentally conscious couple, eco-friendly wedding welcome bags are a perfect choice. You can include reusable items like stainless steel water bottles, bamboo utensils, or cloth napkins.
You can also include eco-friendly products like organic soap, shampoo bars, or natural bug spray. Not only will your guests appreciate the thoughtfulness, but you’ll also be doing your part to reduce waste.
4. Hangover kit welcome bags
For the party-loving couple, hangover kits are a must-have in your welcome bags for wedding guests. What to put in this wedding welcome bags? It can be items like pain relievers, electrolyte packets, eye masks, and earplugs. You can also consider some fun items like personalized shot glasses or mini bottles of your favorite liquor. Your guests will thank you in the morning!
5. Snack welcome bags
Who doesn’t love a good snack? Including some tasty treats in your welcome bags is a surefire way to make your guests feel welcome.
You can include items like gourmet popcorn, candy, trail mix, or locally made snacks. Don’t forget to include some healthy options like fruit or granola bars.
6. Personalized welcome bags
Adding a personal touch to your welcome bags is an excellent way to show your wedding guests that you appreciate their presence.
You can include personalized items like monogrammed tote bags, keychains, or coasters. Remember to also include handwritten notes or customized playlists that reflect your taste in music.
7. Local brew welcome bags
For the beer lovers, including local brews in your welcome bags is a great way to showcase the local craft breweries.
A selection of beers from the region, along with some beer glasses or koozies put on the wedding welcome bags will bring the joy to weeding guests. You can also include a guide to the best local breweries and beer tours.
8. Self-care welcome bags
Weddings can be stressful, so including some self-care items in your welcome bags is a thoughtful gesture.
Some items like face masks, bath salts, aromatherapy candles, or stress balls can be included in these bags. It’s not a bad idea to also include a guide to local spas or wellness centers where your guests can unwind and relax.
9. Activity welcome bags
If you’re having a destination wedding or a wedding weekend, including some activities in your welcome bags is a great way to encourage your guests to explore the area.
You can include tickets to local attractions, like museums or amusement parks, or outdoor activities like hiking or biking. You can also include maps or guides to the best local spots for shopping, dining, or entertainment.
10. Wedding survival kit welcome bags
Wedding days can be unpredictable, so including a wedding survival kit in your welcome bags is a great way to help your guests prepare for any unexpected mishaps.
You can include items like sewing kits, stain remover pens, bobby pins, or safety pins. You can also include a list of emergency contacts or a timeline of the wedding events.
You may also like: Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Gift Etiquette
11. Kids welcome bags
If you’re having a family-friendly wedding, including some activities and snacks for the kids is a great way to keep them entertained and happy.
You can include items like coloring books, crayons, puzzles, or small toys. You can also include some kid-friendly snacks like goldfish crackers or fruit snacks.
12. Hangover-free welcome bags
For guests who prefer to avoid alcohol, creating hangover-free welcome bags is a great way to cater to their needs.
You can include items like mocktail recipes, herbal tea, or gourmet snacks. You can also include a guide to local juice bars or healthy restaurants.
13. Tech welcome bags
For the tech-savvy couple, including some tech items in your welcome bags is a great way to show your guests that you’re up-to-date with the latest trends.
You can include items like portable chargers, earbuds, or phone cases. You can also include a list of the best local spots for Wi-Fi or tech-related events.
14. Pet welcome bags
If you’re having a pet-friendly wedding, including some items for the furry guests is a thoughtful gesture.
Some pet items like dog treats, poop bags, or dog toys could be great ideas. You can also include a list of the best local dog parks or pet-friendly restaurants.
15. Nostalgic welcome bags
Including items that remind your guests of childhood memories or inside jokes is a fun way to add a personal touch to your welcome bags.
You can include items like old-fashioned candy, vintage postcards, or personalized photo albums. You can also include a list of your favorite childhood memories or the story of how you met.
Read more: 40th Wedding Anniversary Gifts Ideas
FAQs About Wedding Welcome Bags
How much should you spend on wedding welcome bags?
The cost of wedding welcome bags can vary depending on the contents, the size of the bags, and the number of guests. As a general guideline, you can expect to spend anywhere from $10 to $50 per bag.
It’s important to keep in mind that the cost of the welcome bags should fit within your overall wedding budget. As you plan your wedding budget, be sure to allocate a portion of it towards welcome bags.
If you have a large number of guests, you may want to consider scaling back the contents of the bags to keep costs down. Alternatively, you can prioritize certain items and include them in the bags and exclude others.
Another option is to consider creating a smaller welcome bag or basket for out-of-town guests, or for guests staying at a particular hotel. This allows you to provide a more personalized welcome experience for a smaller group of guests without breaking the bank.
Who pays for welcome bags at wedding?
Unlike wedding gifts, the responsibility of paying for the welcome bags at a wedding typically falls on the couple getting married. However, some couples may choose to split the cost with their families or accept contributions from wedding party members or other guests.
