Your guests are flying to Cancún, Punta Cana, Jamaica, or the Florida Keys to celebrate you. A welcome bag waiting in their room is one of the nicest ways to say thank you, and if you fill it with things they actually need, it'll get used all weekend instead of left behind at checkout.
Here's a complete destination wedding welcome bag checklist, plus tips on assembly, budget, and getting the bags to your resort.
The destination wedding welcome bag checklist
1. Sun protection (the must-have)
Guests are often coming from colder places, they spend the whole weekend outside, and many forget sunscreen or have it taken at airport security. Sunburned guests at the welcome party is a problem you can prevent.
- SPF 50 sunscreen packets: 2–4 per guest. Single-use SunSingles packets are water resistant for 80 minutes and made without oxybenzone and octinoxate, which matters at reef destinations.
- SPF lip balm
- After-sun aloe (travel size)
2. Hydration and recovery
- Bottled water (or a reusable bottle)
- Electrolyte packets
- Pain reliever and antacids in a small labeled pouch
3. Snacks
- A local snack from the destination (plantain chips, local candy, coffee)
- A snack from your hometown for a personal touch
- Something salty and something sweet, all shelf-stable and heat-safe (skip chocolate in hot climates)
4. Weekend info
- A printed itinerary with times, locations, and dress codes
- Shuttle schedule and a contact number for questions
- A short welcome note from the two of you
5. Useful extras (pick one or two)
- A fan or folding hand fan for an outdoor ceremony
- Personalized koozie or tumbler
- Bug spray wipes
- Mini hand sanitizer
- A waterproof phone pouch for snorkeling or boat excursions
What to skip
- Anything that melts. Chocolate and gummies turn into a mess at 90°F.
- Full-size liquids. Guests can't carry them home in carry-on luggage. Single-use packets and travel sizes are better.
- Heavy or breakable items. Glass bottles and ceramic mugs are hard to pack home.
- Things only you will care about. Monogrammed items are cute, but useful beats sentimental here.
How many sunscreen packets per welcome bag?
Sunscreen should be reapplied at least every two hours and after swimming. For a 3–4 day destination wedding, plan on:
2–4 packets per guest in the welcome bag, plus a basket of extras at the ceremony or a guest sun station.
For 100 guests, that's roughly 200–400 packets for the bags. For large orders, see our wholesale and bulk pricing.
Assembling and shipping the bags
- Check with your resort first. Many resorts charge a per-bag delivery fee to put bags in guest rooms. Ask your wedding coordinator early.
- Decide: ship or carry. Shipping internationally can bring customs fees and delays. Many couples pack flat items (bags, packets, cards, koozies) in a checked suitcase and buy water and snacks locally.
- Assemble on arrival. Recruit the wedding party for an assembly session the day before guests arrive.
- Label by room or guest name so the front desk can deliver them correctly.
Single-use sunscreen packets are ideal here: they're light, flat, and easy to carry in luggage, and they won't leak in your suitcase the way a bottle can.
Destination-by-destination sun tips
- Mexico (Cancún, Tulum, Riviera Maya): Some eco-parks and cenotes ask for reef-friendly sunscreen, so tell guests in the welcome note.
- Caribbean (Punta Cana, Jamaica, Aruba): Strong year-round sun close to the equator, so reapplication matters.
- Hawaii: Sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate are banned from sale, so pack a formula without them.
- Florida Keys and Gulf Coast: Humid and hot, with lots of time on the water.
FAQ
What is the most useful item in a destination wedding welcome bag?
Sunscreen and water. Guests at warm-weather destinations use both every day of the trip.
How much should a welcome bag cost?
Most couples spend somewhere between $10 and $40 per bag. Sun protection, water, and a snack cover the essentials at the low end.
Can I bring sunscreen packets to Mexico or the Caribbean?
Yes. They fit easily in carry-on or checked luggage, and each packet is well under the TSA 3.4 oz liquid limit.
Building welcome bags? Shop SunSingles SPF 50 packets in pink or light blue, made in the USA and ready for your guests.