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Super June 2021

Welcome bags for guests--skip it?

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Elizabeth, on March 22, 2021 at 10:26 PM

For my wedding, my family is local but all of the guests are from out of town. Most guests are staying at one hotel in a block we set up. Many guests are driving, but a good number will also be flying.

I'm wondering if it would be good to have welcome bags and if guests like them. Also, what is better to put in them, cute things like local candies or practical things like water bottles? Is putting advil in them trashy because it assumes that everyone is going to be nursing a wild hangover the day after (my side will be but that's beside the point)? Any other suggestions for what to put in them?

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33 Comments

Dedicated August 2021
Jennifer · on March 28, 2021 at 9:16 PM
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So it depends on the final guest count, but it should only be $50-$100. (We were originally going to do this a favor, but decided against it. I loved the idea, and it’s much cheaper this way, so I don’t mind splurging on added expense to include them in the bags 🥂)
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Super June 2021
Elizabeth · on March 28, 2021 at 10:16 PM
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Thanks for everyone's advice! We are going to do the welcome bags. It's in our budget, and my mom is excited to share some locally made things. My cousin also offered to take them totally off my hands, so I won't have to assemble them--and if she forgets, oh well! It's not an integral part of the wedding.
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VIP October 2022
Mrs.evans · on March 29, 2021 at 12:27 PM
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I think that would be great to add pain reliever in there in as a part of gifts and handy wipes
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Savvy October 2021
LeeAnn · on March 31, 2021 at 1:35 PM
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I think they're always appreciated so if it's in the budget, go for it! I'm GF so often I can't eat whatever is in my bag so my fiance gets two snacks... but I still love the gesture. I also don't think Advil is trashy at all... sometimes I get headaches from travel or a sore neck from sleeping in a hotel bed. We're doing bags as well, and planning to add some of our "hometown favorites" - I'm from Maryland and he's from Philly so we're adding snacks that those places are known for.
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Super June 2021
Elizabeth · on March 31, 2021 at 2:23 PM
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I'm actually on a pretty restricted diet and have a few GF guests, so I've been trying to brainstorm some things that would work for everyone, like maybe parmesan crisps, dried fruit, or chips
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Savvy October 2021
LeeAnn · on March 31, 2021 at 4:15 PM
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That's a great idea! Popcorn would be a good option too, and/or Dove chocolate hearts. I'm starting to get hungry...
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Devoted August 2020
Tina · on April 1, 2021 at 4:54 PM
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Making them a thank you basket for traveling and staying is definitely kind. I have only 2 staying in a hotel. Water, Advil, maybe even a little gift with you and your SO on it. Mine was a deck of cards with my husband and I on the box.
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Savvy September 2021
Erika · on April 14, 2021 at 3:40 PM
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If majority of my guests were not local, I would definitely do this instead of favors at the reception.
Things I would add would probable include:
-hand sanitizer and mask (considering the pandemic)
- ibuprophen
- bag of my fave chips/granola bar/snack
- local candy
- water bottle flavoring packets or a gatorade
- a little keepsake (shot glass, wedding type favor)
- and a newsletter type of thing stating the events/times of the wedding and places close to where the guests are staying. (such as a local coffee shop, lunch café, respectable bar/restaurant, convenience/drug store, gas station, entertainment, etc.)
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Expert June 2021
Chelsea · on April 15, 2021 at 9:23 AM
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I would put a little something together, but I wouldn't waste a ton of money on it. Like others mention, a bottle of water, some advil, the newsletter, and maybe something a little unique that is local? Is there a candy shop or something you can only get there? Maybe a little treat like that would be awesome!
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Dedicated October 2021
Stella · on April 16, 2021 at 12:39 PM
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LOVE the Wedding Newsletter! Stealing this idea ASAP!
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Super February 2020
Karla · on April 16, 2021 at 7:04 PM
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It turned out really well! Got lots of compliments on it!
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Master May 2020
Kari · on April 17, 2021 at 3:08 PM
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I haven't been to too many weddings with welcome bags but the ones that did have them always had a bottle of water, Advil/ibuprofen/Tylenol (not trashy IMO, those little individual pouches are handy to carry in a purse so they are useful gifts, even your guests end up not needing them at your wedding), usually a favor of some kind like a chapstick, mints, or maybe hand sanitizer with Covid and all, and something local, like candies, maple syrup (I'm in New England), etc. I think one wedding had a custom pen. Anything that is a typical wedding favor (coozies, soaps, etc) could also go in a welcome bag.

If you are having any sort of communal housing (like wedding parties are staying in an AirBnB or something), I would highly recommend ear plugs! I always forget how much I want to murder people who snore until I have to share a space with someone who snores. Probably not a bad idea for guests staying at a hotel either.
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Super February 2022
Grace · on April 17, 2021 at 10:40 PM
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For drinks that are not bottled water, I went to a wedding that had juice boxes in the hangover kit. I can't remember if it was apple juice or Hi-C but it was great because I had a low blood-sugar moment and it came in handy. Pepto tablets are also great and can be bought in individually wrapped packages.
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