Healthy & Tasty Hotel Welcome Bags

Guests from out of town love special goodie bags waiting for them at the hotel check-in. They’ve often traveled long distances to join you for your destination wedding. They may not have had access to healthy food for the whole journey and often arrive starving. Let them know you value them coming all the way to celebrate with you, but also that you value their health with these cute ideas for wedding favors for guests. You don’t have to wait until the wedding reception to give your guests a gift. Having wedding gift bags waiting for them in their rooms will make your guests feel welcomed and special as they arrive.

The temptation can be to put things like chocolate or other sweet treats in these bags. But party favors don’t have to be unhealthy. You can choose to make the gifts wedding-worthy, but still healthy to show your guests that you value their health with your gift bag. Wedding welcome bags ideas don’t have to be complicated. Here are some of my favorite ideas.

Healthy But Tasty Hotel Welcome Bags

Fresh fruit

Processed food in airports and on planes can be pretty nasty. Popping a piece of fresh fruit like an apple in your guests’ hotel welcome bags can help combat the negative effects of all of that. You can keep it simple with an apple or go more exotic if you’re somewhere that has more interesting options. Local blueberries, fresh mango or even a baby coconut will help to refresh your guests.

CHEESE AND CRACKERS

Rather than going sweet, which will cause your guests’ blood sugar to spike then crash, a snack that is well-balanced with protein, fat and carbohydrates will help regulate their energy levels. This can be particularly important if they’ve crossed time-zones. Their eating times will be disrupted and they’ll need something to energize them before the festivities begin.

ALMOND BUTTER

I know this can sound a little strange if you haven’t read my blog before and don’t know how much I love single-serve nut butter! But as a healthy snack that will help your guests feel ready to head out to welcome drinks, you can’t go past this healthy, high fat and protein snack.

COLD-BREW COFFEE

If your guests are changing time-zones, have a long drive or are arriving at odd hours, they might need a little pick-me-up before they join you for your welcome drinks. Travel can be exhausting for many people so popping a can of cold brew coffee in their welcome bags can help them get energized. After a well-deserved nap of course!

Bars

Granola-type bars are staples for most welcome bags. They’re non-perishable, pretty easy to find in bulk, and most of them taste pretty good. When choosing a bar, look for ones with a low amount of added sugar. Kid’s bars are also fantastic options – they satisfy hunger but don’t have too many calories (so your guests will be hungry by dinner time!). Here are some of our favorites.

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MINTS

Many destination weddings are away from a convenience store. There may be a small hotel gift shop but not a lot of choice. And mints are one of those things people always forget to pack or purchase before they come! Having mints on hand when you’re about to meet a lot of people will make your guests feel more relaxed and comfortable. Look for ones with a low amount of calories.

Veggie Chips

Another great non-perishable option is veggie chips. Don’t be fooled though by the “veggie sticks” that are popular – those are pretty much just colored potatoes! Here are some true chips made from non-starchy vegetables. Having a salty snack included which guests can save for the day after the wedding is a great idea for those that know they’re going to indulge on your wedding day.

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ADVIL

Not a food, but often just as important. Putting a single-serve of Advil in your guests’ hotel welcome bags will let you know that you want to see them on the dance floor having a great time, but you’ll look after them if they go too big. You want them to be able to make it to the wedding breakfast the day after the wedding, no excuses!

BOTTLED WATER

Many destination weddings are in locations where it’s just not safe to drink the water. After travelling through airports and taxis all day, your guests are likely to arrive dehydrated and need water. Having access to bottled water straight away will help your guests settle into their accommodation quickly and fight off the negative effects of dehydration which can include headaches, tiredness and irritability. None of which you want at your wedding!

Nuts

Our final filling and satisfying non-perishable snack option for goodie bags are single-serving packs of nuts. Nuts are packed with protein & good fats – also helping your guests be just full enough to make it through your ceremony so they can enjoy the apps and dinner at your reception. Sometimes all you need is a small snack to keep you going.