Wedding Blog
If you’re planning on having an “Out of Town” gift bag, how are you getting it to your guests?
My original plan was to contact all of the RSVP’d guests to find out where they are staying, and then spend a day delivering the bags all around town. Sure it’s a bit of trouble, but it’s the least I could do to thank everyone for coming out. A lot of our guests are clustered in houses they’ve rented for the week, the hotel where our reception is held, and other hotels that are in the downtown area… so I’ll definitely have to make more than a few stops.
But then I started to wonder about how I would get in contact with everyone… and if hotels will charge me to hold/deliver the bags… and now I’m going to the hive to get the best suggestions out there. Please share any tips you have that would make the gifting an easier process for the hosts!
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we left a line on the rsvp to include their hotel/arrival date. then we sent a newsletter with an added little note to send us an email if you haven’t told us where you’re staying..
We’re inviting our out of town guests to the rehearsal dinner, so I think we’re going to give out a small gift to each of them at that time. It will just be easier than trying to track down guests at several different hotels.
We reserved one hotel for all our OOT guests and I just sent out an email letting them know. When it gets closer to the big day I’ll call the hotel to see who’s made reservations for our group, and if there’s anybody else who’s not staying in the hotel (but has RSVP’d yes) then I might send out a brief email asking where they’re staying.
But I like StephieD’s idea, so I may have to run that past Mr B!
You could ask the hotel and see if they would hold them behind the desk and if someone is checking in for the wedding (if you have a block at a certain hotel), they could give them one? The other idea is to ask the groomsmen to do deliver them to the guests at their hotel? It’s not like they have to get their hair done and stuff! Lol.
I reserved a block of rooms at a hotel, and when I did that, I asked them if I could leave out of town bags for my guests. They said yes, and I was so glad!
I did like a few of the above. My MOH and I took them to the hotel the day before checkin with each guests name of their bag (kids had different bags, so they all had to be labeled) and they recieved them upon checkin. I didn’t get charged for them to do this for me. I think my hotel was exceptionally nice though. They even let my my parents host an OOT brunch in the restaurant at now charge! They had to pay for food but that was it, which was amazing, since that restaurant is not usually open for breakfast!
I have to leave/send packages for people at hotels all the time for work, and there is never a problem. Just make sure that you label each bag with the name of the person who made the reservation (the check-in date would be helpful, too). I’ve never had a single hotel charge me for holding a package and handing it to the guest when they checked in - it’s a really common request, and any hotel should be fine with it.
If you are worried about it, speak with the desk manager or concierge (if there is one).
You can also let your guests know that there will be something waiting for them when they check in - that way, if the bag isn’t offered they will know to ask if anything has been left for them.
I’ve decided that I’m going to give them the bags ahead of time, kind of a “bon voyage” theme (they all live in around the same area). That way, they can decide what to take with them, and I can also include a newsletter-type thing that can help them with planning as well as while they’re there. Also, we’re going to be meeting certain people at the airport when they arrive, so we’re also going to give them leis then.
Our hotel is handing them out at check-in for free…as long as we don’t put the person’s name on the box/bag. Our name can be on there, but if we personalize them for each couple coming that makes it extra work for the hotel.
I have 5 bridesmaids who have all volunteered to hand deliver the bags. If each girl takes a few then it isn’t as daunting as trying to do it all yourself. And they are still hand delivered giving your guests a personal welcome!
I agree with D — if your OOT guests make the trip to your wedding, inviting them to the rehersal dinner is a very nice gesture. It will definitely make them feel more welcomed and they’ll feel like they got to spend time with you. I know this personally because my BF and I travelled 1000 miles to his good pal’s wedding. There was no bag but I didn’t even miss it. Being able to chill with the bridal party before all the madness took place meant so more than a bag of munchies.
Since I wasn’t able to invite everyone to my rehearsal dinner we set up a table near the exit of the reception with cute little gingham paper bags full of goodies. Not just munchies but the little red paper fortune telling fish, bamboo back scratchers and some little games. Also the requisite granola bars, hot chocolate bags and candy. I found a ton of great stuff at Oriental Trading Company. It looks cheesey on line but it was really fun. I was able to drop off the boxes full of bags and the caterer put them out at no extra charge.
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Mrs. Lemon, Los Angeles/Monterey
Age and Occupation in 06: 26, Graduate Student (Public Policy)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Environmental Consultant
Engagement Date: April 7, 2006
Wedding Date: July 7, 2007
Venue: Rosary Chapel & Monterey Marriott, Monterey, CA
About Me: My FI and I met online, but we like to tell people that we met at a "cookie shop" which is the technical location of our first encounter. He proposed exactly 1 year, 1 month and 6 days after our first date (it's the only part of his proposal speech that I remember), and we're planning long-distance from Los Angeles for a July wedding in my hometown of Monterey, CA. I have a passion for all things "cool, cute and quirky" and I enjoy video games, reading blogs (WeddingBee, trashy celeb, consumer & political) and crafting in my spare time, if I have any!
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