How will friends and family remember your wedding over all others? With a favor that really means something and that makes sense for your wedding. With everything else going on, it can be hard to get the bandwidth to think outside the often-done truffle box. But indulge us, because we know that making unforgettable favors is just a few simple steps away.
Step 1: Do Your Homework
Start your search for the perfect
wedding favor by flipping through your favorite magazines, browsing websites, and stopping off at specialty shops like chocolatiers, gift stores, and stationery boutiques. Gather ideas on innovative packaging, sample flavors, and find trinkets that catch your eye. Take time to go through your own wedding binder and get in sync with your overall wedding ideas. Then, make a list of 20 or so different ideas that might work for your wedding and why; as you continue with this tutorial, you'll learn how to whittle down that list until there is one favor standing.
A few ideas to get you started:
- Place lemon drops in tiny tin containers for a yellow-infused wedding.
- Give out decks of cards because he proposed in Vegas.
- Send guests off with miniature cookbooks filled with your favorite recipes to show off your love of cooking.
Step 2: Personalize Your Favors
Give your favors a stamp of approval by branding them in some way. The constants: your names and wedding date. Your medium can range from rubber stamps to elegant calligraphy. We love shortbread cookies frosted with your couple monogram; or printed pictures (think black-and-white photo booth-style shots) on collectibles such as retro-style fridge magnets. Also consider designing your own monogram. This doesn't have to be the customary 'her first initial -- your new last initial -- his first initial.' Think of it more like a familial seal, only one that hasn't been around for centuries.
A few ways to personalize:
- If you're a whiz with Photoshop, design your own labels and tags at home.
- Check out adorable gift tags and personalized ribbons at The Knot Shop.
- Buy uncut sticker sheets at an art supply store, print out your favor labels on the sheets, and cut into your desired shapes.
Step 3: Decide on Packaging
Even a great favor can fall short if not wrapped properly. From simple brown boxes and clear cellophane bags to tiny tin pails and slim silver canisters, your favor packaging can, and should, make as much of an impact as what's inside them. One note: Make sure your favors aren't so matchy-match that they get lost and blend into the decor. Choose packaging that coordinates -- not perfectly matches -- with the linens and flowers. And play with texture too. Rather than setting your favors in flat corrugated boxes, go for fabric-covered boxes in various shades.
A few ways to package:
- Find pretty handmade paper and colorful raffia for handmade soaps and candles.
- Use tin canisters and wrap colorful thin ribbons around each container.
- Peruse packaging options at The Knot Shop -- from gift box labels to wine bottle labels.
Step 4: Present Your Favors Right
Once you've found the perfect favor, and packaged and personalized each one with pretty papers and bows, you'll want to be sure each guest gets her hands on one, right? Giving out
wedding favors has come a long way from simply placing them on a table near the exit -- though that's still a great option.
A few ways to present your favors:
- Group favors en masse and allow guests to help themselves -- try stocking old-school milk cartons with mini bottles of wine.
- Ask waiters to pass around bite-size cupcakes or homemade mini fruit tarts -- and mini bakery boxes -- on fancy silver trays.
- Your favors could perform double duty as table numbers, escort cards, or just cute table decorations.
- Slip slim favors, such as chopsticks, into a silk napkin at each place setting.
- Personally hand out each and every favor to each and every guest as everyone leaves the reception, or do so at the postwedding brunch. It's the best way to guarantee that you'll say good-bye and thanks to everyone.
-- Allison Micarelli
See More: Wedding Favors