OOT bags,... too much?

pyxystyx · 07-23-2008, 05:50 PM

So, the FI and I were talking about our plans, budgeting and such, we're just in the initial phases... and so we were making our list of everything we're going to need to get and/or pay for.

Whenever I bring up the OOT bags, he rolls his eyes at me and tells me that basically, we don't need them. He thinks they're excessive! He says we don't need to give our guests a "big gift". I'm not planning on making a big bag or anything, and I know we're on a budget. TRUST ME, I don't want to spend any more on our wedding than we need to. But we're already starting to hear the grumbles from family members about having to travel so far, and our whole reason for wanting to have it in Cancun was so that everyone could have a good time. I just really feel like it's the nice thing to do for all of our guests, so that they feel welcomed and special when they arrive.

If I get to do them, I wouldn't be giving any other gifts at the reception, just the OOT would be our "gift". Am I asking too much

How do I make my FI see that these are special for a DW

gen moriya · 07-23-2008, 05:59 PM

I have been thinking the same thing. There are so many creative things on this site (welcome brochures, spreadsheets of activities etc)...I think if you put together a really cool welcome folder that was personalized for each guest, it would be affordable AND cool. (and then maybe you could add a little something small with it like a pocket english /spanish guide).

I think I am going to do this. not sure yet -but same here -it comes down to the $$$.

Tracy · 07-23-2008, 06:05 PM

My FI says the same thing...but I am trying to keep the bags to $10.00 per bag (in my case i will need about 20 bags) - so $200.00. That is not a lot to spend considering that guests are spending so much money to fly to the wedding (at least that I how I seem to be able to justify it with him). Perhaps if you do your own invitations, thank you cards etc - you will save some money on that, and you can show him that you are trying to save on other things, in order to have $ in the budget for the bags.

Erica053009 · 07-23-2008, 06:23 PM

I think you need to give your guest something to thank them for coming all that way and spending all their money so a little something is necessary. Like above make a budget $10 - $15 dollars each to show your appreciation. There are plenty of sites you can find great gifts to add and just buy paper bags from the $1 store (some give you a discount if you buy in bulk). How many guest are you having? Oh I found cute discount favors a Unique & Personalized Wedding & Bridal Shower Favors, Baby Baptism & Communion Favors, Kids Birthday Party Favor Ideas - eFavors I got the cutest starfish wine stoppers for $1.69 which I saw double the price on other sites and they were high quality. Hope this helps

gen moriya · 07-23-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erica053009

I think you need to give your guest something to thank them for coming all that way and spending all their money so a little something is necessary. Like above make a budget $10 - $15 dollars each to show your appreciation. There are plenty of sites you can find great gifts to add and just buy paper bags from the $1 store (some give you a discount if you buy in bulk). How many guest are you having? Oh I found cute discount favors a Unique & Personalized Wedding & Bridal Shower Favors, Baby Baptism & Communion Favors, Kids Birthday Party Favor Ideas - eFavors I got the cutest starfish wine stoppers for $1.69 which I saw double the price on other sites and they were high quality. Hope this helps

Great site! I found like 3 things I want! cheap too!

kristina&kevin · 07-23-2008, 06:55 PM

I agree. I think you should do the oot bags. Its your way of thanking everyone for coming your wedding. There are so many cheap totes and stuffers out there...We are doing 30 oot bags for our wedding and they are full of stuff and so far we are only spending $330 for everything. Even if its just a 99 cent bag with a couple of 99 cent items in it. I think anything will show your guest that you are thankful that they came.

lauren · 07-23-2008, 06:57 PM

i think it's a nice token of appreciation. you don't have to fill it, and you don't have to spend a lot. you can buy paper bags from michaels, or some dollar stores, and put only the necessities in.

Jacilynda · 07-23-2008, 07:07 PM

I think its great! It kind of makes my reception easier, cause we aren't doing favors... people never eat them all or take them all and you're left w/ them. Instead we're doing a nice OOT bag. You can easily find bags around $2 each. We found decent beach mats at big lots for $2 that are going in there. Then make your own welcome book w/ puzzles and info. Add in travel size things that are around $1. You really can do a whole bag for under $10. For me its even cheaper to do a bunch of these than several favors.

KLC77 · 07-23-2008, 08:00 PM

I think you could do really affordable OOT bags. I got the actual bags at Michaels and they were only 52 cents a bag for aqua ones with a coupon I had. Out of everything I've purchased to go in them the most expensive thing was $1.90 each (Spanish for Dummies books) everything else was 99 cents or less. Check out the dollar spot in Target and Bed Bath and Beyond's travel size section for great deals.

Samantha S · 07-23-2008, 09:27 PM

I've been going back and forth on this too and my FI has the same attitude as yours about it. I'm thinking I can get together some super cheap welcome bags. Here are some starting ideas:

Cheaptote canvas bags are on sale for .99 right now!! Canvas TOTE BAG (think I'll start a thread about that to let everyone know!)

Then you just do iron on logo or whatever you want.

Morgan had a great idea of buying a big bottle of immodium AD and Tylenol and then making little paper packages on her computer to put them. She also bought plastic cups and painted each person's name on them which was super cute and super cheap. She has a lot of awesome do-it-yourself projects so look at her planning thread. All of Morgan's wedding stuff

Then you can whip up a welcome letter, there are plenty of 'print-out' spanish term things out there, pack some goodies from costco in there and call it a day!

I think you can get away with paying less than $10 per bag if you borrow a lot of the ideas on here. Plus, I'll do one bag per couple to save some $$.