Out of town welcome bags or baskets are the perfect way to greet your guests. They can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish, but the goal should always be to show your guests that you appreciate them taking the time out of their normal schedules to travel to your wedding celebration.

In addition to whatever you choose to include, a welcome bag should always include an itinerary of the weekend's events and a handwritten thank you note for attending the wedding (yes, this is in addition to the thank you note you'll send for the gift).

The out-of-town guest bags and baskets (you'll see them abbreviated on some sites as OOT bags) above are from Kate Parker Weddings, who assembles the baskets of your choice and then ships them directly to your guests' hotels. If you don't have time to assemble your own baskets, this may be a great option for you. Check with your wedding planner to see if they also offer this service. You'll find that many do and that they have business accounts set up with manufacturers of local products, making it easier to personalize your welcome bag to your area. If you're having any children coming in town for your wedding, consider creating a special basket just for them, even if they won't be attending the reception.


If you're from Arizona, here are some fun things you could possibly include:

*Water bottles. Voss is my favorite because of the style of the bottle shape, but you can use any brand and create or purchase custom water bottle labels for them.

*A can or bottle of Arizona Iced Tea. (Which ironically was founded in Brooklyn, NY. Shhh - we won't tell if you won't.)

*A bottle of beer from Four Peaks Brewery, brewed at their main location in Tempe, and available at local grocery stores. (It should also be noted that I am kind of a beer snob and this brand is one of my favorites. For those of you planning a destination wedding in Scottsdale - if you like Yuengling on the East Coast, you'll probably like Four Peaks.)

*Sunscreen and chapstick - these are a must! I cannot even begin to count the number of times I have picked up people from the airport and they've remarked on immediately feeling the change in their skin because of the dry air in Phoenix.

*A map and magazine from your local area. You can find these at your local Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

*Chocolate melts in about 20 seconds in the Phoenix sun, so unless you can guarantee that your bag will be in an air conditioned setting and not sit out in a rental car, opt for another non-melty snack.

*An awesome upgrade to your basket would be to include the Phoenix ShowUP NOW pass. These passes grant access to various museums, historical sites and other attractions in the Phoenix and Scottsdale areas at a rate much cheaper than paying individually. This is perfect to include if you are having a family affair and your guests are turning their trip to the Valley of the Sun into a vacation as well. If you don't want to spring for these for your guests, include the info on your wedding website.

If you're a guest at a wedding, please know that welcome bags are not mandatory and can be quite costly. If you do receive one, be sure to thank the bride and groom. It is frustrating for them to not receive feedback on an element they put so much time and care into making happen for you.

{Original images via Kate Parker Weddings}