(At this point, some of you are really, really excited. And the rest of you are going, "huh?")
Welcome week is going to be all about welcome parties, welcome packages, welcome bags, and basically making people feel welcome at your wedding. This was one of my favorite parts of wedding planning and I'm so excited to have a whole week to hash it out.
Because this is a special week, we'll be doing a special giveaway. We're going to pack a welcome bag together, full of goodies from Etsy sellers all over, and at the end of the week one lucky reader will win the bag we packed! Here's a peek at the prize:
Believe me, the stuff in this welcome bag is too good to miss. I'll be introducing it a little bit at a time as the week goes along, so you'll get to learn a lot more about these Etsy sellers. First things first, of course...let's talk about the bag:
This week's prize is packed in a cute little suitcase, completely with lock and key. This particular suitcase is something I picked up because it was just too cute, but I really wanted to give you some Etsy options. Of course, it's more fun to shop on Etsy yourself than it is to get something that someone else picked out, so I thought I'd just send you this suitcase AND a $30 gift certificate to Mishmash Designs.
Mishmash Designs has some of the cutest Disney bags I've ever seen, thanks to the fantastic Japanese fabric used in their creation. She does hobo bags (LOVE), zipper pouches, laptop cases, iPhone cases...you name it! Take a peek:
Of course, many people use paper bags for their welcome bags to cut down on costs, but who really wanted to win a paper bag? Don't worry, I'll cover those options in another post this week. In the meantime...
Giveaway
Leave a comment on this post telling me some item you'd love to get in a welcome bag if you were a guest at a wedding. Remember, if you don't play, you can't win. You can comment on the other prizes throughout the week as I showcase them, but only comments on this post will win the grand prize next Saturday.
Good luck!
NOTE: The background in the giveaway photos is an old Magic Kingdom colorform board. Remember colorforms? Love them!
UPDATE: We have a winner!
Posts
89 comments:
I would love to get something to wear...an accessory, a button, a pin, whatever! :)
what a great idea Carly! I always love to see local snacks in Welcome bags. Something yummy and unique to wherever the wedding is being held.
We did welcome bags for my sisters wedding and included local info, snacks, juice and water. Knick knacks are cute but something like this bag would be very much appreciated! We used recycle bags (from Pier 1) that matched the color/design of her wedding.
hmm welcome bag... food is always good, specially some of them with the disney/mickey logos; and also one of them disposable cameras so you can remember your trip
Are those grape soda adventurer badges I spy?
Adorable!!!
I am so letting my friend know about those Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan bags, she will freak, they are so adorable!
I love the idea of all the items relating to the locale of the wedding. It makes it more like a vacation for the guests.
megsher@yahoo.com
I would love a CD of music for the location - if it's Disney, the couple's favorite Disney movie songs!
I love taking pictures at all trips and events so some type of souvenir album or frame would be cute to get in welcome bag!
I would love handmade crafty things...I think if something is DIY then it has so much more meaning and is special.
It would depend on real specific's of the location, but for a wedding anywhere - I'd like a little welcome pack with maps/directions around the city/town where it's at, things to do around town while there's no wedding events going on, etc. Simple little things like that.
For our Disney wedding the welcome bag was full of fun stuff. ONe thing I didn't include that I wish I could would be mickey ears with a note requiring everyone to bring them to the wedding for picures and disney pin with lanyard. Our bags included mini photo album so they can upt thier wedding/vacation pictures in/ disney stuffed character/ door hangers/coffee mug with coffee packet/ water bottles/ personalized Tshirts/ disney puzzle books for adults/ coloring books for kids/ note pad and personalized wedding pens/ itinerary of scheduled events and meets/ and lots of little stuff like rain poncho, gum,snacks/ business card with the important people of the wedding cell phone numbers.
Local info! Not only what to do at Disney, but what else there is in the area.
One thing I would like in a welcome bag is bottles of water (and lots of them)! They are just sooo expensive in the parks. ;)
I'm all about function, but when I think of Disney, I think of fun, so definitely something to bring out the kid in everyone!
