Atlantis welcome bags

[skp1]

It’s finally time to post my welcome bags - why do we still call them OOT bags when everyone is OOT at a destination wedding J  This project has morphed since I started wedding planning 10 months ago – adding and subtracting items, spending more and more money, etc.  There were just so many great ideas on BDW but I really had to stop and think about what I wanted.  Our event is only a 3-4 day weekend trip and it’s not an all-inclusive so that was my first way to narrow it down – no rainy day back up plans and no drink containers/tip carriers.  I also was very conscious about making the items gender neutral so everyone could enjoy them.  And lastly, I wanted it to be easily packable – I attending an out of town wedding where the favors were these cute tea light lanterns but my suitcase was so full I couldn’t pack them.  All my welcome bag items will either be consumed on premises or packed flat.

 

So here goes…first the bag.  I started out the same as the other BDW brides and thought I would use Vista Print for everything.  I ordered 2 sample bags with free promos and they are OK but on the small side.  I decided I wanted to do actual beach bags and since I’m not making that many I figured I could splurge a little here – give the guests something they will really use again.  I am using the 2 vista print totes for the kids so they aren’t going to waste.  I was going to do the traditional boat tote but then this striped bag kept popping up in my on-line searches and I fell in love.  They are 100% cotton canvas with a zipper closure.  I kept seeing them as bridesmaid gifts but they are also used for corporate promotions so the guys should like them too.  I ordered them through Motivators.com and they were a pleasure to deal with.  I designed the logo myself (for those of you who have seen my other posts, you’ll recognize my palm tree). The bags are large and good quality.  I wish they had an inside pocket, but the 2 outside ones are really deep.  I’ve already been using mine at the pool and beach.

 

http://www.motivators.com/6867-custom-items.html

 

 

I made the tags in Word, printed them on cardstock, glued them to colored cardstock and tied the ribbon – all supplies left over from other projects.  Since I was trying to get things done early I had these printed before I knew my guests so I just handwrote their names in later.  I tried uploading the template but the format and font is all messed up becasue I'm a different computer.

 

For the contents, I didn’t want to throw things in haphazardly since the bags are pretty large.  I decided I would divide the stuff up into smaller baggies and use wedding vows as the theme.  I made the labels really early so you’ll see it’s a little different than my later DIY projects once I found my official “tree.† Here is everything that’s inside:

 

 

Welcome brochure - welcome note from B&G, itinerary, guest list, things to do, fun facts about Bahamas, photoshare info, how to contact B&G, direction to wedding site.  All the typical stuff.  See separate thread for details.

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/73815/atlantis-welcome-brochure#post_1614425

 

Nassau map which I’m going to get from airport when we land.

 

Activity booklet filled with wedding themed games and info.  See separate thread for details.  I was going to do the custom pens from Vista Print but once I started making the booklet, I realized guests will appreciate a pencil so they can change their answers.

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/71042/activity-book-pictures-and-template

 

2 bottles of water with wedding logos – we are buying the water once we arrive in the Bahamas.  The labels I designed in Word – got the template from the Knot DIY board.  Again, one of my older projects.

 

 

 

 

“For Better or for Worse†– tissues, shout wipes, toothpicks, mints, sunscreen, aloe – the standard BDW stuff.  Sure guests probably won’t need some of this but it’s so darned cute.  See separate thread on toothpicks.  I don’t have a thread on the mint books, but I got that template from another BDW bride.

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/70884/diy-toothpick-books

 

“In Sickness and in Health†– first aid kit with band-aids, Advil, tums, pepto – again standard items.  I got the stick figure template from another BDW bride.  All the items are sealed – it costs more but I know people are funny about open meds.

 

“For Richer or for Poorer†- $5 casino chip – no explanation necessary

 

 

“To Have and to Hold†- these are the actual gifts for the guests (we’re not doing favors at the wedding since there is quite a bit in here) – iPod travel speakers, monogrammed baseball hats, magnets, keychain, Life is Good sticker and CD of some of our favorite wedding songs.  I know, I know, CDs are so yesterday, but giving everyone an iPOD shuffle wasn’t in the budget.  It didn’t cost anything and people can upload it into their iTunes account.  We had stacks of CDs and labels at work that no one uses anymore (we all use USBs now).  I created the label in Publisher using one of their predesigned formats.  The only expense was for sleeves since I didn’t want to deal with cracked jewel cases.  The magnets and key chains are DIY and speakers and stickers are store bought.  I had the hats done at a local embroidery shop but designed them myself. 

 

http://www.origaudio.com/products/the-six-pack

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/73247/diy-tile-magnets

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/64577/personalized-wine-charms post #17

 

 

“As Long as You Shall be Hungry†– snack items to be purchased in Bahamas – pretzels, nuts, cookies, chocolates, etc.  For demonstration purposes I just used stuff around the house.

 

For the kids bags there is an underwater camera, Trader Joe’s Snaquariums (seems appropriate for our location), marine coloring kit (not pictured here - they must be buried in with other stuff), water and the same hat as the adults.  When we pick up the food in the Bahamas I’ll look for some beach toys to stick in there too.

 

 

That’s everything, and as usual, my posting is super long.  Now, to pack it all up…..we leave in 6 days! 

water_bottle4.doc

[acireta]

Steph, your bags are awesome! After seeing all of your DIY posts over the past few months, I knew your stuff would come together well, but WOW! Nice work. You are an inspiration! I hope we don't have many guests so I can afford to do the speakers.

 

Can I please come to your wedding and get one of these bags!? LOL 

[Sllefebvr]

LOVE your bags!! I wish I could do bags like this but I am going to end up having too many people to spend $12.00 just per bag I'm thinking of actually doing nice personalized beach bags for my bridesmaids things!! I actually might end up using those. I love them!

 

Great job on everything, I love all of the sayings on your tags!!

[JayKay]

Your bags are amazing!! Your guests will love them!

[merrylee]

I love your welcome bags, and if only I knew how many people were coming...those look amazing.

[Shahlo]

I love your bags, your guests will too. Thank you for sharing this, I saved this thread so I can come back to it when I start mine.

[skp1]

I packed everything up yesterday and boy is it a lot! Luckily it's only going way

[skp1]

We just got back from our wedding and these were a HUGE hit!  People were amazed and kept asking "does the resort do all this for you?"  They can't believe all I did.  It was so cool to see everyone using their bags and wearing their hats around property.  I'm glad I had a smallish guest count so I was able to do this. 

[acireta]

welcome back and congratulations! I'm not surprised everyone loved them, you did an amazing job!

[J and G 2012]

You id an amazing job, of course your guests loved them!