Favors

[Cherazi]

We have decided not to do OOT bags either. Instead of a lot of small gifts, we are thinking about getting one nice beach-themed 5x7 picture frame for each couple. We will leave it in their rooms when they arrive with the itinerary for the weekend. And we will leave a note that they can put their favorite picture of the trip in the frame and have a memory of our wedding forever. I will see if we will have enough money to engrave the frames with the location and date as well.

 

Cheers,

 

Azadeh

[delgadot]

Oh I love that idea!! Very unique and I really think people will appreciate that!
 

Originally Posted by Cherazi 

We have decided not to do OOT bags either. Instead of a lot of small gifts, we are thinking about getting one nice beach-themed 5x7 picture frame for each couple. We will leave it in their rooms when they arrive with the itinerary for the weekend. And we will leave a note that they can put their favorite picture of the trip in the frame and have a memory of our wedding forever. I will see if we will have enough money to engrave the frames with the location and date as well.

 

Cheers,

 

Azadeh

[missook]

I was thinking about reception gifts too.  But it is a little too much out of the budget since we're doing the OOT bags.

[ehpage]

We've decided not to do the OOT bags as I've been to a destination wedding before and I can say 90% of the stuff in the OOT bag we received we didn't even use once! It was my sisters wedding and i felt horrible knowing how much $$ and time she put into these and to have them go to waste. Instead we've decided to give our guests a travel mug (I bought the really good Contigo ones from Costco at about 10 bucks a pop) I've had personalized stickers made with our wedding date, name and a starfish on it.. This way people will at least be able to remove the sticker and re-use the mugs when they go home. I thought the idea of a travel mug was perfect as I never go on vacation without one!! These ones from Costco really do keep your drink cold for HOURS!!! I'm gonna give them to everyone before we leave for the wedding so I don't have to lug them all down. I will put each persons tickets etc inside the mugs and personally deliver them (or mail the ones that live away) I just bought them the other day, and received the stickers yesterday so as soon as I have one put together I will post a pic.

[Cherazi]

I really like this idea! I am all for something that people can use later Thanks for sharing. I looked on costco.com and didn't see one. A photo is very much appreciated.

 

Originally Posted by ehpage 

We've decided not to do the OOT bags as I've been to a destination wedding before and I can say 90% of the stuff in the OOT bag we received we didn't even use once! It was my sisters wedding and i felt horrible knowing how much $$ and time she put into these and to have them go to waste. Instead we've decided to give our guests a travel mug (I bought the really good Contigo ones from Costco at about 10 bucks a pop) I've had personalized stickers made with our wedding date, name and a starfish on it.. This way people will at least be able to remove the sticker and re-use the mugs when they go home. I thought the idea of a travel mug was perfect as I never go on vacation without one!! These ones from Costco really do keep your drink cold for HOURS!!! I'm gonna give them to everyone before we leave for the wedding so I don't have to lug them all down. I will put each persons tickets etc inside the mugs and personally deliver them (or mail the ones that live away) I just bought them the other day, and received the stickers yesterday so as soon as I have one put together I will post a pic.

[lshaef]

Hi ladies,

I haven't put together my OOT bags but plan on doing that. A friend also gave me an idea for a favor.  I haven't read all of the posts so maybe it had been mentioned.  Our photographer will be with us for all three of our wedding events.  I am thinking of giving a small picture frame with a note in it at the wedding and then mail the acutal photo of the guest from the wedding weekend.  The photographer seems to be willing to do candid shots throughout the day as well as the wedding events.  What do you think?  I hate going to weddings and getting something I will never use b/c I feel bad throwing it away. 

[Marlena]

That is a good idea. My FI did that for his parents 40th anniversary party that we had at the RIU Ocho Rios a couple of years ago. We took pictures of every couple who attended, and then put them in frames and mailed them out when we got home. They abosolutely LOVED it! We (actually HE) made 2 copies of the photos, and put one into a guest book. While we were there, he got each couple to sign one a 3 inch X 7 inch piece of paper (like scrap booking paper in green) with a sentiment on it. When we got home, we glued a 5X7 picture on each page, and the corresponding words from each guest underneath it. His mom loved it! And now they have the memory of each guest at their anniversary party! It would be a great idea for a wedding too!

Originally Posted by lshaef 

Hi ladies,

I haven't put together my OOT bags but plan on doing that. A friend also gave me an idea for a favor.  I haven't read all of the posts so maybe it had been mentioned.  Our photographer will be with us for all three of our wedding events.  I am thinking of giving a small picture frame with a note in it at the wedding and then mail the acutal photo of the guest from the wedding weekend.  The photographer seems to be willing to do candid shots throughout the day as well as the wedding events.  What do you think?  I hate going to weddings and getting something I will never use b/c I feel bad throwing it away. 

[mumerette]

Hi Montegobay09,

I was wondering if you ended up ordering from Party Flops. We wanted to know if they had good service and if the flip flops were of good quality. We wanted to order from them and get it shipped directly to our resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Thanks for the info!!!

[LisaAndDreJamaica2011]

Food for thought:

 

I've thought long and hard about favors and OOT bags and i finally realized one thing: our guests don't care! While the flip flops are cute and people might get a wear or two out of them ( or none), most favors are an unnecessary expense. No one is going to appreciate your name and wedding date under their feet like you! All the crap we put in the oot bags? No one uses them!

I don't even own a cd player, and most people listen to mp3s so I didn't go that route. Mugs are okay, but people can take or leave them. Also with picture frames. Do people even develop photos anymore? I know i don't. i don't mean to offend anyone because you all know your guests best, but I wanted to give you something to think about.

 

Last week I finally I decided to take off my Bride hat for a moment and think instead with my Guest hat on and it finally came to me. I realized that of ALL weddings I've been too i usually forget the favor at the venue! The ones i manage to keep I lose or break because no matter what, these things are cheaply made. I realized that i've only ever been interested in the food favors. The candy or small bottles of wine/rum have been my favorite favors. These have been the ones that go the distance with me. If people are flying they might appreciate a little snack they can take on the plain. 

 

Since I'm getting married in Jamaica I settled on individually wrapped Jamaican Gratter cakes. These are little sugar and coconut "candies" made somewhat like peanut brittle. They are will cost me 75 cents each. i found a carribbean vendor here in New York who will do these for me and I'll take them with me to Jamaica. I asked my wedding coordinator if i could have them made on the island and she quoted me $2 each which is insane because the two main ingredients in these things, coconut and sugar, are native to Jamaica! The Vendor is Sam's Caribbean Marketplace, and they even have a facebook page. They sell all kinds of items from the caribbean and you might find that giving your guests a local item might appeal more. 

 

[QueenDiva]

Good post lisa! But I'm still doing my OOT bags, haha