Welcoming out of town guests to your wedding by greeting them with a Welcome Bag found in their hotel room upon arrival is the perfect way to begin a weekend of celebration, and to communicate with your guests on scheduled wedding events.

Here are a few ideas for filling your bags with items your guests will enjoy:

Personalized Bags:  Start with a pretty bag that matches your wedding colors.  Personalize them with a thoughtful…or funny…welcome message.

Itinerary & Maps: Welcome bags are a great opportunity to communicate with your guests.  Include information from your wedding invitation (for those guests who left their invitation on the kitchen table), scheduled times for transportation you may be providing, local maps and recommended restaurants.

Local Specialties:  Include items in your bag that are specific to the area; sugar maple candy for a Maine wedding, Boston baked beans for a Boston wedding.  And if you are having your wedding in Chicago, don’t forget to include some delicious Garrett popcorn.

Spa Bag:  Be creative.  Suggest a romantic weekend to your guests by welcoming them with a gift that includes scented candles, soaps and lotions.

Theme Bags:  Is your daughter planning an island wedding?  Fill your welcome bags with flip flops, sunscreen and definitely bottled water.

A Gift of Wine:  A simple but lovely gift is a bottle of wine labeled with your own wedding message.  Don’t forget to include the wine opener!

Munchies Bag:  Always appreciated is a bag filled with great snack food to keep your guests energized throughout the weekend.