Destination wedding: gifts for guest ideas?

We are doing welcome bags, but for “gifts” we are gifting them experiences rather than physical items they will have to pack and take home (for example, you could pay for a snorkeling excursion, swimming with the dolphins experience, etc.). Then we will also be hosting a thank you brunch the final morning.

View Quoted Comment Amazing. Love it. Good idea. I think we’re in good shape then! I love the welcome bag which I was leaning towards. We have a welcome Catered bbq bonfire on the beach the night before and brunch the next morning. Maybe a little welcome bag with local bottle of wine will be nice and I’m done!! We’re definitely over budget so glad to hear those little extras (welcome bonfire, brunch, can also count as gift/favor.) Thank you!!

We are doing welcome bags for those staying in the hotel room block for our semi-destination wedding, and are doing mini jars of chocolate covered cherries for our favors, but we are otherwise not providing gifts for guests. I agree with Cece - an experience may be better than a physical item. You could provide something like a day-after taco bar lunch at a local restaurant, or a tequila tasting, or ziplining, etc. Otherwise, a gift is certainly not required - if not in budget or if you don't have your heart set on anything specific, it's totally fine to skip the gifts.

View Quoted Comment Thanks Lisa and Cece! This is the second chocolate covered cherries I’ve seen. Is the reception venue making them? Or are you bringing. And for your welcome bag, mind sharing what’s included? I was thinking shades, sunscreen maybe bottle of local wine or tequila (Mexico wedding).

View Quoted Comment I am bringing the chocolate covered cherries! There is a store local to where I'm getting married that sells them. I bought mini jars to put them in for guests, and will give them out at the wedding. For my welcome bags, we are putting a variety of things: a map of the area, sunglasses, a salty snack, a sweet snack, bottles of water, a "Shh... Do not disturb. We partied all night at the [name] wedding!" door sign, a hangover/first aid kit, coupons for area restaurants/wineries/mini golf/etc, and a welcome note from my fiance and I that includes the itinerary for the weekend and a list of recommended places to visit in the area.


I love the idea of including sunglasses, sunscreen, and a mini bottle of tequila in the welcome bags for a Cancun wedding! All very practical and themed for Cancun.

Our welcome bags will have a local (food) treat, beads (the wedding is in New Orleans), canned bloody Mary’s and Little packets of Tylenol for the morning after hangover LOL, a map of the French quarter so they can find their way around, coupons for local attractions, a small bag of chicory coffee (a known local treat) they can make in their rooms, and a hand written note from us.

View Quoted Comment Omg love it!!! I’m totally stealing some ideas. Thank you, Lisa! Good luck with what’s left in planning and enjoy your big day

View Quoted Comment Thank you!! Happy planning to you as well, let us know how everything turns out at your wedding! Enjoy Cancun!!