Wedding welcome bags are the first step to creating a VIP experience for your guests. Much like the design of the wedding itself, they’re an intentional detail that can incorporate elements of the overall palette or theme. More importantly, they show loved ones you recognize their effort to be present! Chances are, as a wedding guest, you have seen a variety of styles. From simple boxes to monogrammed totes filled with goodies - there are so many options!
As a planner, couples often ask me if welcome bags are necessary. The answer is no. However, they are thoughtful, especially if you’ve invited out-of-town guests. If you are looking to create an elevated guest experience that has intentional details, welcome bags can be a great way to start off your wedding weekend.
For my own wedding over ten years ago, I wanted to create something unique for my guests as a thank you. I had a lot of out of town guests but wasn’t planning on doing a day after brunch. So my mom and I thought very hard about being incredible hosts without spending a fortune! So if you are looking for a guide on how to put together these welcome bags, without breaking the budget, keep reading!
Wedding Welcome Bags: Essential Items
Creating thoughtful and practical wedding welcome bags for your guests starts with knowing what to put in them (and what not to include). Here are a few items to pull together before you begin assembling your bags:
White or neutral-colored totes with a hint of shine (try Amazon!)
Stickers with your wedding logo to personalize the bags—you can ask your stationer to make these!
A personalized thank you note for each guest. This is a great way to let everyone know how thankful you are, while also giving them something personal to take home.
A shuttle schedule for the weekend, if applicable.
A map of the area, with things to do around town.
Guest comfort essentials (buy in bulk from Costco): bottled water, snacks, Purell wipes, Advil single packs.
Biscotti or cookies from a local bakery, packaged in groups of two.
Crack open a bottle of champagne and start assembling! If you are using boxes, get some filler tissue paper to keep items secure. It also makes it look more presentable when opened! If you are using bags, you can add on a bow or name tag to add some personalization. Some of my clients purchase custom bags with their wedding colors or pattern so that they go with the wedding, but they are not too customized (and can’t be reused later!)
Items to Avoid
Just as there are essential items to include in your wedding welcome bags, there are items to avoid! Staying away from these is critical if your guests will travel by plane. In general, keep the bags light. Many budget-savvy travelers like to skip checking a bag, so make sure whatever you include can fit comfortably in a carry-on.
You’ll also want to avoid anything fragile or alcoholic—while mini bottles of champagne make a thoughtful gift, they’re unlikely to make it through TSA! Moreover, avoid anything flammable. I’ve seen couples give away candles with matches in the past. While these are undeniably adorable, they’re tricky to bring in a carry-on bag.
Other guests may have dietary restrictions or allergies, so avoid peanut products. Finally, some guests are fed up with the trinkets (if you’ve been to a work conference recently, you probably feel the same way!). Avoid giving away anything monogrammed with your initials. While it’s cute to personalize, let’s be realistic. No one wants to carry a bag monogrammed with someone else’s initials—unless it’s a Kate Spade!
Lavender & Pine: Curated Wedding Welcome Bags
Ultimately, it’s the thought that counts. Your guests will recognize the care you’ve put into your wedding welcome bags no matter what’s inside them! However, if you’re unsure (or short on time), you can hire a gifting company like Lavender & Pine! While it will mean paying an additional fee, you can rest assured knowing you’re putting your money to good use. The folks at Lavender & Pine are experts, so you can count on your guests to love their gifts!
You can either select from their pre-curated boxes or have them completely custom designed with the items of your choosing. You can pick different bags, or boxes, in various sizes and colors. I personally love how versatile their white tuck-top boxes are! Lavender & Pine creates and assembles each box or bag and even ships them out for you! So you don’t have to do a thing. Keep in mind that if you want custom boxes, they require 6-10+ weeks for turnaround.
If a hands-off approach to wedding planning is more of your style, our team would love to hear from you! We’ll take care of every aspect of planning your special day so you can sit back and enjoy your engagement. Find out more about our complete and partial planning services when you reach out today!
