12 Tips on What to Put in Your Wedding Welcome Bags

TLDR:

• Practical things like snacks, water bottles, and a local map all add interest to wedding gift baskets.
• You can use totes, boxes, or baskets to hold your wedding welcome bag items.
• For out-of-town guests, have their welcome gifts ready as soon as they arrive—even waiting in their hotel room to surprise them.

Why have wedding welcome bags?

Wedding welcome bags are a great way to warmly greet wedding guests as soon as they arrive at your festivities. These gift bags let family and friends know that you’re grateful they’re able to share your special weekend with you. Plus, wedding welcome bags are filled with items that will make guests’ experiences as comfortable—and memorable—as possible.

According to McKenna Folmar, wedding planner at Events by McKenna, welcome gifts can make your guests feel appreciated. "Wedding welcome bags are a delightful way to greet your guests, especially those who have traveled to join in your special day," she says. "They offer a warm, personalized touch that can make your loved ones feel appreciated right from the start."

It's no wonder that welcome bags are particularly popular for destination weddings, but they’re also super common for local celebrations. They're a nice surprise for your wedding guests that can be waiting for them in their hotel room upon arrival. "Wedding welcome bags are more than just a thoughtful gesture; they’re a chance to make your guests feel taken care of and excited for the weekend ahead," says Folmar.

Read on for our tips on how to build and how to package your wedding welcome bags—and when you should give them out to guests.

Ideas on what to put in wedding welcome bags

According to Folmar, the essentials are always a great place to start. She says, "These are items that not only show thoughtfulness but also help make your guests’ experience smooth and enjoyable."

1. Welcome note

What would a wedding welcome bag be without a welcome note? Your note doesn’t need to be long—a simple, meaningful message is all that’s necessary. Handwritten notes are always appreciated, but if time doesn’t permit, try to at least sign your names in ink. Don’t forget to include your wedding hashtag at the bottom of the note, too, or any other social callouts you want to make.

Forever Moments wedding planner, Brittany Poole also added her insight. "I highly recommend a hand written note for each bag," she says. Having the personalized touch of showing appreciation and adding specific anecdotes can make your guests feel extra special.

2. Itinerary

Even the simplest wedding needs a plan. "Including a simple wedding weekend itinerary ensures your guests are informed and know where they need to be and when," says Folmar. "This can be especially helpful for out-of-town guests who may not be familiar with the area." For getaways or multi-day events, a detailed itinerary is crucial. Letting guests know where they need to be and when saves them from texting or calling you, or continuously logging onto your wedding website.

3. Map

If you’re hosting a destination or an out-of-town wedding, include a map of the area and suggestions of things to do. "Providing a small guide to the area with maps, restaurant recommendations, or must-see attractions can help guests make the most of their time, especially if they have some downtime during the weekend," says Folmar.

4. Contact list

We recommend also including a list of contacts. You can add local emergency numbers and the names and numbers of the best people to reach out to for any questions—you and your fiance will havé enough going on.

5. Snacks

It’s not a welcome bag if there’s no food. Well, it can be, but your guests will be happy to have their favorite snacks. Folmar says, "Go-to snacks like granola bars, nuts, pretzels, or candy offer a little something for guests to munch on in between meals."

The welcome bag snack is also a great time to showcase a local treat, like homemade caramel squares or fresh shortbread cookies from a popular bakery. "If you want to get a bit fancier, local specialties like artisan chocolates or regional treats are a fun way to elevate this standard," adds Folmar.

6. Water bottle—or two

This is a necessary staple. If your guests are staying in a hotel, they may not feel comfortable drinking tap water. Offer water bottles that they can bring with them to events or can graciously grab the morning after your reception. It’s a wedding after all—people will be celebrating. Folmars insight? "Whether guests are just arriving after a long journey or getting ready for a day of wedding festivities, having a bottle of water is always appreciated," she reveals.

7. Mints

Weddings are basically mixers for your guests. It’s a lot of small talk with a lot of people. Add in passed hors d'oeuvres and things can get, well, stale. Keep everyone fresh with a small pack of mints. Add a tin of your favorite mints and guests can throw them in their clutches or suit jackets for the night.

8. Something personal

Your wedding welcome bag should be an extension of you and your partner. So, add a memento that’s reflective of your relationship. If you’re a huge tea lover, give guests a bag of your favorite kind. If your partner has a notorious sweet tooth, include their favorite chocolate bar. If you two are famous for your homemade jam, gift everyone a small jar. Include a little note or label to explain the item’s significance.

"Personalized items such as monogrammed tote bags, candles, or even custom koozies give your guests a little something to remember the weekend by," says Folmar. "These extras show thoughtfulness and add an element of surprise."

9. Single-serving alcohol

Help guests get the party started with a cute mini bottle of champagne, a can of a local craft beer, or a sparkling rosé. You can also gift a mini liquor bottle and a small mixer. For example, a nip of gin and a can of flavored tonic will set the evening off—or end it—right. Throw in a colorful paper straw and bottle openers for a decorative touch.

10. Beach towels

Having a waterside destination wedding? Your guests will love the idea of having a beach towel to take to the beach or pool. Destination wedding welcome bags are extremely fun for couples to curate. Just choose items that will aid your out of town guests throughout your wedding weekend. Gifts + a beach wedding always equals a win in our book.

11. Hangover kit

Having an open bar? Include a hangover kit in your welcome baskets. "Hangover kits are both practical and fun," suggests Folmar. "A mini hangover kit could include items like Advil, mints, an eye mask, and a hydrating drink or electrolyte powder to help your guests feel their best after a night of celebrating."