A bottle of water and snacks are always appreciated in a welcome bag. And if you're a guest in a location you've never visited before, a list of local restaurants and places to visit is a great idea. One welcome bag I received also had a roll of quarters to cover the toll roads in the area. Very thoughtful!!!
I'd love to get some sort of snack and a bottle of water because no matter where you stay (Disney or not), going down to the hotel gift shop area is always very expensive. Also some maps/local area information for what to do during free time.
I would like something that has significance to the bride/groom or them as a couple like favorite candies or something from their hometowns or colleges or something.
I'd like to get maps, guides, water, and something personalized from disney (pen, button, tshirt)
I would like to get some edible or a cute knickknack that is signature to the bride and groom. Something that tells me about a hobby or inside joke about them.
I would do some personalized Disney trading pins with your wedding info on them and their favorite Disney characters Also Mickey Ears with the guest name on them that they would have to wear to the wedding!
Getting married April 30,2011 :)
A poncho because it's the one thing you always forget but then desperately need!
I am a dork but I would like hand wipes. They are great around Disney because everyone is always touching everything and you can use them to clean your hands before you have a snack in the park. I am also a big fan of something that the couple loves that reminds you of them. They have to have a lot of unique things about them if they are having a Disney wedding!
I love to see materials for DIY crafts in Welcome Packages that are in theme with the weddings location! It's exciting when there are supplies for one or two scrapbook pages and a disposable camera in the pack!
I would like to see something that had a specific meaning to the couple, after all the wedding is about the bride and groom sharing and showing their love for each other, so maybe something like a c.d that had music which was special to them!
I would enjoy something that I could use that I would probably not have packed but would cost me an arm and a leg to go pick up at the hotel's store such as water bottles, candy, or snacks.
First of all- great idea--LOVE etsy! I'd like to see some bath products in a welcome bag--- maybe some body wash and lotion from bath and body works. I also second everyones suggestion for water and snacks.
I would love to get a magnet in the welcome bag so I have a keepsake I can look at everyday and remember all the memories that were made.
A contact list. If you are not a parent of the bride or groom or in the wedding, it may be nice to have a few numbers to call and get info when you need it. Even if you set up a pay-as-you go phone to be that designated number or use your own personal, I think a wedding hotline is a good idea.
I always appreciate a water bottle and snacks in the welcome bag, especially for a destination disney wedding. I never remember to pack my own snacks and it is nice to have something in the room to munch on :)
In that specific suitcase I LOVE the Disney cassette tape. I don't have a player anymore, but I had virually ALL of those cassettes and I blew the pic up and had that exact one in particular. Thanks for the blast from the past! : ) Second, what is the wallpaper/print behind the "prize"? The Disney park images are so cute and I've seen it before, but can't place it.
Welcome Bags:
I think clever items, things that speak of the B&G, and the location of the wedding are the best. Especially if it's a destination wedding- every place is known for something...let your guests take a piece of that "something" home w/ them. :)
I would love to get something that isn't what it originaly was, like making a bookmark out of a Disney ticket or taking one of the maps and making it into the cover of a small notebook. I love DIY, second use things!! That way the memories last forever :)
I love everyone's ideas so far, especially the contact list. I can see that being immensely helpful!
I think the one thing I would really love to get is a disposable camera. It would be really handy to take with you if you didn't want to bring a digital camera around with you or on the off hand chance you forgot your camera all together. If the bride and groom left info on how to share pictures with them and everyone else after the wedding that would be awesome! Or even a small scrapbook, or just one scrapbook page they made that has room for pictures with their names, the date, etc.
I think I would like to get something I can use!
Even as corny as it sounds, In a pinch, someone will always need either a pen, or a notepad!
Those bags are too cute!! I love Etsy!! (and Disneyweddingblog!)
What a fabulous idea for the week!!! It's not just great for weddings, but for visitors.
As much as I appreciate snacks and gifts, my favorite has to be the bottled water! Boring, right? But it's something I'd need after a long day of Disney park-hopping and dancing the wedding away. I'm always thankful that the couple has saved me the price of a few bottles!
I would love to get snacks, an itinerary for the wedding, maybe something personalized just for me. If it were a disney wedding i would want lots of disney stuff, and some sunscreen!
