Wedding Gift Bag Ideas for Thanking Guests

Putting together a sweet and thoughtful wedding gift bag to put into your out-of-town guests’ hotel rooms for when they arrive is one of the best ways to say thank you for coming to support us on our wedding day!  Below you will find some great wedding gift bag ideas for putting together that thoughtful gift that will leave a lasting impression.

Goodies and refreshments are a MUST when it comes to hotel gift bags for wedding guests!  The first thing your guests will do when they see a wedding gift bag waiting for them in their hotel room is empty the contents out onto the bed or dresser and find the food!  I guarantee it!  Bottled water is a wonderful option for something to drink since guests might be thirsty after a long day of travel.  Make sure to include at least two bottles per room!  If you want to go the extra mile, order bottles that have personalized labels with the name of the bride and groom on them!!!  Your guests can refill them and use them all weekend!  Also, include some snacks that will help to reenergize your guests.  Granola bars.  Peanuts.  High protein and high fiber snacks are the best options.  Something to satisfy their sweet tooth is never a bad idea either so consider throwing in some hershey’s kisses or a small chocolate bar. 

The second items guests will automatically search for is a letter and an itinerary.  Guests will be interested in reading what you have to say, so take time to write a great letter thanking them all for being there and sharing in your special wedding day!!  Also, be sure to include a schedule of wedding events complete with directions, times and locations so that guests are completely clear about when and where they need to be at all times. 

For fun, why not add some wedding favors to the bag?  Mint tins, travel candles, fun soaps, etc.  Look through any of the favors you can find online and pick out a few things that your guests can use in their hotel room and throughout the weekend! 

A disposable camera is also a great idea.  Instruct your guests to take photos for you throughout the weekend and then give them a place to leave the cameras at the end of the event.  Then, you can develop the pictures and post them on a photo sharing site online for everyone to see!  If you are a fan of candid shots, this is a great way to get candid photos of the entire weekend’s events, not just the reception!  Make sure guests are clear about what kinds of pictures you are hoping for and where to leave the camera when it is full!

Most of the time, if your guests are in town for a few days, they will have some free time on their hands.  Any research you can do about the city and some fun things to do would be greatly appreciated.  If you’re getting married in a city you live in, this should be a piece of cake.  Simply write out a list of fun things to do and how to get there or how much it costs.  If you are in a city you don’t know that well, go to the local visitor’s bureau or chamber of commerce and ask for ideas and a handful of free brochures!  Your guests will thank you for it!!  (TIP:  Shopping is always a fun pasttime, so consider pointing out nearby malls and discount outlets to your guests!)

The important things to remember when putting together the perfect gift bag are the itinerary, thank you letters and information.  THose are the must-haves that every guest will look for.  THe other items like refreshments, favors, the camera, a personalized wedding CD, etc… those are just the things that will make your gift bag unique, thoughtful and useful to your guests.  Whether you pick one idea and run with it, or whether you decide to include all of these ideas… remember that it is more about the thought that goes into it than it is about the money you spend!  Your guests are there because they love and support you, so the purpose of a wedding gift bag is just to let them know how much you appreciate that love and support!!