welcome bag contents

nycrose2013

Hey guys

What usually goes in a welcome bag? I wasn't planning on doing one, but now that I know that our shuttles have a strict arrival and departure schedule, I want to do one and include a note to that effect. Also I think they are cute.

So what normally goes in them? I know people do a regional speciality, but northern new jersey isn't really famous for much. So am i looking at snacks and water bottles? advil? I want them to be cute but not break the bank.

itzMS

Ehhhh, I think the "personal care" items are a waste of your money. Bandaids, hand sanitizer, lotions, medicines, etc, are really all personal things that I will bring with me if I feel I need them. Otherwise, I'd probably just toss the ones you provided in the trash.

If you insist on doing them, stick to a few snacks, bottled water, perhaps a $5 gift card per guest to Starbucks (if there is one nearby) or arrange a credit at the hotel bar?

Belle0720

The one time I received a welcome bag at a wedding they just had water and snacks and we thought it was the coolest thing (having never heard of the concept before). We were especially appreciative of them when we came back to the hotel pretty drunk.

I think we're going to put water bottles, granola bars and chips or cookies or nuts. I'm also going to try to get some wine tasting passes to nearby wineries to throw in there as well as a note with the shuttle schedule on it.

Simply Fated

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_welcome-bag-contents?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:228379ed-f3ea-4f9e-9025-93425439ca23Post:b0df17bc-1f24-408f-a192-a80d3440ace2">welcome bag contents</a>:
[QUOTE]Hey guys What usually goes in a welcome bag? I wasn't planning on doing one, but now that I know that our shuttles have a strict arrival and departure schedule, I want to do one and include a note to that effect. Also I think they are cute. So what normally goes in them? I know people do a regional speciality,<strong> but northern new jersey isn't really famous for much. </strong>So am i looking at snacks and water bottles? advil? I want them to be cute but not break the bank.
Posted by nycrose2013[/QUOTE]
I definitely suggest a bottle of water. ;)

Maybe a small snack, like a bag of chips or an apple?
Are they staying for more than one night? Maybe a list of nearby drugs stores? Or restaurants that have delicious brunches?

Don't go crazy, if you don't want to break the bank. Even just a nice "Welcome to Jersey" note is sweet enough, ya know?

Blue & White

Northern NJ is known for pizza and bagels.

Both don't really go in guest bags well, unfortunately...

I've only gotten water bottles and snacks in recent wedding out of town bags.  I wouldn't expect much more if I received a out of town bag.

efmcc67

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_welcome-bag-contents?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:228379ed-f3ea-4f9e-9025-93425439ca23Post:08eaff78-35e4-4528-ba20-4b934bd7c2d2">Re: welcome bag contents</a>:
[QUOTE]Ehhhh, I think the "personal care" items are a waste of your money. Bandaids, hand sanitizer, lotions, medicines, etc, are really all personal things that I will bring with me if I feel I need them. Otherwise, I'd probably just toss the ones you provided in the trash. If you insist on doing them, stick to a few snacks, bottled water, perhaps a $5<strong> gift card per guest to Starbucks (if there is one nearby) or arrange a credit at the hotel bar?</strong>
Posted by itzMS[/QUOTE]

<div>Ooooh, I hadn't thought of that! That's a great idea! I also agree that you should skip things like Advil. Personally, I've always been happy to get water in a welcome bag, because I always get dehydrated when I travel. If there's food, bonus!</div>

lyndausvi

We got married in Cape May.


We had water, salt water taffy, pretzels, advil, tastykakes, beer kooizes and a timeline for the shuttle and an invite to the open house the night before.


Our group are big beer drinking at the beach and around the pool people.  Koozies and advil got a lot of use 

lyndausvi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_welcome-bag-contents?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:228379ed-f3ea-4f9e-9025-93425439ca23Post:c219a90e-778f-4b00-8e0e-d01c8cfcdc00">Re: welcome bag contents</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: welcome bag contents : I disagree. I love welcome bags. You certainly don't need to have them, but I always really appreciate them. Something simple like a bottle of water and something to snack on (local snacks are cute) is all you need.  We're probably going to do water and a tastykake or philly soft pretzel. 
Posted by HoorayForSoup[/QUOTE]

Me too.

