Are you thinking about giving your guests a welcome gift for attending your wedding?

Your guests will appreciate it if you do, and you don’t have to spend a lot. I would limit it to $15-$25 per person per room. You can give a welcome bag to each couple, one per room or a personalized gift per guest. I compiled a list of items my destination wedding couples have included in their gift bags over the years. There are so many things you can do, but think about what you want and what your guests will actually use so you don’t waste money.

Bags

For the bag itself, I have had brides create custom canvas or beach bags on Etsy or Zazzle. Or, if you have a neighborhood vendor or friend who has a screen printer maybe they’ll do it for you at a discounted rate.

A more cost effective option is to buy paper gift bags in bulk and print sticker labels for each bag – these will be so easy to travel with and light weight.

Things to put in the bags

• Welcome itineraries and/or welcome letter
• Towel chair clips/holders
• Aloe
• Pepto
• Emergen-C
• Chapstick
• Bug spray
• Straws (plastic, wood or metal) since most resorts use paper now
• Sunscreen
• Mints
• Hand sanitizer
• Waterproof phone case
• Hangover kit
• Tylenol
• Wipes
• Inflated cup holders
• Snack sized chips/pretzels
• Chocolate bars
• Baby powder
• Tide to go pens

Personalized gifts

If you don’t want to do bags for everyone, here are a few options you can personalize for everyone. Consider making them all the same color so everyone knows who is in the group – especially if it’s a larger group and some guests may not know everyone. It’s a good ice breaker.

• Insulated cups (Yeti’s)
• T-Shirts
• Sunglasses
• Luggage Tags
• Door hangers 
• Koozies

If you would like these delivered to your guest’s rooms, the resort may charge a fee. You can ask your Destination Wedding Expert or resort Wedding Coordinator what the fee is. I’ve seen the delivery fee range from $7-$12 per room. If they do charge a fee, and you’d rather not pay it, you can pass them out to everyone the first night at your rehearsal dinner or dedicate a couple of your guests to pass them out to everyone for you at the pool, at the lobby at check-in, etc.

Whatever you decide, a welcome bag with personalized gifts is a great way to show your guests how much you love that they braved long flights, car rides, bus rides or all three to be with you in this special place on your special day.