OOT Bags - Anyone DISLIKE???

[baileybutton]

I think it's a nice touch to do something for the people who attend your wedding, but it doesn't have to be an OOT bag. I think it could be anything. An excursion, cigars, hand painted something. I think that you know your friends and family better then anyone-choose something they would like.

[JayKay]

At first we weren't going to do OOT bags as we thought it would be a lot of work and an expense.  We are just having a small wedding and most of the people haven't travelled much before.  We thought it would be a nice idea and gesture for out guests to make them feel more welcome.  We aren't going crazy on them, just including a few things that we think they will actually use or not bring themselves.  We don't want to have to use all our suitcase space on OOT bag things.  Because we are a small group, it ends up being less then $10 per bag. I don't think you have to do them, its totally up to you!

[proti007]

It's been a few months since I started this thread, and I'm so happy that everyone who contributed to this thread has done so in a thoughtful, respectful manner! With my wedding now three months away, I've started to finalize my list of to-dos for the big day, and an OOT bag is still not on that list - although I will be mailing a welcome package that will include a welcome booklet (info on the week's events, resort info, and a who's who) and custom luggage tags for our guests. I've learned from a lot of the brides that ARE doing OOT bags that they are NOT planning on doing wedding favours. My FI and I are absolutely giving favours at our wedding (coming from a European background, we call these bombinierre, and they are a MUST!), which will be pashminas for the ladies and a cigar station for the men. I think the overarching point that most brides have tried to get across is that guests DO appreciate the work that we do put into these things! They just don't have to take place in an OOT bag form!

[sposa]

Hi!

in the beginning we thought it wasnt necesary to any ott bags.At the end of the day we were in an all inclusive place with tons of free food drinks snacks and things like suntan or bug spary people will bring anyway so why to give just small sachets on anyhting,right?

Only 2 weeks before leaving my partner ordered for us some UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTORS(we live in the uk and for sure we knew were going to need different ones in mexico) and some waterproof pouches for our phones and cameras.

And all the sudden we though that would be a good idea as an OTT.We added some boxes of RESOLVE(paracetamol for hangovers) and some DYLON travel wash.

I bought some re usable gift bags made in pink jute,really nice ones,and that was it.

We gave them to the majority the night before flying since we stayed in an airport hotel and they all were so excited about it!!!

Honestly,it was like Christmas!!

I think a nice little touch can mean a lot to your guests specially if you put really useful things.

In our case the most popular was the travel adaptor followed by the pouches.

 

[aeluzu]

I am doing OOTs, however I don't think that an OOT is a MUST. What is a must? Doing something to show your guests how appreciative you are for their efforts. Unless you're contributing to their travel, I think that there should be some sort of BIG thank you gesture to them. Splurge on favors, write them a nice letter, plan an extra excursion... Just my thoughts.

[GrandCayBride]

My OOT Bag I designed.......from 4imprint.com.  Beach Sport Tote.  Back is like a backpack.

I found the Lizard online and decided to make something fun!!  Will be filled with Underwater Camera found on Ebay, Shout wipes, Lysol spray, Sewing kit, advil and Banana Boat Sunscreen from minimus.biz, Personalized M & M's with our picture on it and date of wedding, personalized Margarita Mix, and a Rum Cake from Totuga Rum Company in Grand Cayman.

 

 

[jwilson]

Agree. OOT bags are an extra yet important touch to say how much I appreciate all the effort (and money) my friends and loved ones spent just to be with us. After all, scheduling a leave and spending for an out of town trip is no joke. I actually will be giving out the OOT bags before we leave, sort of like a primer package. the bags themselves won't be elaborate, just little somethings that will make the trip more comfortable and enjoyable - like tickets to local tourist attractions, discount vouchers for local stores, and so on.

[redginger]

We would love to do OOT bags, but we just don't have time to make them and don't want to have to carry them in our luggage. Instead, we're planning to pay for an excursion tour for all our guests -- this also gives us another day to celebrate and spend time with all of them in one place. The excursion tour is more expensive than OOT bags, but definitely less stressful for us. I do commend all the brides who've shared their OOT ideas and are doing all that hard work -- and I think guests will always appreciate anything you give them!

[LisaandJeff]

I have a love/hate relationship with OOT bags.  I really wish I could find a way to do 150 OOT bags.  I really love the idea, and I really want to honor my guests that are coming, but how could I a) transport and afford 150 OOT bags?!    However,  we are getting creative!  With 36 days to go, we've finally made some decisions!

 

I did get $2.50 beach bags from Target for each family that is bringing kids.  I've included:

• $1 beach balls
• $1 squirt guns (a little worried about these going through airport security) 
• $0.30 bubbles
• sand toys
• pool dive rings (I think these came out to about 0.25 each)

 

When we get to Cabo, we're making a big Costco trip.  For each room (not person) we are getting:

• Coronas tied with ribbon
• limes (which are also part of our wedding theme)
• bottles of water
• small snacks
• picture share postcard (Vista print, free!)
• brochures/welcome letters

Our big "splurge" was making personalized koozies for each guest ($200 for 150).  If we can find them in Cabo, we'll also get really cheap bottle openers for each room. 

 

Our resort charges per bag to deliver to the rooms, so instead we are having family and wedding party members hand deliver them as each guest arrives. 

 

Hope this helps someone just starting out and stressing like I was!

[DramaticAnnie]

Love your bag GrandcayBride! What sort of underwater camera did you get from ebay? I've been checking them out and the reasonably priced ones are from hong kong or something, they don't come with film and shipping is expensive.. is it like a kodak disposable one?

 

Originally Posted by GrandCayBride 

My OOT Bag I designed.......from 4imprint.com.  Beach Sport Tote.  Back is like a backpack.

I found the Lizard online and decided to make something fun!!  Will be filled with Underwater Camera found on Ebay, Shout wipes, Lysol spray, Sewing kit, advil and Banana Boat Sunscreen from minimus.biz, Personalized M & M's with our picture on it and date of wedding, personalized Margarita Mix, and a Rum Cake from Totuga Rum Company in Grand Cayman.