There aren’t many weddings these days where the tradition of giving wedding favors is not followed. Guests arrive at the reception & take their places at their tables, only to be greeted by a cute little package sitting on their place setting. However in recent years, placing favors at guest’s table settings has been dismissed by imaginative brides who have chosen other, more creative ways of distributing these delightful little gifts.

Choosing your Wedding Favors

When it comes to selecting your wedding favors, the sheer variety of choice is likely to make your selections a near impossible task. Whilst some will want to choose a favor which will appeal to all their guests, others will be concerned about cost & not blowing the budget. But there are choices of favor available which won’t cost a fortune & can appeal to everyone.

Try creating your wedding favors as centerpieces. Use a large decorative bowl filled with a selection of candy & chocolates, from which guests can help themselves. Provide some small boxes or bags & a little scoop so they can take some home with them. This s great solution to giving something which will appeal to all & will allow guests to pick out what they like.

Another version of this which has been popular in recent years is a candy bar or station. Arrange jars, bottles & bowls filled with candy & chocolates on a small table & again provide scoops & bags so guests can help themselves. This is a good idea if you have a larger budget for your favors & can afford to offer a wide variety of sweet treats.

If your wedding is to be a small intimate affair with only a small number of guests, then you may find it possible to buy individual gifts for each guest. I would suggest a maximum number of 30 guests for this approach, otherwise you may find yourself overwhelmed with the task! If you do go for individual favors, make sure they are clearly labeled & placed on the correct place setting or you could find your carefully chosen gifts in the wrong hands!

Edible wedding favors are always a popular choice & never fail to delight. Traditionally sugared Jordan almonds were the favor of choice, but these days there is a wealth of different edibles to choose from. Cookies are perennial favorite amongst brides as they come in various shapes & sixes & can be customized as you wish. Other ideas include luxury chocolates, miniature cakes, mints & other more unusual items such as maple syrup, honey or hot sauce (however, guests can’t really sit & munch on these whilst waiting for the first course!).

Alternatives to Wedding Favors

There are other less traditional alternatives for wedding favors. These can be innovative & cost effective choices, whilst delighting your guests with something a little different from the norm.

These ideas include:

Lottery tickets – this idea has been around for a while now & revolves around giving each guest a single lottery ticket. Stationers have cottoned onto the trend & produce specially designed envelopes or cards for lottery favors. You may however, want to consider how you would feel should one of your guests win big with a ticket you purchased!

Donation to charity – some couples choose to give their favor budget to charity or a number of causes. This is a great idea particularly if you are affluent & feel your guests would appreciate this gesture more than a mini box of sweets! You can inform your guests of the donation by placing a card on their place setting telling them ‘in lieu of a wedding favor we have made a donation of $... to the …………….’

The important thing to remember about wedding favors is they are intended as a small token of appreciation from you to your guests as a thank you for sharing your special day with you. Your choice should reflect your own personalities, tastes & coordinate with your wedding theme or style. Whether you choose edible cookies or a useful keepsake, your guests will appreciate your efforts & the gesture you have made.