Grand Cayman OOT bags

[ls415]

Calling all Grand Cayman brides, any tips for Out-of-Town bags?

 

I'm thinking basics like a map, travel/party survival things like advil, alka seltzer, dramamine...but what are some cool things from Cayman that I can include?

 

Thanks for any help...

[passionsarcasm]

Well I have been to the Caymans (fave island so far...) and I had considered having our wedding there so do I count? lol...

As a suggestion: I had brought back Tortuga rum cakes for friends/family/coworkers...nothing was left! I even had friends' STEALING rum cakes that were meant for others saying 'you snooze you lose' lol. They are THAT good..and with all the flavors they come in you can please many...

 

I had bought a bunch of the 6 pack cakes and a big Original Golden one for my mom who proceeded to ask me for more three days later!

http://www.tortugarumcakes.com/

 

 

P.S. Their rum is delicious. Although you can't purchase that off the site. Smells crazy strong but tastes so smooth...

 

Happy Planning!

 

[Starfish0512]

I'm buying the mini rum cakes while we are down there, the factory is right near Celebrations office in the micro centre.  There is also a local company that produces sea salts, either for food or bath salts, will be including those as well.

 

http://www.caymanseasalt.com/home.html 

 

You might have seen I purchased Tote Bags from lands end. To fill them I'm doing bubba kegs so guests can bring drinks to the beach from their villa and stays cold, going to have some golf balls personalized for my fbil and ffil, considering frisbees, definitely deck of cards, puzzle books, snacks everything you listed above. Planning on picking up the local magazines for the bags too...  I know I'm forgetting stuff, my lists keeps growing!  I only have to make 9 so I can spend a little extra on them... 

[lm3682]

One thing I did that guests loved were drink coupons. I worked with my hotel and pre-paid the hotel bar for a drink per person. Then I made up cute coupons (ran them by the hotel so they knew what the coupon looked like) and added them to the bags. Guests definitely used them! Plus the coupons were easy to pack up and get down to the islands.

[chitownbride]

Anyone know the protocol around shipping things to Grand Cayman? I thought I read somewhere that it can be challenging to get things into the country and you might be better of buying things there. But of course I can't remember where I read that

[GrandCayBride]

Hi guys  since I did the shipping via fed ex, thought I would share my experience.

 

I have to say it was expensive but a great move because with carrying our wedding attire and suitcases and toasting flutes and shoes and other wedding attire items etc for wedding adding the welcome bags would have been even more stressful than it was already since plane didn't have a closet for our stuff..We had to ask people to move their luggage to put my dress overhead.........so plan accordingly......but ask nicely and people will gladly help you!!

 

 

.......I shipped our bags and it cost over $800.00 because I shipped 30 welcome bags, sign in platter, sand and sea favor bottles, programs, name place setting tags (ceramic), wedding cake style cookies for place setting, etc

 

Our bags had:

Koozie (palm trees and our wedding date), Personalized M&M's (faces, date and GC on them), Chip ahoy cookies, Peanuts, bread sticks, pretzels, sewing kit, sunscreen, lysol spray, shout wipe, first aid kit (Pepto bismol, advil, bandaids, neosporin), mini rum cake, voucher for breakfast buffet at Hemingways 

 

 

You can order a case of the Tortuga mini rum cakes for about 1.50 CI per cake.  There are 60 per case I think.

[GrandCayBride]

Give yourself plenty of time....it has to pass through customs....unless you ship international priority...then it will amazingly get there in two days......we waited until two weeks prior and was told that if we didn't ship priority it could get held up at customs....

 

I called Fed Ex in Grand Cayman and they suggested that: if you ship priority-they view it as a priority and get it through customs fast....it is less expensive to ship international normal but not sure how long that would take to get through customs.

 

PS-I put a detailed list of the contents and put in the two boxes I shipped and I had no problems.  Make sure you indicate everything in the boxes and they won't be held up at customs.  Also, indicate they are personal items for wedding. 

[Starfish0512]

This is great info!  I have heard from so many other brides that shipping has been a nightmare but this makes it sound relatively easy!  Despite the cost, it may be worth it! I had planned on packing all my oot stuff into either a duffle or a smaller suitcase and pay the extra baggage fee - generally $90 per bag.

 

Thanks so much!!!

 

Originally Posted by GrandCayBride 

Hi guys  since I did the shipping via fed ex, thought I would share my experience.

 

I have to say it was expensive but a great move because with carrying our wedding attire and suitcases and toasting flutes and shoes and other wedding attire items etc for wedding adding the welcome bags would have been even more stressful than it was already since plane didn't have a closet for our stuff..We had to ask people to move their luggage to put my dress overhead.........so plan accordingly......but ask nicely and people will gladly help you!!

 

 

.......I shipped our bags and it cost over $800.00 because I shipped 30 welcome bags, sign in platter, sand and sea favor bottles, programs, name place setting tags (ceramic), wedding cake style cookies for place setting, etc

 

Our bags had:

Koozie (palm trees and our wedding date), Personalized M&M's (faces, date and GC on them), Chip ahoy cookies, Peanuts, bread sticks, pretzels, sewing kit, sunscreen, lysol spray, shout wipe, first aid kit (Pepto bismol, advil, bandaids, neosporin), mini rum cake, voucher for breakfast buffet at Hemingways 

 

 

You can order a case of the Tortuga mini rum cakes for about 1.50 CI per cake.  There are 60 per case I think.

 

Originally Posted by GrandCayBride 

Give yourself plenty of time....it has to pass through customs....unless you ship international priority...then it will amazingly get there in two days......we waited until two weeks prior and was told that if we didn't ship priority it could get held up at customs....

 

I called Fed Ex in Grand Cayman and they suggested that: if you ship priority-they view it as a priority and get it through customs fast....it is less expensive to ship international normal but not sure how long that would take to get through customs.

 

PS-I put a detailed list of the contents and put in the two boxes I shipped and I had no problems.  Make sure you indicate everything in the boxes and they won't be held up at customs.  Also, indicate they are personal items for wedding. 

 

[AllieGatorUF]

I'm glad I saw this thread! I only have to make 5 welcome bags for my small wedding and here is what I plan to include:

 

Travel/Activities Brochure

Sunscreen

Small Straw Hand Fan

Flip Flops to wear during the ceremony

Bridesmaid/MOH gifts - Custom Necklaces bought on Etsy

Cayman Salts (as mentioned in an earlier post - I will buy these at the hotel when I get there)

Bottle of Victoria's Secret "Island Waters" scented body wash

Personal CD Soundtrack of "Island" themed music/love songs

Snacks

Lip balm

Tissue (for happy tears!!)

 

 

I'm purchasing the gift bags online (palm material) and adding name tags tied on with aquamarine ribbon to tie in the wedding colors.

 

[GrandCayBride]

You are welcome.......I just did it all a few months ago so if anyone has any questions feel free to ask. 

 

And yes the shipping was relatively easy just make sure you go online and get the appropriate international shipping documents printed and filled out, it will speed up the process at Fed Ex.   Oh yeah, also was told by my wc that FED EX better than UPS.....so that is what I did. Fed ex.

 

Everyone was super excited to get our bags.....were used and seen on the beach while we were there...it was a backpack type.  I put welcome letter and the map show here.....

 

Here is picture of our koozies and M&M'