Welcome Bags and What are you including?

How about something made locally - like a bottle of maple syrup, honey, jam, mini pies or chocolates. A wrap for the ladies would be nice if it will be chilly. Pretzels, apples, candy, etc. are always good. A bottle of wine to get the party started ;-)

Be creative and have fun!

I am also doing welcome bags. my wedding is in Miami.

Thank you letter, snacks, mini sanitizer, bottle of water (custom label), sun block, florida key chain. that's as far as I have gotten with that.

I have to be honest what you have sounds like quite a lot already. We had all of the paper stuff, two waters, the pb crackers, two chocolates, mini-bag of pretzels and a handful of kisses. The other route you could go if you have a group of party people, some tums, asprin-make a mini hangover kit.

Think about how many people are going to need a hotel room and if it is almost every couple it could add up quickly. Not counting the printing and the actual bags I spent about $200. So don't for get to put that into your budget.

I was thinking schedule of events, a thank you note, a transit map/tourist info, and maybe a hangover kit with gatorade mix, aspirin, Dramamine and Alka-Seltzer. I don't think you have to go too crazy.

One thing I'd do is eliminate or reduce anything liquid - if folks are flying in, and only doing carry-on luggage, they may have to ditch things like the maple syrup or wine at Security before they fly home.

In my welcome bags, I'm including a schedule, extra map to the church, a couple of waters with custom labels a bag of microwave popcorn, a photo frame and some nuts. I'm not sure just how many I'm going to have to do since the wedding is at a hotel and everything and its close enough to where people may see it as a waste of money to stay in the hotel ...

Thanks for the ideas! I guess I am right on target. None of our guests will be flying, most will be riding a motorcycle, so I am trying to keep things small and things they would be consuming while they are in Vermont, like the water and snacks for the day riding. I will also be including a tourist guide for 2011. Rather than maple syrup, I am including the maple moose pops.

Yes...these things do add up, especially considering every guest is staying for the weekend. I am also doing a welcome dinner, in lieu of a rehearsal dinner. All of the guests are invited. Originally, I had it under my "Favor" budget, but I had to revamp the budget. : )

I love the hangover ideas!

Thanks again ladies!

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My wedding will also be in Miami. Do I HAVE to have welcome bags for out of town guests?

@ Future Mrs, no, you don't HAVE to, but it's a very nice touch. I will be doing them for my DW as well. If you think about how much people have paid to travel, and the time they are giving up, a small bag of goodies is a great addition. You can contact your county where the wedding is held to get a few things from their chamber of commerce (maps, etc) for free, toss in a water bottle and a mini sunscreen, and add a small bag of homemade cookies and you'll be set. It doesnt have to be fancy or expensive

In addition to the welcome bag, for a destination if people aren't familiar to the area, an advance email of activity & associated packing suggestions. For example if they like to go hiking or want to play in the rivers than they will want hiking boots & water shoes.

Before I scrapped the idea, I had negotiated a 40% discount for my guests at my favorite breakfast place in the city. Scrapped coz my guests were booking hotels everywhere and very last minute, couldnt keep track.

Analy.....OMG....LMAO...Thanks so much for the info. Now...I have to ask the 16 year old to download for me. : )

I think my bags will be full....thanks ladies.

When do you exactly give the welcome bag to your OT guests?