A "Welcome Bag" waiting for your guests at their hotel is a wonderful way to greet your family and friends. The sky is the limit as to what to put into the bags. You should include: a map of the area, schedule of events, shuttle information, contact phone numbers (wedding planner, maid of honor, parents). Try not to give out the bride or groom’s phone number as you don’t need more stress before the wedding. Post cards, bottled water, chap stick, sun screen and a few munchies including granola/power bars, crackers, cookies or chocolates are all ideas for the bags. It’s nice to have items from the state or town. For example, in Vail we love to have "Vail Cookie Company" cookies, "Boulder Chips", and "Stephanie Chocolates" made in Colorado.

Information with regards to the area is important. A list of activities for your guests to do when not attending a wedding function including shopping, theater/movies, golfing, hiking and other adventures or points of interest for the area. Don’t forget to include a fun item or two-flower/plant seeds from the area, newspaper, a list of favorite restaurants in the area, and cards or coloring books for the kids.

Check with the hotel before delivering, as many hotels have a fee for handling the bags ranging in price from $1-$5. Remember these bags are to welcome and inform your guests, they don’t have to be expensive. Happy wedding!

 Mountains and Meadows, LLC

Wedding and Event Planning

JoAnn Moore, PWC