Are Out Of Town Welcome Bags necessary?

soontobemrsbuccheri

My fiancé and I were talking about favors, bridal party gifts, etc and I brought up the Out of town welcome bags for those staying at the hotel from out of town.  He asked if they were truly necessary and I said that they are a nice "welcoming" touch, especially if you are having a brunch the next morning with those staying in the hotel.  It's another nice "thank you" for coming.  He said that he didn't think that they were necessary and I said that it would be nice, especially for those coming in from Florida, North Carolina, California, etc.  He just shook his head and said it's just more money to spend on stuff that will probably get thrown out.

I'm not sure how I feel about them, and wanted to know if they were really necessary?  What are you doing for your out of town guests? 

Please help me understand them.....

Gordo2014

I hope not; because we're not doing them.

silver0319

It's a nice gesture to your guests, but they aren't necessary.  We are doing them, but will also include maps, lists of things to do and local restaurants, as many of our guests are not familiar with the area.

AmandaNWP

I think they are a nice touch - and don't need to be anything over-the-top. Buy a bulk package of paper gift bags from Target/Walmart and water bottles/small snack bars/etc from Costco. Then a few pieces of helpful information, like @silver0319 mentioned. Then it doesn't need to be something that you're spending a ton on, but still a nice touch for your guests making a long trek.

Ctrossello

Agree - I think they are nice and did them for pretty cheap.  Got bags from the dollar store, Advil/ibuprofen from Amazon (bought the ones they sell for offices and gave everyone one or two packs in their bags), put in a welcome letter/timeline that I DIY'd, snacks from BJ's, and two waters. 

Also, you only need to make them for out of town guests.  Not sure where you are getting married, but if not everyone is staying at the hotel it really isn't a lot. 

soontobemrsbuccheri

Ctrossello said:

Agree - I think they are nice and did them for pretty cheap.  Got bags from the dollar store, Advil/ibuprofen from Amazon (bought the ones they sell for offices and gave everyone one or two packs in their bags), put in a welcome letter/timeline that I DIY'd, snacks from BJ's, and two waters. 

Also, you only need to make them for out of town guests.  Not sure where you are getting married, but if not everyone is staying at the hotel it really isn't a lot. 

We're getting married at St. Hedwig's in Trenton and our reception is at the Windsor Ballroom in East Windsor.  Not many people (I would say about 30ish) are from out of town and the rest are from the NJ area.  I will have to see what my budget allows, closer to the beginning of the year.  

Thank you all for your input.  It's greatly appreciated.

LavenderHoneyBee

They are very nice, especially for OOT guests. I would have never thought they were necessary until recently when I checked into a hotel for a wedding. Behind the front desk were rows and rows of bags - for other weddings. I obviously didn't care that the wedding I was with didn't have them. But I think it's become very common place.

Swazzle

I always really appreciate welcome bags as a guest and so we made them for our guests at our wedding. We included a couple bottles of water, a bunch of snacks, and a packet of Tylenol and Advil. 

nikole712

As a guest I always appreciate the Welcome Bags, especially the bottles of water! I plan on doing something very similar to PP's with Advil, Snacks, Water, etc. from Costco for our guests staying at the hotel. It is just a nice way to say thank you again for sharing our day with us.

soontobemrsbuccheri

I'm thinking that I will probably prepare a package as it gets closer to the date.  Plus, by then, I'll probably be in a new job and can afford a little more of the extra stuff.  As it is right now, our budget is extremely tight and every little penny counts.  I like the idea of that....

Now, another question is, breakfast is provided the morning after the wedding.  How do I invite all those that are staying over, to have breakfast with us the next morning if they are not all from OOT?  A card in their room? Mention it during the reception? 

LissyM83

Nice gesture but as others have said, they're not necessary. We did them for our guests but kept the contents simple (2 chips, assorted candy, gum, mints, packgets of tylenol, 2 bottles of water).