Your family and friends are coming all the way to Paris, to witness you and Mr. Perfect proclaim your love & commitment with the most romantic city in the backdrop. Even if you’ve reserved a block of plane tickets at a reduced rate, and booked their rooms in a charmant nearby hotel, your choice of destination has certainly cost them more than if you’d chosen your hometown reception hall.
When having guests follow you across oceans, it’s important to thank them heartily for coming so far to be a part of your special event.
My crafty side absolutely loves to create Welcome Kits for out of town guests. It’s so much fun to think of what would make guests comfortable and happy in their French environment! Plus, as every wedding style is different, I never have to make the same Kit twice!
Pick out cute Parisian toile bags (like the eco-friendly bag above from Maptote or the classier tote from Galleria Enterprises), or purchase chic champagne bowls, or fun old fashion picnic-style baskets to hold the welcome goodies… Be sure to follow the theme of your wedding!! Also, do take into consideration their flight home, and not encumber guests with impossible-to-travel-with items.
What to put in a Welcome Kit :
- A personalized note welcoming guests, and thanking them for coming (if rooms are equipped, you can even record yourself on DVD for an especially warm merci beaucoup message!)
- A very complete itinerary/information card – this is so so important, as people arriving at different times can feel very lost. When are they expected where, and how do they get there – oh, and what should they wear? Depending on the length of their stay and the intensity of the timing of your event, you can include info on excursions, or local bars & restaurants to enjoy, and must-see monuments to visit.
- A print-out of the weather forecast for the duration of their stay is a nice touch.
- You might also want to include useful things that are easy to forget when packing, like aspirin, safety pins, stain remover…
Now the fun stuff :
- Parisian, or other French snacks (but let guests know if something needs to be consumed during their stay, as certain cheeses, veggies and meats cannot be brought through customs!),
- Champagne, or French wine (don’t forget the cork screw!!), if they are staying a few extra nights.
- Poker chips and cards, or bubble bath and a scented candle depending on the guest…
- A little something French to remember the occasion – instead of having wedding favors on the tables, you could put them directly in their baskets.
I also recommend including a disposable camera, some metro tickets & map, a mini French phrase book… as well as anything that could introduce your wedding style, threading a mood throughout the whole weekend (or week!).
Have the goodie bag sitting on their desk or bed in their hotel room, waiting to welcome them warmly, et voilà!
For fabulous French weddings visit www.rendezvous-inparis.com.
