Welcome to wedding planning season! It is an exciting and busy time for couples and their families, but ensuring your guests feel welcome is an important part of the process. When your guests arrive on your big day, setting up a check-in station with Wedding Welcome Bags is a great way to make them feel special and appreciated.
But what should you include in the bags? Here are the best ideas to create the perfect Wedding Welcome Bag for your guests when they check-in at your event. From useful items to personalized details, you'll find everything you need to make a great first impression and give your guests the warm welcome they deserve.
So, prepare for your guests' arrival with these Wedding Welcome Bag ideas to impress at check-in!
Why Hotel Welcome Bags for Weddings Are a Must-Have
Hotel welcome bags for weddings are an absolute must-have for couples looking to make their guests feel appreciated and valued. These thoughtful gestures go beyond simply saying thank you. They create a personalized and unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
They go beyond the traditional thank you note and express genuine appreciation for each guest's presence. These bags provide practical items and create a unique and personal experience that will leave a lasting impression on everyone involved.
What to Include in Wedding Welcome Bags?
Choosing what to include in your wedding welcome bags can feel overwhelming with so many options available. You want to ensure you provide your wedding guests with practical items they will find useful during their stay.
The key is making your guests feel welcomed and appreciated while adding a luxury touch to their wedding experience.
1. Hand Fan Favors
Hand-Fan Favors are perfect for adding a unique and practical touch to your wedding welcome bags. These destination wedding favors help keep guests cool during outdoor or summer weddings and serve as a beautiful and functional memento of the special day.
Here are two benefits of including hand-fan favors in your welcome bags:
Practicality
Hand-fan favors are a thoughtful and useful gift for guests, especially for destination weddings or weddings in warm climates. They provide instant relief from the heat and help keep guests comfortable throughout the celebration.
Personalization
Hand fan favors can be customized with the couple's names, wedding date, or even a welcome note. This personalization adds a unique and sentimental touch, allowing guests to remember the wedding location and the joyous celebration they were a part of.
How It Elevates Hotel Stays
For hotels, hand-fan favors in wedding welcome bags enhance the overall guest experience. Guests can enjoy the fans during outdoor ceremonies or explore the wedding location, creating a memorable and enjoyable experience.
2. Lip Balm Favors
Lip Balm Favors are a fantastic addition to any wedding welcome bag. Not only are they practical and useful, but they also add a touch of luxury and pampering to your guests' experience.
Here are two benefits of including lip balm favors in your gift bags:
Moisturized Lips
Destination wedding celebrations often involve long talking, eating, and drinking hours. All of this can lead to dry and chapped lips. By including lip balm favors, you provide your wedding guests with a solution to moisturize their lips throughout the event.
This wedding welcome bag idea is a small gesture that shows you care about their comfort and well-being.
Remembrance
Lip balm favor in a reusable tote is a lasting memento of your special day. Every time guests reach for their lip balm, they will be reminded of the wonderful memories shared at your wedding. It is a sweet and practical way to keep the celebration alive long after the event.
How It Elevates Hotel Stays
For hotels, it ensures that your out-of-town guests have access to a necessary item for destination weddings, where the weather conditions might differ from what they are used to. Also, it shows that you value your guests as family members by giving them thoughtful and practical gifts.
3. Personalized Luggage Tags
Personalized Luggage Tags are a fun and practical addition to your wedding welcome bags. These custom tags help your guests easily identify their luggage and add a personal touch to their travel experience.
Here are two benefits of including personalized luggage tags in your welcome bags:
Easy Identification
With the hustle and bustle of airports and hotels, it is common for luggage to get mixed up or accidentally taken by someone else. Personalized luggage tags make it easy for guests to spot their bags amongst similar-looking suitcases.
Keepsake and Souvenir
Personalized luggage tags serve as a lasting memento of your destination wedding. Your guests can attach these tags to their suitcases and carry a piece of your wedding celebration wherever they go.
How It Elevates Hotel Stays
Not only are personalized luggage tags beneficial for your guests, but they are also useful for hotels. The unique tags make it easier for hotel staff to identify and locate your guests' bags, ensuring a smooth and efficient check-in process.
