trbutler

I was the same way, I went to Alfred Angelo and I looked at Bridesmaids Dresses, I actually ended up with this dress http://www.alfredangelo.com/Collections/Disney-Maidens/524/?pg=1it is part of their disney collection. They made it for me in white and I LOVED it! And it was only $200.

So I wanted to do something different for our Pre-Travel Packets so I had another bridge suggest that I take the luggage box idea that some brides were using for their invitation or save the date. So I went to work and started making the idea my own. I used the directions from @@MrsWeiss1211 post http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/61010-message-in-a-bottle-save-the-date-invitations-pictures-instructions-and-prices/ Let me tell you, these boxes take time, and what I added to them didn't make them cheap! So I knew from the beginning that the size @@MrsWeiss1211 used wasn't going to work for my project, so I searched high and low for the best box for my project. This is what I ended up with - http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/StaplesProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=379584&cid=EM:ORDCONFRM::SKU Yes, they are white, I folded them backwards so the brown would be showing. As far as the rest of the supplies, I used what was in the original post. So inside I added: Luggage Tags Trial Size Bath & Body Works Endless Weekend - Body Wash & Body Cream http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=26693436&cm_sp=FO-_-Body+%26+Bath-_-3+for+%2412+Travel+Body+Care&cp=12586965.12587138 Trial Size Sunscreen Aruba Tourism Information - I contacted the Aruba Tourism Bureau in the USA and they shipped out some info with a map of Aruba Pre Travel Info Package (templates are below) Since I had a few single guys coming I didn't think they would like the Endless Weekend from B&BW so I got them the Ocean for Men http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=23437866&cm_vc=200 These were also the talk of the town! I had several guests post them on Facebook when they received them on their doorstep. I hand delivered as many as possible and the rest I sent via USPS. I have also attached the template from my Pre Travel Info Sheet Pre Travel Packet - Print (2).pub Hope you enjoy!

I really wavered back and forth if I was going to do chair sashes, I thought you know I could spend the money on something else. But I am so glad I decided to do them, it just added such a nice touch to the ceremony. I got a tremendous deal for www.linentablecloth.com, they had a 40% off sale, PLUS free shipping! I got 40 organza sashes for $16.58! I added some starfish to half the chairs to pull together the theme of the wedding. I glued these pins http://www.michaels.com/bead-landing-bar-pin-1-inch/M10443180.html?dwvar_M10443180_color=Gold#q=bar+pins&start=1to 3" starfish.

I didn't hear anything bad about it, but I have heard some brides on here say they didn't want to do it. I think you need to know your guests, but some of the drugs are so expensive in individual packets.

@@acw271011 I shopped with coupons, but here is some ideas: Small pouches of Kleenex Gum/Mentos/Tic Tacs - I would look for them on sale at walgreens, CVS, etc - or I would go to Costco Aloe - I bought a large bottle at Christmas Tree Shop & Got empty bottles at DollarTree and added labels Small tube of sunscreen - Target 97¢ Shout Wipes - Target 15¢ - they had some crazy sale going on Ibuprofen - http://www.amazon.com/Medifirst-Ibuprofen-Tablets-Compare-Advil/dp/B0006GDBXQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435090437&sr=8-1&keywords=ibuprofen+packets Aleve - I bought a big bottle and put in the small pouches Pepto - I bought it at Christmas Tree Shop and put a strip in each bag Zantac - I bought a big bottle when it was on sale and put in pouches Rolaids - Christmas Tree Shops Chap Stick w/ SPF - Christmas Tree Shops in a 4 pack Imodium - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008ATM5ZQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02 Off Wipes - Walgreens they were one sale and I had a coupon Safety Pins Emery Board - Christmas Tree Shop B&BW Hand Sanitizer - During an annual sale with a coupon

@@TheBHolders this is where I got them https://www.bgpaper.com/Details.asp?Product=23ZLthey are a local store for me, so I didn't pay shipping. But I am sure you can google this size bag or if you have a local paper supply place (more on the commerical side (Not PartyCity) they may have them. I got these from another past bride. Here is her post with the template http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/topic/65045-my-oot-bags-are-done-tons-of-pictures-a-template-emstypes/ I got them at Walgreens they come in a pack of 12. http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/deep-woods-off!-insect-repellent-towelettes/ID=prod6028493-product To answer your questions @@FutureMrsReed, I spent about $30 per bag. I had $9 in bocca clips, which really increased the price. I also only had to do 20 bags, so that helped a lot. My best advice is to start buying things now and during sales. For example twice a year Bath & Body Works does a sale, check out what they have. I also would search for coupons that I could print and help save some dollars. I kept a spreadsheet with what I was spending and budgeted to make sure that it was practical purchases when I bought something. Hope this helps! Also, the folders I used for my welcome letters were left over from my wedding invitations. Here are some of the items included in the welcome packet: Wedding Welcome Letter 2.pub Wedding Itinerary 2.pub

