The 15 Best Things to Put in Wedding Welcome Bags

Co-authored by Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

Want to give your wedding guests a warm welcome when they arrive? Then give them a fun-filled wedding welcome bag! These gift bags are perfect for local and destination weddings and act as a “survival kit” for your guests. But what do you fill them with? Read on to learn about what you can put in wedding welcome bags and how to personalize them.

Things You Should Know

Write a thoughtful note to place in each bag, thanking your guest(s) for coming and/or explaining the meaning behind the items in their bag.
Add a mix of snacks to your welcome bags to satisfy your guests’ cravings—popcorn, candy, and fruit are tasty options!
Toss in a personalized lip balm, water bottle, and/or memento to remind your guest where they got their gift for years to come.

1

A note or thank you card

Let your guests know you appreciate them with a personalized note. A simple but thoughtful message can make your guest feel at home just about anywhere! Write a handwritten note or type one with a special message for each guest.^{[1]
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- Sign the note or card with your partner for an extra sweet touch.
- Try your hand at calligraphy to make your note more elegant.
- Design your note or card with the same colors featured in your wedding.
- Add your wedding’s social media handles or hashtags to the bottom of the note, so guests know how they can tag and share their photos from the event.

2

A map of the area

Help your guests learn about their surroundings. If your guests are traveling to your wedding, put a small map in their welcome bag of the area. Mark the wedding venue on the map, along with nearby restaurants, shopping centers, and/or entertainment.
- Print a map from the internet or create your own using a photo editing software like Canva.
- Consider adding an itinerary of wedding events to the map so that guests can plan their visit accordingly.^{[2]
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3

A destination souvenir

Suprise your guests with a magnet or postcard from the venue. If you’re having a destination wedding, toss a cheesy but fun souvenir into the welcome bags. Not only is this a warm welcome, but it also gives your guests a memento to bring home.
- Miniature statues of popular landmarks, keychains, mugs, and small ceramic dishes are other neat options—just make sure you give every guest the same trinket!
- Order the souvenirs in bulk online in advance or wait until you get to the location to do some shopping.

4

Sweet and salty snacks

Give your guests something to munch on in between wedding festivities. Who doesn’t love a good snack? Toss some candy, chips, granola bars, chocolate, popcorn, and/or nuts into your welcome bags so that your guests stay satisfied no matter their cravings!^{[3]
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- Personalize the snacks by adding the wedding’s date and you and your partner’s name to the packaging or candy (m&m’s even let you add pictures to their candies!).
- Try not to add any food a guest is allergic to. If multiple guests have similar dietary restrictions, consider making vegan or gluten-free specific bags for them.

5

Fresh fruit

Provide a healthy snack to fuel guests on busy days. It can be easy to forget about getting all the necessary nutrients with all the wedding fun, so help your guests make a smart snack choice before they indulge. A banana, apple, or even orange is the perfect snack to give guests the healthy energy boost they need.
- Fresh fruit also doesn’t have to be refrigerated, so no worries about guests that don’t have fridges in their hotel rooms.

6

Water bottles

Drop a water bottle or two into each welcome bag, no matter the location. No one will complain about having extra water on hand, especially at a wedding! Add personalized labels to the bottles or simply leave them as is.^{[4]
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- If your venue has water bottle filling stations, consider giving out reusable water bottles guests can use throughout the wedding.

7

Mints

Make sure everyone has fresh breath with a tin of mints. Weddings are basically giant mixers, so give each of your guests a chance to make a lasting impression. They'll be thankful for this party favor with all the talking, drinking, and eating!^{[5]
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- Opt for dropping a handful of individually wrapped mints to the bottom of the bag, or stick with a miniature container of mints that’ll fit in each guests’ clutch or pocket.
- Consider giving these mints a personalized touch by customizing the tin to say the wedding’s destination and date.

8

Miniature alcohol bottles

Get the party started early with mini bottles of alcohol. Help your guests let loose before the festivities by dropping mini bottles of liquor, champagne, or beer into the welcome bags. This is a cute way to say, “Let’s have fun and get wild!”^{[6]
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- For destination weddings, try using alcohol from the area for a cultural touch.^{[7]
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9

A bottle or wine opener

Encourage fun before and after the wedding with a bottle or wine opener. Weddings are one big party after all, so give your guests something they can use to continue the fun! Not only is this a useful party favor, but it also pairs well with any alcohol you include in the welcome bag.^{[8]
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- Order custom bottle or wine openers with the couple’s name or wedding date for an even more memorable memento.

10

Hangover cures

Help your guests cure their after-wedding headaches. If there’s an open bar at your wedding, chances are many of your guests will wake up a little sore the next morning. Place some painkillers, vitamin tablets, or electrolyte powder packets into the welcome bags for a makeshift hangover kit—your guests will thank you later!^{[9]
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- Put all the hangover supplies in a small box with a cute note that reads something like, “Hangovers last a day, but memories last forever.”^{[10]
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11

Something personal from the couple

Add a memento from you and your partner to the welcome bags. Your guests are coming to see you marry the love of your life, so give them something sweet that represents you as a couple.^{[11]
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Research source} Make sure to attach a small note to the item to explain its meaning. Here are some ideas:
- If you and your partner love tea, include a special blend you made together.
- If you and your partner’s first date was to the movies, include a coupon for a movie ticket and a bag of microwavable popcorn.
- If you and your partner adopted a dog together, include a small stuffed puppy.

12

A beauty or grooming item

Put some lip balm, soap, or lotion in your guests’ bag. This is an excellent way to help your guests look and feel their best at your wedding. Opt for products everyone will use regardless of age or gender, and stick with neutral scents.
- Order personalized products with your wedding date for a fancier touch.
- Theme this item around your wedding using a fragrance or color that matches the event. For example, if you’ll be holding a rose bouquet, gift a rose-scented lotion.
- Have fun with your bridal party and make the products yourself! This would be a great bonding activity to help you unwind before the big day.

13

Germ-fighting toiletries

Fight illness with hand sanitizer, tissues, and disposable masks. With so many people from all over in one place, it’s always better to be prepared for germs! Drop a few practical toiletries into each welcome bag to help your guests stay safe.^{[12]
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- Put your wedding’s logo or date on the toiletries’ packaging for an extra special touch.

14

Beach essentials

Gift your guests a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses for a beach wedding. If your guests are traveling, they may have forgotten some of their beach day essentials, so give them exactly what they need! These items are practical for the wedding festivities and make an excellent souvenir.^{[13]
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- Have the beach towels embroidered with the couple's name and wedding date to commemorate the big day.

15

Paper bag, tote, box, or basket?

Package your welcome bags in a way that’s suitable for your wedding. Some brides prefer using throwaway packaging, while others lean towards reusable products. There’s no right or wrong way to assemble your bags—go with what works best for you! To help you decide, we’ve made a list of the pros and cons of each:
- Paper bags are cheap and easy to find and decorate, but they can cause more waste.
- Tote bags are customizable in size and style and work as an extra souvenir, but can be expensive.^{[14]
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- Boxes are relatively cheap, but they can be difficult to travel with.
- Baskets are reusable and spacious, but they may be harder to transport and fill.