Welcome Bags from Our Summer Wedding

Nothing makes me happier than arriving at my hotel room before a wedding and finding a welcome bag. It was among my top priorities for our nuptials this past summer (along with the dessert table). I became obsessed with finding the perfect bag. Because we had a small(ish) weekend wedding in Rhode Island, I wanted it to be a reusable tote with meaningful contents. I quickly learned that online promotional stores will send you samples – often unlimited samples (big mistake telling me this!). I had at least thirty rejects – too thin, too bulky, too expensive, too cheap-looking… until I found the right one. Linens, invitations, the wedding cake – I really didn’t care… it was all about the welcome bag. And when we walked through the hotel when guests were first arriving, I saw it on their faces… my insane neurosis started the weekend off just right. My favorite item inside the bag was gigantic oranges (a nod to my husband’s Florida upbringing) that had stickers on them that said “orange you glad you’re here.” I mean, come on, that one still makes me laugh!

I bet you were waiting for something more exciting, but this was just what I wanted. The colors matched the wedding colors, and the laid-back summer style fit with the whole weekend..

The whole weekend had an

My sister, Jodie, helped me find these awesome stickers (idea from twig and thistle on etsy) and the jars from Christmas Tree Shop. These jars would be great too http://rstyle.me/gbyr7k4be

Wedding Survival Kit in each tote.

We had lots of other goodies, but somehow forgot to take more pictures.

I still see friends and family members using the tote which makes me so happy! It became the Flat Stanley of welcome bags – all summer our guests sent us photos of them in fabulous destinations with their tote on their arm.

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