Not doing an OOT bag?

[selassie11]

So glad I found this thread. I was about to go through the door of no return. I had never heard of OOTs before BDW. I was originally planning to do welcome baskets - 1 per room with water, red stripe, juice, plantain chips, appleton rum, blue mountain coffee, jerk seasoning and fresh fruit. Then after seeing so many cute ideas, I added OOT bags to the mix. Now I feel better about those back of my mind voice that says DON'T DO IT -- OUR BUDGET IS BURSTING AT THE SEAMS!

 

Going back to the baskets. But I'll give my BMs OOT bags. Inside I'll add some goodies plus what I was already planning to give them as presents - their jewelry and hair fascinators for the ceremony.

 

Glad to know OOTs aren't usually expected. I've never been to a destination wedding myself.

[JesseLyn10]

I have decided on the same thing. I bought my MOH and BM monogrammed makeup/overnight bags and have filled them with travel sized everything, a first-aid/hangover kit (advil, tums, travel sized gravol, travel sized claritin, bandaids, hand sanitizer) Bath & Bodyworks shower gel (they have a huge sale on right now), a box with their jewelry for the wedding, a tide-to-go pen and sunscreen.

 

I am also handing them out before we leave so they can pack what they want. I don't know if I am going to put something together for the groomsmen or not but I have smaller bags with kid-friendly stuff for my flower girls and ring bearer.

[~Nicole~]

Nope, I didn't do them and I'm glad I didn't. Everyone packs what they need! I think its a nice gesture and if you want to great, but I chose to spend the money elsewhere.

[ashley1316]

i am not doing a bag either. i got my girls all beach towels that say "bridesmaid" "Maid of Honnor" and "Mother of the Bride" stitched on them. my FI didnt want his guys to have them. And as a thank you gift, that most ppl give out at the end of a reception, we are going to get everyones photo taken some time during the trip by out photographer and frame that for them. so they'll have a nice prof. photo to keep. because some of the guests, this is their first trip.

[hoyt75]

We didn't do OOT bags and I'm so glad we stuck with our decisions. It costs a lot of money, consumes a lot of space, and not to mention the time and sanity that I would have lost trying to do them.

[Patourn]

Your not alone!! We are not doing them either! Like some of the other brides I never knew what one was until I joined this forum! We have a lot of people coming....56 and counting! So we are doing luggage tags and a pre-travel brochure which will be given to each guest prior to leaving. I am also giving them "Welcome Books" when they arrive with information about each guest, puzzles etc. Other then that they will be each getting a guest favour at the dinner and a maraca each that will be placed at thier table setting. While the whole idea of an OOT bag is nice...I agree with the other brides on here....most people do not leave home with out packing alot of that stuff on their own. Also the size of our families is what made us decide on a destination wedding in the first place. I would go broke trying to organize and pack stuff for everyone....yet alone all the important stuff I need to take for myself and FI.

[blckrevpower]

Not doing OOT bags either. I didn't even know what they were until I found this site. . . Too much time and energy and not enough in the budget anyway.

plus I didn't want to have to worry about all of my guests getting them at the same time in their rooms or whatever. . . too much trouble. i will be doing welcome letters or something like that.

[Lisa B]

ahhhhhhhh i feel so much better now. we're not doing them either and i felt guilty about it but it is too much trouble for something that people really dont need and dont expect. i have heard from other brides who have done them and now looking back, wished that hadnt bc its an added expense, another worry trying to get them to everyones rooms and people didnt use half the stuff in them.

[janapana]

We´re not doing them either, for us the whole point of a dw was to save money! I think we´re going to send a mini package out with the invitations with really basic things in, like a fridge magnet, pen, with our logo on. Then possibly give the guests a small gift at the wedding, maybe a fan for the ladies and shot glass for the men. Got to think about luggage allowance aswell!

The way i look at it is that yes, they are spending a lot to come to our wedding, but they´re having a great holiday too!

[Erin6341]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Girasole I agree with Magalie, do what works for you. If it's not in your budget then nix the idea. If you have the extra money get some small things. We had very few people that came with us so we did the bags but we gave them to everyone at home so we didn't have extra luggage costs. We did a small snack bag for their rooms which people liked & it cost me about $10 each - I went to costco and put in 2-3 100 calorie snack packs and a gatorade mini drink. Overall though, don't break your budget.

A snack bag is a fabulous idea! I had thought if I were going to a resort I would give everyone an OOT bag, however now that we're going to Vegas I counted it out. The only things I really wanted to do anyways was to get travel mugs, but now that we're doing Vegas, that just doesn't seem appropriate. I will definitely look for a Costco of sorts down there and do a snack welcome bag! Thanks for the idea! I love it!!