Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Wedding Ceremony & Reception Wedding Reception Ideas Wedding Favors 49 Welcome Bags From Real Weddings By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 30, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography There's no better way to welcome guests to your wedding weekend than with a welcome bag, box, or basket. A small gift with a few hand-picked surprises is just the thing to make attendees feel like a special part of the big day. Begin by brainstorming favorite snacks or sips, like monogrammed bottled water, local treats, or miniature bottles of bubbly. Consider additions for guests who may be unfamiliar with the area, like personalized maps with your go-to spots marked, along with the ceremony and reception locations and any shuttle or transportation information. And guests will appreciate a post-party recovery kit: Advil, eye masks, or do-not-disturb signs that match your wedding stationery. Wrap everything up in a stylish (and preferably reusable!) vessel with a thank-you note. We've compiled plenty of creative welcome goodies, starting with flip-top boxes pictured here: Lauryn Prattes Events curated these with water, snacks, and a recovery kit in a muslin bag with the couple's wax seal. As a bonus, the boxes folded up for easy transport and reuse after the wedding. 01 of 48 Thank-You Notes Kylee Yee Prior to their wedding, this couple hand-wrote thank-you cards for their guests, then wrapped them in lace and placed them inside the welcome bags, which also featured drinks and local goodies. 02 of 48 Signature Tastes Heather Waraksa This thoughtful bride and groom gave guests a welcome bag from A Signature Welcome, which included a few of their favorite things: Cabot's Candy, handmade organic soap, a bundle of palo santo wood and crystals, and mini carpets, handmade and personalized with their names and wedding date from Azerbaijan. 03 of 48 Foodie-Focused KT Merry This couple greeted guests staying at their Fairmont Grand Del Mar venue with gift boxes that included cookies, olive oil, and other treats. 04 of 48 Keep It Local Mike Cassimatis Looking for a great way to welcome guests to your destination? Make like this couple, who compiled gift bags with local St. Louis staples, including snacks from The Billy Goat Chip Company and Gooey Louie butter cake. 05 of 48 French-Themed Gift KT Merry Pick a theme and go for it. At this wedding, guests received baskets filled with French-inspired goodies. A Signature Welcome added a baguette and rose-petal confit, a bundle of lavender, and chocolates. The 10 Most Romantic Places to Honeymoon in France 06 of 48 Filled to the Brim Lissa Ryan Photography Have your gifts take a cue from the setting, like these beach-inspired welcome boxes did. Marigold & Grey filled seagrass baskets with little parcels sealed with twine and wax to match the couple's invitations. Snacks were kept location-appropriate with plantain chips and dried mango. Sunscreen and sunglasses (there were five styles in total) were tucked in to make sure guests had it made in the shade. And a Turkish towel was folded on top as the finishing touch. 07 of 48 Custom Logo Greg Finck The couple opted for signature Baltimore treats, including Utz potato chips and Berger cookies. Meanwhile, the welcome tote featured their custom logo—a theme exemplified throughout the soirée. 08 of 48 Completely Cozy Laura Ford Photography Custom beanies and a weekend itinerary were just some of the creative contents of this couple's welcome bags. 09 of 48 Personalized Greetings Elizabeth Messina Photography If you're having a small wedding, it's easier to go the extra mile to personalize your welcome goodies. At this intimate destination wedding, attendees were greeted with a pail of edible local goodies, postcards, and a guide to the area. The sweetest touch was the calligraphed tag welcoming each guest by name. 10 of 48 Lemon and Honey Treats The Happy Bloom Weaving a common thread through the contents of your welcome bag will make them feel highly curated. At this Savannah wedding, wide-woven baskets were stocked with lemon- and honey-themed snacks. A Signature Welcome finished off each parcel with raw silk ribbon in a muted shade of green. 11 of 48 Cool Swag Steve Cowell Photography Baskets lined with a patterned cloth were loaded with autumnal treats like fresh apples, dried fruit and nuts, black cherry soda, and a bottle of rosé, showing that you can be a little seasonal but still have cool style. 12 of 48 Pink and Blue Goodies Kate Headley Sticking to a color palette or a particular pattern on your packaging keeps a welcome box cohesive. Teak & Twine filled sturdy boxes with treats like mini bottles of bubbly, soap, candy, and a chocolate bar and used various elements from the Cheree Berry Paper stationery suite for the wrapping. 13 of 48 Bienvenidos a Mexico The Love Studio Getting married in another country? Celebrate the local language by printing a welcoming message on the tote bags you give each guest. At this wedding in Tulum, Mexico, the couple handed out teal-colored totes with local beer, a bottle opener, handmade guides to the area, and "in sickness and in health" bags that included Pepto, Band-Aids, ibuprofen, gum, sunscreen, and bug-repelling bracelets. 14 of 48 A Modern Welcome Sylvie Gil Photography Everything inside these metal baskets was gold or white, and most items were locally sourced. Gold water bottles helped keep guests hydrated over the weekend, while treats like kettle corn, a candle that smells like the nearby forest, and a small bottle of liquor with a recipe card had everyone feeling right at home. Shredded wood kept the contents secure. 