Greet your out-of-town guests with a welcome basket filled with thoughtful gifts, snacks, and a souvenir. Given that they have travelled a great distance to be with you on your special day it will be a great way to show your appreciation. We have put down a step by step guide to ensure your wedding welcome basket delight as well as surprise your guests.

Step 1: Determine how much you want to spend per basket

It is very important to have a budget in mind and stick to it. While buying you might think the little items are cheap but before you know it they all add up.

Step 2: Consider the right kind of packaging

If you have a wedding theme, it would be great to follow your theme. Start off by picking traditional basket, or use a fancy container / tray / box. You could even have customized tote bags or paper bags that your guests can carry back more easily then boxes or baskets.

Step 3: Include a wedding itinerary and welcome letter

This way, they will know exactly where and when they’ll need to be. Include contact information of close family members or the wedding planner if you have one, a timeline, key locations along with any other important details specific to your event.

You can also add a local map as well as personalized recommendations for restaurants, hair and nail salons, bars and shopping.

Step 4: Bottled water is a must

Guests will appreciate not having to shell out for expensive mini-bar water or you end up with an exorbitant bill for bottled water. Think of it as a saving for you and your guests. You can personalize the bottle to reflect your wedding theme and style.

Step 5: Add Snacks

Your guests might come in at all sorts of odd hours of the day. Especially if they have taken international flights, so they will really appreciate a packet of chips, some biscuits or other local favorites depending upon the destination. You  can never go wrong with dry fruits. So perk up their spirits with some yummy treats. Offer something savory along with something sweet.

Step 6: Add hangover helpers and/or weather-proof essentials

Include a mix some items depending on your location and season. Sunscreen if it is an outdoor event, mosquito repellent if it’s an evening event in a garden, pretty fans if it is summer, umbrella’s if the wedding is in monsoon and some lip balm for winter season.

If you plan to have alcohol at your celebrations then your guests will really thank you if you add some crocin and digene tablets, a couple of energy bars, a small bottle of mouthwash and some mints to help them recover from that not so nice hangover.

Step 7: Don’t forget a souvenir

Add a sweet little memento so guests will have a keepsake from the trip. Miniature paintings if you are getting married in Rajasthan, spices if your celebrating in Kerela or some cashew feni in Goa.

Step 8: Add a little something for children

If you have children travelling for the wedding don’t forget to add a little age appropriate toy for them. You will make them feel really special and your efforts won’t go un noticed by the happy parents.

Based on the time, budget and other factors keep in mind that the best gift bags blend the fun with the practical. Rather than focusing on expensive make your gift baskets personal and memorable.