Welcoming Guests from Out of Town

I can't believe the wedding is almost here!  One of the final details we recently finished up was making our welcome boxes for out of town ("OOT") guests who will be staying at the hotel.  We put a lot of thought and time into these, because we really wanted our guests to know how much we appreciated that they traveled to be there for us, especially during this very busy time of year!

Each guest will receive a box, and an envelope.  The boxes are gable boxes with a green toile print, and an embossed foil sticker with our wedding monogram.  I tied each box closed with gold or white ribbon.  I think they look adorable!

[caption id="attachment_1622" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The finished OOT boxes, with their embossed foil seals!"][/caption]

Inside the bags are two bottles of water, with labels I made on our home computer.  We purchased Halloween candy on sale on November 1, and wrapped up a selection of our favorites for each bag in cello.  We also made cello bags containing hand creme (a winter essential!), hand sanitizer (possibly even MORE essential!), tums and tylenol packets (for the morning after the wedding).  Also enclosed were pita chips and apple chips, which I found in bulk on Amazon at very reasonable prices.

[caption id="attachment_1614" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="And the contents! Pita chips, apple chips, chocolate, bottled water, tylenol and sample goodies!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1621" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="This is the envelope which will be give to each guest with their OOT box. Inside, more goodies!"][/caption]

Each guest will also get an envelope with their OOT box.  In the envelope is a welcome letter we made containing directions, maps, and of course, a crossword puzzle.  We had some extra "give us your photos" cards, which had been made for the favor bags, but we decided to put the extras in the OOT bags for good measure.  Hopefully people will send those photos along!  In addition, we put New York City travel guides (with fold out maps) and vouchers for coupon books at the nearby outlet mall.  I think these round out the boxes well, and maybe give some of our guests some ideas for activities while they are here!

[caption id="attachment_1620" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The welcome letters were folded, and I printed seals on mailing labels which were folded to close the letter."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1619" align="aligncenter" width="272" caption="The newsletter, which has directions to all key wedding locations, along with a map!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1618" align="aligncenter" width="250" caption="And of course, a crossword puzzle about the bride and groom, to complete the letter!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1617" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A not-so-subtle reminder to guests to send us their pics!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1615" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Detail of the fold out maps, in the NYC visitor guides."]

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All the paper goods together! Now we just need to add the breakfast invitations...

Would you make OOT bags/boxes, and if so, what would you put in them?