21 Ways to Make Your Wedding Feel More Modern, Straight from the Experts 15 of 48 Southern Charm Lissa Ryan Photography Go the regional route and stuff your welcome boxes with local staples. Here, Marigold & Grey filled round boxes with monogrammed snacks, gourmet cashews, and honey to show guests some southern hospitality ahead of this Georgia wedding. The color palette of the packaging and ribbons tied in to the welcome dinner, where the couple presented the welcome amenities to each guest. 16 of 48 A Colorful Motif The Grovers Brand your bags, but do it in a way that's not just your names and the wedding date, as guests are more likely to reuse something if it's a general design. This couple adorned their welcome totes with a colorful watercolor motif that complemented their stationery suite by Julie Song Ink. Along with snacks and water, an itinerary helped guests settle in. 43 Dreamy Watercolor-Inspired Wedding Ideas 17 of 48 Going Greek Abby Jiu Photography At this Greek-inspired wedding, a bottle of olive oil was just one of the many components guests found inside their wooden gift box. Lauryn Prattes Events tapped Marigold & Grey to flesh out the rest: a Greek walnut loaf, artisanal chocolates, sparkling water, and a few olive branches. 18 of 48 Favorite Finds Studio 1208 Remember that not everything you include has to be store-bought. This bride pulled together some of her favorite items to share with her loved ones—including loaf cakes made by her sister. The goodies were tucked into a lined wire basket. 19 of 48 Party Time Lacie Hansen Photography Gather local beverages, snacks, a bottle opener and coasters, and a playlist and you're giving your guests an instant party to kick off the wedding weekend. 20 of 48 Something Blue Lissa Ryan Photography These Marigold & Grey welcome boxes were made with a "Mad Men meets West Elm" theme, and the result was so cool. Cookies with the couple's two German shepherds' likenesses took center stage, while a bag of local coffee, boxed water, and bison jerky rounded things out. Blue crinkle-cut paper kept the contents from sliding around or sinking to the bottom of each box. 25 Unique Ideas for Your "Something Blue" 21 of 48 Naturally Appealing Eric Kelley Artwork can really make a bag feel special. A pelican illustration by Dear Elouise graced the cover of this welcome booklet, which was tucked inside a jute bag curated by A Signature Welcome. A bottle of red wine and a petite bar of chocolate were also included. 22 of 48 Oh So Dapper Rachel May Photography Why not welcome the guys with a combination of bourbon, cigars, nuts, and cookies in a flip-top basket that can easily be repurposed post-wedding? We love this one by Marigold & Grey. 23 of 48 Ready for Fall Abby Jiu Photography It's nice to channel the season, particularly if you're getting married in the fall. At this wedding, dark baskets adorned with silk ribbon (and a tag thanking guests for coming!) were filled by Lauryn Prattes Events with seasonal staples. Boxes from Ikea were stuffed with local apple cider in a small growler calligraphed by Laura Hooper. For those who wanted to spike their drink, a mini bottle of whisky was provided, as was pumpkin-spice popcorn and a snickerdoodle cookie. Rounding out the gifts were hammered-brass apple- and pear-shaped candles and a tea towel that read "thankful." 24 of 48 Calligraphed Welcome Boxes Love & Light Photographs This couple had their names written in white on wooden welcome boxes, which contained a mini bottle of tequila, lime candy, and peanut butter cups. Checking into a hotel room with a box like this waiting for you would be such a treat. 25 of 48 His, Hers, and Ours Charlotte Jenks Lewis For this outdoor wedding, guests received boxes assembled by A Signature Welcome, which included Champagne, water, and canisters of snacks. The snacks highlighted the duo's favorites: cheese puffs for him, caramel popcorn for her, and chocolate chip cookies for both. It's just one more way to show off your personalities (and your preferences). 26 of 48 Subtle Flowers Sara Corona This couple repeated the same floral motif on their welcome bag throughout their wedding, tying the knot, and every aspect of their wedding weekend, together. 27 of 48 Illustrate It Ashley Brown The couple had an intimate wedding, and chose a weekend itinerary by Marti Harris Designs with illustrations of each event's location. Also in the welcome bag: customized cheese knives, chocolates, and drinks. 28 of 48 A Great Tote Julie Livingston Photography Give guests something they'll want to use once they're back home. These blue bags are sure to be used again—they're casual-chic and a great size. The couple filled them with some of their favorite things, including Live Love Pop truffle popcorn, Tate's Bake Shop cookies, Moscow Mule ingredients, and Miraval rosé. There was also a Colorbox Letterpress map of their wedding's location. 29 of 48 Let's Have a Picnic Joel Serrato Picnic baskets are creative alternatives to the typical box or tote. This one was planned by Tory Smith and was adorned with a pretty pink bow. 30 of 48 Floral-Print Boxes Mike Cassimatis Cardboard boxes can be customized to fit the style of your wedding. Attendees at this wedding received boxes covered in a red-and-pink rose pattern, filled with truffles, chips, and more. 31 of 48 Wooden Welcome Boxes Elizabeth Messina Photography The groom built these beautiful boxes, which included olive oil, walnuts, fresh muscari, a do-not-disturb sign, gummy bears, and a reusable tote bag. Don't know a skilled carpenter? You can buy ready-made options, or consider using a statement quote somewhere on the packaging, whatever you choose. 