Are OOTs a must? What are alternatives?

[Snoopy129]

sounds awesome Peach!  and i LOVE vistaprint as well!!!

Originally Posted by Peach 

It is great to hear so many different perspectives on this.

 

We originally were going to do disposable underwater cameras and a bubba keg in a little bag.

 

So, originally, we were just going to do a favour... then we discovered vistaprint.

So, we have vistaprint bags, with a few small items (caps, pens, keychains) and a welcome booklet (passport style). That is one per room. But then we also got bubba kegs (one per person), which was our original plan, and we actually lucked out and stumbled across a clearance sale for mini video cameras. Whew.

At least all of the items from vistaprint were free - including free shipping, or $1 shipping. 

 

We are sending out a brochure with a couple (free) luggage tags pre travel.

 

We are not doing favours in addition to this.

 

The moms and bridal party are getting extra things in their bags too.

 

I still would love to do a disposable underwater camera, but we just do not have extra money. I think maybe I will give one to each of my brothers, since they will probably help out, but not actually be in the wedding party. Plus, then my family could borrow them. FI's parents have an actual underwater camera.

 

We also talked about taking people on an excursion instead, but could not think of one they all would like.

 

I should say, we have a small group, and most of the people coming are immediate family. So we feel good about spoiling them a little. Plus we are not spending any money on decor or anything like that. And we are going to try to hand this all out the night before we leave (we will all have to stay in Calgary I think to catch the plane; none of us live there) with the exception of FI's best man (flying in separately) and his parents (will be there the week before us). So we really do not have to pack too much along.

 

I did throw in some SPF lip chap, but no real first aid items. I keep thinking about it, but really, they all travel a lot, so they will probably bring that stuff anyway. And I am including a packing list in the pre-travel brochure, so I can be sure to include that there.

 

I do think it is important to give people something, but what that something is depends on the number of people in your group, their travelling experience, where you are going, and your own financial abilities. NO ONE is expecting getting all of this. FI's parents know people are getting something, but they do not know to what extent. Hopefully everyone appreciates them!

[mstigger]

I think I have too  much invested to turn back now, but I feel very comfortable stopping where I'm at and not adding other items.

A friend of mine is looking for some cheap material and she is going to make sarongs for the ladies and still need a little something for the guys and I'm all done!!

Glad to see I'm not alone with this dilemma!!

Thanks everyone!

[Snoopy129]

Originally Posted by mstigger 

 

I think I have too  much invested to turn back now, but I feel very comfortable stopping where I'm at and not adding other items.

A friend of mine is looking for some cheap material and she is going to make sarongs for the ladies and still need a little something for the guys and I'm all done!!

Glad to see I'm not alone with this dilemma!!

Thanks everyone!

 

sarongs are a great idea!!!

[mstigger]

Does anyone have an "Oh Sh*t" bag and "Hangover" bag template they would be willing to email me?

I don't need your graphics or logo or anything, but just basically the set up and wording.

Thank you!!!

[kard613]

I'd love templates for an "oh shit kit" and/hangover kit, karenmdelarda@gmail.com It's funny reading everyone's opinions on the bags. As soon as we decided on a destination wedding that was one of the things I've been most excited about with planning. That being said I haven't bought anything for them yet and they won't be crazy expensive but I think a little goes a long way and they are appreciated. All the weddings I've ever been to in the past 10 years have had welcome bags with things like water, snacks, Advil etc and I love them. The waters, advils and snacks come in handy late night and early morning

[mstigger]

I would love these too Karen!!

If you get your hands on them, send them my way and I will do the same!!!  mstigger21@aol.com

Thanks!

Originally Posted by kard613 

I'd love templates for an "oh shit kit" and/hangover kit, karenmdelarda@gmail.com

It's funny reading everyone's opinions on the bags. As soon as we decided on a destination wedding that was one of the things I've been most excited about with planning. That being said I haven't bought anything for them yet and they won't be crazy expensive but I think a little goes a long way and they are appreciated. All the weddings I've ever been to in the past 10 years have had welcome bags with things like water, snacks, Advil etc and I love them. The waters, advils and snacks come in handy late night and early morning

[AndyB]

I would love a template as well. Can you email me at abaker036@ gmail.com.. Thanks ladies!

[BethandBill]

My fiance and I are planning to take all of our guests on a catamaran cruise as a thank you for coming. We may still get them a trinket or two but we arent going crazy with the goody bags 

[seatkins22]

Originally Posted by BethandBill 

 

My fiance and I are planning to take all of our guests on a catamaran cruise as a thank you for coming. We may still get them a trinket or two but we arent going crazy with the goody bags 

We are also doing a welcome catamaran cruise as a gift and then just having maracas attached to escort cards that double as favours.  

[JBarks]

Originally Posted by Mlite83 

 

We are doing oot bags but handing them out in advance (going to be doing a lot of visiting in the coming weeks) - we didn't go crazy on the bags though - bags from vistaprint, travel mugs from factory 21 and then a few little things from dollar store (bug wipes, tylenol, tums, first aid kit, nail file, safety pin etc). 

As our favour we are doing a charter catamaran cruise (4hrs)...took lots of pricing but got deal we are happy with and think is reasonable for a nice extra to say thanks for coming.  it is about $1400 for our 40 guests with open bar.  the cruise includes snorkely equipment too so i think everyone should have a good time!

 

This is great information! How did you guests get to the marina from the resort? Did the catamaran company include transportation, or did you have to arrange/pay for that separately?