Destination weddings are so much fun this time of year, especially when the weather turns chilly in many cities, and guests look forward to traveling to a warmer locale. Homemade bath salts make a lovely wedding or bridesmaids favor, especially if your guests will have some down time to relax back in their hotel room. This little gift is easy to assemble and super budget friendly, and you can make it personal by coordinating the packaging with your wedding colors.
Here’s a simple recipe for bath salts:
- 1 cup rock/sea salt
- 1 cup epsom salts
- 2 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda
- about 15 drops of essential oil of your choice, such as lavender, rose, vanilla, citrus or peppermint (adjust accordingly to your preference. Be careful to avoid getting undiluted essential oils in contact with your skin as this may result in a skin reaction in some people)
Mix together the salts in a metal or glass mixing bowl. Sift in the bi-carbonate of soda and stir with a metal spoon to combine. Add your essential oil of choice, and mix salts together thoroughly.
At this point you can also add dried flower petals or herbs (such as dried lavender or rose petals). Some people also like to add food coloring, which will result in a colored bath. If using liquid food dyes, just add a few drops until you achieve the desired color.
image credit: smashedpeasandcarrots; sandiegoweddinginsider (middle)
Fill small mason jars with bath salts (left) and decoupage the top with your favorite patterned paper. (Click here for simple decoupage instructions.) Then secure a small wooden scoop to the top using pretty ribbon. Or, fill small lidded jars with salts, and decorate with personalized labels with your name, wedding date and thank you sentiments.
Here’s another cute packaging idea….funnel salts in to small glass jars (available at local craft stores or online at Save-On). Hang personalized labels (click here for another label source) from thin string for a delicate look.
Bath salts also make a nice addition to hotel welcome gift baskets. Don’t forget to save some for yourself. A relaxing bath the night before your wedding may be just what you need to wake up feeling ready for your big day!