Okay here is the rest: Snack Bags These were a hit also, people loved these after getting back to their room from drinking, hanging at the beach, etc. I simply bought gallon size ziptop bags from Dollar Tree and filled with: Snack Size bags of Asst. Nuts - Costco Small Cans of Pringles - Costco Cracker Packets Theater Size Candy - Starburst, Twizzlers, Swedish Fish, Mike & Ikes, etc Granola bars Boca Clips These were a HIT! People loved these, after they figured out they weren't chips clips! They aren't cheap, but well worth it. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/boca-towel-clips-trade-set-of-2/113349?Keyword=bocca+clip Other Items Sewing Kits from Micheals Pashmina - AC Moore Yankee Tins Loofa ID Holder for room key, money, and ID Welcome Letter - this also included an itinerary and other important tips and info Balashi Beer - local beer in Aruba Aruba Tourism info we got from the hotel lobby And here is the finished product.

I must apologize for the delay in getting these posted, but better late than never, right? I wanted to share, because this forum was such a huge part of making our destination wedding a hit! Our OOT bags were a HUGE hit! 6 months later and people still talk about them! When putting together our gift bags I tried to be practical and include useful items, our wedding wasn't at an all inclusive so I didn't add any cups, etc. The Bag I looked forever for the perfect bag, and this was my final decision, and I was thrilled with my choice. It had all the features I wanted, a bag that zipped closed, had an inside pocket with zipper and it also has an exterior storage area with a pocket. I am lucky because my mom has an embroidery business so so did the embroidery for me for FREE! I wanted to my bags to be used after the wedding, so we didn't include a date or our names and just put a seashell & Aruba on each of the bags. Here is the link: http://www.thedealrack.com/gemline-tote-bag-g1510-utility.htmlThe great thing about Deal Rack is they offer free shipping on any order over $50. Like I said, everyone loved the quality of the bag, many of our guests would be out and other people at the resort would ask "Where did you get that bag?" I probably could have sold some Wedding Survival Kit These were a lot of fun to put together, I bought ziptop bags from Dollar Tree & printed my toppers from a template I got on here. I would suggest buying these items a little at a time, when things are on sale, it helps that wallet a lot this way!The kits included: Small pouches of KleenexGum/Mentos Tic Tacs Aloe Small tube of sunscreen Shout Wipes Ibuprofen Aleve Pepto Zantac Rolaids Chap Stick w/ SPF Imodium Off Wipes Safety Pins Emery Board B&BW Hand Sanitizer Also, I the price for Zantac and Aleve was crazy prices in individual packets so I made these:

We take food all the time to Aruba and never have an issue, so I'm packing it in our suitcases.

I am including luggage tags, travel info, webpics card, and Endless Weekend items from Bath & Body Works. I also received some island maps and tourism flyers from the Aruba tourism board.

When are you/did you send your Pre-Travel Packages? We are getting married on December 13 and want to get the pre-travel packages sent before the holiday season sets in. I was thinking about sending them out around the 1st of November so about 5-6 weeks before the wedding, is this too early?

In my OOT bags I am including several snacks and was wondering if most people are just putting them in lose or packaging them together some how. This is what I am including in mine: 2 oz Snack Nuts from Costco http://www2.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11300083&whse=BD_823&Ne=4000000&eCat=BD_823|9894|75630&N=4047545&Mo=37&No=1&Nr=P_CatalogName:BD_823&cat=75763&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=bdoff Chewy Granola Bars http://www2.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11899433&whse=BD_823&Ne=4000000&eCat=BD_823|9894&N=4054951&Mo=12&No=3&Nr=P_CatalogName:BD_823&cat=95188&lang=en-US&Sp=C&hierPath=9894*75763*&topnav=bdoff 1.3 oz Pringles Candy (one of the following: Theater size Mike & Ike, Twizzlers, Swedish Fish) Lance Crackers http://www.webstaurantstore.com/lance-8-count-captains-wafers-sandwich-cracker-variety-pack/999900247.html?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gclid=CjwKEAjwns6hBRDTpb_jkbTv1UYSJACBhber1GJJGXFvVgwNJZZP1qbHcIJvEHgqb4mAooc4yiehrxoCIBXw_wcB Any suggestions would be great!

I'm interested in the pink wrist coils, starfish and seashells.

I am planning on getting koozies for our OOT bags, any suggestions on where to get them? I was going to get them from totallyweddingkoozies.com but read ALOT of bad reviews about them.