Destination or out of town weddings involve a lot of traveling for the bridal party and all of their guests. Providing welcome bags for your traveling guests is a opportunity to thank them for coming, and make them feel at home. These bags will also reduce the chance of any guest getting lost on your big day. This article provides ideas and tips for making the most of your welcome bags.
Before you buy any items for your welcome bags, do some research of the area where your wedding will take place. Ask about the best local restaurants and taxi services. Look for information on any local attractions that could interest your guests. As you get closer to the month of your wedding, a list of how many rooms are booked in your block should be available. You will want to make enough bags for each booked room, and a few additional for last minute guests. The hotel where your guests are staying will be able to hold your welcome bags and distribute them to guests in your block as they check in.
One of the main purposes for welcome bags is to provide important information about your ceremony and reception. Its a good idea to design a itinerary for your guests so they know where to be and when. Its also helpful to provide maps and directions to all wedding sites, and offer a list of phone numbers they can call for help. You can go as simple as printing from Mapquest, or have them professionally designed and printed to match your theme. Its usually smart to assign guest helping duties to a parent or someone in your wedding party. You wont want to be answering calls non-stop while your getting ready.
Finally, provide your guests with some comfort items, and local information if they are having an extended stay. A bottle of water and a few snack items can go a long way for guests who have spent the last few hours driving or flying to your destination. To add local flare, you could include treats from a local shop or a keepsake souvenir. Great inserts for guests with longer stays will be a list of local restaurants, take out menus, and phone numbers for local transportation and attractions. When you’ve gathered all of these items, place them in decorative boxes or gift bags. Your guests will love this extra touch!
