OOT Bags - Anyone DISLIKE???

[skp1]

For many, the OOT bags are in lieu of party favors which often get left behind.  While I do not think it is necessary to give an OOT bag, I do think you have to give your guests something as a token of appreciation - after all they have come a long way.  But that can be anything you want.  Part of the appeal of a destination wedding is reduced stress and the OOT bags definitely cause quite a bit of that (between buying all the items, packing them up, getting them to the destination, distributing them, etc).  So don't worry if you are not doing it.  I've read on here about some brides just sending a bottle of wine or fruit basket to each room or something like that.

[MDLady]

I was the first in my family/group of friends to do a destination wedding so when I had OOT bags waiting for everyone at check-in, everyone was really happy to get them.  Yes, not everyone will use everything and I did not include large/heavy items.  But many people mentioned that it was very thoughtful and they appreciated the little things that I included, both practical and fun.  I did have 2 other wedding favors and I wouldn't do OOT bags INSTEAD of a favor but it was still fun.  Yes, it was a small suitcase full of stuff and it took time to sort through it all but it was actually fun.  I don't regret doing it at all and mine came out to about $10/person!

[Cindy*]

My guests actually really loved the OOT bags.  Their favourite part was definitely the bags themselves, the lanyards for the room keys, the beer opener key chain and the bubba kegs - we saw multiple people using these items every single day.  I think OOT bags are a personal choice.  We chose to do them and to make them higher quality bags because we really wanted people to use them and love them.  It was our way of saying thank you for traveling all this way and welcome to our wedding trip.  If OOT bags aren't important to you, don't do them.  I know lots ofpeople choose not to have them, it is really a personal choice.

[sharlie]

that is what is so nice IT IS YOUR DAY and you can do whatever you feel in your heart. =)

[LisaandJeff]

I think OOT bags are such a nice gesture, and when I've received them as a guest, I've really appreciated it. However, a word of warning: our hotel charges $3 plus tax per bag if you want them delivered to your guests. Make sure to check your resort's policy before doing all of the work!

[niajs]

I've always been a bit in two minds about it. We're not staying at a resort (we're in a city), so not all of our guests will be staying in the same hotel. This means that someone (FI hopefully!) will have to spend a whole day in a taxi driving round to people's hotels. Also, with not staying at a resort, we can't really include the fabulous things I've seen on here such as key card/tip holders, beach equipment etc.

 

I've been to two DWs and haven't had anything like this (we didn't have favours at all). I think it's pretty unheard of in the UK, so I really want to make my guests feel special.

 

I've begun ordering the free tote bags from Vistaprint and I think they'll be perfect for what I need. If I can include a welcome bag, some leaflets from the tourist office, a bottle of water and perhaps a local beer/wine and local snacks, I think that'll be fine. We'll be spending 3 weeks away in total and travelling around to different places, so all of my luggage space will be precious!

[skp1]

Yup, my resort charges $2 to deliver the bags to the rooms.  And since the resort is HUGE with multiple check-in areas, its not like we can just leave them at the front desk.  Our plan is to hand out as many as we can to the people attending our welcome party the first night (and this way we get to see the guest's reactions).  The rest we'll have delivered but at least that will only be about half of them.

[babestaaa]

Eh, I'm not crazy about OOT bags...We just might do an excursion or have something nice for our guests as a welcome gift... not sure yet. It'd be cheaper to buy tequila bottles than OOT bags lol it'd be too much customized to each guest and if I had men that go alone, they definitely won't enjoy a bag..

[sharlie]

I will have to ask about the delivery charge... Maybe we will delivery them instead.

[babestaaa]

If they let you, because how will you get in the room? What about different arrival days? Idk..seems like a headache.