I have to say, for the welcome bag it's gotta be something silly for people to pose with... like those fake glasses with mustaches. Makes for great photos!
hand sanitizer! haha i always take a bottle when i go to disneyland, bc sometimes those ride handlebars give me the ickys xD
We are planning on doing welcome bags for our May 2011 wedding. We were thinking our guests would like lanyards with pins, along with instructions about pin trading. Also autograph books and beach towels for the kids. Along with sunscreen, first aid kit, water, snacks, "1st time visitor' buttons and anything else that people usually forget at home.
I'd have to say a little hand written note or card from the B&G. Something personal especially if you've travelled a distance and spent a lot. It's nice to feel appriciated.
I just like simple things that make me smile. :o)
For the first night we did baskets with wine and disney snacks/candies, I wish I had put more thought into it.
I would like the welcome bag to include a personalized tshirt so that everyone could wear it to the parks to commemorate the big event. As well as things you need for the park such as maps, snacks, ponchos, ect.
i'd like to get Local info on food, attractions etc... recommended by the bride and groom.
husainn (at) mail.amc.edu
Welcome bas are a great idea. I have been to many weddings but non of them ever had welcome bags, so I've never gotten one. There are many great things that can be put into a welcome bag. For a Disney welcome bag I would hope to get a pair of personalized Mickey ears and an autograph book for the kids. I would expect some info of what was going on for the wedding and what was happening around WDW. Snacks would be great especially Mickey themed snacks. If anyone is celebrating a special day (anniversary, birthday, first time) I would be sure to get the buttons for them to wear throughout their stay. Welcome bags have endless possibilities.
I love the idea of welcome bags and will definitely be doing them for our January wedding! I agree with the water and hand wipes but I think something I would appreciate getting would be something that really represents the bride and groom, something that I can take home and remember "oh this was from so-and-so's wedding weekend."
I would love to get something I may have forgotten to bring, like extra sunscreen or poncho. Also, other people mentioned the intinerary and cell phone for the maid of honor or someone who can answer questions about the events.
I would love to see a CD personally burned by the couple to be with their some of their favorite disney songs, as well as with their wedding songs, such as father daughter dance & first dance songs!! :)
personally, I would love to get a Mickey rice crispy treat with the chocolate covered ears. If I was going to a different location for a destination wedding, I'd want some kind of snack that was themed with the wedding. Also, something crafty that it appeared the bride and groom spent some time on to make just for their guests, even if it is just a personalized itinerary or a cute thank you for coming.
I would say that I'd want some essentials, like baby toothpaste or a baby suntan lotion (because I always forget mine!) I think that a disposable camera would be good as well!
I was in a wedding and the bride gave out seed packets (along with other items) in our welcome bags. It was such a cute Idea because we planted them and I'd think of my best friend and her special day whenever I saw them. So I think there should always be a little something to take home to remember the day!
If I were a gust at a wedding, I would love to get a pair of socks! How many times do you go to a wedding nd take your shoes off! A pair of socks would be nice so your feet dont get dirty!!!!!
AND BTW!!! THAT bag is too cute!!!!!!! I love suit cases that stick out!!!!
As a guest at the wedding at a wedding, I'd love a pocket size itinerary so I could carry in my wallet...I would also love any coupons or small guidebook for the area if I were unfamiliar. a rain poncho would be good too!
jen
jen814 at gmail dot com
Maybe something entertaining. From either a magazine to a little game or something. something to fill the downtime.
I would love some kind of personalized itinerary, or some kind of note from the couple!
I think it would be great to get some of things I might need: Chapstick, an itinerary, sunscreen, mouse ears, a small guidebook, contact information I might need, some small cards tucked away here and there with "tips for the trip", etc...
And some fun stuff that could be personalized to the bride and groom:
a small framed picture from the bride and groom from their engagement shoot (for the purpose of the giveaway - just a frame would do!), a handwritten card from the bride and groom thanking me for making the trek (for the sake of the giveaway, a handmade blank card would be great), snacks...
For kids -
A small Disney plush/beanie, some activity books and markers/games.
I would love to get something personal. I know that brides already spend SO much time on welcome bags, but a personal note or something would be really nice when arriving for a wedding.
chocolate always works for me.