I also think it's funny to assume there is something to upgrade    I can't think of anything we could have upgraded.  Well they had a fireworks package, but that cost more than the OOT bags.

minskat31

My welcome bags will include a letter with directions/timeline, a few water bottles and Chicago-centric snacks (Chicago style popcorn, Quaker granola bars, Frango chocolates, etc.).  Mostly food so our guests don't need to raid the mini-bar and incur that charge when they all return from our reception (likely pretty toasted). 

kmcclelland7

My family plus a lot of friends are going to be coming from out of town.  On top of that many people have said to us "Ohh we have never been to Minnesota, we are going to spend a few extra days in the Twin Cities for a mini vacation!"  Because of this we thought welcome bags would be nice.  Knowing that and sticking to our fall themed October wedding (without breaking the bank) we are going to include: Small water bottles, apples (Minnesota has some special varieties and it's fall), vistors guides for Minneapolis and Saint Paul that I picked up for free from the vistors center, maps of the downtowns and attractions, a welcome note with shuttle info and cocktails the night before, and some sort of other food that we haven't decided on yet.

A little long, but I hope that helps!  Most guests I think really appreciate them, particularly if there is food and water included!

sarahdactyI

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_welcome-bag-contents?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:228379ed-f3ea-4f9e-9025-93425439ca23Post:6e1d8e84-1786-43ee-93b6-cb17a885400b">Re: welcome bag contents</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm not sure if I'm the best example because my mom went over the top on the welcome bags.  People found it to be super nice, though.  She had a few packs of hot cocoa, some bottled water,  Buc-ee's Beaver Nuggets , and a bottle of Texas wine.  
Posted by TXKristan[/QUOTE]

<div>...packing this away for a few months from now when I have no idea what to put in our welcome bags :)</div>

nycrose2013

Thanks everyone! there really is nothing else to upgrade at my reception, to be honest. I was just wondering if I was missing something. I know i would appreciate a little advil packet at after a night of drinking, I always seem to forget to bring it and ALWAYS need it. I guess I will keep the snacks basic and include 2 big bottles of water. 

i guess people can't really judge free stuff too hard, so i'm not going to worry about it too much. Wish I could put some Jersey fresh pizza in there!

kpiasecki

Stupid question...

DOES each Guest get one?

or EACH room/couple get one?

THANKS

kmcclelland7

For us we are doing each room that is reserved under our room block.  But I'm sure you can do it whatever way you would like too.

bellinibellini

Ditto on all the water bottle comments--some hotels charge insane amounts for them, and if I were a guest I would appreciate not having to pay $7 for a puny bottle of water.  Also some yummy snacks.  Maybe bake some cookies, if you have time?  A nice touch that isn't expensive. 

Info on local attractions, but also maybe a little card that mentions local places that are particularly special to your relationship.  Not that people have to go to them by any means, but some might be curious and find it cute.  Also, I know everyone has smartphones nowadays, but I think a local map would still be helpful, especially for mostly older people who don't use smartphones.  Also, info on your favorite no-fail local restaurants.

If you're having multiple events, an itinerary for people to know what's going on--even if you sent one in the invites, chances are people forgot it, and you don't want everyone texting you to find out what's going on.  On that note, a list of other people's numbers whom your guests can call if they have questions (people who will have time to take calls, i.e. your wedding planner if you have one, or some other designated family volunteer) so that if people have questions, you're not getting bombarded.

For families coming with younger kids, maybe a cheap toy or two.  Nothing fancy, a racecar, animal or small thing of legos would do.  Kids love anything new and I'm sure parents would appreciate a distracting toy. 

Ella and Pedro

I am approaching the Welcome Bag based on my experience as an Events Planner and as a guest in a number of B n Bs.  So, we're going to include a little booklet with colored pages, I have compiled over time, which will include wedding-specific information (our schedule, Emergency Contact of Wedding Pary and Vendors), Map and Directions, and some tourist stuff like places we recommend for a good authentic Baltimore style Crab Boil, how to eat a whole boiled crab, places to eat which are not Crab Boil places, places to see - prices, hours, address....because some people won't have a cell phone or laptop with them (my Dad being one) where they will be able to look this stuff up.  In this same booklet we're also doing Wedding Mad Libs, and Fun Facts about Baltimore.

In addition, we're doing a recipe and a seasoning packet for Crab Cakes.  So, you could do a guide to New Jersey Italian Restaurants, a recipe, and some cured pepperoni or good quality deli cheese to use with it. 

Also, how about postcards stamped with N.J. themed stamps.  Try www.zazzle.com. We're also doing that.  Two - one for them to address as they please, one addressed to us with a request them send it either before they leave town or when they get home with comments about the wedding (it's kind of like our guest book)

And yes, we're also doing bottled water and snacks....asprin, sunscreen and so forth.  I know most people bring them but if someone forgets or thinks they don't need it (never know the weather, end of March) I would hate them to have to buy one. Most especially if it was late at night and they had to buy one someplace like 7/11 where it's like $5 for 2 asprins.

P.S. preg. women should be given ibeprofen.