Kansas City Wedding Welcome Gift Ideas
I have seen a few people on social media ask, “What is a wedding welcome gift? Do I need them? What do I put in them? Do these count as favors?” so I thought this would be a good opportunity for a blog post, and to introduce the new blog.
What is a wedding welcome gift?
A wedding welcome gift is a gift for your out of town guests to welcome them and thank them for traveling to your wedding.
This can include any number of things, from bottled water to a welcome note to snacks. Keep reading for some helpful tips on what to include and how to make your gifts more personal!
Do we need to include a welcome gift if we don’t have the budget?
Welcome gifts are a nice to have, not a need to have. Guests absolutely don’t expect these gifts, but they’re generally appreciated.
What should we include in our welcome gifts?
Welcome gifts look different for every couple! You can keep them simple, or you can add more personal touches. Here are a few ideas of things to include for a simple welcome gift, ways to make your gifts more personal, and some Kansas City specific ideas.
The Basics
Water - Bottled water is always a necessity when traveling! Your guests will absolutely appreciate water when they arrive from their travels, or the next morning after the wedding.
Pain Reliever - A type of pain reliever is another good option to include for your guests! Whether it be a long travel day or too much fun on the dance floor, this is an item that people forget to pack when they travel and will generally get used.
Thank You Note - This one is easy and a must! If people traveled to your wedding, including a thank you note will go a long way with your guests. It doesn’t need to be long or fancy - you can handwrite your notes or buy them pre-written from my shop here.
Nice Additions
Snacks - Any type of snack is appreciated! I’ve seen chips, cookies, fruit snacks, and granola bars recently. Many people will head to their grocery store or Costco and see what makes sense to buy for their group/numbers.
Antacid - After a weekend of eating at restaurants and trying new things, I think antacids are the unsung heroes of welcome gifts! I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve traveled and ended up needed something for heartburn, only to realize I didn’t bring any with me.
Gum/mints - This one speaks for itself - always appreciated to have.
Another beverage - Here you could include your favorite seltzer, pop, beer, or any other kind of beverage.
Electrolyte/recovery supplements - Helpful for the morning after a night out. I’m partial to Cure, female owned and zero sugar. LiquidIV, Pedialyte, and Gatorade are crowd favorites.
How can we make our welcome gifts personal?
There are a number of ways a couple can do this! Think about your story - do you share a favorite snack? A favorite beverage? Does the city where you’re getting married have something it’s known for? For my husband and I, we met in Washington DC, so we included Cherry Blossom LaCroix, since DC is known for its Cherry Blossom Festival.
Add a Monogram
An easy way to elevate and personalize your welcome gift is by adding your monogram to different items. You can find sticker and monogram options in my shop here.
Use Local Items
Locally sourced options, especially those that support a small business, always add a personal touch. If you’re getting married in Kansas City or are from KC originally, here are a few products and brands you can include to make your welcome gifts more personal.
Kansas City Caramels - You can find multiple gift options for weddings from Kansas City Caramels here.
Bootleg Bourbon Balls - A fun twist on something sweet! I would recommend for an adult only wedding.
Kat’s Confections Custom Cookies - I recently met and purchased from Kat at a local pop up, and her cookies were amazing! Having custom cookies made for your wedding and having them individually wrapped in your welcome gifts would be a wonderful, personal touch
How Sweet It Is Custom Cookies - Recommended to me by a KC Native!
Dolce Bakery - Again, recommended by a KC Native, another great option for a locally made cookie or dessert option!
Russell Stover - As a national brand started and based out of KC, this is a slightly more budget friendly option for something sweet.
Roasterie Cold Brew Can - I’d put coffee up there with water when you travel - always needed!
Tom’s Town - Tom’s Town is our favorite local distillery. One of their Canned Cocktails would be a great addition to a welcome gift!
Servaes Brewing - Locally (and woman!) owned, a can of one of Servaes unique beers would be a great touch for any craft beer fans.
Joe’s KC BBQ Sauce - Adding a small bottle of KC BBQ sauce would be an awesome addition to any welcome gift! A true and useful "gift” for your guests to take home! (PSA: If most of your guests are flying, be mindful of the size of the bottle for TSA regulations.)
Joe’s KC Fry Seasoning - Ditto above!
Art’s & Mary’s Tater Chips - Not technically based in KC, but a Kansas favorite out of Cheney.
Helpful items on you can find on Amazon:
If you prefer to order your items online, here are some options you can check out on Amazon.
Those are a few tips and ideas I’ve learned over the years when it comes to wedding welcome gifts! Did I miss anything that you would recommend? Be sure to leave a comment with any other ideas!
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