OOT Bags - Necessary?

soontobemrsbuccheri · February 2014

We only have a couple of people staying at the hotel that are actually from OOT. The rest of those that have booked rooms under our block, are locals (i.e. - bridal party/parents). Are OOT bags at the hotel, necessary?

I'm hoping I don't have to make 2 bags. I'm guessing it wouldn't be cost effective. Plus, they'll be at the rehearsal dinner the night before. Any advice?

JoanE2012 · February 2014

soontobemrsbuccheri said:

We only have a couple of people staying at the hotel that are actually from OOT. The rest of those that have booked rooms under our block, are locals (i.e. - bridal party/parents). Are OOT bags at the hotel, necessary?

I'm hoping I don't have to make 2 bags. I'm guessing it wouldn't be cost effective. Plus, they'll be at the rehearsal dinner the night before. Any advice?

We had many truly OOT guests, and we skipped the bags. No one was staying longer than the night though, so putting stuff in about the area and such didn't seem necessary. We would have only put practical items in, but we figured most people come set anyway. The hotel also charged for handing the bags out. Once we heard that, we said forget about it. I'd save the money and pass on it.

majesty318 · February 2014

They are not "necessary" but I think they are a nice touch. I always drink the water bottles in OOT bags and often eat the snacks. And I have on occasion been known to need the Advil for the morning after...

Oriental Trading sells the gift bags for $7/ dozen. Grab a case or 2 of water when it's on sale at Shop Rite for like $3/case. And go to Costco to get cases of chips or cookies and the individual Advils.

If you can swing that it is definitely not a bad idea. But at the same time no one is going to side-eye you for not having them.

AshleyNicole1218 · February 2014

I agree with PPs, not necessary, but I do enjoy them. We're doing very basic ones with water, granola bars, chips and advil.

music11 · February 2014

They are a nice touch, I agree, but they ended up being one of the things we just didn't have time to get to, and it wasn't the end of the world.

Cookie Pusher · February 2014

I always appreciate when we get them, but they are not mandatory. If you do want to make them, there are ways to make them in a cost effective way. Places like Michael's and AC Moore sell them in bundles. If you get them with a coupon, they end up being very inexpensive. You can buy cases of water on sale at the supermarket (our store brand was on sale for $2.99/24-pack this week), and boxes of pre-packaged snacks at Walmart or Costco. If you decide to do bags, they don't have to be fancy by any means.

HobokensFury · February 2014

We didn't have anyone staying in hotels, not even us. Our few OOT guests stayed with family so we skipped them.

soontobemrsbuccheri · February 2014

Well, I just got my hotel listing and it looks like only 2 people are from OOT. The rest are all bridal party and immediate family that are from with in NJ. The 2 people that are from OOT are my cousin and her boyfriend. We are having them come to the rehearsal dinner and will be spending time with me the morning of. She hasn't seen me in 5 years, so she'd rather hang with me then stay in a hotel with her boyfriend. (She's older and has 2 kids - been married 2x etc).

Jenn7778 · February 2014

I agree with @maidoftoy. They are not oot bags but an additional thank you for the additional cost of staying at the hotel. Everyone including my parents and bridal party will be getting a bag of goodies when they check into the hotel. You can make them for like $7 a bag if you go to the dollar store and get some bottles of water and snacks. They don't have to be elaborate.

I wouldn't hold it against anyone if I didn't get 1 but I would also definitely say something to my FI. I have never been to a wedding where I stayed overnight and did not get a hospitality bag while checking in. Not unlike a toiletry basket at the reception, I think it is just good form to provide them.

TerriHugg · February 2014

Not necessary, but definitely a nice touch. I got married in the Bahamas and gave them out to guests upon check-in. Everyone loved them!

olleb4 · February 2014

Totally unnecessary if you don't have the time or money to put it together, and if the hotel charges you to distribute. This only became popular a few years ago and for whatever reason it's already an etiquette issue. Don't go crazy if you don't have to!

soontobemrsbuccheri · February 2014

@FutureMrsPA I don't plan to do them because right now our budget is strained. Those that are staying in the hotel the night of, will be joining us for brunch the next morning which is just another thing we are paying for. All in all, if I had the extra $50 I would definitely do the bags, but I just don't. However, if my paycheck stretches further, I may do them last minute.

TerriHugg · February 2014

@soontobemrsbuccheri

I totally agree that you don't need to do them; especially if you don't have the money. However, just in case something changes I will say, that OOT bags don't need to be expensive at all. I got everything for my OOT bags from the Dollar Tree - minus my welcome/thank you note and a keepsake magnet.

Good luck with the rest of your plans.

LavenderHoneyBee · March 2014

Why would you have to do 2? I'm confused. Either way, I like OOT bags are nice, and don't have to cost much. I was recently staying at a hotel for a wedding, and when I checked in they had 3 different sets of OOT bags for wedding guests. Except for the wedding I was with. It didn't bother me, but I noticed it.

littlekik · March 2014

We are doing OOT bags ( and really lucked out as one of my bridesmaids asked if she and her husband could do them for us recently) because I think they are such a nice touch. I always like and appreciate them. However, I would not be offended or think anything of it if someone opted not to do this. To me its an extra perk I truly appreciate but not a necessity.

soontobemrsbuccheri · March 2014

LavenderHoneyBee said:

Why would you have to do 2? I'm confused. Either way, I like OOT bags are nice, and don't have to cost much. I was recently staying at a hotel for a wedding, and when I checked in they had 3 different sets of OOT bags for wedding guests. Except for the wedding I was with. It didn't bother me, but I noticed it.

There are only 2 TRUE OOT guests staying at the hotel overnight. All the other rooms are of close family/friends that are locals that *could* travel home as it is a short drive, but decided to book a room to be safe - which is good because I would hate to have to hear about accidents, etc.

littlekik said:

We are doing OOT bags ( and really lucked out as one of my bridesmaids asked if she and her husband could do them for us recently) because I think they are such a nice touch. I always like and appreciate them. However, I would not be offended or think anything of it if someone opted not to do this. To me its an extra perk I truly appreciate but not a necessity.

I might be doing them. It all depends on what type of $$ I have left over after dealing with last minute payments, etc.

Jenn7778 · March 2014

If you do end up providing bags, you do not just provide them to "true" out of town guests. The nags should be provided to anyone staying at the hotel, family included. The bags are not out of town guest bags, they are welcome hospitality bags to thank the people who are spending an additional $100+ to stay at the hotel. It would be pretty rude to only provide the bags for certain people and not others...that and the hotel might not be willing to pick and choose. I know at my hotel they require the bags to be delivered to them at least 48 hours prior to the first person checking in and simply have a note on each room booked under my room block. If I want the bags delivered to the rooms vs. have them handed out at check in they charge a $4 per room fee.

soontobemrsbuccheri · March 2014

I'm still trying to work out the details if I do indeed do the bags. I am going to be doing some 'last minute' shopping today and tomorrow so whatever I find and isn't going to break my bank account, will be picked up and brought home. I have so much to do with the 8 days that I have left it's insane.

soontobemrsbuccheri · March 2014

@MaidofToy - My list has gotten much shorter since this weekend. WR items are: Gifts for ring bearers (can't decide on something since they are 2 and 3 yo), escort cards tied to favors (favors are doubling as escort card holders), drop off items for reception on Thursday, find thigh high stockings that have lace at the top, final fitting Wednesday, and break in shoes (should have picked them up a week ago, but was too busy & couldn't). Non-WR items: Clean house!!!!!

OOT Bags - Necessary?

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