Welcome Bag Ideas
Welcome Bag Ideas
If you have a lot of guests staying at local hotels, welcome bags are a wonderful touch to greet them. You can ask the hotel to hand these out at check-in. Some fun ideas to include:
Snacks & Water: Traveling is thirsty work! Include a couple of bottled waters and easy snacks. For a local flair, you could do Virginia peanuts, Route 11 chips (a VA brand), or candies from a Culpeper sweet shop. Guests will appreciate a late-night nibble or something for the room.
Itinerary & Contact Info: A one-page printout that lists the weekend events (rehearsal, ceremony, brunch – whatever they’re invited to) with timings and addresses. Also include important contacts (your planner or a designated friend’s phone #, in case of questions), shuttle pickup times if applicable, and maybe a weather forecast. This answers a lot of questions guests might have.
Area Info or Souvenir: Since many are new to the area, you could include a little guide to local attractions (we can provide a pamphlet for Culpeper tourism, for example). A map of the town or a list of nearby restaurants for free time is nice. Some couples also throw in a cute Virginia souvenir – like a postcard, a small jar of local jam or honey, or a sticker that says “Virginia is for Lovers.” Even a custom door hanger for their hotel room that says “Do Not Disturb – Recovering from [Your Last Name] Wedding” can be a cute keepsake!
Personal Touch: Write a short welcome note to your guests, thanking them for making the trip. It can be in the form of a printed letter or a handwritten note. Doesn’t have to be individual for each guest – even a general one that starts with “Dear Friends and Family, Thank you for being here to celebrate with us…” adds a warm, personal welcome. Sign it from you both. People really do read those and feel the love.
Emergency Kit Items: Toss in a couple of Advil packets or Pepto-Bismol chewables – a humorous nod to “wedding recovery.” Your guests might find it funny and useful the next morning.
Assembling welcome bags can be done a week or two before the wedding. It’s a fun bridesmaids project! Remember to coordinate with the hotel about delivery (some hotels will place them in rooms or give at check-in – ask if there’s a fee for that service). Keep it simple; you don’t need to spend a ton on these. It truly is the thought that counts. Even just water, snacks, and a note will make guests smile.