The costs of a wedding add up quickly. Most couples getting married discover that fairly quickly and begin to look for ways to trim costs. One of the areas that is often looked at closely are the wedding favors.
Wedding favors don’t have to cost a fortune and can still be very meaningful to the couple and the wedding setting. A little study of the options and consideration of what makes the most sense given the wedding setting usually leads the couple to finding the perfect favor for a price that they can live with.
What matters most is not the cost of the wedding favor gift but how fitting it is and the thoughtfulness put into it. This article is designed to help you come to the same conclusion.
Ideas for Choosing Something Appropriate
Just spend some time thinking about your wedding and your guests. For example, what time of the year will your wedding take place? A fall wedding would suggest some appropriate favors. One couple getting married near Halloween had candied caramel apples as their parting “gift” to their guests. They were beautiful, tasty, creative and certainly fit in well with the season. And the cost? Not too much. You can buy these fairly inexpensively or it could be a fun project for some of your friends who have offered to help with your wedding preparations.
Here are some other ideas for favors:
1. Wedding Photo frames: The frame may include one of the engagement photos, or simply a frame with a “love message” on the frame and one in which the couple can place a photo of whoever they would like: their wedding photo, a child, or whoever they love.
2. A Wedding CD with special music. These CD’s can include some of the favorite music of the couple, including perhaps some of the music that was used at the wedding or reception. It might also be good to keep in mind the differing musical tastes of the guests. Just because the couple enjoys one type of music doesn’t mean that all their guests will also appreciate it. So a variety of music might be a good idea. The music could also fit a certain theme. If you were getting married in Nashville, Music City USA, then a CD of country music would be fitting. And sense there is a wide range of country music styles these days, you should have no problem having the variety of songs just mentioned.
3. A common and traditional gift to guests are white Jordan Almonds. Of course, white is the wedding color. Most people probably don’t realize that there is a certain symbolism to the number of almonds given. For example, 3 almonds represent happiness, wealth and health. Since most people don’t know the number has meaning, you might wonder why do it at all. Good question. If you do, you might include a note that explains the significance. Jordan Almonds are a favorite tasty treat to many, but they are not really cheap.
Budget
Is there a rule for what you spend on favors? Not one that we know of that really works for every situation. Again, the amount is not the most important consideration. You want something that fits – something that people will enjoy getting. Creativeness and personal involvement can substitute for spending a lot of money.
We don’t need to tell you but you do have many other expenses related to your wedding party and guests. It’s not like the wedding favors are “payment” for the trouble and expense that your guests have gone to in order to be at your wedding. You are likely feeding your guests at the reception, and maybe feeding them very well – along with drinks.
It’s more of a traditional, small “thank-you.” Just keep it cost-wise as a small percentage of the overall amount you’ve decided to spend on each wedding guest.
DIY Wedding Favors
We already mentioned the caramel apples idea, but many of the ideas for wedding favors can be do it yourself projects. Because saving some money, hand-made favors are more personal. That doesn’t mean than saving money is automatic. Your costs of the supplies can add up little by little. If you are not careful it is possible to spend more than you would have to just go out and buy favors. If you can stay away from anything with the wedding label on it, you can get what you need for less.
Spend Some Time Thinking…
That is, thinking about your wedding…the style, atmosphere and theme. What if you wedding is to take place on a beach? You gotta be thinking something with sand or sea shells. What if your wedding is out in the country? Maybe one of those old-fashioned jars filled with old-fashioned candies. What about the city in which your wedding takes place?
Especially if you having many guests coming from out of state, something with a local flavor is nice. We know of a Nashville wedding, where the bride and groom gave gifts (jellies) from the world famous Loveless Café. Flower or trees seeds are the choice of wedding favors for couples that are emphasizing having a green (eco-friendly) wedding. A wedding theme can easily dictate the best wedding favor. A rhinestone wedding but mean a rhinestone wedding favor.
Want your names and wedding date on something? Frames, bookmarks and candles are frequent choices.
Most people love chocolate and you see many chocolate wedding favors. Not such a great idea though for an outdoor summer wedding. The chocolate could melt and be a big mess.
Where you buy your favors or made them yourself, don’t wait til the last minute. As you get closer to your wedding, you will have less time. Last minute details will take all your time, and you want to have time to enjoy being with family and friends as they are coming into town.
If you buying favors online, get them ordered 8-12 weeks at least before your wedding. Don’t think that you can order them a week before and get what you want. Either they may not have your choice in stock, or they just won’t arrive on time. What are you going to do, mail them to your guests then!
Below we will adding some photos of wedding favors and wedding favor displays at weddings we attend. These may offer some of your best wedding favors ideas:
Simple Candies in Small Jars for Decorative Wedding Favors
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