Out of Town Wedding Guests? Here's What You Need For the Best Welcome Bag Ever
544x376Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONE
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.’
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.”
