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We’ve got this in the bag!

Welcome bags are by no means required at Destination weddings, however I think they’re a very nice touch and pretty easy to do.  You won't always be able to greet every guest upon their arrival so a welcome bag is a great way to touch base with them right away.  You can tailor your welcome bag to any budget and many times your welcome bag can be a DIY project.  Here are what I believe are the essentials for a good Welcome Bag (or box, or basket):

*Welcome letter: Thank you guests for traveling

*Detailed Itinerary: Make sure your guests know where to be and when!

*Destination Essentials : Anticipate little things your guests will appreciate having at the destination: sunscreen and aloe gel at the beach; a bug repellant and advil are good essentials. If your wedding is in a city a subway card or bus tokens might be a nice touch. And no matter where you are, disposable cameras and personalized bottled water (or koozies!!!) are always welcome.

*Fitting treats or snacks – A taste of locally made food and drink will introduce your guests to the destination’s delicacies and get them in a festive mood!  here are a few ideas I love:

          Mexico: Mexican Wedding Cookies, Mexican Drinking Chocolates

          Jamaica – Blue Mountain Coffee

          Hawaii – Macadamia Nuts

          Puerto Rico – Plantain Chips

          Key West – ummm anything Key Lime!!! Key Lime cookies or cupcakes would be amazing!

Since your friends and family are on vacation it might be fun to provide them with a celebratory drink - a bottle of wine if you’re getting married in the wine country, rum in the Caribbean or locally brewed beer are all good ideas.

Getting welcome bags to your destination wedding is a little more tricky, but there are two ways to go about it.  Of course, the first option is to package up your welcome bags and ship them to your destination ahead of time.  However, be aware of expensive shipping costs and duty taxes…check with your on site wedding coordinator before mailing anything.  (From experience, you cannot ship your goodies to Mexico)  

Your second option is to pack the welcome bags into several boxes and have your wedding party help you bring them along as checked bags.  Keep them unassembled until you get there and then convince your maid of honor to join you for an assembly party :) 

For the treats, try to work with your local coordinator to find a nearby bakery that can provide you with the treats.  For my welcome bags, we ordered handmade Mexican chocolates from a restaurant in Playa Del Carmen, I was able to order them over email with the manager and he even delivered them to the hotel!

Whatever destination option you choose, be sure to bring along extras in case your packages get smooshed or broken along the way!

When you’re planning the look of your welcome bag, try to keep your destination in mind and make sure you keep in coordinated with your color scheme.  If you are using a monogram or a motif, make sure to incorporate that into your welcome bag.  One site I loved was www.foryourparty.com, you can buy several different sized tags and have them custom printed for you. You should also check www.etsy.com - there are many many sellers who will print custom labels, stickers and ribbons for you. 

Here are a few welcome bags that I love…

I think a pretty decorated box tied up with a ribbon is a really cool idea and I love that the welcome letter is right on top! 

Picture: Soiree by Tara Guerard

 I love the look of a jute bag for a beach wedding.  Your guests can even use the bag while they're on vacation!

Picture: Soiree by Tara Guerard

And stay tuned because I plan to dedicate a blog entry to a step by step instruction on how to create a welcome box like the one I created for my wedding...here's your sneak peek:

I'll share with you everything from how to make it to where to order all the supplies...from the contents to the sticker and ribbon!