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Giving wedding favors to guests is a traditional way to thank them for sharing your wedding day celebration. Although favors are completely optional they have several practical uses too.
- Favors can play up your wedding theme or motif and add color and interest to reception tables.
- They can do double-duty as place card or seating card holders.
- Larger favors such as potted plants can be grouped together for an instant centerpiece which is then separated and given to special guests at the end of the event.
- Favors provide guests with a take-home memento of your day.
Today's couples opt for unique, useful, and personalized favors and many are creating gorgeous DIY favor displays with natural rustic accents and vintage items. This article gives you plenty of wonderful ideas and inspiration for reception table favors your guests will love.
PRO TIPS FOR CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING FAVORS
- Choosing favors should come near the end of your wedding planning. It's important to keep in mind the mood, colors, location, theme and formality of your wedding. Knowing these things ahead of time will greatly simplify choosing a suitable favor.
- Let your reception surroundings inspire you as you consider different favor options. Take, for example, the easy and relaxed atmosphere at an outdoor beach wedding compared to a formal black-tie wedding held at a city museum. Some favor designs will just work better for each occasion.
- Couples typically spend about two to three percent of their wedding budget on favors. Once you know your overall budget and approximately how many guests will attend your reception, divide your budget by the number of guests to get an idea of how much each favor will cost. The fewer guests you have, the more eccentric your favors can be if desired.
- Remember, you can personalize almost any wedding favor with favor tags and labels (e.g. labels with your names and wedding date), by ordering monogrammed ribbons, stickers or by making them yourself on a home printer. One of the most well known companies for making your own tags and labels is Evermine.com.
POPULAR WEDDING FAVOR IDEAS BY CATEGORY
Wedding favors generally fall into categories like the ones below with edible, practical and bath/body favors being the most popular to give.
- Edible (Cookies, Candy, Chocolates, Jordan Almonds, Jams, Spices)
- Practical (Candles, Mugs, Bookmarks, Key chains, Hand-Held Fans)
- Bath & Body (Soap, Lotion, Sunscreen, Lip Balm)
- Home Decor (Coasters, Frames, Magnets)
- Garden (Seeds, Seedlings, Potted Plants)
- Beach & Nautical (Shells, Starfish, Brass Items)
- Travel (Mugs, Clocks, Travel Candles)
- Winter (Ornaments, Snowflake-Themed Items)
- Children's Favors (Pack of Crayons, Small Toys)
- Heritage (Symbolic Items From Your Family Background)
- Thoughtful (Lottery Tickets, Charity Notes)
- Sports (Golf, Tennis, Baseball, Soccer, Basketball)
- Local Goodies (Items From the Local Area like food or beverages, etc.)
EDIBLE WEDDING FAVOR IDEAS
SPA & CANDLE WEDDING FAVOR IDEAS
HANDMADE BOXED WEDDING FAVOR IDEAS
PRACTICAL WEDDING FAVOR IDEAS
