Welcome Bags for OOT guests?

RMMorello

We are having a somewhat destination wedding and the welcome bag question is weighing heavily on me. My FI and I met in Los Angeles but currently live in Boston. We are getting married in Laguna Beach, CA. Half of our guests live in southern CA, but they'll all have to drive about an hour to the venue. The other half of our guests are flying in from other parts of the country and Boston. Just about everyone will be spending the night in Laguna Beach for the wedding. Do I really have to do Welcome Bags for every guest? Many of our guests are helping us DIY the wedding and I've all ready bought specific thank you gifts for them. 

The biggest problem is that this may just break the budget for us, which I'd rather have all our budget saving going towards the bar. Or is it super tacky to not provide a welcome bag?

rajahmd

Welcome bags are appreciated, but not required.  If it's not in the budget, don't worry about it.  If you do it, make sure you can afford one for everyone staying at your hotel blocks.  If they're staying at another hotel, there's no way for you to know or get it to them, so you don't have to provide one in that case.

I think that's the generally accepted info.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

OjitosVerdes

If you can't do it for everyone that is staying at the hotel, then just cut it out. Welcome bags are nice, but they are one of these new wedding "traditions" that aren't necessary. 

I hear you on the bar expense - our venue quoted us $50/person for a 4-hour open bar. That's before the 20% service charges. And our initial guestlist was 200 people. Unbelievable. 

StephJean83

They are not neccessary. I went to 6 weddings last year and 5 of them were OOS for me. Only at 2 of those had Welcome Bags. If it is between offering a decent bar and Welcome Bags, I would totally put the money towards the bar.

AddieCake

If they are weighing heavily on you, I say cut them. They are not at all necessary. I think they are a nice gesture, and at the same time I find them kind of pointless. 

lyndausvi

They are not necessary.  Spend the money on the bar instead.

[Deleted User]

If there isn't budget for them, don't do them. If you really want to do something for guests who are staying overnight, get a few cases of bottled water when you hit town & put them out maybe with a sign for people to grab them on their way out (not as favors) so they can hydrate after having fun at your wedding. A nice bottle of water would make anyone happy for a car trip home or to drink when they go to their room. You can always personalize them with labels.

s-aries8990

as an OOT guest, I would much rather have a better bar than a welcome bag. Ditto Erikan's idea about the water thought- i think that it's an awesome idea and much cheaper than welcome bags (about $40 for 8 cases~ 200 bottles).

tlc35

In Response to Re:Welcome Bags for OOT guests?:[QUOTE]They're not necessary. Rule of thumb, if it's between something pretty and extra or the bar, always go with the bar. The bar wins all. Cute hankies lt; barWelcome bags lt; barFavors lt; barFancy centerpieces lt; bar Professional hair and makeup lt; barabout the only things more important are the food, the reception music, and anything that actually makes the marriage legal and binding. Posted by Harry87[/QUOTE]
Totally agree with this!

RMMorello

Thanks, the bar it is!

STARMOON44

Just another vote to skip them.  I actively dislike them.  They're usually just clutter, and I can buy my own water if I need it!

nicoleandersonmd

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_welcome-bags-for-oot-guests?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:cc1e0eea-5992-4b3f-8e94-2ce0913eee19Post:da55c15e-d622-48fa-9d29-c8982aba5398">Re: Welcome Bags for OOT guests?</a>:
[QUOTE]If you can't do it for everyone that is staying at the hotel, then just cut it out. Welcome bags are nice, but they are one of these new wedding "traditions" that aren't necessary.  I hear you on the bar expense - our venue quoted us $50/person for a 4-hour open bar. That's before the 20% service charges. And our initial guestlist was 200 people. Unbelievable. 
Posted by OjitosVerdes[/QUOTE]



WHAT?! That's outrageous!!!