Excursion vs. OOT bags

I am trying to decide whether we should give OOT bags to our guests. after reading posts here and talking to my WC i thought that i really do need to make the bags. Problem is I expecting 50 guests. I dont want to travel with the bags (i wouldnt have room anyway!) Also i dont want the items/bag to go to waste and we have a few single men coming so i have no idea what to give them instead. So now im thinking about nixing the entire idea and planning an excursion instead. But the few i looked at are over $80 a person (not an option for my budget) Any ideas?

Is it possible to spread out the items in the OOT bags in your BM's luggage?

 

Is there an option to ship it out ahead of time?

I planned easier to pack OOT bags. Also 50 guests only has to be 25 bags (1 per room). I don't think you have to do OOT bags though.

 

I'm not familiar with DR, but I found cheaper excursion options for my guests in RM. I'm chartering a van & taking them to the ruins. It's less than $15 per person for the van & admission into the ruins. Maybe you can find something like that in your area.

 

Another idea I had was to take everyone to a great lagoon for snorkeling & pay for their equipment rental. That would also have been inexpensive.

I need to check with the WC at the hotel but i think i can ship it ahead of time. i just really worry about the items being there when i arrive.
As for packing in my BMs luggage they probably wont have room either because they like to overpack just like i do. :-)

the van charter is a great idea! im going to search. ok 25 bags arent as bad a 50 but many of my rooms will have 2 guests that arent a couple so i thought each guest would need a bag

If you want to do the bags, you could always get another piece of empty luggage and pack the items in it. I think airlines charge something around $25-$50 for extra luggage...could be cheaper than shipping it.

For non couples, I'm doing a modified bag. For example, one room will have 2 aunts. I will give them each a tote, cup, & hair clip. But, they will just get one first aid kit, pen, notepad.

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t16807

All my stuff packs up tight. I did cups that stack in each other. The oriental trading stuff comes in bags that have it all squished together. I'm a heavy packer, but Mike isn't so I'll be taking one of his bags for wedding stuff. I'm not taking wedding decorations to cut down on what I need to pack. I also tried to keep my bags practical. I wanted to give guests things I thought they could use.

I thought OOT bags was one of the most fun things to make. But, if you aren't that in to it, don't do it.

I find it easier to charter a van than to rent a van. I don't like renting vehicles internationally. I'm always afraid we'll wreck it & owe all sorts of money. We rented a car in Paris & they billed us extra for no reason & we couldn't do anything about it.

I think the excursion idea is a good one. Have you tried asking your resort what kind of deals you can get on excursions if you book as a large group? They might have suggestions for you. Plus it will make the group bond even more if you all do something together! Or you could treat all the girls to manicures and all the boys to a game of golf or something (depending how much it is ofcourse).

I agree with the above post. I am sure if you have that many people going on an excursion,they will be willing to work out a group rate/discount. Did you have a specific excursion in mind?

I agree! An excursion sounds like something very fun & memorable and a great way for the group to do something togther. Great idea!

 

Lisa