Wow, everyone has such great ideas! And I completely agree with all of them, of course, now we're looking at some pretty large welcome bags. ;) If I was a guest at a Disney (or any other destination type) wedding, I would love to get a schedule of events. Not just ceremony times (obviously that one's the most important) but maybe a list of bride/groom recommended activities?
Our Disney wedding is Coming up in November :), and I know others have put this, but we made personalized mickey mouse ears for everyone coming to the wedding for the welcome bag.. That way we can get a group photo for the event..
Also, because we are having a holiday wedding, we have cinderella ornaments that we got on clearance at disneystore.com a few months ago.. That way every year when our guests put up our christmas trees, they remember our wedding.. :)
My guests enjoyed the Welcome Bag for the bag itself! We used canvas backpacks for our welcome bag and we embroidered our Lady and the Tramp design on them for each family of our guests. Inside the bag was a "Bear Necessities" bag filled with kleenex, wet wipes, tylenol, tums, clorox wipes, bandaids and sanitizer. There were also seperate goody bags for the kids with their Epcot Passports and Autograph books. My guests LOVED the bags as it was easy to carry their park stuff in one place.
a more personalized item(DIY or bought) a keepsake
Whenever I visit a new place I always want to try the best local places to eat. In any welcome bag I would love a list of the best places to eat. It doesn't have to be the best 5 star places, even the local hot dog place is cool with me.
I like to see information about the area: directions, places to eat, etc...
But on a more fun note, I think some kind of snack/chocolate that ties in with where the wedding is (Mickey cookies for Disney, local made candy for other locations, etc...).
As corny as this might sound...I'd love some coupons or vouchers for food or other items I'm going to have to pay for otherwise. WDW weddings can cost your guests a lot of money, so in my book, anything that alleviates some of that financial burden is a good "goodie" to get in a welcome bag!
We put little magnets in our welcome bag so everyone could let other cruisers know by their door decorations..they were a member of the crazy cruise wedding!
For a Disney wedding a list of hidden Mickeys at or near the wedding and/or reception site. People could look for them while waiting for the events to start or during photo's etc.
If a non Disney wedding this could still be done with some interesting information or interesting points of interest at the ceremony site and reception.
A keepsake, for a special memory. And I LOVE a good theme so...if it were themed that would be awesome.
I like the combination of fun stuff for the park (autograph books, ears), snacks and then keepsakes (like a Christmas ornament). I wasn't planning on doing welcome bags, just a newsletter, but I think I'm being seduced by the bags! :)
- A SCAVENGER HUNT! Give guests a list of things/places to find around the city and have a prize available at the last location! This will allow them to get to know the area and see local attractions, while having fun. Include a disposable camera so they can take a picture of each place they visit in their scavenger hunt!
- A personalized map including wedding event locations and local attractions they should visit
- Coupons for local restaurants and attractions
- A PERSONAL note
- If it's a Disney Wedding: Disney ears, autograph book, a pressed penny, a DISNEY DOLLAR, a Disney-themed scavenger hunt (see above), recommendations and reviews, Mickey lollipop
DIY stuff is always good, especially when it reminds you of the bride & groom. But when in doubt, water and snacks are always a great idea!
A pin, Disney dollar, ears, stationary...
Well, if it's a wedding at Disney, I'd love to get something personal in addition to the helpful phone numbers and treats that are special "thank yous." How about a scavenger hunt of sorts that lays out clues for guests to find...the clues can relate to something special about the couple or the wedding events that the guests are excited to enjoy. The "prize" at the end could be a welcome party or a special gift to the guests who participated in the scavenger hunt!
Some pins would we cute with your event on them!
i love the vinylmation figures that you get at the parks and i think you can get them blank, so you could do your own design on them using your wedding colours and have the wedding date somewhere on them, it would be a unique keepsake
If I was a guest, I'd love to get a personalized mickey ear hat specific to my taste from the DIY build-your-own-ears and a personalized "what to do" guide just for me. I know it would be time consuming but I think for those of us with smaller weddings, it would be neat to be able to personalize a list of must-do's based on everyone's tastes. I think a list of local restaurants with coupons or a gift card would be a nice touch too. I'd also like chocolate covered mickey prezels or those rice crispy treats. I just love those when I go to Disney and it would be wonderful to find that in my welcome bag. :)
I love getting welcome bags and my favorite items are usually snack items. When you're in your room it's nice to have a little treat. For a Disney wedding though I think Disney themed treats would be great, like Mickey Krispies.
