Surprise your out-of-town wedding guests by having welcome bags waiting for them when they arrive to their hotel. It will be your first opportunity to show your awesome hospitality to immediately make them feel right at home. An amazing welcome bag is just one more way to let your guests know how much you appreciate their presence at your wedding.

A welcome bag is a bag, basket or other container that has a few items in it to welcome your guests to your wedding. Some of the items in it can be for fun and some can be necessities. So, what do you put in this bag?

Ways to Welcome Your Out-of-Town Wedding Guests

Schedule of Events: Map out the events of the wedding day and/or weekend so that guests will know what’s going on and where it’s going on. If you’re putting together a blanket timeline, be sure to note who’s specifically participating in what. You don’t want Uncle Fred showing up to the bridesmaid cocktail social. Also include maps, locations, and proper attire for each event. It is also wise to list the phone number of a wedding contact to field questions for you. Assign this task to your wedding planner, close relative or one of your bridesmaids. List of Local Attractions: Help your guests enjoy the time surrounding your wedding events by letting them know local area attractions and the best restaurants to eat at. Be sure your list also contains your favorite boutiques and coffee shops. You also can include a guidebook, map or the issue of a local magazine or newspaper. If your wedding is taking place in the same city where you two fell in love, be sure to incorporate a sweet story about where you met, your first date or your first kiss. If they know what to see and do, they are more likely to enjoy their time and remember your wedding with fondness.

Miscellaneous: Among the other things listed above, your welcome kit for your out-of-town wedding guests should include a few snacks and drinks. Water, granola, beef jerky, hard candies and breath mints or gum are good recommendations. You can also supply a few toiletries that the hotel doesn’t usually provide like lip balm, sunscreen or hand sanitizer. If your guests like to party, they may also appreciate some ibuprofen, Alka-Seltzer and maybe even some Emergen-C for the morning after. A small souvenir is sure to make their stay memorable.

Thank You Card: I have listed this last, but this is probably the most important piece in your welcome bag for your out-of-town wedding guests. Some of your guests will have traveled long distances to your wedding by car, plain or train. Let them know how much their presence is valued by giving them a personalized, hand-written note. Let them know how much it means to you to be sharing your day with them.

**Some of the images contained in this post were shot under the direction and for assignment of CAKE Photography. The images are copyrighted by CAKE Photography, but are used herein with permission.

The post, Ways to Welcome Your Out-of-Town Wedding Guests, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co.’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.