4. Edible Local Treats
Edible Local Treats are a must-have addition to your wedding welcome bags. Including these delicious goodies inside the favor bags not only satisfies your guests' taste buds but also introduces them to the flavors of the local area.
Here are two benefits of including edible local treats in your welcome bags:
Taste of the Region
Edible local treats allow your guests to experience the unique flavors and culinary traditions of the region where your wedding takes place. Whether it is kettle corn, dried fruit, or other local snacks, these goodie bag ideas give your guests a taste of the local culture and make them feel more connected to the area.
Personalized Goodie Bag
Including their favorite snacks in your welcome bags adds a thoughtful and personalized touch. It shows that you have put thought and effort into creating a special experience for your guests. You can even include a handwritten note with suggestions on enjoying the treats or a little backstory about the region's culinary delights.
How It Elevates Hotel Stays
Not only are edible local treats beneficial for your guests, but this wedding welcome bag idea is also useful for hotels. These locals' favorite snacks can be a delightful surprise for your loved one in a hotel room, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
5. Personalized Coasters
Personalized Coasters are a stylish and practical addition to your wedding welcome bags. These custom drink coasters add a personal touch to your guests' experience and serve as a functional and decorative keepsake from your special day.
Here are two benefits of including personalized coasters in your welcome bags:
Unique and Personalized
Personalized coasters showcase your wedding theme or design and make your guests feel special. Whether you have your names, wedding date, or a custom design engraved on the coasters along with a welcome note, it adds a personal touch that your guests will appreciate.
Practical and Functional
Custom coasters are a beautiful wedding favor and serve a practical purpose. Your guests can use them to protect their furniture from drink rings and spills. They are a thoughtful and functional gift that your guests can continue to use long after your wedding day.
How It Elevates Hotel Stays
As guests relax in their hotel rooms, they can use the coasters to protect the furniture from drink rings and spills. This ensures that the hotel's furnishings remain in good condition, allowing future guests to enjoy the same comfort level.
6. Personalized Wedding Koozies
Personalized Wedding Koozies are a fantastic choice when adding a fun and practical item to your wedding welcome bags. These customized drink sleeves keep beverages cool and add a personalized touch to guests' experience.
Here are two benefits of including personalized wedding koozies in your welcome totes:
Keeps Drinks Cold
Personalized wedding koozies are perfect for keeping beverages cold, whether a refreshing soda, a beer, or mini bottles of champagne. Your out-of-town guests can slip these koozies onto their drink of choice and enjoy it at the perfect temperature throughout your wedding festivities.
Personalized Souvenir
Customized wedding koozies are a unique and personalized souvenir from your special day. Your guests can take these koozies home and use them repeatedly, reminding them of the fun and joy shared at your wedding.
How It Elevates Hotel Stays
Not only are personalized wedding koozies beneficial for your guests, but they are also useful for hotels. These koozies can be used during the wedding reception, ensuring your guests' drinks stay cold and refreshing.
7. Custom Playing Card Favors
Custom Playing Card Favors are a great choice for adding a touch of fun and entertainment to your wedding welcome bags. These personalized decks of cards are a unique gift for your guests and a source of entertainment for the entire special weekend.
Here are two benefits of including custom playing card favors in your welcome bags:
Entertainment
Custom playing card favors provide a fun activity for your guests to enjoy during downtime at the wedding. Whether they are lounging by the pool or waiting for the reception to start, these decks of cards offer endless possibilities for games and laughter.
Keepsake
Custom playing card favors are a memento of your wedding that your guests can take home and treasure. Every time they use these personalized decks of cards, they will be reminded of the great times they had celebrating your wedding.
How It Elevates Hotel Stays
Playing card favors can elevate hotel stays by providing guests entertainment and a fun way to bond with other attendees. After a day of wedding celebrations, guests can unwind in their hotel rooms with a deck of personalized playing cards.
8. Shot Glass Wedding Favors
Shot Glass Favors are a popular and memorable addition to your wedding welcome bag. These wedding welcome bag ideas add a touch of fun and celebration to your guests' experience and serve as a lasting memento of your special day.
Here are two benefits of including shot glass wedding favors in your welcome bags:
Party Starter
Shot glasses symbolize celebration and good times. You set the tone for a fun and memorable weekend by including personalized shot glasses in your wedding welcome bag. Your guests can use these shot glasses to toast to your happiness and create unforgettable moments throughout the festivities.
