Photo: Cuppa Photography
Though wedding favors are by no means mandatory, think of them as a token of affection, something that will give your guests a lasting memory of your day. Choose gifts and themes reminiscent of the unique style and regional location of your wedding! Here are answers to some common favor-related questions that many brides and grooms find themselves wondering!
I'm having a socially-conscious, environmentally-friendly wedding. What are some creative favor ideas?
This is a wildly popular idea right now, especially after Anne Hathaway and Natalie Portman went this route. Give guests packets of seeds or tree saplings; they can plant them at home. Use found objects, native to the area, such as colorful shells, miniature pinecones, or unique stones. With a drop of clear glue, attach a line of special poetry, along with your names and the date. Or, leave a note written in calligraphy on each table stating that "In honor of [bride] and [groom]'s wedding, a donation has been made in your name to their favorite charity."
Are personalized favors more effort than it's worth?
Not at all! There are so many cool things you can do with guest's initials or photos. Order monogrammed mints and set them at each place, in porcelain keepsake cups. You can also write fortunes for each table of guests and either order or bake fortune cookies to tuck them into. Another meaningful keepsake? Place simple frames embossed with your monogram and/or the wedding date at each place. Then ask the photographer's assistant to snap an instant photo of each guest or couple as they enter the reception room, and hang them on a "Photo Tree." Throughout the reception, or when leaving, guests can take their picture and put it in the frame to keep.
I love flowers, but I can't think of any good ways to incorporate them into my wedding favors. Any ideas?
Breakaway centerpieces are always fun and make guests feel like they can literally take part of your wedding home with them! All you have to do is have mini vases or potted plants as your centerpiece, and then instruct guests to take one before they go. You can also give each guest a small mini wreath made of a symbolic herb (rosemary for remembrance), set a long-stemmed rose at each place, wrap linen napkins in take-home floral rings, or position votive candle holders with floating magnolia blossoms at each place.