Italian Wedding Welcome-Basket Ideas

When planning a destination wedding you may wish to give your guests a pleasant welcome with something comforting after their long journey so what’s better than a thoughtful welcome basket?
A great way to say “thank you” for those who have travelled so far to be there on your special day and the right time to excite them about your wedding location and talk about your style!
Now comes the question, what to put in it? Here some clever ideas:

1. First things first: thank-you note and wedding itinerary

Don’t forget to write a short note to say thank you to your guests for the time and effort they have made to be at your wedding.
Add a contact number of someone they can contact in case they need further information (a wedding planner, local consultant…) as you’ll probably be busy with your preparations!

2. Add local flavour!

Local Delicacies: a must if you’re tying the knot in Italy is to introduce your guests to local culinary highlights. You have the greatest choice ever… whether you go for a wine bottle, chocolates or for tasty local cheese, don’t go for the cheaper deals but rather look into small, fine packages and high quality products.

•    For a Tuscan Welcome Basket you can’t miss a bottle of red wine, organic olive oil, a small jar of Tuscan liver paté, Pecorino cheese from Pienza or Cantucci almond baked biscuits.
•    Amalfi Coast Welcome Basket should include a bottle of Limoncello liqueur and a hand painted majolica item (like a small plate or 2 coffee cups)
•    Venetian Welcome Basket may fit a package of Baicoli Venetian biscuits together with a bottle of Valpolicella wine and why not a nice Venetian carnival mask!

3. Get your guests know more about the place!

Beside from food and drink you may add something that tells more about your destination wedding:
•    A guidebook and map of the city that you can easily get from the local tourism office
•    A voucher for a city tour if they'll be spending some days in town
•    A list of recommended local shops, restaurants, art galleries and sights
•    A welcoming vintage postcard

Consider the climate and the location when you pack your welcome kit.
If it’s hot summertime and you’ll be staying in a villa hanging by the pool why do not include a bottle of sunscreen together with a local magazine?
If it’s chilly or dry, lip balm and hand lotion will be also appreciated.

4. A funny welcome…

For those searching for an unusual way to greet their guests:
•    Record a humorous welcome video and burn it on Cds for each guest.
•    Make a funny genealogy-inspired chart telling “who’s who” at your wedding. Guests will enjoy studying up before the big event.

4. Try to be “special”

Starting from the bag to the way you present your welcome note always try to add your special touch that shows your guess how you appreciate them being at your celebration.
The thank you note can be tied with a ribbon to a scented candle.
You can go for a woven basket, but also a tailor made printed bag that can be used again with your initials, or the wedding date, or your monogram on it!
A nice kraft paper bag is also good for the purpose and low-budget.