Practical Souvenir
Shot glasses are a fun party favor and serve a practical purpose. Your guests can use these personalized shot glasses long after the wedding as a reminder of the joyful celebration they experienced.
How It Elevates Hotel Stays
When making your guests feel like VIPs, shot glass favors can take their hotel stays to a new level. Imagine your guests unwinding after a long day of celebration, sipping their favorite drink from a beautifully engraved shot glass.
9. Wedding Sunglasses
Add a touch of style and fun to your wedding welcome bags with Personalized Wedding Sunglasses. These fashionable accessories protect your guests' eyes from the sun and are a stylish keepsake from your wedding weekend.
Here are two benefits of including wedding sunglasses in your welcome bags:
Fashionable Protection
Wedding sunglasses add a trendy touch to your guests' outfits and protect them from the sun's harmful rays. Your guests can wear them during outdoor events or as a fashion statement throughout the wedding weekend.
Lasting Memento
Wedding sunglasses serve as a lasting memento of your wedding celebration. Your guests can wear them long after leaving the wedding location, reminding them of the joy and love shared during your wedding weekend.
How It Elevates Hotel Stays
Wedding sunglasses favors not only make a stylish accessory, but they can also elevate your guests' hotel stays. Imagine your loved ones arriving at their hotel rooms and finding a pair of trendy sunglasses waiting for them with a welcome note.
Not only will they appreciate the thoughtful gesture, but they can also use them during their stay to protect their eyes from the sun's glare or add a touch of fun to their vacation photos.
10. Custom Bottle Openers
Custom Bottle Openers are a must-have addition to your wedding welcome bags. These personalized and practical favors make it easy for your guests to open their favorite beverages and add a touch of personalization to their wedding experience.
Here are two benefits of including custom bottle openers in your welcome totes:
Convenience
Custom bottle openers are a handy tool for guests throughout the wedding weekend. From popping open a cold beer to uncorking a bottle of champagne, this great idea ensures your guests enjoy their favorite beverages hassle-free.
Memorable Keepsake
Custom bottle openers serve as a lasting memento of your wedding celebration. Your guests can take them home as a reminder of the love and joy shared on your special day. Every time they use the opener, they will be transported back to the fun memories and happy moments from your wedding.
How It Elevates Hotel Stays
Not only are custom bottle openers beneficial for your guests, but they also add value to hotels. Hotel guests can use these openers during their stay, especially if you are hosting a destination wedding or have wedding stationery in their room. The bottle opener enhances the overall experience for your guests and create a sense of excitement.
Related: For more favors to include in your welcome bags, check out this best collection of wedding favors.
Elevate Your Wedding Welcome Bags with these Extra Favors
When welcoming your wedding guests, the small details can make all the difference. One way to impress your loved ones as they check-in is by adding extra favors to your wedding welcome bags.
Here are some extra favors that will elevate your wedding welcome bags to the next level:
1. Water Bottles
Keep your guests hydrated and refreshed with personalized water bottles. Not only will they appreciate the gesture, but this wedding welcome bag idea will also encourage them to stay hydrated throughout the celebrations.
2. Beach Towels
If you are hosting a beach or destination wedding, beach towels are a must-have addition to your welcome bags. This practical and thoughtful gift lets guests enjoy the sun and sand.
3. Hand Sanitizers
In today's world, cleanliness and hygiene are more important than ever. Include mini bottles of hand sanitizer with gift tags in your wedding welcome bag to help your guests stay germ-free and feel at ease during their stay.
4. Pain Relievers
Weddings can be long and tiring, and guests might experience headaches or minor aches. Including pain relievers in your wedding welcome bag or reusable tote shows that you care about their well-being and ensures they have a remedy.
5. Band-Aids
It is always better to be safe than sorry. Including a few band-aids in your welcome bags can be a lifesaver for your guests, especially if they have blistered feet from dancing the night away.
6. Eye Masks
For those guests who appreciate a good night's sleep, including eye masks in your gift bags will be greatly appreciated. This wedding welcome bag idea is a small gesture that shows you care about their comfort and want them to feel refreshed each morning.
