Keeping your guests happy is a must in Indian weddings. So why not start on the right note with the perfect Welcome Hampers?
“Atithi Devo Bhava.”
This quote becomes even more significant at Indian weddings, where guests are often the main priority, right after the bride and groom. Your wedding guests have taken time off, travelled distances and brought all their excitement with them to celebrate your big day. They deserve a warm welcome with love and pampering. And thoughtfully created welcome hampers are the way to go.
A welcome hamper is your way of saying “thank you” before the festivities even begin. More than just a gift, it sets the tone for the days ahead and makes guests feel personally cared for. But what should you include to strike the perfect balance between thoughtful and practical?
Here’s a complete guide to what goes into truly memorable wedding welcome hampers, by Team Wedding Affair.
Personalised Welcome Note
What says a warm welcome better than a heartfelt welcome note? Nothing.
Your guests should open your welcome hampers with a personalised message that makes guests feel instantly appreciated and connected to your celebration. You can express your gratitude for their presence, give them a little insight into what the wedding means to you and build excitement for the days of celebrations to come.
Including both your names and a little anecdote or inside joke can add a more intimate touch. If you’re hosting a destination wedding, you may also want to include a short guide and interesting details about the venue or the destination.
Read Also: Managing Guest Lists: Tips for a Stress-Free Wedding!
Wedding Itinerary
Alongside the welcome note, a printed itinerary in the hamper is incredibly useful. It helps guests stay informed about event timings, dress codes, venue locations and any transportation details. A well-designed card or booklet with an event-by-event breakdown can prevent confusion and ensure guests know exactly where they need to be and when.
Especially if you are having a destination wedding, your guests will need an itinerary to find everything with ease. For added convenience, consider including QR codes linked to your wedding website, Google Maps locations or photo-sharing folders. The wedding itinerary keeps everyone aligned, especially during multi-day celebrations.
Water Bottles or Beverages
Staying hydrated is key, especially after travel. Including a couple of water bottles in the welcome hampers is both practical and considerate. You can also add a customised label with the bride and groom’s names to make it feel extra special.
For a fun twist, consider flavoured or infused water, or even famous regional drinks like aam panna or coconut water if you’re embracing the local culture. If you’re feeling indulgent, add in a mini juice bottle, soda can, or even a signature mocktail mix from your wedding bar menu.
Sweet Treats
In India, no celebration is complete without a bit of sweetness. And it’s our culture to start everything good with a piece of mithai for good luck. Welcome your wedding guests with sweetness by including desserts in your hamper. It creates an instant feel-good moment.
Traditional Indian sweets like laddoos or barfis are always a great option. Think handmade chocolates, sugar cookies stamped with your initials for a more personal touch. Mini jars of jam or honey can also be a nice keepsake. You can also go the artisanal route with macarons, fudge squares or gourmet candies. Choose items that are easy to store, mess-free and individually packed for convenience.
Savoury Snacks
To balance the sugar rush, add something savoury in your guests’ welcome hampers. These snacks come in handy when guests need a quick bite between wedding functions or while relaxing in their rooms. Your guests will love munching on tasty bites in their leisure time.
This could include a pack of flavoured popcorn, roasted nuts, bhujia, khakhra, chips or mini samosas. For destination weddings, think about regional options too, like Goan cashews, Bikaneri namkeen or Kerala banana chips make for unique and tasty additions.
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Mini Toiletries and Essentials
Guests often forget the little things when packing, especially for destination weddings. This is where you show your thoughtful side by including essentials like a mini toothpaste, face wipes, sunscreen, hand sanitiser or moisturiser. It is a thoughtful way to cover all the basic needs of your guests.
Depending on your wedding’s season and location, you can customise this further, like adding mosquito repellent for outdoor venues or lip balm for colder locations. A compact comb, nail filer or even a few safety pins can also be surprisingly helpful.
Seasonal Touches
Consider the weather when putting your welcome hamper together. For example, a small bottle of face mist, paper fan or blotting sheets will be really helpful for a summer wedding, while winter weddings call for cosy items like travel-sized hand cream, warm socks, or a hot chocolate mix.
Monsoon weddings might benefit from a foldable umbrella, waterproof phone pouch or a packet of tissues. These extras not only make guests more comfortable but also show that you’ve thought through every little detail.
Local or Cultural Keepsakes
Add a bit of personality by including something local or meaningful to your culture. This could be a small brass idol, a tiny diya, a handmade fridge magnet or a bookmark from a nearby artisan market.
This is a great inclusion in welcome hampers for destination weddings, and works as a reminder of the perfect place to honour your wedding. If your wedding is in Jaipur, include miniature Rajasthani puppets. In Kerala? Add a packet of local tea or spices.
Custom Wedding Favours
Although this is a great idea as a return wedding favour, you can include a simple customised item to make the welcome hamper truly yours. Including something branded with your names, initials or wedding hashtag creates a memorable and Instagram-worthy touch.
It could be a scented candle, personalised luggage tag, monogrammed hand towel or a mini perfume vial. Raisin arts are also a trendy favour for weddings. These not only elevate the experience but also remain with your guests as a reminder of your wedding.
Read Also: Wedding Favour Ideas to Thank Your Guests in Style!
Welcome hampers are more than just gifts; they are your first hello and an expression of gratitude. Make your guests feel special, pampered and excited about being part of your big day. Let the celebrations begin and subscribe to Wedding Affair for more ideas and advice.