If the couple decides to include welcome bags as part of their wedding expenses, they should include it in their overall budget and plan accordingly. They should also consider the number of guests attending the wedding and the cost per bag when determining their budget.
It’s important to note that while welcome bags are a nice gesture, they are not required for a wedding. If the cost of welcome bags exceeds the couple’s budget, they can consider other ways to welcome and show appreciation for their guests, such as personalized notes or favors, without breaking the bank.
In some cases, the hotel or venue where the wedding is taking place may offer to provide welcome bags as part of their wedding package. If this is the case, the couple should confirm the details with the venue and make any necessary adjustments to their wedding budget.
How do you pack a wedding welcome bag?
Packing a wedding welcome bag requires careful planning and organization to ensure that all the items fit well and are presented nicely. Here are some steps to help you pack your wedding welcome bags:
Choose the right bag: Select a bag that is the appropriate size for the contents you want to include. Tote bags or reusable grocery bags are great options because they are sturdy, spacious, and eco-friendly. You can also consider using a decorative basket or box for a more upscale presentation.
Assemble your items: Gather all the items you want to include in the welcome bags. Arrange them in categories, such as toiletries, snacks, maps and guides, souvenirs, etc. This will help you keep track of what you have and ensure that you don’t forget anything.
Create a layered display: Once you have all your items, create a layered display by placing the largest and heaviest items at the bottom of the bag, and the smaller and lighter items on top. This will help distribute the weight evenly and prevent items from shifting during transport.
Wrap fragile items: If you have fragile items like glass bottles or jars, wrap them in tissue paper or bubble wrap to prevent them from breaking during transport.
Personalize the bags: Include a personalized note or message for each guest and attach it to the outside of the bag. This will make each bag feel more special and show your appreciation for your guests’ attendance.
Add finishing touches: Once you’ve assembled the contents of the welcome bags, you can add some finishing touches to make them look even more appealing. Consider tying a ribbon or bow around the bag, attaching a small tag with the guest’s name or a decorative sticker, or adding some tissue paper or confetti to make it look more festive.
Does each person get a welcome bag for wedding?
Traditionally, each room or family group would receive one welcome bag for the wedding. This means that if two guests are staying in the same hotel room or if a family of four is staying in one hotel room, they would receive one welcome bag to share.
However, some couples choose to provide a welcome bag for each individual guest, especially if they have a smaller guest list or if they want to provide a more personalized experience. Providing one welcome bag per guest can also be a nice touch for destination weddings or if guests are traveling long distances to attend the wedding.
Ultimately, the decision to provide one welcome bag per room or per guest is up to the couple. It’s important to consider the number of guests attending the wedding, the budget, and the level of personalization desired when making this decision. Couples should also check with the hotel or venue where the wedding is taking place to ensure that they are allowed to distribute welcome bags to each individual guest.
What type of bag is best for a wedding?
When choosing a bag for your wedding welcome bags, it’s important to consider the size, durability, and style of the bag. Here are some options to consider:
Tote bags: Tote bags are a popular choice for wedding welcome bags because they are durable, spacious, and reusable. They can be personalized with the couple’s names, wedding date, or a fun design. Tote bags come in various sizes, colors, and materials, such as canvas, cotton, or jute.
Backpacks: Backpacks are a great option for destination weddings or if you want to include more substantial items in your welcome bags, such as beach towels or water bottles. They are also a good choice for guests who may want to explore the local area or go on day trips.
Drawstring bags: Drawstring bags are a lightweight and inexpensive option for wedding welcome bags. They can be personalized with the couple’s names, wedding date, or a fun design. Drawstring bags are perfect for guests who are traveling light and don’t want to carry around a bulky bag.
Gift boxes: Gift boxes are a more upscale option for wedding welcome bags. They can be customized with the couple’s names, wedding date, or a fun design and filled with high-quality items like gourmet snacks, artisanal products, or luxury toiletries. Gift boxes can be recycled or repurposed as keepsake boxes.
Reusable grocery bags: Reusable grocery bags are an eco-friendly option for wedding welcome bags. They are sturdy, spacious, and can be used for grocery shopping or other purposes after the wedding. Reusable grocery bags can be customized with the couple’s names, wedding date, or a fun design.
When choosing a bag for your wedding welcome bags, it’s important to consider the size and weight of the wedding welcome bag contents you plan to include, as well as your budget and personal style. You want to choose a bag that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing and will leave a lasting impression on your guests.
Conclusion
In conclusion, wedding welcome bags are a great way to make your guests feel welcome and appreciated.
By tailoring the contents to match your wedding theme, location, or personal interests, you can create a memorable experience for your guests that they’ll cherish for years to come.
Whether you’re on a tight budget or looking to splurge, there are endless creative wedding welcome bag ideas that will suit your needs. So go ahead and get creative! Your guests will thank you for it.
