With all the things that need to be done when planning a wedding, it is easy to overlook something. However, for many couples, the one thing they want to be sure of is that guests feel welcomed and appreciated. Hence, the giving of wedding favors.
But, like any tradition, the giving of wedding favors isn’t a must! If you are planning a small wedding and anticipate being able to mingle with your guest and personally thank them for attending, then a favor isn’t truly necessary. Conversely, even if you are planning a large wedding with 100+ guests as long as your event includes good food and plenty of fun, favors aren’t necessarily a requirement. But, for most couples having the perfect wedding favor is a part of the day.
The History of Wedding Favors
The tradition of giving wedding favors dates back centuries. One of the oldest traditions is that of giving 5 sugared almonds. This is attributed to the Italians and is symbolic that the sweet yet slightly bitter flavor of the sugared almond is to represent that life will generally be more sweet than bitter. The significance of giving five of these almonds is two-fold. First, the five almonds remind the couple that marriage creates a strong bond that is not easily broken or divided, and secondly the almonds represent health, happiness, wealth, fertility and long life.
Choosing the Perfect Wedding Favor
Choosing wedding favors can be stressful – especially if you are trying to stay within a specific price range. To make it easier to choose a favor that is both practical and not something that will be overlooked or tossed out in a few years, keep these tips in mind:
• Make it useful – Ideally, pick something that your guests can use or display in their home.
• Select according to your wedding theme – Whether it based on your colors or location, consider a gift that will complement your day.
• Don’t be afraid of a DIY approach- Are you great at baking or making jams/jellies? Perhaps you do a specific craft that will work for your favor. If so, then don’t be afraid to make your gifts – especially if it means saving a few dollars, too!
• Be sweet – Even if you don’t make them yourself, having cookies, candies or other edibles is a practical wedding favor that you don’t have to be concerned about going to waste or being thrown out in a few years. Even better, consider using something that gives a nod to a local bakery, restaurant, etc.
• Don’t monogram! – Personalizing wedding favors – no matter how nice the gift- is an easy way to turn a practical gift into something thrown out. If you are determined to monogram something, save it for the gift-wrapping or table decorations.
• Try Before You Buy – Don’t order 100 of something as soon as you see it (especially if buying online). Purchase a couple and make sure they are exactly what you want.
Types of Wedding Favors
Need some help deciding on wedding favors? Here are a few ideas:
- Personalized plants – Plant a bulb or perhaps a succulent in a small terracotta pot
- Chocolates or other candies – Feel free to personalize the wrapper.
- Scented candles
- Seed packets
- Soaps
- Mini bottles of bubbly
- Small jar of colorfully tipped matches
- Lottery tickets
- Bottle openers
- Wedding hangover kit bags
- Coffee or Tea bags – Consider adding a sticker to the packet that says, “Love is Brewing”
- Hot chocolate in a tube
The best part, you can personalize any of these by adding info to the wrapping, rather than the item(s) themselves.
Wedding favors can be a fun way to help your guests enjoy your day. Whether you choose to have elaborate gifts or just simple expressions of Thanks, it’ your day and your call. If you have questions about making your day extra special, be sure to talk to a Gala Facility event planner. We’re here to help.