Wedding weekend welcome packs

Hello, friends! I am so happy to be back and writing to you! I survived my whirlwind week, and I did it by putting one foot in front of the other and concentrating only on the task in front of me – whenever I didn’t do that, I got totally overwhelmed! It was a fabulous week, though: one where I got to take several beautiful drives through upstate New York; brave the streets of Manhattan in a rental car (the parking was actually worse than the driving!); stay overnight twice with two of my favorite New Yorkers; eat pizza with my Mom; see a ton of new pretty paper at the Stationery Show; have lunch with my three oldest friends; host a shower for my future sister-in-law and dear friend (can’t wait to share!); put on my bathing suit and lie in the sun; and get together with girlfriends new and old at the future sister-in-law’s bachelorette party (yes, both in one weekend!). The only thing I didn’t get to do enough of was squeeze John and my kitties, but now that I’m back in North Carolina, I’m making up for lost time! I definitely plan to share some highlights from NSS as well as shower details, but both will require me to gather my thoughts (and images!).

In the meantime, I thought I’d share some of the inspiration I’ve been collecting for our wedding weekend welcome packs. (I haven’t decided if the goods will be housed in bags or boxes, so that’s why I’m calling them packs :) John and I have thought a bit about what we’ll put in our packs, but since so many of our lovely guests read this blog, I don’t want to spoil the surprise. I’ll report back after the weekend, though! In the meantime, here are a few examples that are inspiring me:

A breakfast-to-go kit tucked in a wicker or berry basket like Jenny’s would be so cute if you were hosting a small wedding! I love the little suitcase this simple combo of hand-drawn map, welcome booklet, and classic soda is packed in (photo by Olivia Leigh Photographie).

These type-fabulous rehearsal dinner kits were handed out the night before the wedding and included photobooth instructions, a custom mad lib, and an important phone number list! (Graphic design and photo by Brooke Courtney via Oh So Beautiful Paper)

I love the custom cookies (cute!) and simple stamped kraft paper bags in these kits photographed by Leah McCormick via Snippet & Ink. My favorite source for paper bags is here!

This adorable paper set is by Cheree Berry (of course!) and is very inspiring to me as I’m designing our info sheets! (Photo by Patricia Lyons)

This wooden box lined with patterned paper looks super luxe, but haven’t y’all seen the unfinished wooden boxes at Michael’s? They’re super cheap! Glue in some pretty scrapbook paper and tie it all off with a wide satin ribbon, and you’re going to make quite the impression! This one was designed by Simplesong for Martha Stewart Weddings and photographed by Kate Headley.

This tuck-top box is appealing to me because it’s different, but I’m struggling with the fact that it’s not that practical should people want to take it home with them in a suitcase. But maybe they wouldn’t want to? Anyway, if you’re interested in ordering your own own boxes, look here. (Photo and packaging by Corinna Nielsen) And isn’t that picnic basket so cute? I love that they included hyper local goodies, like Moon Pies and seasoned nuts. (Photo by Jonathan Canlas via Southern Weddings)

Lastly, I loved this photo when I spotted it on Kelly’s Instagram – a good reminder that if you’re having a larger wedding, welcome packs can take up a good amount of room!!

If you were a wedding guest, what would you find delightful or helpful in a welcome pack?