OOT Bags at reception?

[Flomac]

We are getting married on St. John in Dec. We want to give out OOT bags, but not everyone is staying at the Westin where we are getting married. Making it a logistic nightmare. Has anyone given out the OOT bags at the reception? As a favor, and if so, how did you distribute them? Also, did you give every person a bag? We were thinking that the men wouldn't care for a tote bag, but we didn't know if there were any alternative ideas. Thanks in advance for all the help.

-Seth & Christine

[Sheree10]

This is actually an idea that I was going back and forth with. I wasn't sure if I wanted to give out OOt bags and a favor separately. I wanted to do a combo and call it a "gift bag". This would be so much easier because the bags would be given out at the wedding, one per couple and one for each single person. I would include local island treats and maybe a personalized favor.

 

The only way that it would be easier to distribute the oot bags is if you were having a welcome event or you would see the guests before the wedding. If not then dont drive yourself crazy.

[Jo 2010]

are you getting there early?

 

You could always give the bags to the hotel to give to guests staying there with check-in. Not sure I would be able to rely in the hotels to remember - but if you make sure your guests ask for their welcome pack when checking-in?

 

Not a great suggestion if people are staying in 10 different hotels, but would be OK if it is just 3-4 of them...

[JennyK]

I gave my OOT bags to my WC the day of the rehearsal. He was so sweet and put one on each chair. It worked out bc everyone got to put all of their keepsakes (programs, fans, table cards) from the wedding in the bag..

[Jefiner]

I am planning on giving my OOT bag to my guests as they arrive, i want to try and greet them. The fans i am going to have laid out on the chairs at the ceremony. The favours i have not decided on yet. I think i will give it to them at the reception dinner... just a week full of gifts/surprises!

[Flomac]

I think we are planning on giving one bag per couple as Sheree mentioned. Since we aren't sure if everyone will be at the rehearsal dinner, I think we are going to just use them as the oot/favor at the reception. Not sure if we will put them on their chairs or put them out during the cocktail hour. Any ideas.

[merocket59]

If you are giving them out at the reception (which seems like a good idea since everyone will be there) try to stick to making them as uniform as possible. I had different ones for couples, singles, men, women, sailing, and nonsailing so it got really confusing when I went to hand them out and I had them in different piles all over my hotel room so I could grab them as people arrived. But if you put the guests names on them and left them on a table it would be easier for you.