Are OOTs a must? What are alternatives?

[sgreen99]

We aren't doing "bags" (again a lot of travellers in our group, seems redundant). BUt when they arrive they will be given a custom travel mug with a mini Spanish for dummies and an info sheet in it

[AndreaandAaron]

We also are not doing travel bags.  I don't want to carry more stuff than I already am and I figure most guests will bring advil/ aloe stuff etc with them.  

 

We are doing custom travel mugs as well.  I have heard the lines for drinks at the resort can be long and the cups are small.  I hope these will be useful for the week.  We are also doing a simple thank you letter.  We haven't decided if we should go to costco before and get some snacks (gummy candies, trail mix) to prepackage and put in the mugs.  Again, it just seems like lots to lug around!

[laurenm0980]

I'm right with you girls who are not doing the OOT bags.  When I first started planning my DW I thought for sure I was going to do them, but as I looked into it I decided a nicer wedding favor would be better than stuff they already have (or don't want!)  We are having our wedding at an all inclusive so we will probably just treat everyone to some kind of excursion/activity. 

[Mlite83]

We are doing oot bags but handing them out in advance (going to be doing a lot of visiting in the coming weeks) - we didn't go crazy on the bags though - bags from vistaprint, travel mugs from factory 21 and then a few little things from dollar store (bug wipes, tylenol, tums, first aid kit, nail file, safety pin etc). 

As our favour we are doing a charter catamaran cruise (4hrs)...took lots of pricing but got deal we are happy with and think is reasonable for a nice extra to say thanks for coming.  it is about $1400 for our 40 guests with open bar.  the cruise includes snorkely equipment too so i think everyone should have a good time!

[AndreaandAaron]

Generous! The catamaran cruise sounds awesome!

 

I will have to check out factory 21 for travel mugs....I found some ones I liked from discount mugs, but I still want to shop around!

[Jlmarfa]

This has helped me so much! I decided that I will be doing totes with disposable waterproof cameras, cards, aspirin, flip flops, bug spray and a welcome book with Spanish keywords and thing to do in the area.

[Kate G]

I'm getting married at Dreams Puerto Vallarta in May...does anyone know if they allow you to go around and deliver the bags yourself, since I know they charge like a $4.00 fee or something crazy to deliver stuff like that for you. I wasn't really sure about doing bags but after reading through this thread I think I will order some canvas totes and iron-on our wedding crest to each, and people can use that as a beach bag. Simple and easy and shouldn't be too hard to transport since the totes will be able to just lie flat. But yeah, I want the bags to be in the rooms for people when they get there as a little surprise, but don't like the idea of getting charged more than the bags themselves to have them delivered!

[Snoopy129]

That catamaran charter sounds so awesome!  Would you mind sharing what company you're going with?  Thank you!

 

Originally Posted by Mlite83 

We are doing oot bags but handing them out in advance (going to be doing a lot of visiting in the coming weeks) - we didn't go crazy on the bags though - bags from vistaprint, travel mugs from factory 21 and then a few little things from dollar store (bug wipes, tylenol, tums, first aid kit, nail file, safety pin etc). 

As our favour we are doing a charter catamaran cruise (4hrs)...took lots of pricing but got deal we are happy with and think is reasonable for a nice extra to say thanks for coming.  it is about $1400 for our 40 guests with open bar.  the cruise includes snorkely equipment too so i think everyone should have a good time!

[Mlite83]

Originally Posted by Snoopy129 

 

That catamaran charter sounds so awesome!  Would you mind sharing what company you're going with?  Thank you!

 

I got quotes from about half a dozen different businesses - we ended up going with Catamarans Cancun.  I have been dealing with Cecilia and she is super fast on returning emails (usually within the day).  http://www.catamaranscancun.com/cat3.html is the website.  Good luck!

[Peach]

It is great to hear so many different perspectives on this.

 

We originally were going to do disposable underwater cameras and a bubba keg in a little bag.

 

So, originally, we were just going to do a favour... then we discovered vistaprint.

So, we have vistaprint bags, with a few small items (caps, pens, keychains) and a welcome booklet (passport style). That is one per room. But then we also got bubba kegs (one per person), which was our original plan, and we actually lucked out and stumbled across a clearance sale for mini video cameras. Whew.

At least all of the items from vistaprint were free - including free shipping, or $1 shipping. 

 

We are sending out a brochure with a couple (free) luggage tags pre travel.

 

We are not doing favours in addition to this.

 

The moms and bridal party are getting extra things in their bags too.

 

I still would love to do a disposable underwater camera, but we just do not have extra money. I think maybe I will give one to each of my brothers, since they will probably help out, but not actually be in the wedding party. Plus, then my family could borrow them. FI's parents have an actual underwater camera.

 

We also talked about taking people on an excursion instead, but could not think of one they all would like.

 

I should say, we have a small group, and most of the people coming are immediate family. So we feel good about spoiling them a little. Plus we are not spending any money on decor or anything like that. And we are going to try to hand this all out the night before we leave (we will all have to stay in Calgary I think to catch the plane; none of us live there) with the exception of FI's best man (flying in separately) and his parents (will be there the week before us). So we really do not have to pack too much along.

 

I did throw in some SPF lip chap, but no real first aid items. I keep thinking about it, but really, they all travel a lot, so they will probably bring that stuff anyway. And I am including a packing list in the pre-travel brochure, so I can be sure to include that there.

 

I do think it is important to give people something, but what that something is depends on the number of people in your group, their travelling experience, where you are going, and your own financial abilities. NO ONE is expecting getting all of this. FI's parents know people are getting something, but they do not know to what extent. Hopefully everyone appreciates them!