Create unique and personal favours without upping your budget

by Natalie Lawy

Wedding favours are a charming tradition. One of the most beautiful things about them is they are, in many way, uniquely North American. They evolved from simple European traditions, but we've made them our own. They've grown into something new and different, and often elaborate.

Now, that's a lot of fun, but it means the cost adds up pretty quickly. Step back and think about what amount makes sense to you. Remember they are simply a token to say you're glad to have your guests share a special moment in your life, and a fun way to dress your place settings up a little. Your guests are coming to your wedding because they love you, not for the goodies, so don't feel obligated to break the bank on favours.

So, bear that in mind, and choose favours that suit your style and budget. Here are some ideas to personalize your choice and cut your favour costs.

• Keep it simple. Many couples simply give a single chocolate or piece of candy, along with a tag printed with a short phrase like,
    "Thanks so much for sharing our joy! Love, Samantha and Brian".
• Some couples skip favours all together, and there's nothing wrong with that no matter how formal your wedding. You'll thank your guests during your toast.
• Think outside the box! Favours don't have to be fluffy and white or match your bridesmaids' dresses. They can reflect your venue, your hometown, the season, your hobbies, or anything else. If your favours are unique, useful, or surprising, your guests will enjoy discovering them.
• Favours can do double duty, maximizing your budget.
• Put guests' names on them, and they can act as place cards, or even a seating chart if you arrange them near the door to your reception and add table numbers.
• Use them as centerpieces. Candleholders, small potted plants, or bud vases can be arranged in the center of the table. Anything pretty or packaged attractively can be piled into a glass bowl or stacked on a mirror, charger plate, or cake stand in the middle of the table.
• Cut your favour cost in half! Give "couple favours". Things meant for use at home halve your quantities, because couples can share. Some examples are bottle stoppers, wine charms, picture frames, CD's, stationery sets, pot pourri, soap, or candles.
• Think local. Visit craft fairs and gift shops, and purchase from a local artisan. This is an especially wonderful choice if many of your guests are from out of town. What might you find?
• Handmade soaps and candles
• Pots of jams, jellies, spreads, or dip mixes
• Small vases or flower pots
• Seed packets from your local gardening society or seed exchange
• Items crafted of local stone or wood
• Be crafty and use your talents. Bead necklaces or wine charms. Stamp bookmarks or note card sets. Knit tea cozies or dish cloths. Sew sachets and fill them with lavender. Paint tiles into coasters. Whatever strikes your fancy!
• Get personal. What are your hobbies and passions?
• Give seeds of your favourite flower.
• If you love entertaining, print little booklets of your best drink or appetizer recipes, or give a CD of your favourite dinner party music.
• Bake your favourite cookies and give a couple to each guest along with the recipe.
• Give luggage tags or cedar balls if you've always had the travel bug.
• Give a few cups' worth of your favourite blend of tea or coffee.
• Golf balls would be perfect at a golf resort wedding or if you're avid golfers.
• Think about how you met, or stories about you that are bound to be told. Is there something that could tie in? Leaving something a little unexpected or mysterious at your guests' places, and explaining it during speeches, will get a laugh and create a fun memory. Consider swizzle sticks for bar stories, or a nice pencil for school stories. You get the idea! It's OK for your favours to be humorous, too, such as shoelaces if you met at the gym.
• Be generous. No, I don't mean increase the budget! Instead of giving favours, leave a note on each table or at each place that thanks your guests for sharing their love and warm wishes with you, and explains that instead of giving favours you have made a donation to a meaningful charity.

Favours are lots of fun. Be creative, and remember: There are no rules!