Alternatives to OOT bags?

[taylorwd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJT1985 We spent $10-15 on each of the guys shirts from TJ Maxx, bought fake flowers for $100 total that we're taking with us, aren't having a reception there (just dinner together at the buffet). I'm not taking centerpieces, decorations, or even a cake topper. And what else is there to pay for? My dress, shoes, veil and jewelry was all under $300.

Wow, I'm really impressed! That's some impressive shopping and sticking to your budget!

Like you all, we keep going back and forth on the OOT bags. I just hate giving things people will never look at or even use. It's wasted money and wasted effort. We're not one to do things "just because." The current front-runner is a tote bag per family filled with: two beach towels for the adults, a bottle of tequila (Mexico wedding), key card holders, and goodies of some sort for the kiddos. But even with only 22 adults and 6 kids, this is adding up really quickly! Also, finding large decent beach towels this time of year is proving to be quite challenging!

We may just scrap the whole thing and take everyone on an excursion! More fun and better memories!

[purpleshells]

Yeah I dont want to spend a lot either...I was thinking of gettings the insulated mugs and putting stuff like chcocolates or other candies inside of it but afraid the guests will think its cheap? was gonna get the rhum but even that 10$/couple +mugs is gonan end up costing more than i wanted to put into the OOT bags....... I think I will do the mugs but have labels done so that they can reuse them afterwards by taking the label off.... instead of having it printed on.....

[purpleshells]

I think I will end up just buying the cuban rhum that they sell at the resort as a gift per couple..like that i wont need to bring anything with me on the plane....everyone appreciates alcohol....and everyone will def. use it....like that it wont go to waste

and I will put a little paper label attached to it saying "Two hearts joined as one,

so cheers! And have fun..."

[Beach Bride 80]

OOT bags are completely optional, I have been to dw that did them and others who didn't. If you pick one thing that you want to do for your guests such as a mug or beach bag and want to give it to them ahead of time with a simple thank you note that is a nice alternative to packing everything to your destination. A lot depends on how big your guest list is. In all honesty most of the items in an oot bag guests will already have with them and they would probably rather have you keep that money and use it towards other aspects of the wedding.

[taylorwd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beach Bride 80 OOT bags are completely optional, I have been to dw that did them and others who didn't. If you pick one thing that you want to do for your guests such as a mug or beach bag and want to give it to them ahead of time with a simple thank you note that is a nice alternative to packing everything to your destination. A lot depends on how big your guest list is. In all honesty most of the items in an oot bag guests will already have with them and they would probably rather have you keep that money and use it towards other aspects of the wedding.

Good advice thanks!

[mmshaughness]

I am also going back and forth on the OOT bags and appreciate the insight!

[baj]

decided that we will not be doing any, reason being that our DW was to cut costs and cuts to the flight weight allowance.

[Naye84]

Im in the same boat as all of you. We are paying for our wedding as well, and not all of our guests are staying at the resort with us. A favor sounds like a good option. We are making wine charms and putting a little pendant engraved with Puerto Vallarta 06-12-10, and putting those in little gift boxes we bought at Hobby Lobby. The thing I don't know if that is enough or if thats too cheap. My FI and I love wine, and we think its a good detail. Let me know what you think. Thanks

[KJT1985]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naye84 Im in the same boat as all of you. We are paying for our wedding as well, and not all of our guests are staying at the resort with us. A favor sounds like a good option. We are making wine charms and putting a little pendant engraved with Puerto Vallarta 06-12-10, and putting those in little gift boxes we bought at Hobby Lobby. The thing I don't know if that is enough or if thats too cheap. My FI and I love wine, and we think its a good detail. Let me know what you think. Thanks

That's adorable!! Of all our guests, my parents are the only one's who don't drink. We decided on personalized luggage tags. I found them at Personalized Expressions Collection Luggage Tag Favors It's a pretty good price - they print a sticker for you to attach to the tags. They do have a minimum order of 48 and I only need about 32 so I have some for sale now. Haha. I'm going to mail them out with a welcome/thank you letter/booklet I made prior to leaving. Then at the ceremony we'll have raffia fans at each chair (sort of a favor I guess?). Attached to the fans i'm putting the ceremony program, guestbook page, and some postcards. I'll tie them with ribbon and attach a marker for the guestbook page. (it's a more detailed full page for them to fill out as something fun and unique - from Welcome to the Guestbook Store! Guestbooks for Every Occasion!) I didn't know when else to have them do the guestbook pages so I thought it'd give them something to do while they wait. After the ceremony we're having dinner but it's at the buffet so there's not much sit-around-and-wait time.

Thanks for all the help and ideas ladies! You made me feel alot better about not doing full blown bags for everybody!

[amyrot]

I'm with many of you on this subject. Seriously, I think things like sunscreen, water, chapstick are all a waste of money for OOT bags. Who is going to leave this stuff at home? I do not have ANY extra money and we've cut back as much as possible. I am having a dinner but no reception after ( we are having a HUGE AHR- all on our $$). WE're using the resorts photographer, which it seems NO ONE at Iberostar does....I already compromised and got the cheapest invitations possible (which came out Awesome I might add!). So...I'm thinking a nice welcome letter, a schedule of events for the wedding day- where to go, what time, etc.... and the insulated mugs with our monogram on them.

I will be paying for my bridesmaid's hair to be done, which is a pretty penny. I am not bringing ANY decorations, flowers, cake topper, etc...I don't see the need.

I do have to bring placecards to indicate people's meal choices because anything over 25 people requires a fixed menu to be planned ahead...thats enough of a pain in the butt in itself. At least they will be small!

paying $30 for extra bags at the airport is no fun!