12. Seasonal items

Bordering on the practical, include season-specific items for the comfort of your guests. "For summer weddings, sunscreen, bug spray, and fans are great additions," recommends Folmar. "In the fall or winter, think about including cozy extras like a small blanket or hand warmers."

How to package wedding welcome bags

Package your wedding welcome bags in a way that showcases your wedding’s theme and your personality. If you’re getting hitched waterfront, for example, you may want a nautical-style tote with a rope handle. If your wedding is in a country garden, think floral-print paper bags with pastel ribbon.

1. Gift bags

Vellum or craft paper bags are easy to personalize and decorate—and they’re budget-friendly. They also make packing and bringing them to your guests’ accommodations easy. Use a stamp or customized sticker to label each bag with your and your partner’s name and wedding date.

If you want something more playful, brand each bag with the wedding hashtag. Add tissue paper on top, and tie a ribbon around the bag’s handles to seal the gift.

2. Tote bags

Tote bags are a take-home souvenir in and of themselves. This option may be better for smaller weddings as it’s definitely an expensive choice. You can go classic with a standard plain tote, or personalize the bags with a custom design or message. You can customize the bags with your couple monogram, your names, or just your wedding date and location.

3. Baskets

Unless they're collapsible, baskets may not be practical for a destiation wedding or guests who are flying. However, if you're willing to thrift and wash your baskets, this can be an economical way to provide something beautiful to house your wedding welcome present fo guests who are within driving distance.

4. Boxes

Like craft paper bags, paper or cardboard wedding welcome boxes are easy to assemble and recycle—which is ideal for guests traveling light. Give a box the same treatment you would give a bag. Add a custom sticker, fill it with tissue paper, and add your items. It’s important to get a box that’s sturdy enough to hold your bag contents, too.

5. Burlap bags

Love burlap? Instead of including it in your wedding decor, put your items inside of burlap bags complete with gift tags welcoming your friends and family. What to put in your welcome bag is as important as what you put it in, too. Bags made of burlap are also sturdy and pack well, meaning they're perfect for destination weddings. Your guests can use the bag for packing well beyond the wedding day.

When to give out wedding welcome bags

If you’re having a destination wedding…

If guests are coming from out of town at various times, it’s best to have their wedding welcome bag ready for them as soon as they arrive. "Most couples opt to have the welcome bags delivered to the guests’ hotels," says Folmar. "Coordinate with the hotel staff to have the bags placed in the guests' rooms or handed out at check-in. This way, your guests can enjoy them as soon as they arrive."

If possible, arrange for the bags to be ready in their rooms (if everyone is staying at the same accommodation), or have them handed out at check-in. Ask your wedding party to help organize this.

Things to consider: If you’re traveling far for your destination wedding, you want to either have your wedding bags shipped to your location ahead of time or packed carefully and transported by your wedding party. Since it’s easy for things to get moved around or damaged in transit, don’t assemble the bags until you’ve arrived.

If you’re having a local wedding…

It’s pretty typical to have welcome bags ready at the various hotels or other guest accommodations. However, if your wedding is small or most of your guests are traveling from their homes day-of, you can also have welcome bags on display in a designated area of your venue.

"If you’re hosting a welcome party or rehearsal dinner, distributing the bags there ensures all your guests receive them at once and sets the tone for the weekend," advises Folmar. You can arrange gifts on a front table, stack on a decorative shelf, or have members of the wedding party hand them out to each guest as they arrive.

Zola's expert tips on personalizing your wedding welcome bags

Beyond learning what to put in wedding welcome bags, you may also be wondering how to infuse your personality while designing gifts that really speak to your guests. Here are a few ideas from our expert team on personalizing your welcome gifts.

• Use your wedding website to query your guests on what they like. If you're putting together snacks or drinks, you can surprise them with their favorites.
• Also, make note if your guests have any allergies. Special diets, such as lactose-free or gluten-free, should be noted on their responses, and you can use this insight to curate the perfect goodie baskets.
• Get ultra-personal by providing monogrammed items. An initialed travel beauty bag or personalized dish towel can add a specialty touch.
• Have favorite products? Include them in your welcome goodie baskets. If you found an amazing natural suncreen, soothing lip balm, or game that's a surefire hit, put it inside.

Poole suggests polling your guests beforehand to further curate your welcome gifts. "Because I always recommend the couple ask their guests about any food allergies/dietary restrictions in the RSVP, the couple will also have that information to provide any alternatives to the original food/beverage selections for those specific guests," she adds. Poole also notes that adding his and hers food and beverages can further hone your selections.

Lastly, Poole recommends adding a location-specific gift to your welcome baskets. "I tell the couple to include some type of location-based gift such as a keychain or cup," she adds. "One of my bride's welcome bags had a Starbucks mug with the city they were getting married in." How thoughtful!

Folmar also has ideas for locally-sourced treats. "Incorporating items that highlight the location of your wedding adds a unique touch," she says. "Hosting your wedding in California? Include local wine or a pack of gourmet almonds. For a wedding in New Orleans? Maybe some beignets or chicory coffee would be perfect."

Who should receive a welcome basket?

Of course, wedding welcome bags aren’t required for all weddings (budgets are important, we get it!), they are a thoughtful addition that really adds to the guest experience. However, if you choose to have them, there is a bit of protocol to follow.

"As for etiquette, it’s recommended to provide welcome bags for all your out-of-town guests," advises Folmar. "If budget allows, you may even consider including local guests, especially if they’re staying overnight at the hotel or attending the full weekend of events."

Are you looking for more ways for your wedding guests to feel comfortable? Learn how to keep your guests informed about changes to your big day and briefing them on what they should wear, Zola has all the answers you need.