Alternatives to OOT bags?

[RonNMel]

What I'm doing is very slim down version of the OOT bags. I love the idea of it, but like you I want to keep my budget small, and I too was concerned about how to get everything down there. So what we are thinking of doing is getting everyone a beach bag (either a nice looking one bought on sale, or a plain one with a general logo, i.e. Cuba 2011) and inside will put probably a stadium cup (though not sure about that anymore as apparently our resort has bigger cups than most resorts) and a welcome booklet with the names of all our guests, a welcome letter, a map of where we'll be, excursions offered, and possibly some word games to keep them busy in the airplane (planning on giving it to them before we take the plane, we should all be leaving from the same airport at the same time).

[KJT1985]

Those are really good ideas too. And yea, on top of it- we're going to be gone for two weeks (week at the resort then a week on a cruise). I like the idea of getting something there. We'll only have a day to do it but we could probably figure something out!

[allyson779]

I will probably end up doing OOT bags, but I read one of the posts (sorry I forgot which one or where) that explained instead of OOT bag they left a book (and thank you note) for all their guests. That way everyone has something to read on beach, talk about and bond over... like your own version of Oprah's book club.

[KJT1985]

Oh that's cool too! My fiance and I went to Costa Rica last year and I don't really think we had much time for reading though. I think SOMETHING is necessary for sure!

[carolina24]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJT1985 We're having 30-35 guests. Even little things at a $1 each add up REALLY quickly. If I did them i'd want to make it worth it and am just not sure I want to sink $300+ into this...

very true!! I like the idea of the scaled down bags, and we're actually giving them out per couple so it cuts down somewhat...I'll keep my eye out for ideas

[KJT1985]

Yeah, I figured we'd have to do around 25 of them. One per couple and then there's a few situations where the two people in a room are NOT a couple so i'd give them one each (some people taking roommates or cousins or fiance's brother and sister are sharing a room).

[Melidell]

We're forgoing the OOT bags too. I think most of the things that I'd put in them people will already have packed for themselves, honestly. I'm planning to give out personalized insulated travel mugs with some candy inside for a welcome gift instead, and then a wedding favour at the reception. I'll basically put more money into getting one (hopefully) great favour instead of into lots of little things in OOT bags. I think this well be less trouble to pack, plus I don't want to load up my guests luggage for their trip home.

[NaM]

We didn't do OOT bags but only because my aunt and TA did them for us as a wedding present. But what they did was great...they took something from a few places that are important to us and wrote a cute little poem about it (i.e. Maple leaf cookies from Canada, sweet tea from NC, chocolate soccer balls, koozies). They were really personal, cheap, and everyone walked away happy.

I would personally cut back in your budget somewhere else and get your guests something nice. A momento of your wedding that they would keep and take home with them will mean more to all the people who flew so far to be with you than a nicer chair sash imo.

Maybe a nice beach towel or a stadium cup with your monogram and some snacks??

Good luck!

[KJT1985]

Yeah one nice thing is really what i'm aiming for. Honestly, there's nowhere to cut back on the budget. We want REALLY low key and CHEAP because we're paying for this ourselves and just bought a house a few months ago. We're doing the free wedding package at the resort. 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. So there really just isn't anywhere to cut a couple hundred bucks from for something like that (even towels would add up!). I also think I have to negotiate with my fiance and give this up because he's crying about paying for the girls to get their hair done! We'll for sure be doing a welcome/thank you letter but past that I don't know... IF I had the money and it was totally up to me, I'd do it in a heartbeat. But alas! I must compromise...

[Taghan]

I'm totally in the same situation about the OOT bags! I've been getting things for a few months now, but I think I'm changing my plans. When I think about the need to either ship things down or load them in my suitcases, I just think it's going to be too much. I'm now thinking of doing a nice favor, like a bottle of local USVI rum, a fun little drink recipe to go with it...something like that.