32 of 48 Boho Bags Hunter Ryan Photo These welcome bags put a focus on purple—there were Turkish towels, tags, and more in the shade. The bag itself was printed with a quote from an e.e. cummings poem, which was later read during the ceremony. Boho-Chic Wedding Ideas for Free-Spirited Brides and Grooms 33 of 48 Miami-Themed Swag KT Merry When you go a little thematic, guests will get into the spirit. These bags were themed "Bienvenido to Miami," and were packed with Guayabera shirt-shaped cookies, Cuban coffee, plantain chips, Advil, and mosquito repellent. 34 of 48 In Season Jose Villa When combined, favorite foods, local additions, and personal notes can really pack a punch. For this November celebration at a farm, guests were given the venue's cookbook, a schedule of events, and treats from the area and the bride and groom's home states. A Signature Welcome curated the bags, and the couple provided the handwritten notes. 35 of 48 Customized Hannah Duffy Photography The couple put together welcome bags, choosing a canvas tote printed with their custom monogram and filling it with chocolates, personalized cups, favorite snacks and drinks, and cookies decorated with two images: the wedding venue and the couple's dog, Finn. 36 of 48 Cool Welcome Baskets Abby Jiu Photography Wire baskets like this one are something guests can use to decorate their home post-wedding. This couple put awesome live gifts like potted cactuses in theirs. 37 of 48 Contemporary Welcome Boxes Corbin Gurkin This handsome, gray-washed wood box included black-and-white cookies, vegan treats, and peanuts alongside items like Irish whiskey, Champagne, and boxed water, plus a small map of the area surrounding their wedding location. 38 of 48 Food and Fun Christian Oth Studio Think about how you'll entertain your guests when they're not attending the events over your wedding weekend. At this wedding, guests received welcome baskets by A Signature Welcome, which were packed full of local snacks and sweets, as well as a voucher for a boat ride on the nearby river. 39 of 48 All the Staples Corbin Gurkin Photography These welcome baskets came ready to celebrate, with kettle corn, Russell Stover candy, two bottles of sparkling rosé, and a post-wedding recovery kit with ibuprofen and eyedrops. 40 of 48 Seaside Chic Katie Stoops Photography These monogrammed totes were packed with a mixture of local and imported treats and weekend essentials, like a welcome pamphlet with details on nearby attractions, plus chocolate bars and bottled water. 41 of 48 An Italian Welcome Corbin Gurkin For their Italian wedding day, this couple packed linen bags with tasty local treats, like amaretti cookies and sparkling Italian beverages, and made sure that their packaging and details (created by Tarah Catalano) coordinated with their wedding's other paper goods, too. 42 of 48 Well Branded John Dolan Think about the material of the bag you're giving, like this bride and groom who gifted their guests a burlap tote for their wedding on a ranch. Then think about how you can make it your own. This one was customized with their "brand" (designed by the groom as a twist on a rancher's brand) stenciled on the front and stuffed with goodies for the four-day stay. 43 of 48 Bright Welcome Bags Max Wanger Get colorful and be bold. Guests in town for this couple's California nuptials received mini Baggu totes, imprinted with calligraphy and filled with SoCal essentials: a beach towel, sunnies, and treats. 44 of 48 A Weekend in Guatemala Corbin Gurkin This couple thought that the best way to welcome guests to Guatemala was to gift them items local to the area: salted plantain chips, coffee, and a booklet with a map and guide to the fun-filled five-day celebration. A striped luggage tag, made by a local women's cooperative using native textiles, doubled as a gift tag and wedding favor. Celebrating the setting of your destination wedding, either with local items or a luggage-tag (or both), highlight why you chose to wed where you did and make the trip all the more special for loved ones. 45 of 48 Welcome Breakfasts Corbin Gurkin Who says welcome bags have to be given out before the wedding? It's all about making your guests feel welcomed, not necessarily upon arrival. In lieu of receiving welcome bags on arrival in South Carolina, guests woke up to a delivery of warm biscuits on this couple's wedding day. 46 of 48 Modern Welcome Trays Belathée Photography Set out goodies on a clear tray and they'll feel right at home. Guests of this couple were welcomed with in-hotel acrylic trays stocked with custom postcards, cheeky do-not-disturb signs, a journal, and wine from Banshee, a friend's vineyard. 47 of 48 England-Themed Welcome Bags Kate Headley Showcase your roots. This groom was British, so welcome bags with English breakfast tea, a Harrods teddy bear, and locally made pastries and granola drove home the Brit-and-Yank theme of the wedding. 48 of 48 Let's Go Camping Erin Kunkel Fill an open basket with food, fun, and information and your guests will love you. This couple gave guests welcome baskets that held water, apples, illustrated maps of area attractions, honey-bear bottles filled with trail snacks, and decks of cards. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit