Anyone NOT making welcome bags??

[BachataBride]

I think it is a really nice gesture, but I didn't do them. I didn't even know about them until I joined this forum (only 4 months before our wedding). I did a welcome booklet instead. They were inexpensive, easy to transport & everyone loved them! If it's not in the budget then I wouldn't worry about it - your guests are not expecting them!

[~*petals*~]

I'm watching our budget too, so I'm waiting to see how many people are coming before I decide what to give to our guests. But I was thinking I'd probably do something like a travel mug & welcome brochure, instead of a full OOT bag.

[August2010Bride]

We are not doing them for the simple fact that it is not in our budget. We will have a welcome brochure/book for our guests though. We may have favors, but I'm not for sure as of now.

 

Like the girls mentioned,

They are not mandatory and depends on what you want.

[big3n09]

I don't think you have to do them but they are nice. If it's not in your budget I wouldn't stress about it. I plan on doing the gable boxes from oriental trading budgeting between $12-$16 each.

[Hartyt509]

I'm not doing them - it's not done in the UK and we only get 20kg luggage so its a no go for me

[estella1007]

I was planning on not doing them since my budget wasn't allowing me to. Plus I had never even heard of them since this forum. But after a lot of favor drama, ( I can't decide what I want) my wedding planner in Bermuda is making "goodie bags" as favors for me. Kinda blending OOT with favors. She made a great point, saying "why would you buy something from the US just to bring it all the way to Bermuda as a gift?" "Why not give them something that they can only get in Bermuda." So what she is doing is getting mini Bermuda rum bottles, rum cakes, postcards, maps, and other touristy things and putting together the bags. Less drama as far as having to pack all that stuff too. I tld her not to go over $10 per person. You could always see if the planner at your resort will be willing to do something like that too.

[Mel&B]

You can do OOT Bags virtually for free if you want to. Check out Vista Print. You can print welcome brochures, thank you cards, sticky notes, and all sorts of other stuff for free. You just pay $7.00 for shipping. You can get paper bags for the OOT Bags... make a sticker out of your logo and put it on the bag, and buy snacks once you get to your destination. I think having a little something for your guests will really make them feel appreciated!

[Cassondra2009]

I was pretty unsure about OOT bags too until recently. I just decided to go for it but make it really simple. I am not including anything personalized because its more expensive. I bought reusable grocery bags for less than 2.00 each, chapstick with SPF from BJs, gatorade & crystal light drink mixes, and alka seltzer. I am going to add water bottles and snacks once we get to Mexico. I think that each bag will be around $10 when I'm finished. I think the OOT bags will be in place of favors at the reception...but I haven't decided on that yet.

 

I don't think that your guests are expecting them, they will be happy with whatever you choose to do!

[poohshek]

I will probably skip OOT bags and spend the money on wedding favors.

[BillysBride]

I'm with the other girls..you don't HAVE to do anything. lol...but if you WANT to, there are many really cool/cute ways to do them inexpensively. Mine should work out to be around $6 a bag including the actual bags themselves. I'm only going to have about 25 guests (I think) so it's not bad for me, but for those with huge numbers coming down for your weddings, yea..it could get pricey.

 

Something else to keep in mind is that if you do them, you can do them per room, not per guest.