Wedding Welcome Bags That Don’t Get Left Behind
As a live illustration artist for weddings and events, I’m very passionate about helping my clients create a memorable guest experience. Your wedding is a celebration, and I want your guests to enjoy it as much as you do! One of my favorite ways to surprise and delight guests is by gifting them wedding welcome bags. When done correctly, this small gesture makes your guests feel instantly valued and excited for your event.
Why Most Wedding Welcome Bags Get Left Behind
Wedding welcome bags can go one of two ways. You can fill them with random, albeit inexpensive, items that your guests have no connection to. In this scenario, your guests may be flattered to receive a welcome bag, but there’s a higher likelihood that they’ll leave it behind and forget it even existed.
Alternatively, you can include fewer items in the bag, but make the entire thing personal and high quality! Instead of using a paper bag, consider using a fabric tote or wooden box. However, if you use something reusable like this, avoid putting your name or wedding date on it to keep it timeless! A fabric tote with a pattern that matches the theme of your wedding is far more likely to be kept and reused.
Unique Things to Include in Your Wedding Welcome Bags
Now comes the fun part: filling your wedding welcome bags for your guests! A postcard with a hand-drawn sketch of your wedding venue or a map of the area is always a guest favorite. Personalized chocolate cards are a great way to add a touch of sweetness. Maybe you don’t have space for a live illustrator at your wedding, but you still want to give your guests something personal. You can commission portraits of your guests to slip into their bag and watch their face light up when they see it!
Local art is always welcome, too. An ornament, magnet, or keychain from your wedding destination will always remind your guests of your wedding! I once received a small shadowbox with the city skyline inside, and I still have it. Little things go a long way in showing your guests how happy you are that they’re celebrating with you.
Commissioning Personalized Items
There are so many ways to customize the items for your wedding welcome bags (and the bags themselves)! Do you want multiple versions of the bag itself? You could choose a different design for your wedding party or close family members. Simply contact me about your commission and you’ll receive your designs, ready to be printed onto your welcome bags.
Do you want something more personal for your guests, like portraits? These are some of my favorite pieces! I’ll need a photo of each guest or a link to their social media if it’s public. You can choose if you want me to draw their clothes in a specific color palette or simply recreate what they’re wearing in the photo. You will receive digital files or physical copies of each portrait to place in your guest’s bag. These custom portraits are some of the most loved gifts, and I would love to create something that makes your event truly stand out. Contact me to chat about all the creative options for your wedding welcome bags!
