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The Daily Dish Shopping

Out of Town Wedding Guests? Here's What You Need For the Best Welcome Bag Ever

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By Jessie Sardina
5 Ways to Be a Great Wedding Guest

Last spring I was lucky to be invited to a destination wedding in Puerto Rico—beyond my excitement for the couple to be, I was thrilled for the perfect excuse to take a vacay. When the wedding weekend finally arrived, my date and I giddily boarded a plane to San Juan with visions of beachside piña coladas and sunset strolls dancing in our Vitamin D-deprived brains (in Chicago, spring is loosely defined as that rare day you can get by without handwarmers).

Needless to say, we were—for lack of a better word—stoked. And so when we arrived at the resort, eager to hug the bride and groom before sprinting to the beach, and were greeted by a canvas tote bag filled with essentials for an epic weekend, we were beyond surprised. It turns out our gracious hosts—a thoughtful couple with a crafty streak—had spent the night before their guests’ arrival assembling a hefty welcome bag filled with necessities (sunscreen, Tylenol, Chapstick) and treats (cans of Puerto Rican beer, beachy reading material, gummy bears), plus some personalized extras like a list of the couple’s favorite local spots and custom-printed koozies. It was an extra-special touch that was not only memorable, but seriously functional—I still use the tote for groceries!

Planning a destination wedding of your own? Consider greeting your guests with a welcome bag of thoughtful treats to kickoff the festivities. Not sure where to start? Take a peek at the 10 suggestions below for a greeting they won’t soon forget.

Supergoop! Antioxidant-Infused Sunscreen Mist with Vitamin C SPF 50

Destination wedding? This water-resistant sunscreen mist is infused with antioxidants and Vitamin C to keep your guests’ skin hydrated and protected from harmful rays, because nothing says buzzkill like a sunburn.

BUY FROM: Nordstrom, $19

Westin White Tea Travel Candle

Transform a hotel room in a home away from home with a travel candle. This all-natural soy votive burns with the refreshing scent of white tea.

BUY FROM: Nordstrom, $12

Underwater Disposable Camera

Your wedding weekend is one they’ll never forget thanks to a disposable camera, and this adorably printed version comes encased in waterproof plastic to keep the photo-ops going even when you’re poolside.

BUY FROM: Urban Outfitters, $18

Strawberry Champagne Dark Chocolate Bar

Greet your guests with a sweet treat like this dark chocolate bar flavored with dried strawberry bits and infused with champagne.

BUY FROM: Bloomingdales, $8

Chipotle Lime Peanuts

Don’t leave your guests hanging when late-night hotel-room hunger strikes. These chipotle and cayenne spiced peanuts are tempered with a kick of lime to satisfy even the most serious of snack attacks.

BUY FROM: Mouth.com, $6.25

Champagne Campaign Hangover Kit

This one’s for the dance floor die hards: a pain reliever, eye mask, hair tie, blister bandage, electrolytes, breath drops and facial cleansing towel are all packed into a handy pouch to kickoff morning-after recovery.

BUY FROM: Urban Outfitters, $14

Mini Blanc de Blancs in a Can

Pop a few cans of bubbles in your guests’ hotel room mini-fridge for a nightcap (ore pre-game!) in a snap.

BUY FROM: Wine.com, $16.99

Rosebud Salve

Your guests will thank you for this cult-favorite multipurpose balm that does everything from soothe chapped lips to moisturize cuticles and calm burns.

BUY FROM: Sephora, $6

Mini Portable Charger

Thanks to this lightweight mini portable power pack that easily slips inside a clutch or a pocket, your guests can snap the night away without the fear of ‘battery zero.’

BUY FROM: Amazon, $12.99

Sleep Mask

This soft cotton eye mask features a cooling gel insert that works to depuff tired eyes for a morning-after look that says, “I totally didn’t have that last glass of champagne.”

BUY FROM: Urban Outfitters, $15

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