shape
carat
color
clarity

Canvas bags for welcoming guests

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.

zoebartlett

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Dec 29, 2006
Messages
12,461
Okay, so we''re not even engaged yet but since this is my school vacation week, I figured I''d do some planning. It''s okay, call me crazy. Why not, though, begin planning? So here''s what we''ve done so far.

We have our guest list set, for the most part. We''re hoping to have a small(ish) DW and we''re planning on inviting 80 guests.

We went to the mountains last weekend to look around at some wedding and reception sites. This weekend, we''re heading to the seacoast to do the same.

Now, here''s my question. I''ve been looking at canvas tote bags like these: http://www.landsend.com/pp/OpenTopTotes-66223_118740_1341.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_66221&sid=2736141307994146010 but the small ones are $15 each. I''d like to do one tote bag per couple, so we''re looking at getting roughly 35-40 bags (obviously this depends on how many guests can attend).

What other places (stores or websites) would be good for canvas tote bags that aren''t as pricey? Thanks!
 
Hey Zoe,

I got these bags for my bridesmaids: http://www.thegartermaker.net/catalog.php?item=41&catid=7&ret=catalog.php%3Fcategory%3D7

They were a HUGE hit. Now they are more expensive than your LandsEnd bags, but only by 5 bucks.. AND.. they are very LARGE.. as you can see: 23in. long, 15 in. high and 5in. wide.

And she will embroider them for you (thats included in the price) and I bet if you were to email her and tell her you want 35-40, my guess is she would give you a price break, so maybe you can get the price down a bit!

We got the pink bags with white handles... and since we got married on the Beach.. this was perfect for my girls to haul their stuff in!!!

Hope that helps.. I''m attaching a picture of the final bag. Check her out though, she has a couple other bags as well!

Gartermaker J-Bag.jpg
 
Hey Zoe,
What about checking out the LLBean Factory store in Concord? Sometimes you can get blank bags there.
 
Thanks Jaders and HH! Jaders --I love the bags you got! I remember drooling over them the last time you posted that picture. I''ll have to check it out.

HH- I''ll actually be in Concord tomorrow so I''ll go to LL Bean. Thanks for the tips!
 
Also, check what stores are now at the outlets in Tilton and N. Conway. I haven''t been up there in ages, but I think at one time there was an Eddy Bauer or Lands End in Tilton (not sure about N. Conway tho).
 
Where are you located? If you''re talking about going to LL Bean, then probably the northeast?

There''s a store in RI that we''ve bought canvas bags from...they are like $5 each. They aren''t as thick of canvas as the true Bean''s bag, but they hold up well. It''s called "Ocean State Job Lot", but I haven''t been there in a while so I''m not sure if they carry them currently or not.

Otherwise, I would check the Christmas Tree Shop too. Just seems like the sort of thing they''d have.

I also got a cute canvas bag at Ikea for $4.99. It''s a different style (it''s reversible, solid on one side and print on the other). More "beachy" than nautical. But still cute and cheap.
 
In NH it''s called Big Lots I think (There''s one in Claremont). I would just like to add that I''m totally addicted to IKEA. The bf and I go there just about every weekend. Do you know of a back way from Providence (we usually take 95 to 24 which takes FOREVER)?
 
check your local craft stores....michaels has them...oriental trading has some
 
Hey Hudson Hawk,

Sorry, I don''t live in RI anymore, so I''m not sure the best way to get to Ikea (in Stoughton, right?). I love Ikea, too, though!

When I moved, I was so glad that my new city had an Ikea. Now we have a Trader Joe''s too (something that you need in RI desperately!).
 
You can also try Oriental Trading. I was also considering tote for my OOT guests, but ended up ditching the idea. I don''t know the quality of the bags, but in a lot of cases you can get a dozen for $20-$25.
 
These ones are too cute:
http://www.shopintuition.com/product.asp?pid=9119

I know I''ve seen them somewhere where you can personalize them with something other than the two names (like, "Xyz and Abc''s wedding, 2007" or "Mr. and Mrs. Jones"). They''re much pricier so probably not what you''re looking for, but I couldn''t resist posting the link
2.gif
 
ARe you dead set on canvas bags?

If not, why not try gable boxes.

I have some good sites saved on my computer at home, but you can probably google and find a source.

That is what we are planning to do- you can dress them up as much or as little as you wish.
I think we are just going to put a personalized label on the outside.
 
ok so the only thing I have to say is, remember that you not only have to buy the bags, but probably stuff to fill them with... things add up FAST. I did gable boxes and they were a huge hit, plus that way they didn't have to worry about fitting all the stuff back in their suitcases (I only gave them to OOT guests) but it still came out to about $10 or so per box... I think I did some tea, chocolates, a candle, some snacks. the boxes were less than $1 each, I forget the site I got them from but I can look it up if you need.

oh, and also think about transporting all the bags.. that is kind of a hassle too, unless you (or someone you know) lives close to the wedding site... not to discourage you or anything but logistically it all needs to be worked out.
 
Thanks for the suggestions! Basil, I don''t think I answered your question -- yes, we live in the northeast. I''m going to focus my search on NH, and MA, and maybe ME.

Jaders -- I love those bags you got. I checked out the site you posted and I''ll keep it in mind. I think,though, that I''m looking for a much smaller bag. We''d like to fill each one with maps, suggestions of things to do and sights to see, small bottles of water, snacks, maybe sun screen and bug spray (if we have the wedding in the mountains or on the seacoast like we''re hoping).

Our guest list is now growing (I actually didn''t think it would but we''re working on it). If our wedding is a DW, I may not be able to do a bag for every couple or family. Everyone will be an out of town guest. I could do one just for family or something, but then I wouldn''t want anyone to feel "excluded."

Flopkins and Labbie -- thanks for the suggestions of using gable boxes. I looked into them and it''s something I could consider if I end up foregoing the canvas bag idea.
 
Zoe-
We went to a DW this past weekend and every couple got a nice canvas bag full of snacks (we got a deck of card too) and the brides mom made these awesome fabric luggage tags (we actually got 3 of these because they were used as the placecard holders too) anyway the bags were fantastic!
I am trying to stop using plastic bags when shopping and will definitely use our bag as a beach bag or shopping bag-

Here are some links to cheap bags-
http://www.orientaltrading.com/application?origin=page.jsp&namespace=browse&event=link.itemDetails&categoryId=342679&BP=515&sku=14%2f49&cm_mmc=NXTG-_-Everyday%20Supplies-_-Hats%20%26%20Bags-_-Tote%20Bags-Natural%20Canvas
http://www.clothing4all.com/detail.aspx?ID=1038
http://www.amazon.com/Harriton-Canvas-Tote-Bag/dp/B000ANOUSK
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Top