7. Customized Snacks
Add a personal touch to your welcome bags by including customized local snacks with gift tags that reflect your personality as a couple. It could be personalized cookies, chocolates, or a local delicacy from the wedding destination.
8. Cozy Socks
Cozy socks are a must-have addition to your wedding welcome bag. They are perfect for providing warmth and comfort to your guests, especially if you're hosting a winter wedding or if the venue has cold floors. Consider including a handwritten note expressing gratitude for their presence to add a personal touch.
9. Hand Warmers
Keep your guests cozy and warm during your great wedding by including hand warmers in your welcome bags. These small, portable heat packs are perfect for chilly outdoor ceremonies or receptions. Add a personal touch with a custom label or consider placing them in small wooden boxes for an elegant presentation.
10. Travel Guides
If you are hosting a destination wedding, providing your guests with travel guides of the area will make them feel like they are getting the VIP treatment. It will also help them navigate their surroundings and discover hidden gems.
11. Local Maps
Alongside travel guides, including local maps in your gift bags will help guests explore the area independently. Highlighting key attractions and local hotspots will allow them to make the most of their visit.
Wedding Weekend Agenda: Sharing Your Celebration Itinerary in a Welcome Bag
Keeping your guests informed and engaged is important when planning your wedding weekend. Sharing a detailed celebration itinerary with your loved ones is a great way to ensure everyone knows what to expect and can make the most of their time at your wedding. Here's why sharing your celebration itinerary is essential:
1. Eliminate Confusion
You can ensure clarity and communication by providing a clear schedule of events. Your guests will know where they need to be and when, allowing them to plan their time accordingly.
2. Build Excitement
Sharing your celebration itinerary creates a sense of anticipation and excitement among your guests. They'll be able to see all the amazing activities and events you have planned, and it will build anticipation for the upcoming festivities.
3. Help Guests Make Arrangements
Knowing the schedule in advance allows your guests to make necessary arrangements, such as booking transportation or childcare. They'll have all the information they need to plan their trip and ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
4. Encourage Participation
Including details about optional activities or outings can encourage guests to participate in additional events throughout the weekend. Whether it is a group hike, a wine-tasting tour, or a beach bonfire, sharing these other local attractions will allow your guests to make the most of their time and create lasting memories.
5. Facilitate Coordination
Sharing the celebration itinerary will help your guests coordinate with each other, especially if they are traveling from different locations. They can plan carpooling, hotel arrangements, and meetups during free time, ensuring a cohesive and enjoyable experience.
By sharing your celebration itinerary with your guests, you'll keep everyone informed and create a sense of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming wedding weekend.
Related: Check out this wedding favors guide to learn more.
Consider Theme-Based and Personalized Wedding Welcome Bags
Regarding wedding welcome bags, consider going beyond the standard reusable totes and exploring theme-based and personalized options.
Adding a personalized touch to your wedding welcome boxes will make your guests feel special and create a memorable experience. Think about incorporating elements that reflect your wedding theme or destination.
Whether customized labels, monogrammed items, or curated gift sets, theme-based and personalized wedding welcome bags will impress your guests and leave a lasting impression. Show your creativity and thoughtfulness with these unique wedding welcome bag ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What can I use instead of wedding welcome bags?
Instead of traditional bags, you can consider using personalized gift boxes, reusable canvas totes, or elegant gift baskets. Get creative and think outside the box to find unique ways to welcome your guests.
Q2. How much should you spend on wedding welcome bags?
The cost of wedding welcome bags can vary depending on your budget and the number of guests. As a general guideline, allocating around $10-$20 per welcome bag is recommended. Remember, balancing quality and affordability is important to create a memorable guest experience.
Related: For detailed answer, consider reading our blog on how much you should spend on wedding favors?
Q3. Are wedding welcome bags necessary?
While wedding welcome bags are not a requirement, they are thoughtful gestures that show appreciation for your guests' presence. Welcome bags can make your loved ones feel special and valued, and they provide practical items that enhance their stay and overall wedding experience.
Q4. How many wedding welcome bags do I need?
The number of welcome bags you'll need depends on your guest count. Having one welcome bag per household or couple is a good idea. Consider having a few extra bags in case of last-minute additions or unforeseen circumstances.
Related: Our more blogs on wedding favors, from tips, ideas to advice.
