I think this bathroom item thing is newish. Never seen it before at any weddings I have attended. IMO, it is low hanging fruit and is an item that can be skipped if budget/time doesn’t allow. I surely wouldn’t feel slighted as a guest if it wasn’t there. There are tons of non-wedding events I go to that are similar or longer length and nothing like that is provided and everyone makes due just fine.
My guess is many people grab that stuff just like they bring stuff home with them from hotel bathrooms. Its not necessarily used at the event itself.
Re: bathroom goodies: agree they are frequently just picked up, regardless of immediate need. Additional variable is the size of bathroom and the available space for baskets, etc. Worth checking it out in advance.
I do think it is helpful to have an “emergency” kit available specifically for the wedding party and bride groom stashed in accessible place or with wedding coordinator: deodorant, sewing kit, bandaids, fabric tape, aspirin, etc. Just extra peace of mind. Let relevant parties know it exists.
Can’t recall if there were goodies in the bathroom at either s’s wedding, but probably not… Pretty sure not at DS#2’s wedding, and the first wedding was at a pretty rustic place. Not sure there was room in the bathrooms for baskets.
I wouldn’t call toiletries, band aids and things like deodorant “goodies”. But to each his own.
We didn’t do hotel goodie bags, and had some out of town guests thank us. Most of our out of town guests flew…and they had been in the position of throwing away things like granola bars and water bottles, and other misc from the goodie bags.
I think whatever suits the family, they can do. I know folks who loved putting together those goodie bags and felt they were essential. I know folks who liked picking out things to put in bathrooms because they felt those were essential. I know folks who did neither thing…and the weddings were just as nice!
At this point, we won’t do any sort of welcome bags. Few out-of-state guests. I might do something nice for the in-laws. Maybe just cookies. I haven’t seen it yet, but wouldguess this lovely hotel will have some amenities in the bathrooms.
We’ll have both the venue coordinator and the planner there. Kinda feels like a guest with some need can go to them. I’ll ask them to have a small repair or headache kit available.
I agree with having emergency stuff for the bridal party. Someone stepped on my dress and ripped part of the hem during my wedding. My mom was able to quickly repair it so I wasn’t tripping over it all night. Also had a “time of the month” emergency for one of my bridesmaids. Shout stick and supplies saved the day.
I made an emergency kit for niece’s wedding and used the same one for D1. We used a few things for the bridal party each time: hair spray, bobby pins, Advil, scissors, double stick tape. I actually put my sewing basket in my car both times, just in case. But I didn’t end up needing it…
Our venue told us that it would be our responsibility if we wanted an amenities basket in the ladies/mens rooms. I suspect I will create them…just a hunch.
I also managed to successfully negotiate with the venue regarding the hotel block today, so I’m hoping I can get the revised contract back for signature tomorrow. They agreed to include any non-block rooms reserved by our guests in calculating the guaranteed minimum revenue and to calculate any amount due under the guarantee on the cancellation date, 48 hours before check-in. From a financial point of view, this is what I cared about. FDIL was concerned that there was a more inclusive rate available on the venue’s website (more amenities) and wanted the same amenities included in the block rate but that was a non-starter. My feeling is that since those rooms would be included in our minimum revenue guarantee, we can point guests to the website as well as the block. Venue won’t give us the block code until the contract is signed so I want this wrapped up as soon as possible so FDIL can update their website with this information and send the Save the Date cards.
Florist visit today and this guy has been at this for 40+ years, gets so excited. We came in roughly at budget, with a lot more than I thought we’d get. His shop was loaded with roses, in prep for this weekend’s events.
She doesn’t have an officient in mind and I joked I could get an online cert and do it. Turns out she wants someone else legit, in case whoever she hires doesn’t show. I do knowof a wedding where the venue was supposed to provide the clergy and forgot.
I am doing about 50 welcome baskets (very small) with snacks and water.
the BR amenities as well. under protest lol
I do have a box with emergency supplies for the day
Be careful choosing your officiant. Some States are strict regarding where the officiant gets its certificate especially Virginia
My other D getting married in May was disqualified from a career goal d/t a disability. feel sad for her. (its not discrimination) She has worked so hard. lots of emotions these days.
We did not do welcome bags (people stayed in many airbnbs and not just “our” hotel) nor did we put things in the bathrooms, which was good. There are SO MANY tiny little things to be managed the weekend of, and every second you are packing or placing those tiny little things, or checking on them, you are NOT talking to the bride, groom, spouse, relatives, or eating, or peeing. Leave plenty of “empty” in the weekend, so you can fill it up with being in the moment. That advice has been given here before, but I feel like I should have heeded it more conscientiously. Luckily my DH was a pro at greeting and catching up with people while I was helping bridesmaids and such. I think if the details are important, and you can afford it, a wedding planner frees you up to be more of a guest. We did not have one (budget!)but I can see now that there’s some value in someone else deciding and herding.
I agree that the weekend just flies by and you want to be able to enjoy it and spend time with your guests. Our venue required that we hire a month-of coordinator. Our D hired someone for the whole process but afterewards felt that she only really needed her for the last month and day of the wedding. The planner was incredibly helpful. She had worked at the venue before so she knew how to schedule things. She had calls with all of our vendors the week before the wedding to confirm things. And she and her assistant managed tons of things the day of the wedding so we could relax and enjoy ourselves. I was dubious about this originally, but it was worth it.