We're planning to skip the welcome bags since we have no way to get them down to FL, but you're really making me rethink them. ;)
I'd like to get one of those pressed penny books with a pressed penny in it that had the couples' names and the date of the event! Then I could go around and fill the rest of the book up while at the parks.
Sara, Im from nj and was concerned also about bringing welcome bags and all the inside stuff on a plane, but we are gonna rent a car and walmart is actually not far from the Disney grounds. That way we can get bottles of water, candy, etc. for the bags..
Believe me, any way to make your guests feel good is important when you have a destination wedding. Even if you only put two or three things inside, its def. worth it.
If it were a Disney wedding it would be super cool to have two special trading pins w/ the bride and grooms name, date, and Disney style design on the pin. One to keep and one to trade. That would be super cool! I would also like an event calendar or things to do map. There are so many things to do with Disney. A wedding themed Disney treasure hunt, or photo scav hunt...oh my I want to get married again so I can have a Disney wedding!! LOL
I really like the idea of FAQs or a list of the couple's favorite attractions and something fun like a Christmas ornament.
Well.
I think a lot of people had similar ideas, unfortunately I don't have the time to read all of the posts.
One thing I think would be neat is a photo album. Not necessarily a big one, but for my wedding I would really like to make one personally for each family coming. I really like personalized touches.
I also think that with this year especially pins would be kind of neat. You can make pins and to have one with maybe a picture of the bride and groom or one that just says "Celebrating so&so's wedding." Something small and simple. I know when we were there earlier this month we had "Just Engaged" pins and everyone stopped us because they were different than the "normal" pins, such as the Happy Birthday or Happily Ever After ones.
I also think a couples favorite list. A list of some of the couples favorite things to do at Disney, including their "Must Do & Sees".
Those are all the ideas that I have for now. I will definitely be back to read these suggestions, as I am starting to think about this and what I want to have in mine.
I love the idea of putting postcards in the welcome bag/ folder so that your guest can send them to you to tell you what a great time they are having. It would also be fun to get some treat that is the brides favorite and some treat that is the grooms favorite. Especially if it is something that is their favorite thing in Disney!
I would love to get some kind of remember the date coaster, wine glasses or postcard~
thegrants(at)live(dot)com
I'm kind of sick of getting things with the couples names on it. I mean there are only so many personalized candy bars one can get right? What I wouldn't mind however, is something that showcased the couple uniquely, like a jigsaw puzzle of a cute picture of the couple. That is a welcome bag addition that I would keep long after the celebration.
I gave my bridesmaids flip flops, beach towel, lotion, disney t shirt, jewelry, and a personalized tote bag. all that would be nice, maybe one of those giant candy apples that they sell. mmmm those are so good! or some trading pins!
I always thought mini wine bottles would be a fun addition to a goodie bag =) I'm making personalized weekend welcome bags for my Disney wedding in May. Snacks/candies, toiletries, embroidered hand towels, and mini-"beverages" for the adults.. pocket games and coloring books for the kids =) also a few brochures, schedule of events, a map and a welcome/thank you letter...
For a Disney wedding the ultimate thing for me to find in a welcome bag would be a theme park ticket! Unfortunately, it's not very economical to get this for everyone but we are doing a park hopper ticket for the members of our (small) bridal party. We'll probably put a few Disney dollars or a $5 gift card in the other welcome bags-even if it's only a $1 Disney dollar it's something cute, unique to the location, and useful!
The welcome bag should definitely have some late night snacks for when all the restaurants are closed and celebration buttons. I personalize my celebration buttons using a label maker and clear labeling tape. It looks a lot nicer than writing on them with a Sharpie.
I would like to see some kind of unique snack, maybe something that represents the bride and groom or the wedding's theme.
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