Getting gift bag/OOT items to the destination

I haven't started getting together my items yet for the gift bags, but I'm enjoying looking at all of the posts on here and I am getting some good ideas!  But I'm starting to think that packing all this stuff might require its own suitcase!  How do you recommend getting the stuff to your destination?  Has anyone ever shipped the items to the hotel ahead of time?  Any feedback would be appreciated.  I am getting married in Aruba and would like to have a nice tote bag/beach bag for each room.  I may have about 20 of these bags at least.  Thanks!!   : )

This topic has been discussed over and over through out the forum.

Shipping to the resort is not advised, as It may get lost in transit, the resort may not even except the package etc. etc. .

Most brides either get extra luggage or spread the contants among the other ppl travelling with you.

Some bride have also delivered the gift bags to their guests prior to leaving. 

 

Originally Posted by ArubaBrideEm 

I haven't started getting together my items yet for the gift bags, but I'm enjoying looking at all of the posts on here and I am getting some good ideas!  But I'm starting to think that packing all this stuff might require its own suitcase!  How do you recommend getting the stuff to your destination?  Has anyone ever shipped the items to the hotel ahead of time?  Any feedback would be appreciated.  I am getting married in Aruba and would like to have a nice tote bag/beach bag for each room.  I may have about 20 of these bags at least.  Thanks!!   : )

Hi ArbuaBrideEM!  I'm in the same boat as you...looking around but nothing has been purchased.  J and G is right, you really shouldn't ship your items ahead of time.  If you do end up packing everything you may want to check to see what Aruba's customs procedure is like.  I know with Mexico there's a $300 limit per bag and I need to have ALL my receipts available per bag.  Kind of annoying, but rules are rules.

As for distributing the bags I originally wanted to have them waiting in everyones room, but since we're arriving the same date as the guests it can't be done.  Instead I'll distribute them throughout our welcome cocktail event on the first day.

Arubabride, I agree with the other brides, it is not recommended to ship items to the hotel. If you want to go ahead and do it, you should first verify if your hotel will even allow you to do so. The hotel I'm getting married at will receive these packages but they dont recommend it b/c the packages could be detained at customs and they will not go to customs to retrieve the package for you so you could potentially lose your stuff.

Thank you ladies for posting this, I was wondering the same thing. "how the heck is all this stuff getting down there?!"

Taking advantage of your guest's luggage allowance is a great idea....Now I'm on the hunt for cheap luggage.

I know on American Airlines may you can check one bag for no charge and a second bag for $30 within the size and weight limitations.

Also, distributing the welcome bags at the welcome cocktail event is genius!!!

If you're buying luggage another tip I heard somewhere on here is to look for suitcases/bags that can all fit into one when empty.  That way you'll be saving a bit of extra baggage money on the way home.

I like the idea of handing out the OOT bags at the welcome reception.  Great idea!

We've decided to cut down on our luggage needs we're distributing them at the air port. We're all leaving from the same air port so we're going to gather before everyone checks in and hand them out that way they can take what they want from the oot bags for the flight and put the rest in their checked luggage

Thanks for all of the input ladies!  I also love the idea of handing out the bags at the welcome reception/cocktail.

Handing out at the airport is a great idea.  I wont be flying out with all of my guests from the same airport or same day but atleast I can unload about 7 of them and make more room in my extra luggage and get rid of some of the weight!  Thanks!
 

Originally Posted by charitydawn 

We've decided to cut down on our luggage needs we're distributing them at the air port. We're all leaving from the same air port so we're going to gather before everyone checks in and hand them out that way they can take what they want from the oot bags for the flight and put the rest in their checked luggage